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40 Must-See Movies about the Toughest Navy Seals

Navy SEALs stand alone as the most elite warriors in the United States military and across the world. Lauded for their unparalleled skills in special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism missions, the Navy SEALs have cemented their status in history as the toughest guys out there. Their grueling experiences navigating dangerous battlefields, conducting classified operations, and pushing themselves to superhuman physical and mental limits make for prime film drama and action. These are the men and women who can parachute from tens of thousands of feet, silently eliminate their enemies with clinical precision, and go home as they come to war.

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The Navy SEALs have inspired the production of movies and series to show their superhuman abilities to the rest of the world. From explosive hostage rescue missions to the quiet courage of SEALs under devastating fire, prepare to gain immense respect for these elite maritime warriors. seat back, relax, and enjoy because we’re about to hit the throttle on the most hard-hitting films featuring the U.S. Navy’s most elite fighting force.

The following are forty films about the Navy Seals that everyone must watch:

1. Hunter Killer (2018)

When a coup in Russia captures the President, it’s up to U.S. Special Forces to avert a global crisis in the 2018 film Hunter Killer. A submarine captain teams with Navy SEALs to infiltrate Moscow and orchestrate a risky hostage rescue. The team is outnumbered and deep in enemy territory, facing staggering odds, relying on stealth and skill to slip behind enemy lines undetected. The unit succeeds in eliminating the threat and rescuing the hostage while leaving huge destruction behind. The SEALs’ calm precision under international pressure highlights their uncompromising dedication to duty when the stakes are highest for their country.

2. Lone Survivor (2013)

Based on a tragic real-life mission, Lone Survivor dramatizes the courage under fire that defines Navy SEALs. Four-man SEAL patrol in Afghanistan is ambushed by thousands of Taliban forces, finding themselves massively outgunned. However, they do not surrender to the enemy under any circumstances and so the SEALs fight back with gritty determination, holding off hundreds of enemies to allow just one critically wounded SEAL to survive. Even with devastating injuries, the SEALs keep fighting, demonstrating the incredible mental and physical fortitude it takes to be part of the elite special operations group. Their sacrifice offers insight into the heavy toll SEAL missions can take.

3. Without Remorse (2021)

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Without Remorse, tells a gritty story of a U.S. Navy SEAL’s quest for justice. Navy SEAL John Clark turns ruthless to avenge the death of his wife who was murdered by the Russians. Clarke launches a one-man war against an international conspiracy that threatens to kindle war between the U.S. and Russia. His formidable combat skills are brought to vivid life onscreen through intense action sequences. We gain insight into the motivations of duty and loyalty that drive an elite SEAL warrior to go to unimaginable extremes to serve his country.

4. American Renegades (2017)

American Renegades is a film that shows two former Navy SEALs who are on a dangerous mission to recover stolen treasure. The SEALs tactically infiltrate a heavily guarded castle by sea in the dead of night, slipping past patrols and evading high-tech security systems as they battle the mobster’s small army in brutal combat when the heist is discovered. Fighting against all odds with lives on the line, the SEALs demonstrate the elite skills it takes to succeed on a risky assignment. Their courage under fire shows Navy SEALs at their finest. Considering that these are former Navy Seals, we are reminded that once a Navy seal always a Navy seal.

5. Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden (2012)

This film takes you inside the legendary SEAL Team Six night raid against Osama bin Laden. The film is based on a true story where the unit stormed the terrorist leader’s compound with stealth and lethal precision. The fearless SEALs recount facing heavy gunfire and perilous odds as they made history in 2011. As bullets fly down narrow corridors, the SEALs’ cunning training and defiance of danger come through in every room they breach and clear. Their code of “no soldier left behind,” even when under extreme duress shows their determination to put their lives on the line for their partners. They execute the mission with a clinical focus, reflecting their incredibly uncompromising bravery in the line of duty.

6. Navy SEALs (1990)

Navy SEALS stars Charlie Sheen as an elite Navy SEAL operator recruited for a dangerous mission to rescue an American Senator held hostage by Middle Eastern terrorists. He has to parachute into the enemy country at night. The SEAL team stealthily makes their way to the terrorist compound where they use advanced tactics and weapons to eliminate enemy forces and rescue the Senator against almost impossible odds. However, the mission goes awry when Sheen’s character must improvise after his equipment malfunctions. The film highlights the extreme mental and physical capabilities of Navy SEALs through intense action sequences demonstrating their precision, teamwork, and bravery during top-secret operations.

10. The Abyss (1989)

While often overlooked as a Navy SEAL film, The Abyss offers a gripping fictional depiction of SEALs operating in extreme environments. The film follows a nuclear submarine that sinks to the bottom of the ocean as a group of SEALs navigates tight underwater caves in a risky rescue attempt. They combat pressure sickness and disorientation as they search the alien-like setting. And when unexplained encounters heighten the high stakes, the SEAL team’s unflinching dedication shines through. Their mental toughness and adaptability under harrowing conditions reflect core aspects of what makes Navy SEALs elite maritime warriors.

8. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Here is another film that follows the SEAL Team Six that stormed into and killed Osama bin Laden: Zero Dark Thirty. The team has to infiltrate Pakistan using their military helicopters. We witness the calm coordination of the SEAL assault team as they precede a swift breach and clear operation against bin Laden’s compound. Through constant communication, the team manages to emerge victorious against their enemy. Despite the raid’s notoriety, the film captures it as just another day on the job for devoted SEALs conducting a high-profile mission with country-wide implications.

9. Tears of the Sun (2003)

Bruce Willis is the star man in the 2003 film Tears of the Sun. this is a gripping combat tale of a SEAL team’s rescue mission in Nigeria. While on the mission, the number of people to rescue increases forcing the seal team to adapt to continue protecting innocent refugees without hesitation or complaint. Ordinarily, the team is outgunned by ruthless adversaries. However, the SEALs brave roaring gun battles, using tactical edge, resourcefulness, and brotherly bonds forged by fire to survive. They show their elite training under immense stress, their calm, strategic maneuvers through ambushes, and the commitment that they embody within volatile conditions. We gain new respect for their incredible sacrifices.

10. Act of Valor (2012)

Featuring active-duty Navy SEALs depicting fictionalized versions of themselves, Act of Valor is a fascinating film showcasing SEAL missions. The story follows a platoon mobilized against a terrorist plot, providing an insider’s perspective into their classified world of specialized tactics and weaponry. We witness SEALs planning strategic airstrikes from nuclear submarines, smoothly breaching compounds with silent precision, and even utilizing futuristic equipment that hints at the advanced capabilities of real-world Navy Special Warfare units. Once again, their victory shows just how the Navy seals can win any battle.

11. I. Jane (1997)

Who said that navy seals only work for men? The film G.I. Jane offers an inside look at the grueling SEAL training pipeline through Demi Moore’s character striving to become the first woman to join the elite special operations force. Contending with skepticism and cruelty, she tackles the infamous Hell Week phase with gritty determination despite the daunting odds stacking against her. The film authentically captures the intense physical and mental agony involved in the make-or-break endurance test through raw, compelling performances. Ultimately it salutes the extreme self-sacrifice and heart that SEAL candidates summon to rise as warriors.

12. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

This real-life combat thriller shows former Navy SEALs working as security contractors when the American embassy in Benghazi gets attacked. Drawing from their elite training and battlefield instincts, their daring last stand against waves of jihadist fighters makes up the film’s most riveting sequences. We witness SEAL combat tactics and decision-making under devastating pressure as they organize the defense, convert vehicles to makeshift combat-ready transports, and risk their lives so others might have hope of escape. Their selfless courage and remarkable skill in the face of lethal chaos reaffirms the Navy SEAL ethos.

13. Under Siege (1992)

Who wouldn’t love a film featuring the great Steven Seagal? In Under Siege, he stars as an ex-Navy SEAL turned cook who must utilize his specialized combat skills to thwart a group of terrorists who seize control of the U.S.S. Missouri battleship. Showcasing the ingenuity and tactical cunning elite SEAL training fosters, he crafts homemade explosives, seizes weapons, and neutralizes threats one by one. We witness the mental fortitude SEALs develop to stay calm under intense pressure as Seagal’s unyielding determination picks apart the terrorist plot from within despite being outgunned. Through it all, his hand-to-hand combat prowess reflects superb conditioning that makes Navy SEALs fierce protectors.

14. American Sniper (2015)

Clint Eastwood’s biopic American Sniper follows Chris Kyle’s journey from cowboy to legend as the deadliest sniper in American military history over four tours with the SEAL Teams. One needs to have intense mental focus and unwavering inner strength to be a SEAL sniper. We witness the split-second decision-making under threat that Kyle finds routine yet leaves lesser soldiers paralyzed. More than just a war story, it’s an intimate character study of the self-sacrifice SEALs and their families make to protect their country when called to answer its need for elite courage.

15. The Rescue (2021)

The Rescue is an acclaimed documentary that showed the incredible underwater cave rescue mission orchestrated by Thailand Navy SEALs to save twelve boys and their soccer coach. When monsoon floods trapped the group deep inside a cave system in 2018, the Navy SEAL team strategically utilized diving expertise to attempt a seemingly impossible extraction. As oxygen levels dwindle, their steadfast determination and tactical coordination with international teams highlight the quick-thinking ingenuity that makes SEALs elite. Through candid interviews, we gain perspective on how they marshal courage in the face of danger to achieve the unachievable.

16. The Rock (1996)

The Navy Seals are so good even fictional films such as The Rock look like real life. The film offers a thrilling showcase of SEALs called upon to neutralize threats in a risky situation. After poison gas rockets seized Alcatraz, only two specialized SEAL teams had the skills to slip behind enemy lines undetected. We witness their clinical efficiency in taking down guards and security systems before suiting up with specialized breathing equipment to infiltrate toxic underground tunnels. Their precision ambush and fearless assault through lethal nerve gas epitomize their dedication to duty above all else.

17. Captain Philipps (2013)

Captain Phillips thrillingly captures a SEAL team flawlessly executing a risky hostage rescue under intense pressure. SEAL snipers deliver kill shots from a raging, dark ocean that underscore their unflinching poise to the Somali pirates. The SEAL unit stays focused as they strive to rescue the kidnapped captain, racing to intercept the lifeboat through rolling swells and tricky long-distance shots. The film demonstrates that the navy seals can maintain communication on the battlefield amidst intense fighting and gunshots. Their daring success highlights capabilities honed at the highest level.

18. Black Hawk Down (2001)

Though mostly focusing on Army Rangers, Black Hawk Down depicts the swift, daring expertise of Navy SEAL operators during the 1993 raid on Mogadishu to capture a Somali warlord. A four-man SEAL unit navigates the streets under fire to secure one of the crash sites when the helicopters are shot down. Their steel-nerved ability to operate behind enemy lines underscores SEAL composure when plans rapidly unravel. Their soldiering skills and refusal to leave men behind reflect immense courage and training.

19. Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

The 1986 film Heartbreak Ridge starring Clint Eastwood tells the story of a grizzled Marine Corps sergeant nearing retirement who is assigned to train a reconnaissance platoon. He employs tough love and rigorous training, molding the group into an elite fighting force, all while butting heads with superiors. When his platoon is called upon to aid in the American invasion of Grenada, they get a chance to prove themselves in live combat. The film realistically depicts the sacrifices and camaraderie of American soldiers while showcasing Eastwood’s commanding screen presence.

20. Sniper (1993)

The 1993 film Sniper stars the legendary Tom Berenger as a Marine Corps sniper who is paired with a spotter, played by Billy Zane, for a dangerous mission in Panama. Berenger’s character must put aside his lone-wolf tendencies to work alongside the brash and inexperienced Zane. As the duo stalks a rebel leader in the dense jungle, they are tested both physically and mentally. Sniper offers a gritty portrayal of the patience, discipline, and deadly accuracy required of an elite military sharpshooter, showcasing the pair’s skill and precision during intense exchanges with the enemy.

21. The Delta Force (1986)

Chuck Norris at his peak starred in the 1986 action film The Delta Force as the leader of an elite counterterrorism unit tasked with rescuing hostages from a hijacked airplane. The Lebanese terrorists take over a commercial airplane as Norris and his team of specialists discreetly board the plane to take out the hijackers. What ensues is a high-octane sequence as the commandos engage in combat within the confined space, relying on their extensive training to eliminate the threat while securing passenger safety. With its suspenseful hijacking plot and Chuck Norris’s trademark martial arts action, The Delta Force is an entertaining military thriller.

22. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Kathryn Bigelow’s 2008 war drama The Hurt Locker depicts an Army bomb squad unit during the Iraq War. Staff Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, heads the squad as they face the nerve-wracking task of diffusing improvised explosive devices planted by insurgents. The film captures the dangerous realities of their life-threatening job, showing intense focus and steady hands in tense scenes where a single wrong move could be fatal. The film examines the psyche of Navy Seals addicted to the high-risk world of war.

23. Jarhead (2005)

Jarhead is a Navy Seal film that dramatizes the frustrations and drudgery of war as experienced by an American Marine sniper during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s. Jake Gyllenhaal, as Marine Anthony Swofford, endures rigorous training to join an elite sniper unit, only to end up bored and disillusioned when he finds himself stuck in a desert camp without seeing combat. The Marines engage in reckless behavior to pass the time, struggling to define their manhood. Sam Mendes directs Jarhead as an ironic anti-war film, focused not on bloody battles but on the internal conflicts of soldiers whose talents go unused.

24. Redemption Day (2021)

We meet Gary Dourdan as Brad Paxton, a hardened Navy SEAL on a mission to rescue his wife, played by Serinda Swan, from terrorists in Morocco in this 2021 film Redemption Day. Paxton assembles his elite SEAL team to undertake the operation to get his wife back when terrorists kidnap her while she is doing humanitarian work. While in enemy territory, the skilled warriors rely on their expertise in weapons and hand-to-hand combat to battle the terrorists, overcoming overwhelming odds through grit, tactical precision, and brotherly camaraderie. Redemption Day delivers a compelling story of sacrifice, showcasing the real-world heroism and abilities of Navy SEALs in the line of fire.

25. Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia (2009)

Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia tells the story of a group of Navy SEALs who are sent on a secret mission into the Colombian jungle. Their goal is to take out a powerful drug lord who has been terrorizing the country. But their stealth operation goes wrong when they are spotted by enemy forces. Trapped behind enemy lines, the outnumbered SEALs must fight their way through the dense jungle to safety. Outgunned but not outsmarted, the elite warriors use their training and skills to battle an army and escape the country before more forces show up. It’s an intense cat-and-mouse struggle for survival.

26. The Terminal List (2022)

After his entire platoon is ambushed during a risky mission, Navy SEAL James Reece returns home struggling with depression and fragmented memories of the tragic event in this action-packed film The Terminal List. But when new sinister evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces are working against him. With elite military assassins suddenly on his trail, Reece goes on the run as a wanted fugitive. Using his elite SEAL survival skills and tactical training, he attempts to hunt down those responsible for the deadly conspiracy before they get to him first. It’s a heart-pounding game of cat-and-mouse with the stakes higher than ever for Reece. He wages a one-man war for truth and justice showing the determination of the navy seals to fight for what is right.

27. SEAL Team 8: Behind Enemy Lines (2014)

Seal Team 8: Behind Enemy Lines is another action movie that follows a team of Navy SEALs who are sent on a mission into Africa to apprehend a war criminal and stop an arms deal. However, their mission goes astray when hostile forces ambush them, their extraction plan fails, and they find themselves stranded deep in enemy territory. The SEALs must battle the odds to survive and accomplish their mission while being hunted across inhospitable terrain by so many enemies. The movie features intense action sequences and highlights the skills and perseverance of the elite Special Forces soldiers.

28. Stratton (2016)

There are deadly navy seals across the world including the British Royal Navy as depicted in the film Stratton.  This film follows the squad led by Special Boat Service operative John Stratton. After a secret mission goes wrong, resulting in civilian casualties, Stratton and his squad come under investigation. However, they are abruptly brought back into action when a terrorist attack rocks London and British diplomats are taken hostage. With time running out, Stratton and his crew must secretly infiltrate unknown territory and attempt a daring rescue operation. The Special Forces carry out the mission successfully despite having no backup and being outnumbered by the enemy.

29. Jarhead 2: Field of Fire (2014)

The second installation of the Jarhead franchise Jarhead 2: Field of Fire follows a team of Navy SEALs who are sent on a vital mission to protect a supply convoy traveling through Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan. While on the mission, an elite team of Taliban fighters ambush the convoy and prepare a lethal counterattack. The small but lethal team of SEALs must battle overwhelming waves of Taliban fighters to protect the destroyed convoy. The SEALs engage in intense combat sequences highlighting their precision and skill against many enemies. As ammunition runs low, the SEALs must rely on strategy, and teamwork to fend off the Taliban onslaught and complete their mission behind enemy lines showing the seals’ will to win.

30. Steel Sharks (1997)

We find action in Steel Sharks film that centers on a hardened Navy SEAL squad in a game of cat-and-mouse with a rogue Russian submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk. A SEAL team led by Captain Joe Burke is dispatched to neutralize the Russians’ attack on the American vessel before full-scale war erupts between the superpowers. The SEAL commandos sneak aboard the high-tech submarine, armed to the teeth with advanced weapons and technology. What follows is a pulse-pounding undersea duel between the SEAL intruders and the enemy crew, pushing both sides to their limits as they utilize every tactical and physical skill to outmatch their foe.

31. The Finest Hour (2016)

The Navy seals sent on missions in the Middle East showcased their special skills in films including the 2016 film The Finest Hour the movie is about a Navy SEAL platoon deployed on a dangerous mission to capture a wanted terrorist leader in the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan. However, their cover is blown and their secret mission is jeopardized by an ambush by enemy insurgents. Showcasing the extreme training and unwavering courage of special forces, the movie highlights the SEALs’ elite combat capabilities as they attempt to fight their way out against overwhelming odds. The mission becomes about more than just duty as the terrorists push hard with their massive weapons. Facing impossible odds of survival, the platoon must summon incredible skill to accomplish their objective in their finest hour.

32. Navy SEALs: Their Untold Stories (2014)

There are a lot of things that happen on the battlefield when the Navy seals are on dangerous missions and the 2014 film Navy Seals: The Untold Stories offers a unique inside look into lesser-known secret operations carried out by these elite warriors. The film reveals riveting untold stories of secret SEAL missions, highlighting the bravery and ingenious tactics employed to accomplish perilous objectives around the globe. From tense hostage rescues to daring captures of high-value targets, the documentary showcases the SEALs’ unparalleled training, teamwork, and readiness to undertake the most dangerous assignments.

33. Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe (2011)

In the film Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Sam Axe is sent to Colombia on a secret operation to gather information on illegal operations carried out by Espada Ardiente, an elite paramilitary group. When Sam discovers an imminent threat to American interests, he must take matters into his own hands after his senior orders him to stand down. He puts his military training and field skills to work and single-handedly engineers a plan to neutralize the Espada Ardiente threat. The film provides a backstory on Sam’s final mission as a Navy SEAL before his later exploits, showcasing his courage and prowess for improvisation when carrying out an unauthorized and extremely risky mission.

34. Until It Hurts (2014)

For your information, the Navy seals are capable of putting their lives on the line as long as they accomplish the mission, just as depicted in the 2014 film Until It Hurts. The film delves into the immense sacrifices made by Navy SEALs and the harrowing impacts of combat trauma. Here we see a SEAL platoon that executes daring, classified missions under the extreme pressures of war. After witnessing the violent deaths of brothers-in-arms and making gut-wrenching life-and-death choices amid the chaos of battle, the hardened warriors return home plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder. No longer able to cope, some spiral into depression and addiction, straining relationships along the way. This is how much the seals are determined to serve their countries.

35. The Frogmen (1951)

People tend to love films more when they are based on true events. The 1951 movie The Frogmen is a gripping war film based on the true story of the US Navy’s daring underwater demolition teams, the precursors to the modern-day SEALs. Set during World War two, The Frogmen follows a courageous band of naval combat divers as they pioneer tactics to clear enemy beaches in advance of massive invasions. The Frogmen dramatically chronicle these forerunners of special operations as they brave grueling conditions and lethal obstacles to spearhead assaults like the Allied landings at Sicily and Normandy. Against seemingly impossible odds, their ingenuity, grit, and sacrifice proved instrumental in the Allied victory.

36. Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

Even though there are several movies with the same title, the 2001’s Behind Enemy Lines stands out for its story. This action-packed thriller follows a Navy SEAL pilot shot down and stranded alone in war-torn Bosnia. As ruthless enemies hunt the pilot, a fierce battle erupts between UN troops and Bosnian Serb forces, trapping him behind enemy lines. Dodging heavy fire and merciless tracking parties, the skilled SEAL navigates freezing wilderness terrain while reporting intelligence from the conflict zone. It’s up to the downed pilot’s commanding officer to disobey orders and bravely save his man. Fighting overwhelming odds, the officers’ loyalty to one another is put to the ultimate test in an exhilarating story of military camaraderie.

37. W.A.T (2003)

S.W.A.T. is an action film starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell. It follows a Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. team that is tasked with transporting a high-profile criminal. When their armored truck is attacked, they have to escape with the criminal to safety. Farrell’s character Jim Street is a former S.W.A.T. officer who gets a second chance to join the team. He helps them as they try to bring the criminals to justice while dealing with corruption in the police department. There are plenty of gun fights, stand-offs, and explosions as the team uses all their tactical training to survive.

38. Secrets of SEAL Team Six (2011)

Secrets of SEAL Team Six is a TV movie that depicts the inner workings and behind-the-scenes details of the elite U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six. It focuses on the team’s successful mission to take out Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011. The film showcases the intense physical and tactical training the SEALs must go through, as well as the careful planning and preparation that went into the covert Bin Laden mission. It reveals the technology, weapons, and stealth techniques used by the SEALs to infiltrate the compound and take down America’s most wanted terrorist. The story provides a never-before-seen look into the secretive techniques and teamwork of America’s highest-trained special operations unit.

39. Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)

In Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Steven Seagal reprises his role as Casey Ryback, a former Navy SEAL who once again finds himself in the middle of danger. This time, Ryback is aboard a train traveling through the Rocky Mountains when a group of high-tech terrorists led by Travis Dane played by Eric Bogosian take control of its computer systems. They threaten to use the train’s satellite uplink to access critical US military satellites and launch missiles. Using his special ops skills and hand-to-hand combat expertise, Ryback must battle the terrorists before they can carry out their plot. With lots of action sequences and explosions, Ryback tries to stop the train before it enters the ‘dark territory’ where communications are lost.

40. All For Love (2016)

All for Love is a romantic drama that follows a once-successful novelist, played by Aidan Turner, struggling with writer’s block while working as a teacher. His uninspired life takes a turn when he meets a vibrant young woman, played by Eva Birthistle, who signed up for his writing class on a whim. As the two begin to connect through their shared passion for literature, they are forced to confront difficult aspects of their past, including grief and regret over failed relationships. Their blossoming romance inspires the novelist’s creativity to flow again. The film explores themes of love, fate, and second chances. With emotional intimacy and clever dialogue, all for Love captures the way human connection can heal wounds and reignite artistic passion.

When the credits roll on gritty, immersive films about Navy SEALs, viewers walk away with immense respect for these elite warriors. Having gone behind the scenes into their highly-specialized world of danger, sacrifice, and extreme training, we gain perspective on what it takes to defend freedom around the globe. The non-stop action gets our hearts racing, while moments of team bonding offer surprising warmth amidst the combat intensity. Powerful acting performances allow us to connect with individual SEALs as human beings, even as they demonstrate almost supernatural levels of cunning, skill, and endurance. Ultimately, navy SEAL cinema offers thrilling entertainment with the bonus of renewed appreciation for these real-life heroes. Whether honing lethal sniper shots, conducting perfect room clearances, or summoning incredible reserves of willpower, SEALs in the film constantly overcome. After witnessing their exploits on screen, we feel reassured to have such ultimate warriors standing watch over America and our allies under even the direst circumstances.