There’s something about airplanes that capture the imagination of movie makers and audiences alike. The sleek design of planes, the roar of engines, the feeling of weightlessness, and the potential for danger all make for compelling cinematic moments. Here, we take a look at some of the best airplane movie air scenes in film history.
The Wright Brothers Take Flight in “The Spirit of St. Louis”
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One of the earliest and most iconic airplane scenes in film history is the recreation of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in “The Spirit of St. Louis” (1957). The film tells the story of Charles Lindbergh’s famous transatlantic flight, but it begins with a recreation of the Wright Brothers’ historic flight at Kitty Hawk. The scene is beautifully shot, with the camera mounted on the plane to give the audience a sense of what it must have been like for the brothers as they took to the skies.
“Top Gun” Takes Flight
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One of the most iconic airplane movies of all time, “Top Gun” (1986) features some of the most thrilling aviation scenes ever captured on film. From the opening sequence of fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier to the climactic dogfight between Tom Cruise’s Maverick and the enemy pilots, “Top Gun” is a celebration of the thrill of flight.
“Air Force One” Takes a Dive
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In “Air Force One” (1997), Harrison Ford plays the President of the United States, who finds himself in a tense standoff with Russian terrorists who have hijacked his plane. The movie features a dramatic scene where Ford’s character orders the plane to take a steep dive to avoid a missile. The scene is expertly shot, with the camera following the plane as it hurtles towards the ground.
“The Aviator” Takes Flight
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Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” (2004) tells the story of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film features several stunning airplane scenes, including a recreation of Hughes’ famous flight around the world in 1938. The scene is beautifully shot, with the camera capturing the beauty of the planes against a backdrop of clouds and blue sky.
“Con Air” Takes Off
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“Con Air” (1997) may not be one of the most critically acclaimed airplane movies, but it’s certainly one of the most entertaining. The film features an all-star cast, including Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, and Steve Buscemi, and some truly over-the-top airplane scenes. The highlight of the movie is a scene where Cage’s character, a wrongly convicted prisoner, takes control of the plane and lands it on the Las Vegas strip.
“Sully” Makes a Miracle Landing
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In “Sully” (2016), Tom Hanks plays Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who famously landed a plane on the Hudson River in 2009 after both engines failed. The movie features a tense recreation of the landing, as well as the aftermath as Sully and his crew are hailed as heroes. The scene is a testament to the skill of the real-life Sullenberger, as well as the bravery of the passengers and crew.
“Die Hard 2” Takes on Terrorists in the Air
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In “Die Hard 2” (1990), Bruce Willis’ John McClane finds himself once again battling terrorists, this time on a plane. The movie features several tense scenes, including a sequence where McClane must crawl through the plane’s ventilation system to avoid being detected by the bad guys. The movie also features a thrilling finale where McClane takes down the terrorists and saves the day.
“United 93” Tells a Tragic Story
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“United 93” (2006) tells the story of the passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked by terrorists on September 11th, 2001. The movie features a harrowing recreation of the events on board the plane, as the passengers and crew attempt to take back control from the hijackers. The scenes on the plane are intercut with scenes on the ground, where air traffic controllers and military personnel attempt to make sense of what’s happening.
“Flight” Takes a Dramatic Turn
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In “Flight” (2012), Denzel Washington plays a pilot who manages to land a plane after a mechanical failure causes a near-disaster. However, the investigation into the incident uncovers some troubling details about the pilot’s personal life, leading to a tense courtroom drama. The airplane scenes in “Flight” are expertly shot, capturing the fear and chaos of a mid-air emergency.
“Airport” Kicks Off the Disaster Movie Genre
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“Airport” (1970) is often credited with launching the disaster movie genre, which would dominate Hollywood throughout the 1970s. The movie tells the story of a commercial airliner that is targeted by a bomber, and features several tense scenes as the passengers and crew attempt to survive the ordeal. The movie also features an all-star cast, including Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, and Jacqueline Bisset.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the many great airplane movie air scenes in film history. Whether it’s a thrilling dogfight, a tense emergency landing, or a recreation of historic flights, these scenes capture the thrill and danger of aviation. Whether you’re a fan of action movies, dramas, or historical epics, there’s an airplane movie out there for you.
