8 Overlooked War TV Shows on Netflix Worth Watching

War has long been a staple of Netflix’s content, with the streamer boasting everything from massive Hollywood blockbusters to award-winning documentaries. However, while the movie side of things gets plenty of attention, the platform’s roster of war TV shows is often overlooked. With genre heavyweights like Band of Brothers still dominating discussion, many strong series end up ignored.

That’s a shame, because while war isn’t exactly a flagship genre for Netflix when it comes to TV shows (compared to sci-fi, for example), the platform has quietly amassed a surprising number of hidden gems. These span battlefields across centuries, highlighting both soldiers on the frontlines and civilians caught in the fallout. Covering conflicts from Europe to Asia and beyond, they bring a variety of perspectives that war fans may not expect.

Each of these obscure war TV shows on Netflix offers something different – from historical dramatizations to unique hybrid docuseries – and all showcase just how powerful the small-screen depiction of war can be. Some are even among the most nuanced portrayals of conflict ever produced. While none have the acclaim of the likes of Band of Brothers, all are more than worth viewing.

The Last Czars (2019)

A Hybrid Of Drama And Documentary Makes This Russian Revolution Series Stand Out

Netflix’s The Last Czars takes an unusual approach to war storytelling, blending docudrama elements with scripted dramatization. Focusing on the downfall of Nicholas II (Robert Jack) and his family during the Russian Revolution, it’s a war series that doesn’t rely solely on battlefield spectacle. Instead, it looks at the political fractures and human drama that sparked one of the 20th century’s defining conflicts.

What makes The Last Czars particularly compelling both as a war show and historic drama is how it mixes talking-head historians with reenactments. This unusual format gives the show a sense of authenticity without sacrificing narrative engagement. For war fans, it offers a broader view of how revolutions reshape nations and the social forces that drive them.

Though it flew under the radar upon release, the show remains one of the more ambitious obscure war TV shows on Netflix. It appeals to both history buffs and genre fans looking for something different from traditional combat-focused war dramas.

Women At War (2022)

A French Drama That Highlights The Forgotten Stories Of Women In World War I

Women at War is a French-produced series that brings a fresh perspective to World War I by centering on four women navigating life in 1914 as the world collapses around them. From Marguerite (Audrey Fleurot), a sex worker trying to survive, to Caroline (Sofia Essaïdi), who takes over her husband’s factory, the show’s lens on war feels deeply personal.

This Netflix war show excels at showing how women carried burdens beyond the battlefield, whether through resilience, loss, or defiance. By focusing on these overlooked narratives, it sets itself apart from countless WWI dramas that stay locked in the trenches. The impact of war on civilian lives becomes just as harrowing and gripping as the chaos at the front.

Netflix’s lineup of obscure war TV shows rarely includes such an emotional, character-driven piece. Women at War makes clear that the stories of women during wartime are just as essential to understanding the true cost of conflict.

Transatlantic (2023)

A World War II Rescue Operation Turned Into A Stylish Limited Series

Based on real events, Transatlantic dramatizes the efforts of the Emergency Rescue Committee, who smuggled Jewish refugees and intellectuals out of Nazi-occupied France. Led by Varian Fry (Cory Michael Smith) and Mary Jayne Gold (Gillian Jacobs), the series blends espionage, moral dilemmas, and moments of levity into a war story that feels refreshingly unique.

Rather than focusing on soldiers, the show shines a spotlight on resistance efforts and the courage of everyday people risking everything to save lives. Its stylish production design and sharp dialogue add a surprisingly modern flair, making it as visually captivating as it is emotionally compelling.

As an addition to Netflix’s catalog of obscure war TV shows, Transatlantic is a standout for anyone interested in WWII stories told from a different perspective. It captures the tension and bravery of civilian resistance, making it a gem worth discovering.

Rebellion (2016)

An Irish Historical Drama That Explores The Easter Rising Of 1916

Rebellion dramatizes Ireland’s Easter Rising, a pivotal event that reshaped the nation’s history. Through the eyes of both rebels and civilians, the show explores the messy, brutal realities of a fight for independence. With characters like Elizabeth Butler (Charlie Murphy) torn between loyalty and conviction, it paints a vivid portrait of the era.

What makes Rebellion especially effective is its willingness to show the chaos and uncertainty of revolution. The battles feel raw and desperate, but the series never loses sight of the human cost behind the cause. Viewers are pulled into the political and emotional turmoil that defined Ireland’s struggle.

Among Netflix’s overlooked war series, Rebellion deserves more recognition for how it dramatizes a lesser-seen conflict. For fans used to WWII stories, this focus on early 20th-century Irish resistance offers a fresh, riveting alternative.

Medal of Honor (2018)

A Docudrama Honoring Real-Life Military Heroes Across American History

Medal of Honor is one of Netflix’s most moving war series, combining documentary interviews with dramatized reenactments to honor recipients of the United States military’s highest award. Each episode profiles a different soldier, such as WWII hero Sylvester Antolak (played in reenactments by Oliver Hudson), revealing both their sacrifice and the legacy they left behind.

The mix of documentary and cinematic storytelling makes for an emotional, immersive viewing experience. Unlike typical war dramas, this series grounds itself in truth, giving viewers both historical context and personal testimony from family members, historians, and fellow soldiers.

In the landscape of obscure war TV shows on Netflix, Medal of Honor stands apart for how it honors real bravery while still delivering the intensity and drama fans expect. It’s as much a tribute as it is entertainment, making it an essential watch for war history enthusiasts.

The Liberator (2020)

A Visually Striking World War II Series Brought To Life Through Animation

The Liberator is unlike any other WWII series thanks to its innovative animation technique, rotoscoping live-action performances into a painted, stylized aesthetic. Based on the true story of Felix Sparks (Bradley James) and his unit, it chronicles their journey from the invasion of Italy to the liberation of Dachau.

The visual style might be unconventional, but it enhances the story rather than distracting from it. By leaning into animation, the show captures both the brutality of combat and the surreal nature of wartime experiences. It allows the horrors of WWII to be depicted with a haunting, almost dreamlike quality.

As one of Netflix’s more experimental obscure war TV shows, The Liberator deserves recognition for pushing boundaries in the genre. It’s a series that proves war dramas don’t always have to be told through conventional means to leave a powerful impact.

All The Light We Cannot See (2023)

A Bestselling Novel Adapted Into A Sweeping Wartime Miniseries

Adapted from Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, All the Light We Cannot See brings a deeply emotional perspective to WWII. It follows Marie-Laure (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French girl, and Werner (Louis Hofmann), a German soldier, whose lives intersect amid the devastation of Nazi-occupied France.

The show balances intimate character drama with the sweeping scale of war. Its focus on resilience, humanity, and the ways individuals are caught in forces larger than themselves makes it a profoundly moving experience. Unlike more combat-heavy shows, this series thrives on quiet tension and emotional depth.

Though it had the star power to gain attention (the All the Light We Cannot See cast includes the likes of Hugh Laurie, Mark Ruffalo and Ed Skrein), it remains underrated compared to Netflix’s bigger hits. For those seeking obscure war TV shows on Netflix with a more reflective tone, All the Light We Cannot See stands as one of the most poignant.

Mr Sunshine (2018)

A Korean Epic Blending Romance, Revolution, And Stunning Battle Sequences

Set in early 20th-century Korea, Mr Sunshine follows Eugene Choi (played by Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun), a Korean-born man who returns as a U.S. Marine officer amid political upheaval. What begins as a story of personal identity becomes a sweeping tale of resistance against Japanese imperialism, layered with romance and national struggle.

The series is as much about character as it is about war. From the relationship between Eugene and noblewoman Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri) to the tensions among rebels and occupiers, it balances emotional stakes with intense historical drama. Its high production values make the battle scenes spectacular, rivaling even big-budget films.

While Mr Sunshine found acclaim in Korea, it remains a hidden gem among Netflix’s international catalog for global audiences. As an obscure war TV show on Netflix, it combines heart, history, and cinematic spectacle, making it one of the platform’s most unforgettable epics.