Platoon

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Platoon

R

1986

2h 0m

War

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he's on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more sympathetic view of the locals, ends up pitting the soldiers against each other as well as against the enemy.

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Critics Consensus

Informed by director Oliver Stone's personal experiences in Vietnam, Platoon forgoes easy sermonizing in favor of a harrowing, ground-level view of war, bolstered by no-holds-barred performances from Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 23, 2022

This is a great American movie -- easily the most powerful film of the year.

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Marsha McCreadie

Arizona Republic

Aug 23, 2022

I didn't take a single note during the screening of Platoon: It's that engrossing, that overwhelming.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Aug 23, 2022

It's a powerful, painful, must-see film -- an impassioned and riveting dispatch from the front that's at once a battle cry and a lamentation.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

May 26, 2025

5/5

Oliver Stone's harrowing war picture was the first movie that felt like a genuine depiction of that terrible war, and brought collective catharsis for America's tragedy in Vietnam.

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Jun 14, 2023

One of the most visceral and authentic war films ever made.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 11, 2022

3.5/4

Platoon may not be the best Vietnam war film ever made -- I still prefer both Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket by a healthy margin -- but I wouldn't care to argue with any veteran who states that it's the most honest depiction of that insane skirmish.

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Michael S

@SpNCcA 3 days ago

For many years i was told this was one of the great war movies, and upon finally getting around to watching it i was deeply disappointed. I can't see anyone but patriotic Americans giving this movie a positive rating - over dramatised and over acted.

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Brandy R

@RT72739881 Oct 3, 2026

Platoon is by far the best Vietnam war movie I have ever watched! Viewing Brothers In Arms really sealed the deal on a great production!

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Farah R

@Farah Sep 20, 2026

Platoon is the best Vietnam War movie ever made. It captures the grittiness of the war through its characters, atmosphere, and narrative. The characters are flawed, which makes them all the more human, and the dialogue feels very natural. The film is like a time capsule from that era, especially in the authenticity of its details. The combat scenes are disturbing and visceral, while the suspense keeps you on edge. It’s a powerful, immersive film that aptly portrays the chaos and brutality of war while never losing sight of the people caught in it. It’s a fantastic movie.

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Graham S

@RT68812591 Aug 30, 2026

One of the best war movies ever made imo

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Renaldo D

@RT30888824 Jul 27, 2026

A great war movie. Fantastic scenes, as well as the performances.

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Manuel P

@RT29331666 Jul 25, 2026

It is amazing that Oliver Stone, being a veteran himself, was self aware enough to portray US veterans in any war of aggression as what they are: war criminals.

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Oliver Stone

Director

Tom Berenger

Staff Sgt. Bob Barnes

Willem Dafoe

Sgt. Elias Grodin

Charlie Sheen

Pvt. Chris Taylor

Forest Whitaker

Big Harold

Francesco Quinn

Rhah

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Synopsis

Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he's on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more sympathetic view of the locals, ends up pitting the soldiers against each other as well as against the enemy.

Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Arnold Kopelson
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us]
Rating: R
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $138.5M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround

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