Brad Pitt and Jon Bernthal’s Brutal WWII Thriller Arrives on Netflix With a Powerful Story of War and Survival

Brad Pitt leads an extraordinary ensemble cast in Fury, a visceral World War II action drama that takes viewers inside a Sherman tank during the final weeks of the war. Featuring Jon Bernthal, Shia LaBeouf and Logan Lerman, the 135-minute film delivers relentless battlefield tension while exploring the bonds, trauma and moral struggles of five soldiers fighting to survive behind enemy lines.

Directed by David Ayer, the 2014 film has found a new streaming home on Netflix, giving audiences another chance to experience one of the most uncompromising portrayals of tank warfare in modern cinema.

Brad Pitt and Jon Bernthal Lead a Gritty WWII Tank Drama

Alongside Pitt and Bernthal, the film features Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña and Jason Isaacs. Pitt plays U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, an experienced tank commander responsible for a five-man crew operating a Sherman tank deep inside Nazi Germany.

Bernthal portrays Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis, a Louisiana native serving as the crew’s loader. After fighting together for much of the war, the men have developed a close bond built on shared danger and hardship.

Their fragile sense of unity is shaken when one of their fellow soldiers is killed. The replacement, Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman), is a young recruit with little battlefield experience who previously worked as a military typist.

Unprepared for the brutality of combat, Norman struggles with the prospect of taking another person’s life. His hesitation creates friction with the hardened veterans, who have learned to survive by following orders and making difficult decisions without hesitation.

As the tank moves further into enemy territory, the crew faces increasingly dangerous encounters. Their mission eventually brings them into a confrontation with a vastly superior German force, setting the stage for the film’s intense final battle.

A Box Office Success and a Critically Recognised War Film

Fury arrived in cinemas on October 17, 2014, and quickly established itself as a major commercial success. It earned approximately $211 million worldwide, comfortably exceeding its reported production budget.

The film also received recognition from the National Board of Review, which included it among its 10 best films of 2014. Its ensemble cast was additionally honoured with the organisation’s Best Ensemble award.

Its critical reception has remained strong. On Rotten Tomatoes, Fury holds a 75% Certified Fresh score from critics, alongside an 84% audience score. The film has been praised for its performances, raw depiction of combat and intensely physical battle sequences.

Fury Arrives on Netflix

The 2014 war drama joined Netflix’s US catalogue on November 1, 2026, giving subscribers another opportunity to revisit David Ayer’s uncompromising portrayal of World War II tank warfare.

Although the film draws on real wartime experiences, Fury is not based on a specific true story. Ayer developed its fictional narrative through historical research, accounts from World War II tank crews and extensive reading about the experiences of soldiers operating armoured vehicles.

The filmmakers also placed considerable emphasis on making the production feel authentic. Before filming, the actors underwent demanding military-style training designed to prepare them for the physical and practical challenges of working as a tank crew.

The production’s attention to detail extended beyond the performances. Real World War II-era vehicles were used, including a German Tiger I tank, helping give the battle sequences a convincing sense of scale and physical weight.

Shia LaBeouf’s Method Acting Led to Tension on Set

The cast’s preparation was not without its difficulties. Shia LaBeouf, who plays tank gunner Boyd “Bible” Swan, became particularly committed to his role, with his intense approach to method acting reportedly creating tension during production.

Scott Eastwood, who appears early in the film as Sergeant Miles, later recalled a heated confrontation with LaBeouf over a scene involving tobacco being spat onto the tank. The action was written into the script, but the disagreement escalated into an argument that required Brad Pitt to intervene.

Eastwood discussed the incident publicly again in August 2026, describing the challenges of working with LaBeouf and expressing his view that an actor’s creative process should not make the working environment uncomfortable for others.

With its impressive ensemble, uncompromising combat sequences and emotionally charged portrayal of life inside a tank, Fury remains a compelling choice for viewers drawn to intense World War II dramas.

The film is now streaming on Netflix in the United States. Availability may differ in other countries.