The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
This is the big one. Spike Lee directly homages John Huston’s classic tale of gold, greed, and paranoia. 'Da 5 Bloods' is, at its core, a modern retelling of this story, swapping out old prospectors for aging veterans. Three men go searching for treasure
and find their own moral compasses shatter under the weight of potential riches. The descent of Delroy Lindo’s Paul into madness mirrors Humphrey Bogart’s iconic performance, proving that the corrosive power of greed is a timeless cinematic theme. It's the essential blueprint for Lee's film.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
You can't talk about the Vietnam War on film without talking about Francis Ford Coppola’s hallucinatory masterpiece. Lee himself pays tribute to it in 'Da 5 Bloods'. 'Apocalypse Now' captures the surreal, psychological horror of the conflict in a way that few films have. While 'Da 5 Bloods' is more grounded in the soldiers' specific experience, it shares that sense of a journey into a heart of darkness, where the lines between sanity and madness blur. The trip upriver becomes a trip into the soul.
Three Kings (1999)
If 'Da 5 Bloods' had a '90s cousin, it would be David O. Russell's Gulf War heist film. A group of American soldiers decides to steal a fortune in gold at the end of a conflict, only to be confronted by the moral consequences of their actions. 'Three Kings' expertly blends cynical humor, kinetic action, and a surprising amount of heart and political critique. Its tonal juggling act—bouncing between buddy comedy, brutal violence, and sharp commentary—is something any fan of Spike Lee’s hybrid style will immediately recognize and appreciate.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
While controversial for its historical depiction, Michael Cimino's epic is an undeniable powerhouse when it comes to portraying trauma. The film is less about the war itself and more about its devastating aftermath on a tight-knit group of friends from a Pennsylvania steel town. The psychological scars that characters carry home, the broken bonds, and the sense of a world irrevocably changed are the emotional bedrock of the film. It provides a searing look at the cost of war on the human spirit, a theme central to the pain carried by Paul and his fellow Bloods.
Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
To better understand 'Da 5 Bloods', it helps to watch another of Spike Lee's war films. Set during World War II, this movie follows four Black soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Division trapped in a Tuscan village. It directly confronts the paradox at the heart of 'Da 5 Bloods': fighting for freedom abroad while being denied it at home. The film tackles racism within the military and the complex humanity of soldiers in impossible situations, making it a crucial thematic companion piece.
Dead Presidents (1995)
The Hughes Brothers' masterful film asks a question that 'Da 5 Bloods' echoes: what happens when a Black soldier comes home from Vietnam? Anthony Curtis returns to the Bronx a decorated but disillusioned vet, only to find no jobs and no respect. Facing systemic neglect, he and his friends plan a heist, turning their military skills toward a desperate act of self-preservation. The film is a raw, stylish, and tragic look at how the country failed its Black veterans, making it a direct prequel to the anger and disenchantment fueling the Bloods decades later.
First Blood (1982)
Forget the cartoonish sequels; the original 'First Blood' is a somber and powerful film about the alienation of a Vietnam veteran. John Rambo isn't an action hero here; he’s a man suffering from severe PTSD who is pushed to the brink by a cruel small-town sheriff. The film is a primal scream against a society that discards its soldiers after the war is over. Rambo's struggle with his trauma and his explosive reaction to being cornered is a direct parallel to the inner demons that torment Paul throughout 'Da 5 Bloods'.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Though not a war film, Spike Lee’s Oscar-winning 'BlacKkKlansman' is the perfect film to watch to understand his modern directorial style. It showcases his unique ability to blend buddy-comedy dynamics, suspenseful thriller elements, and searing historical analysis into one cohesive, entertaining package. The way it weaves real historical footage and righteous anger with moments of levity is the exact same technique that makes 'Da 5 Bloods' so distinctive and powerful. It’s a masterclass in Lee’s signature brand of cinematic activism.
