The film has been hailed as one of the greatest war movies ever made, with fans talking about its devastating storyline and giving it a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score08:31, 21 May 2026Film fans believe this war drama ranks amongst the greatest ever made, delivering a powerful narrative about the horrors of the Vietnam War.‌Standing shoulder to shoulder with genre heavyweights like Saving Private Ryan and Braveheart, this 1987 picture examines the brutal impact of combat on US Marines.‌Throughout the film, audiences follow the recruits as their journeys develop, from their brutal boot camp induction right through to the fierce battle in Hue.‌Full Metal Jacket, helmed by Stanley Kubrick - the legendary director behind The Shining, Lolita and 2001: A Space Odyssey - was crafted not to glorify warfare but to discourage it. He even described it as an 'anti-war' film, placing the spotlight firmly on the devastation it causes.Consequently, it takes audiences on a deeply moving cinematic experience, as they buckle up for nearly two hours of the raw brutality he deliberately portrayed. One fan posted a review on Rotten Tomatoes, where the picture boasts an impressive 90% rating, calling it a "masterpiece".‌They wrote: "Words can't explain the emotion this story brings as you tag along to experience the full lifecycle of war in this Kubrick masterpiece."Another review says: "One of the best war movies out there. Depicts not only the horrors of war but actually tells the history behind its soldiers. Full Metal Jacket proves Stanley Kubrick really can't make a bad movie."Even if it's not using his melancholic style, you can still see the iconic atmosphere and the slow descent to insanity that some may experience during war. Though the ending doesn't feel like an actual ending, it's still an amazing movie that you should watch."‌One fan wrote on the review platform that they've witnessed the picture "countless times" as it remains one of their "absolute favourite Vietnam War movies".Meanwhile, another noted that the opening half of the production is packed with humour while the latter portion is 'harrowing'.‌The lineup features Stranger Things star Matthew Modine, portraying the lead character James 'Joker' Davis, alongside Vincent Philip D'Onofrio, known for his work in Jurassic World, Hawkeye, and Men in Black. Also appearing is R. Lee Ermey in his legendary turn as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.This talented ensemble successfully launched the picture to extraordinary heights, earning multiple award nominations. It proved a massive success upon its late 80s release, raking in an extraordinary $120 million against a production budget of just $16.5–30 million.A critique declares the film as "one of the most iconic and most well-made movies of all time." Contributing to such exceptional praise is one audience member who believes the initial sequences deserve a place in "cinema history".Article continues belowDecades on, its unflinching, no-nonsense portrayal of war continues to strike a chord with audiences. Full Metal Jacket is available to stream in its entirety on Now TV, and can also be rented via Amazon Prime, Apple TV and other streaming platforms.