Afghanistan is currently undergoing through a rough patch, and a lot of details in its history can explain to us why. That being said, I compiled this list of movies about Afghanistan that might educate us about the context of what’s happening there.
Check out my other movie listicles here.
12 STRONG (2018)
Following 9/11, a dozen U.S. soldiers mount up on horseback in Afghanistan to help a local warlord take on a mutual enemy. Inspired by true events.
WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix
THE BREADWINNER (2017)
A courageous 11-year-old Afghan girl disguises herself as a boy and takes on odd jobs to provide for her family when her father is arrested.
WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix
CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR (2007)
Charlie Wilson, a congressman, let goes of his cavalier lifestyle to support the Afghan troops against Soviet invaders with the help of Joanne Herring, a socialite.
WHERE TO WATCH: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
THE KITE RUNNER (2007)
The Kite Runner is the first novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. Published in 2003 by Riverhead Books, it tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul.
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
WAR MACHINE (2017)
When a proud general is tasked with winning an unpopular war, he takes the challenge head-on, not knowing that hubris may be his own worst enemy.
WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix
WAR DOGS (2016)
David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, two petty gun dealers, make it big when they find themselves being assigned a $300 million contract from the American government.
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT (2016)
American journalist Kim Baker goes to Afghanistan as a war correspondent for a short time. She ends up putting herself in danger to get stories and eventually stays there for years.
WHERE TO WATCH: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975)
Two rogue ex-non-commissioned officers of the British Indian Army exit British India in the 19th century searching for adventure. Their journey transports them to Kafiristan, which they end up ruling.
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV
KABULLYWOOD (2019)
A group of young Afghan artists decide to open a cultural center in the heart of Kabul.
WHERE TO WATCH: Amazon Prime
WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS (2015)
Filmmaker Beth Murphy spends a year following the first all-girls school in a conservative Afghan village.
WHERE TO WATCH: Amazon Prime
TORBAAZ (2020)
At an Afghanistan refugee camp, an ex-army doctor seeks to bring children joy through cricket — and soon realizes that the stakes go beyond the sport.
WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix
KHUDA GAWAH (1992)
Badshah Khan travels to India to behead the man who killed Benazir’s father and win her hand in marriage. He succeeds in his mission but is caught by Ranveer Singh, a jailor.
WHERE TO WATCH: Amazon Prime