World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland. The war would continue to rage in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania for six years, coming to an end in 1945. However, the conflict ended in phases: the European theater ended when the Soviet Union captured the German capital of Berlin. With the Reich trapped between two Allied fronts with no means of escape, Germany formally surrendered on May 8, 1945. The Japanese Empire was not so keen on giving up, though, and continued the war for several months in the Pacific, finally giving up on September 2, 1945, which is generally considered to be the official end of the war.

There's an endless sea of films about World War II to choose from, so it's only natural that there would be films set right at the end of the war, showing the desperation of the Axis as supplies and morale dwindle. , which allow viewers to really feel the sense of accomplishment brought by the Allied victory through their screens.

went for more of a fictitious, action-oriented angle where realism isn't necessarily the biggest concern, so those looking for historical accuracy ought to look elsewhere. But for those who aren't bothered at all by some more unique or unconventional stories, Blood & Gold proves to be a pretty fun ride, perfect for fans of or classic heist or treasure-hunting films.

The story is set during the last days of World War II, as Germany becomes surrounded by Allied forces. As the Soviet army creeps ever closer, a German SS officer embarks on a hunt for a lost Jewish treasure somewhere in the city, while one of his comrades is more concerned with finding his daughter. This German flick is , but it does a pretty good job for what it is, as the jaws of the Allies began to close around them.

is set during the Pacific Theatre of World War II, following the events of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which occurred from February to March of 1945, just a few months before the German surrender. Iwo Jima was the first Japanese island captured by the Allied forces and is perhaps most remembered for the iconic photo of a group of American GIs raising their flag over Mount Suribachi during the battle.

Flags of Our Fathers focuses on these very same individuals, depicting , many of whom did not survive. There are some glaring issues in Flags of Our Fathers, but for the most part, it's perfectly enjoyable, though critics were particular about certain aspects. While it's entertaining, there are definitely better films about Iwo Jima out there.

centers on the lives of an M4 Sherman Tank Crew in the American armed forces, who are proceeding into the heart of Germany after breaking through the defensive Siegfried Line and crossing the Rhine. It is the Spring of 1945, and Germany's defeat is only a matter of weeks away, as Soviet and Western military officials race each other to reach the German capital. Though Fury does not ever take place in Berlin, it takes viewers to various villages and hamlets in the German countryside, where it becomes apparent that the war is already won.

German soldiers grow increasingly desperate, and though they have superior firepower when it comes to tanks, their numbers are no match for the advancing Western Allies. The air is heavy and grim, even if it is spelling disaster for the clearly defined forces of evil. Despite its macabre ambiance, Fury was praised not only by viewers but also by veterans and is one of .

may be animated, but it is definitely not for kids and is arguably one of the darkest anime movies ever produced. The film is set in August 1945, in the city of Hiroshima, Japan, just weeks before the war's end. Those familiar with the war will likely already know what's coming and are probably going to dread seeing the moment it happens. Inevitably, it does: the Americans drop the very first atomic bomb on the city, flattening a significant portion of it and extinguishing the lives of thousands in one fell swoop.

The scene where this happens is nightmarish, depicting . The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were pretty much the last significant events in the war and were one of the prime reasons why Japan even gave up in the first place.However, Barefoot Gen ensures , even if it may have been instrumental to the Allied victory.

is a Philippine war-horror movie set during the final weeks of the Second World War. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands, one wealthy family finds themselves in a tight spot. They are constantly harassed by the invaders, the father has gone missing on some fool's errand, and the mother has fallen ill. As a last resort, their only daughter sets off into the woods to seek aid from a mythical fairy.

Unbeknownst to her, the Fairy is intent on devouring the entire family and begins luring them into a false sense of security. In My Mother's Skin is definitely one of the more off-the-wall movies about World War II, but it's still pretty creepy and very thrilling. Underrated and highly unnerving, In My Mother's Skin portrays , even with its supernatural tone.

follows the military career of (), an American combat medic who was a conscientious objector, meaning he willingly chose never to touch a weapon during his service. Shortly before the Third Reich surrendered, the Battle of Okinawa began. Doss' unit was deployed to the Japanese island, with the Battle lasting until late June, well after Germany's defeat.

During the fighting, Doss' unit is forced to retreat due to heavy opposition, but instead of following them, he stays behind, using his skills as a medic and working through the night to save the lives of 75 wounded soldiers, both American and Japanese, all by himself. For this monumental feat, Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming the first conscientious objector to do so. Hacksaw Ridge documents this incredible journey,, even in such a big and gruesome conflict as the Second World War.

stars Swiss actor as Nazi dictator in the final days of the Third Reich. As the Soviet Union closes in on Berlin and a battle rages overhead, Hitler and his highest-ranking officers take shelter in their bunker, wondering if the battle can still be won. As time goes on, it becomes increasingly apparent that they cannot win and that this is the end. It's not exactly easy to feel bad for Hitler, considering the chaos and destruction he wrought. Still, it is kind of satisfying to see him crumble under the pressure and .

Ganz perfectly portrays the rage and paranoia that Hitler was known for, culminating in a superb rant that captures the high tensions within the bunker as their defeat grows more and more imminent. Downfall was acclaimed for its honest depictions of the high-strung emotions going on behind the scenes, all while.

Going back to the atomic bombins explored in Barefoot Gen, the recent blockbuster biopic explores the life and personal turmoil felt but the bombs' lead designer, (). Oppenheimer spearheaded the Manhattan Project, a top-secret US military operation to develop a weapon so devastating that Japan would have no choice but to surrender. Evidently, this project was effective because it did just that.

However, the movie does show how racked with guilt Oppenheimer became for having made such a devastating weapon, even if it is for a cause he believes in. Yes, he helped win the war and was congratulated and decorated for his efforts, but he was never the same again and went about the rest of his life feeling like a mass murderer. Oppenheimer may be set near the end of the war, but , as Murphy and director want .

can be seen as a sister film to Flags of Our Fathers in that they are both directed by and are both about the Battle of Iwo Jima, which took place in the final months of the war in 1945. The difference is that this film is not only better but much more underrated and that it's about the Japanese side of the battle rather than the American one.

The movie is actually , showing how good and evil exist on both sides and that the common Japanese soldier may not always be as monstrous as the regime they were forced to serve. The bloody battle for the tiny Japanese island was hard fought, and it quickly became apparent that it was a losing game for the Japanese, yet many had no choice but to continue or risk execution from their superiors.Letters from Iwo Jimais heart-wrenching and .

is another animated war film, this time taking viewers to the Japanese town of Kobe, which was the target of a vicious American firebombing raid. With their mother killed in the raid and their father serving in the navy, two Japanese children are forced out into the wilderness, fighting off starvation and the harsh environments as the Japanese Empire begins to fall, little by little.

This movie actually goes beyond the end of the war, opening on a flash-forward sequence to three weeks after the conflict's end before detailing the events leading up to the devastating beginning. Grave of the Fireflies is and is one of the most harrowing reminders that in war, the ones who suffer the most are the innocent. However, it has a true emotional factor and an ability to find beauty in the most unexpected of places. Its makes it the best World War II movie set in the last days of the war.

NEXT: 25 Best WWII Movies, Ranked