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Platoon

Play trailer Poster for Platoon R Released Dec 19, 1986 2h 0m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 123 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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Platoon

Platoon

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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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Critics Reviews

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David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture This is a great American movie -- easily the most powerful film of the year. Aug 23, 2022 Full Review Marsha McCreadie Arizona Republic I didn't take a single note during the screening of Platoon: It's that engrossing, that overwhelming. Aug 23, 2022 Full Review Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution 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. Aug 23, 2022 Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap 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. Rated: 5/5 May 26, 2025 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily One of the most visceral and authentic war films ever made. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 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. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 11, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Britton O. Oliver Stone’s Platoon stands out as one of the most unfiltered, visceral, and authentic portrayals of the Vietnam War. It's a film that draws you in with its intense realism and powerful storytelling. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend watching it—prepare for an unforgettable experience! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/25 Full Review Audience Member An absolute tour de force in cinema. We become fully invested in each character and find ourselves immersed in their world as if we were drafted as well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/27/25 Full Review Leprechaun K A classic. Movie accurately captures the horror of the Vietnam War, and the atrocities committed by the US military. An all star cast. The theme music borrowed from Barber is perfect. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/20/25 Full Review Lobo T a powerful, painful, must-see film -- an impassioned and riveting dispatch from the front that's at once a battle cry and a lamentation. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/25 Full Review Rowan G This film is one of the best war films in my opinion, the story of a young soldier fighting the enemy, the music as well in the film is heart-wrenching. I would recommend but it is a very hard watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/08/25 Full Review Will G A Great military movie. Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe gave Nice performances. There is another movie about the Viet Nam war called “Apocalypse Now” with Martin Sheen. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Platoon

Platoon: Official Clip - Pecker Hard, Powder Dry Platoon: Official Clip - Pecker Hard, Powder Dry 3:02 Platoon: Official Clip - Retribution Platoon: Official Clip - Retribution 4:16 Platoon: Official Clip - I Am Reality Platoon: Official Clip - I Am Reality 2:06 Platoon: Official Clip - The Death of Sgt. Elias Platoon: Official Clip - The Death of Sgt. Elias 3:09 Platoon: Official Clip - Elias is Betrayed Platoon: Official Clip - Elias is Betrayed 2:09 Platoon: Official Clip - Burning the Village Platoon: Official Clip - Burning the Village 3:05 Platoon: Official Clip - We're Gonna Lose This War Platoon: Official Clip - We're Gonna Lose This War 1:13 Platoon: Official Clip - Barnes Crosses the Line Platoon: Official Clip - Barnes Crosses the Line 2:40 Platoon: Official Clip - Hell Is the Impossibility of Reason Platoon: Official Clip - Hell Is the Impossibility of Reason 1:30 Platoon: Official Clip - Dance! Platoon: Official Clip - Dance! 2:04 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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