From daring aerial combat to nail-biting hijack scenarios, planes have been at the center of some of cinema’s most thrilling moments. Fasten your seatbelts as we take off into the world of aviation on the big screen, exploring five films that truly make the friendly skies anything but ordinary.
5. United 93 (2006)
- Box Office: $76 million worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
- Notable Award: BAFTA Award for Best Director (Paul Greengrass)
Paul Greengrass’s “United 93” offers a harrowing, real-time account of the September 11 attacks, focusing on the heroic passengers who fought back against terrorists on United Airlines Flight 93. Using a documentary-style approach and a cast of unknown actors, the film creates an intensely realistic and emotionally charged experience. While difficult to watch, “United 93” serves as a powerful tribute to the bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, reminding us of the human cost of that tragic day.
Fun Fact: Many of the air traffic controllers and military personnel in the film are played by people who were actually on duty during the September 11 attacks, adding to the film’s authenticity.
4. Air Force One (1997)
- Box Office: $315 million worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Letterboxd Rating: 3.2/5
- Notable Award: Academy Award nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Sound
“Air Force One” turns the U.S. President’s iconic plane into a high-stakes battleground. Harrison Ford stars as President James Marshall, who must protect his family and staff when Russian terrorists hijack Air Force One. Director Wolfgang Petersen crafts a taut, action-packed thriller that balances political intrigue with crowd-pleasing heroics. The confined spaces of the aircraft add to the claustrophobic tension, while Gary Oldman’s scenery-chewing villain provides a worthy adversary for Ford’s all-American hero.
Fun Fact: The real Air Force One never actually leaves the ground during filming. All flying sequences were achieved using models and CGI.
3. Flight (2012)
- Box Office: $161 million worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Letterboxd Rating: 3.6/5
- Notable Award: Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Denzel Washington)
Robert Zemeckis’s “Flight” takes a sobering look at the aftermath of a miraculous plane landing. Denzel Washington delivers a powerhouse performance as Whip Whitaker, a skilled pilot with a substance abuse problem who becomes a hero after landing a malfunctioning plane. The film’s opening crash sequence is a white-knuckle masterpiece of tension and visual effects. However, the real turbulence comes from Whitaker’s internal struggle with addiction and accountability, creating a complex character study wrapped in an aviation disaster thriller.
Fun Fact: The plane crash scene took two years to plan and execute, involving extensive CGI work and a full-scale rotating set to capture the inverted flight sequence.
2. Airplane! (1980)
- Box Office: $83 million domestic
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
- Notable Award: Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Comedy
While most plane movies aim for thrills, “Airplane!” takes off in a completely different direction. This uproarious parody of disaster films, particularly “Zero Hour!” (1957), is a non-stop barrage of visual gags, wordplay, and absurdist humor. The plot follows ex-fighter pilot Ted Striker as he’s forced to land a commercial airliner after the crew falls ill. With its deadpan delivery of ridiculous lines and situations, “Airplane!” revolutionized the spoof genre and remains a comedy classic.
Fun Fact: The film’s directors, Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker, got the idea for “Airplane!” after watching late-night TV and stumbling upon the deadly serious “Zero Hour!”
1. Top Gun (1986)
- Box Office: $357 million worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes: 58%
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Letterboxd Rating: 3.3/5
- Notable Award: Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Take My Breath Away”)
“Top Gun” flies high as the quintessential ’80s aviation film, following the cocky pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise) through the elite Naval Fighter Weapons School. Director Tony Scott’s slick visuals and pulse-pounding aerial sequences set a new standard for action filmmaking. Beyond the dogfights, the movie’s blend of machismo, romance, and tragedy captured the imagination of a generation, spawning countless quotable lines and a renewed interest in naval aviation.
Fun Fact: The US Navy set up recruiting booths in some theaters showing “Top Gun,” and saw a 500% increase in applications from young men wanting to be Naval Aviators.
These five films showcase the versatility of aviation in cinema, from pulse-pounding action and side-splitting comedy to sobering drama and real-life tragedy. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just looking for a great movie night, these high-flying features are sure to leave you soaring. So grab your popcorn, buckle up, and prepare for takeoff into the wild blue yonder of movie magic.