Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun may be somewhat forgotten nowadays, but the director's fans often bring it up as an underrated masterpiece. Inarguably, its uniqueness lies in the unique perspective it gives to World War II because of its setting in Shanghai and its protagonist, who is just a child.
Indeed, the movie was a breakthrough for the young Christian Bale, though he would achieve acclaim only with his later roles in such movies as 1994's Little Women and 2000's American Psycho. Though there are many movies made set during wartime, not many focus on a child's perspective on the horrors of war.
The Diary Of Anne Frank (1959)
To this day, 1959's The Diary of Anne Frank is considered to be the best adaptation of the famous diary (even though it was technically adapted from the play of the same name which was, in turn, adapted from the diary). The movie was praised by critics and even won three Academy Awards at the time.
Following the real story of the Dutch Jewish girl named Anne Frank, it depicts her and her family in hiding during WWII, their discovery by the Nazis, and her father Otto being the only survivor after the family is placed in concentration camps.
The Book Thief (2013)
Though it's not based on real events, The Book Thief could be a historical drama in its own way. Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nelisse, it was a critical and commercial success, receiving multiple award nominations.
Based on the acclaimed book of the same name, it tells the story of a young girl who is placed in an adoptive German family by the Nazis. After learning how to read, she starts "borrowing" books and sharing them with a young Jewish man who is being sheltered by the girl's adoptive parents.
The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008)
Another book adaptation that doesn't have a real story behind it, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas received the same criticism as the book - it wasn't entirely factually accurate. Yet, the moral of the story is still very powerful and could teach a good lesson for children who are just starting to learn about the Holocaust.
The story follows an eight-year-old boy named Bruno who is the son of a Nazi extermination camp's commandant. Bruno befriends a boy named Shmuel, who is a Jewish inmate in the camp.
Germany, Year Zero (1948)
Roberto Rossellini - arguably one of the greatest Italian directors in history - made Germany, Year Zero the final film in his War Trilogy (along with Rome, Open City and Paisa). Despite some critics condemning the film because of how unusual it was compared to Rossellini's past neorealist works, some praised it and it is still considered to be a terrifying yet honest story.
Set in Allied-occupied Germany, it tells the story of a young German boy who struggles to survive in post-WWII Berlin.
Turtles Can Fly (2004)
Not a very well-known movie, Turtles Can Fly, nevertheless, received positive reviews from critics and won multiple awards at various festivals.
Taking place near the Iraqi-Turkish border, it is set on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The story follows a 13-year-old boy named Satellite and other children who try to survive in the refugee camp.
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
By far one of Andrei Tarkovsky's most well-known works, Ivan's Childhood was the director's feature-length debut and made him immediately acclaimed internationally. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was praised by filmmakers and critics alike.
Based on Vladimir Bogomolov's short story, it follows a young boy named Ivan, who is orphaned during WWII after his parents are killed by the Nazis.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Perhaps Guillermo del Toro's most famous film, Pan's Labyrinth cleverly combines fantastical elements with a wartime setting. It was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple major awards.
Set during the summer of 1944, it takes place in Spain, five years after the Spanish Civil War. As the young protagonist Ofelia lives with her ill, pregnant mother and her sadistic army officer, she stumbles upon a strange labyrinth where she meets the mythical faun.
Come And See (1985)
Often considered one of the greatest anti-war movies ever made, Come and See combines elements of surrealism, philosophical existentialism, and hyper-realism to elevate its psychological and apocalyptic themes.
Set in Nazi-occupied Belarus, it follows a young boy named Flyora, who joins the Belarusian resistance against his mother's wishes and experiences the horrors and atrocities that his village goes through.
Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)
Often considered one of Studio Ghibli's best works and Isao Takahata's greatest creation, Grave of the Fireflies was a critical success and has since become known as one of the best animated and war movies ever made.
Based on the semi-autobiographical short story of the same name, it takes place in Kobe, Japan, during the last several months of World War II and follows two siblings who try to survive during this time.
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Another outstanding Italian movie, Life Is Beautiful was a massive critical and commercial success, receiving multiple awards and becoming one of the highest-grossing non-English-language movies of all time.
Director Roberto Benigni also plays the lead role of a Jewish Italian bookshop owner who, in the hopes of saving his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, starts using his imagination to cheer up the little boy.