Individualism vs. collectivism is a fundamental cultural and political conflict in the world today. To better understand the relationship and the conflict between individualism and collectivism, we chose American anti-war films as the object of study. In this thesis, using theories of representation, individualism, collectivism and qualitative content analysis, we discussed the representation of individualism and collectivism, the conflict between individualism and collectivism, and the solution for the conflict in two films,

Born on the fourth of July and Platoon. Our study suggests that the individualism and collectivism is mainly reflected in three aspects: goals, interpersonal relationship and freedom. Furthermore, this thesis gives insightful implications of individualism and collectivism with particular resolution for the conflict.