63 World War Two Movies with a Female Lead

The English Patient (1996)

At the end of World War Two, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. In flashbacks, we uncover his past and his fateful love affair. The English Patient won nine Academy Awards.

Stars: Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, Colin Firth, and Willem Dafoe

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

A writer forms a bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during World War Two. Based on the novel by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows.

Stars: Lily James, Jessica Brown Findlay, Michiel Huisman, Matthew Goode, and Penelope Wilton

Lee (2023)

The story of Elizabeth “Lee” Miller, a fashion model and photographer who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue Magazine during the Second World War.

Stars: Kate Winslet, Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, Marion Cotillard, and Josh O’Connor

Six Triple Eight (2024)

This historical film shines a light on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit sent to Europe during World War II. Tasked with sorting and redirecting a massive backlog of mail, these brave women faced racism and sexism but proved their worth in an environment of adversity.

Stars: Ebony Obsidian, Kerry Washington, Milauna Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Susan Sarandon

Cabaret (1972)

The story follows Sally Bowles, an American girlie club entertainer in Berlin who romances two men at a time that the Nazi Party rises to power.

Stars: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, and Helmut Griem

Atonement (2007)

The lives of Cecilia, Robbie, and Briony are forever altered when Briony accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. The story starts in 1930s England and continues in London and France during the Second World War. Based on a novel by Ian McEwen.

Stars: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, and Harriet Walter

The Reader (2008)

After the Second World War, law student Michael Berg re-encounters the woman he had an affair with when she has to defend herself in a war crime trial. The story is based on the novel by Bernhard Schlink.

Stars: Kate Winslet, David Kross, Ralph Fiennes, and Bruno Ganz

The Nightingale (2024)

The Nightingale is the film adaptation of the wildly popular historical fiction novel by Kristin Hannah. The story follows two sisters at the beginning of the war in France. Vianne is forced to live with a Germain captain when her husband heads to the Front. Isabelle is a young, rebellious woman who will risk her life to save others. The sisters are played by real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning.

Stars: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning

Black Book (Zwartboek, 2006)

Black Book is a Dutch World War Two movie directed by Paul Verhoeven. The story follows Rachel, a Dutch jew whose hiding place gets destroyed. After a failed attempt to flee to safety, she is recruited into the Dutch resistance with all the betrayals and dangers that come with it. 

Stars: Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch, Halina Reijn, and Michiel Huisman

Suite Française (2014)

Suite Française is a romantic war drama based on the unfinished Irène Némirovsky book by the same name. The story follows Lucile Angelier, a lonely Frenchwoman who begins a romance with a German soldier who lives in her mother-in-law’s house.

Stars: Michelle Williams, Matthias Schoenaerts, Kristin Scott Thomas, Margot Robbie, and Sam Riley

Sophie’s Choice (1982)

Sophie is a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp who lives with Nathan, an American Jew who is obsessed with the Holocaust. The story explores love, guilt, survival, and the haunting legacy of the past.

Stars: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Peter MacNicol

The Book Thief (2013)

The Book Thief is the movie adaptation of Markus Zusak’s book by the same name. The story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who lives with her foster parents in Nazi Germany. To find solace, Liesel steals books and learns to read during these hard times. 

Stars: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Nico Liersch

Red Joan (2018)

Red Joan is a spy drama about Joan Smith, who gets involved with socialists and radical politics during her time at Cambridge University. When she starts working for the wartime Tube Alloys, a project to build an atomic bomb, she gets recruited by the KGB.

Stars: Sophie Cookson, Judi Dench, Tom Hughes, Stephen Cambell Moore

Their Finest (2016)

Their Finest is the movie adaptation of Lissa Evans’ novel “Their Finest Hour and a Half”. The war comedy film is about Catrin Cole, who is hired by the Ministry of Information during The Blitz to create a morale-boosting film about the Dunkirk evacuation.

Stars: Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Sam Claflin, and Richard E. Grant

Charlotte Gray (2001)

Charlotte Gray is a war movie based on Sebastian Faulks’ novel of the same name. The story is about a young Scottish woman (Charlotte Gray) who joins the French Resistance to rescue her boyfriend, a Royal Air Force pilot who is lost in France.

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, and Ruper Penry-Jones

Malèna (2000)

Malena is a coming-of-age story about a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with the beautiful Malèna, a sensual woman who lives in a small Italian town during the war.

Stars: Monica Belluci, Giuseppe Sulfaro

The Zone of Interest (2023)

The Zone of Interest is a German war movie loosely based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name. The story follows Hedwig and Rudolf Höss, the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, as they try to build a dream life for their family next to the camp.

Stars: Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel 

The Edge of Love (2008)

The Edge of Love is a romantic war movie written by the mother of Keira Knightley. The story is about the complicated love affair between Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, his wife Caitlin, his childhood sweetheart Vera, and her husband William Killick.

Stars: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, and Matthew Rhys

A Special Day (Una Giornata Particolare, 1977)

This classic Italian movie tells the story of an impossible love. When Rome is celebrating the meeting between Hitler and Mussolini, a lonely woman’s day is brightened by an encounter with her neighbor. A unique bond develops between the two.

Stars: Sophie Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Francoise Berd

Allied (2016)

Allied is a romantic war movie about a Canadian intelligence officer in North Africa who falls in love with a female French Resistance fighter. But everything may not be as it’s seen. 

Stars: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Caplan, Matthew Goode, and Jared Harris

Enigma (2001)

Enigma is a largely fictional World War Two thriller about the cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park. The story is based on the novel by Robert Harris and follows Mr. Jericho and Miss. Wallace tries to uncover the truth about the mysterious disappearance of Claire Romilly. Bletchley Park played a vital part in the defeat of the Germans during World War Two. However, this movie is largely fictional, and there is no mention of the people who actually cracked the Enigma code.  

Stars: Dougray Scott, Kate Winslet, Jeremy Northam, and Tom Hollander

Australia (2008)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann, this epic romantic drama unfolds in Northern Australia during the brink of World War II. English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) inherits a sprawling ranch and teams up with a rugged drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her property from a takeover plot. As they embark on a transformational journey across the continent, they face the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces.

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman  

Lust, Caution (2007)

Set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Shanghai during World War II, this intense espionage thriller revolves around a young woman, Wong Chia Chi, who becomes involved in a dangerous game of seduction and betrayal as she seeks to assassinate a high-ranking collaborationist official. Directed by Ang Lee, the film delves deep into themes of love, loyalty, and the costs of war.

Stars: Tang Wei, Tony Leung, Joan Chen, Wang Leehom, Chich Ying Chu

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Based on the bestselling novel by Arthur Golden, this poignant film recounts the life of Chiyo, a young girl sold into the world of geisha. As she navigates love, rivalry, and the tumultuous world of early 20th-century Kyoto, she transforms into the legendary geisha, Sayuri. The movie captures the beauty and brutality of Japan transitioning through the war and modernization.

Stars: Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe

White Bird (2023)

White Bird is a coming-of-age period drama based on “White Bird: A Wonder Story” by R.J. Palacio. It tells the story of Julian’s grandmother and her time as a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France who was hidden from the Nazis by a distant classmate and his parents.

Stars: Arielle Glaser, Orlanda Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, Gillian Anderson, and Helen Mirren

The Aftermath (2019)

Post World War II, Rachael Morgan arrives in the ruins of Hamburg to join her British colonel husband, Lewis. They are stationed in a grand house previously owned by a German architect and his daughter. As they share the home, tensions arise from the post-war animosity and personal histories, leading to unexpected bonds and betrayals.

Stars: Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, Jason Clarke

A Call to Spy (2019)

This historical drama tells the true story of three women who were recruited by Britain’s Special Operations Executive to act as spies in Nazi-occupied France. The film delves into the challenges they faced, their extraordinary courage, and the sacrifices they made in their fight against fascism.

Stars: Sarah Megan Thomas, Stana Katic, Radhika Apte

Woman in Gold (2015)

Based on the remarkable true story of Maria Altmann, an elderly Jewish refugee, who takes on the Austrian government to recover a world-famous painting, “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I,” looted from her family by the Nazis during World War II. With the help of a young lawyer, she embarks on a legal battle spanning continents and decades to reclaim her heritage and seek justice.

Stars: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Tatiana Maslany

Stars: Saskia Rosendahl, Kai Malina, Nele Trebs, Ursina Lardi

Shining Through (1992)

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this drama follows Linda Voss, a secretary turned spy. When she discovers that her employer is a secret operative, she volunteers to go undercover in Nazi Germany. Risking everything, she embarks on a dangerous mission of love, espionage, and sacrifice.

Stars: Melanie Griffith, Michael Douglas, Liam Neeson, Joely Richardson

Hanna’s War (1988)

This biographical war film recounts the life of Hanna Szenes, a Hungarian-Jewish poet who became a paratrooper for the British army during World War II. Deployed into Yugoslavia and then Hungary, she fought for the resistance, only to be captured, tortured, and eventually executed by the Nazis. The movie pays tribute to her bravery and legacy.

Stars: Ellen Burstyn, Anthony Andrews, Vincent Riotta, Maruschka Detmers

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009)

Based on the incredible true story of Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who smuggled over 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Despite the grave risks, she devised ingenious methods to save lives and was eventually captured by the Gestapo. This heart-wrenching film celebrates her resilience and selflessness.

Stars: Anna Paquin, Marcia Gay Harden, Michelle Dockery

Summerland (2020)

Set during World War II, this drama introduces Alice, a reclusive writer who is forced to bond with a young London evacuee named Frank. As they grow closer, memories of a lost love from Alice’s past resurface. The movie beautifully weaves the past and present, love and loss, revealing that magic can be found in unexpected places.

Stars: Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Courtenay, Penelope Wilton

Where Hands Touch (2018)

This romance-drama set in Nazi Germany focuses on Leyna, a biracial teenager, who falls in love with Lutz, a member of the Hitler Youth. As they navigate the dangers and prejudices of their time, their relationship challenges societal norms, leading to dire consequences.

Stars: Amandla Stenberg, George MacKay, Abbie Cornish, Christopher Eccleston

Wolyn (2016)

A harrowing portrayal of the brutal and controversial ethnic conflict in the Volhynia region during World War II. As Polish and Ukrainian neighbors, once close friends, turn against each other in a cycle of violence and revenge, a young Polish girl tries to navigate her way through love, hatred, and survival.

Stars: Michalina Labacz, Arkadiusz Jakubik, Wsyl Wasylik, Izabela Kuna, Jacek Braciak

Julia (1977)

This tale of friendship and activism chronicles the relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and her lifelong friend, Julia. When Julia joins the anti-Nazi resistance, Lillian becomes embroiled in a dangerous mission to aid her in Nazi-occupied territory.

Stars: Jane Fona, Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook

Dara of Jasenovac (2021)

Set during World War II, this harrowing film captures the horrors faced by the inmates of Jasenovac, a concentration camp in the Independent State of Croatia. Through the eyes of a young girl named Dara, the audience witnesses the brutality of the Ustase regime and the indomitable spirit of those who tried to resist.

Stars: Biljana Čekić, Vuk Kostić, Marko Janketić

American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally (2021)

This historical drama delves into the life of Mildred Gillars, famously known as “Axis Sally,” an American broadcaster who spread Nazi propaganda during World War II. After the war, she is taken into custody and faces trial for treason, grappling with her decisions and the perceptions of those around her.

Stars: Meadow Williams, Lala Kent, Carsten Norgaard, Al Pacino

The End of the Affair (1999)

Set in London during and after World War II, this romantic drama explores the passionate and tumultuous affair between novelist Maurice Bendrix and the wife of a civil servant, Sarah Miles. As love, jealousy, and spirituality intertwine, the secrets behind their relationship’s end unravel.

Stars: Julianne Moore, Ralph Fiennes, Stephen Rea

My Best Friend Anne Frank (2021)

Based on a true story, this film offers a poignant account of the friendship between Anne Frank and Hannah Goslar. As the horrors of the Holocaust unfold, their lives take different paths, culminating in a dramatic reunion at a concentration camp.

Stars: Aiko Beemsterboer, Josephine Arendsen, Stefan de Walle, Roeland Fernhout

I’ll Find You (2019)

Set in the backdrop of World War II, this drama revolves around a talented pianist and a singer who fall in love amidst the turmoil. Their passion for music becomes a beacon of hope as they navigate the devastations of war and the challenges of survival.

Stars: Adelaide Clemens, Leo Suter, Connie Nielsen, Stellan Skarsgård

Tea with Mussolini (1999)

In pre-World War II Florence, a young Italian boy named Luca is taken under the wing of several English women, affectionately termed the “Scorpioni.” As the political climate intensifies with the rise of Fascism and Mussolini’s grip, these women strive to protect both Luca and their beloved art from the impending conflict.

Stars: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Cher, Joan Plowright, Lily Tomlin

Aimée and Jaguar (1999)

Set in 1943 Berlin, this poignant drama narrates the true story of an illicit love affair between Felica Schragenheim, a Jewish resistance fighter, and Lilly Wust, the wife of a Nazi officer. Amidst the dangers of wartime Berlin, their love defies all odds, but they face increasing peril as the truth begins to unravel.

Stars: Maria Schrader, Juliane Köhler

Another Mother’s Son (2017)

Based on a true story from World War II, this drama chronicles the life of Louisa Gould, a woman from the island of Jersey. When the island is occupied by German forces, Louisa hides an escaped Russian POW and treats him as her son. Despite the risks, their bond grows, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in times of war.

Stars: Jenny Seagrove, John Hannah, Amanda Abbington, Sophie Skelton, Julian Kostov

Less Femmes de l’ombre (Female Agents) (2008)

Set during World War II, this French film follows the journey of five brave women recruited by the British Special Operations Executive. Tasked with rescuing a British agent and killing a German SS colonel, they undertake a perilous mission in occupied France, battling betrayal and adversity.

Stars: Sophie Marceau, Déborah François, Julie Depardieu, Marie Gillain

Les Innocentes (The Innocents) (2016)

In the aftermath of World War II, a young French Red Cross doctor, Mathilde, discovers several pregnant nuns in a Polish convent, victims of brutal Soviet rapes. As she navigates the complexities of faith and trauma, she assists the nuns not just medically but also in confronting their own faith and fears.

Stars: Lou de Laâge, Agata Kulesza, Agate Buzek, Vincent Macaigne

Sophie Scholl (2005)

Recounting the last days of Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany, this film delves deep into her capture, interrogation, and trial. Despite facing certain execution, Sophie remains defiant and unwavering in her beliefs, becoming an icon of resistance.

Stars: Julie Jentsch, Alexander Held, Fabian Hinrichs, Lilli Jung

Anonyma: Eine Frau in Berlin (A Woman in Berlin) (2008)

Based on a true diary, this film takes place in 1945 Berlin during the city’s capture by Soviet troops. It details the harrowing experiences of a German journalist, Anonyma, as she and other women endure widespread rape and brutality. Amidst the chaos, Anonyma begins a complex relationship with a Soviet officer, offering a nuanced perspective on survival and human connection amidst war.

Stars: Nina Hoss, Evgeniy Sidikhin, Irm Hermann, August Diehl

Lili Marleen (1981)

Centered on the iconic German love song, “Lili Marleen,” this drama dives into the life of a cabaret singer and her relationship with a Jewish composer during the Nazi era. As the song gains popularity among soldiers, it also brings unwanted attention, love, and political intrigue, reflecting the tumultuous times of World War II.

Stars: Hanna Schygulla, Giancarlo Giannini, Karl-Heinz von Hassel

La Ciociara (Two Women) (1960)

Set in World War II Italy, this heart-rending drama follows a mother, Cesira, and her young daughter, Rosetta, as they flee the bombings of Rome for the relative safety of the Italian countryside. They confront the harsh realities of war, leading to an unimaginable tragedy. Sophia Loren won an Academy Award for her role in this poignant film.

Stars: Sophia Loren, Eleonora Brown, Jean-Paul Belmondo

Spionen (The Spy) (2019)

It is a biographical drama that dives into the life of real-life actress and singer Sonja Wigert, who was recruited by Swedish intelligence during World War II to become a spy. As she infiltrates the Nazi elite in Oslo, personal and political tensions rise, testing her allegiances and her heart.

Stars: Ingrid Bolsø, Edvin Endre, Damien Chapelle, Rold Lassgård

Sarah’s Key (2010)

Interweaving past and present, this drama follows journalist Julia Jarmond as she investigates the 1942 Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup in Paris. In her research, she stumbles upon the tragic story of Sarah Starzynski, a Jewish girl who locks her brother in a cupboard, thinking she’d return. Julia’s journey becomes personal as she uncovers heartbreaking connections to Sarah’s story. Based on the novel by Tatiana de Rosnay.

Stars: Kristin Scott Thomas, Mélusine Mayance, Niels Arestrup, Charlotte Putrel, Fréderic Pierrot

Glorious 39 (2009)

Set on the eve of World War II in England, this thriller revolves around Anne, an actress from a powerful British family. As she discovers dark secrets and a conspiracy that could alter the course of history, she’s plunged into a world of mystery and danger.

Stars: Romola Garai, Bill Nighy, Eddie Redmayne, Julie Christie, David Tenntant, Hugh Bonnebille

The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)

The movie tells the true story of Antonina Żabińska and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński, who ran the Warsaw Zoo. When the Germans invaded and the zoo was bombed, the couple devised a plan to hide Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto within the zoo’s empty animal enclosures. Amidst the horrors of war, their compassion and bravery saved the lives of hundreds. The film captures the danger, sacrifice, and humanity of the Żabińskis in a city under siege.

Stars: Jessica Chastain, Daniel Brühl, Johan Heldenbergh

Une Affaire de Femmes (Story of Women) (1988)

During World War II in Nazi-occupied France, Marie-Louise begins performing illegal abortions to support her children. Her actions lead to empowerment and financial independence, but as her influence grows, she attracts the attention of the collaborationist government, with dire consequences.

Stars: Isabelle Huppert, Marle Trintignant, Nils Tavernier, François Cluzet

The Land Girls (1998)

Three women, from diverse backgrounds, enlist in the Women’s Land Army during World War Two. They are sent to work on a farm in Dorset, where the experiences will change their lives forever.

Stars: Rachel Weisz, Anna Friel, and Catherine McCormack

The Twins (De Tweeling) (2002)

A Dutch Oscar-nominated movie about twin sisters who were separated after the death of their father. We follow the lives of the sisters during the Second World War and the different circumstances of their lives. One sister lives with an uncle on a farm in Germany, while the other sister moves to The Netherlands to live with well off Dutch relatives. 

Based on a novel by Tessa de Loo

Stars: Thekla Reuten, Nadja Uhl, Ellen Vogel, and Gudrun Okras

The Birdcatcher (2019)

The movie follows Esther, a Jewish girl who is forced to hide her true identity by pretending to be a boy while she’s working on a Nazi-Norwegian farm. While plotting her escape she is faced with the challenge of keeping her true identity a secret. 

Stars: Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Arthur Hakalahti, Jakob Cedergren, and Laura Birn

Sonny Boy (2011)

A Dutch movie about Waldemar, a young man from Suriname, and Rika, a middle-aged Dutch mother, who fall in love. During World War Two they risk their lives to save people in hiding.

Stars: Ricky Koole, Sergio Hasselbaink, Marcel Hensema, and Gaite Jansen

My Name is Sara (2019)

Sara, a 13-year-old Polish Jewish girl, seeks shelter and is harbored by a farmer and his wife. As she settles into her new refuge, she discovers the dark secrets of her employers’ marriage. This discovery further complicates her own profound secret, one that she must fervently guard: her true identity.

Stars: Zuzanna Surowy, Eryk Lubos, and Michalina Olszanska

Ashes in the Snow (2018)

A 16-year-old aspiring artist and her family are deported to Siberia during Stalin’s brutal dismantling of the Baltic region in 1941. The girl’s passion for art and never-ending hope will break the silence of history.

Stars: Bel Powley, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Martin Wallström, Sophie Cookson, and Jonas Hauer-King

The War Bride (2001)

During World War Two, Lily marries a Canadian soldier who goes off to war. Lily and her newborn daughter move to Canada to live with his family, but the living conditions are not as he described. 

Stars: Anna Friel, Brenda Fricker, Aden Young, and Loren Dean

Le Voyage de Fanny (2016)

The French movie follows Fanny, a young girl who helps her sisters escape Nazi-occupied France and the dangers they encounter.

Stars: Léonie Souchad, Fantine Harduin, Cécile de France, and Juliane Lepoureau