Airplane Movies: Aviation Enthusiasts Should See These Films

Airplane movies have always been popular with audiences. The inherent dangers and excitement of flight have made for great drama on the big screen, and this genre has enjoyed a long history of success.

From classic movies such as “The Story of Flight” to more recent favorites like “Sully,” there’s something about airplanes that holds our attention.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best airplane movies ever made and explore why they are so captivating. Stay tuned!

The 10 Best Airplane Movies

As a movie fan, I am often looking for the next best movie to see. Now that air travel is more common, there are many better movies to watch. Here are some of my top picks for good airplane movies.

1. Flightplan (2005)

The film is set on an airplane, where a young woman named Kyle Pratt (played by Jodie Foster) boards the flight with her six-year-old daughter Julia.

When she wakes up, she realizes that her daughter is missing and nobody believes that she was ever on the plane.

Kyle enters the bathroom to find out what happened with her daughter, and suddenly, the lights go out and she sees a strange person with a rag over her face.

She tries to fight back, and then Kyle wakes up in an airplane seat. Nobody believes that she was ever in the bathroom; they think that it was her grief talking.

Airplane Movies Flightplan (2005)

Her husband David (played by Sean Bean) explains to her that Julia had died in a fall from the balcony of their home and Kyle had been in a coma for several weeks.

Kyle starts to think that she may be going crazy, but she continues to search for her daughter on the plane.

She meets a stranger named Peter (played by Patrick Wilson) who helps her look for Julia, and they eventually find her in the upper deck.

But when they return to their seats, Peter and Julia are gone again, leaving only a few pieces of ripped clothing behind.

Kyle decides that she is going to tell David all of this because she doesn’t know who else to trust and David believes her and stays by her side.

After a large fight between Kyle and the plane’s captain, they land in Ireland. Kyle is taken into custody, and the film ends with her being released and getting back on another plane with David.

It is implied that Julia was never really on the plane to begin with and that Kyle was hallucinating her the whole time.

The film explores the idea of grief and how it can make people lose touch with reality. Kyle is convinced that she saw her daughter on the plane, but nobody believes her, and she starts to question whether it is real or not.

The ending suggests that Julia was just a figment of Kyle’s imagination the whole time.

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2. Airport (1970)

Airplane Movies Airport (1970)

This film is a semi-documentary that was released in 1970, and it depicts different events at an airport.

The narrative of the movie follows a recently widowed woman who works as a stewardess for a private airline, her teenage daughter, and their friend going out to Colorado so the teenager can compete in a national ski competition.

The movie begins by showing an accident at the airport that killed a pilot and his co-pilot.

The young daughter of the co-pilot, who is not named in the film, but whose name is Lisa Freemont, gets upset following the death of her father, so she goes to sit next to Karen, another stewardess for the airline.

Lisa and Karen get to talking, and they discover that they are going to Colorado, where Karen’s daughter is also going for a ski competition.

Lisa gets upset by the news of her father’s death in the plane crash, and she goes into her shell after his death. She does not talk to anyone except when she talks to her mother on the phone, and she barely eats anything.

Karen tries to get Lisa to eat something by bringing her a sandwich, but Lisa does not want it.

The movie then switches over to show Dean Martin as Max Schumacher, a pilot for a major airline who is about to retire.

He is having dinner with his family when he tells them that he is retiring and his family is happy for him. Schumacher then goes to the airport to retire, and he meets a woman named Gwen Meighen, who is played by Jacqueline Bisset.

They talk, and they eventually wind up sleeping together.

The movie then switches back over to Karen and Lisa, who are waiting to take off. Lisa starts eating the sandwich that Karen gave her earlier, and she is also excited about going to Colorado.

A man next to them named Douglas Borden, who is played by George Kennedy, falls asleep on Karen, but he wakes up when someone touches his shoulder while the plane takes off.

Since there is no more room in the cockpit, Schumacher has to fly the plane, and he winds up getting sick. The plane eventually crashes, and everyone on board dies except for Schumacher, Karen, Lisa, Borden, and a dog named Oscar.

The movie then switches over to show the funeral for all of the people who died in the crash. Borden is the only one who can’t attend because he is in the hospital.

The movie then switches back to Karen, Lisa, Schumacher, and Oscar, and it ends with them all getting on a plane to go back to the airport.

The movie was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and it won for Best Sound.

It was also nominated for six Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture-Drama, and it won for Best Supporting Actor-Motion Picture (George Kennedy).

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3. Airplane! (1980)

Airplane Movies Airplane! (1980)

The movie opens with a concerned woman at an airport. She tells the ticket agent that she is worried about her husband, who is on one of the planes lining up to take off (she has apparently called and talked to the captain, and he assures her that everything will be fine).

But any normal person can see that all these planes are in trouble: they are all carrying the same flight number, and they are all traveling towards one another.

One of the planes is piloted by Ted Striker (played by Robert Hays), a former military pilot who has been unable to keep his drinking problem under control since the war (he apparently ejected too early during a dogfight).

The copilot of his plane is Roger Murdoch (played by Stephen Stucker), who has recently been diagnosed with mental insanity. He claims to have an “IQ of 196”, but he is constantly paranoid and delusional.

A group of men in suits are at the airport trying to make sure everything goes smoothly for their corporate clients, but they are not really able to handle the disaster that is about to happen.

One of their clients is a man who has invented a bomb-dropping device for his drone airplane, but he’s had it taken away by government officials because it violates some kind of arms treaty.

He demands that they take action and get his invention back, but they are more interested in saving their own skins.

The planes collide in mid-air and start to crash to the ground. Ted Striker manages to eject from his plane, but Roger Murdoch is not so lucky. Striker falls into a coma as a result of the crash, and he is taken to a hospital.

The movie then switches to a series of flashbacks that explain how Ted Striker became a pilot in the first place.

We learn that he was originally trained as a fighter pilot, but he was eventually removed from the program due to his drinking problem.

He met Elaine (played by Julie Hagerty), his future wife, and they got married. He still loved flying, though, and he always waited for a chance to get back into the air.

Finally, his chance came: the United States went to war, and Striker joined up as a pilot once again (he was actually too old at this point to be allowed in the military, but he managed to get by).

One day, during a dog fight, his plane was hit and he was forced to eject. He fell into enemy territory and was captured by the Vietnamese Cong. They tortured him and tried to make him talk, but he refused to give them any information.

Eventually, they let him go, only to recapture him again some time later.

But this time he knew they were going to kill him (he even writes a note that says “I die like a hero”). He tried to escape, but was gunned down by enemy soldiers. We see the enemy soldier who shot him put his rifle to his chest and pull the trigger.

We then see Striker coming back to life in a hospital bed. He has been rescued by a helicopter after being captured, and he is now free again. But he doesn’t tell anyone about what happened during his imprisonment, because he was told that it was classified information.

[penci_button link=”https://chaliceofwisdom.com/movie/813/airplane.html” icon=”fa fa-address-book” icon_position=”left” align=”center” full=”1″ text_color=”#FFFFFF” nofollow=”1″]Click here to watch Airplane! (1980) [/penci_button]

4. Snakes On A Plane (2006)

Airplane Movies Snakes On A Plane (2006)

The film is about a group of criminals who smuggle snakes onto a plane in order to kill a witness who is flying to testify against them. The snakes escape from their cages and start attacking passengers on the plane.

The hero, a federal agent, tries to save the day by killing the snakes and stopping the criminals.

The movie was filmed in 2005 but was not released until 2006. It became a cult classic and gained a large following on the internet.

The phrase “snakes on a plane” became popular and was used to describe anything that was chaotic or dangerous.

The movie was criticized for its poor acting, wooden dialogue, and ridiculous plot. However, the special effects were praised, and the movie did very well at the box office.

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5. Flight (2012)

Airplane Movies Flight (2012)

Flight is set in the year 2012 and tells the story of a commercial airline pilot named Whip Whitaker. Whip is a highly experienced pilot who has been flying for many years.

On one fateful day, Whip’s plane experiences engine failure and he is forced to make an emergency landing. Although the landing is successful, Whip is later found to be under the influence of alcohol and several drugs.

He is then sent to prison for drug smuggling after a random drug test reveals that he has been using cocaine and marijuana.

At his trial, Whip’s attorney convinced the jury that it was not out of malice that Whip smuggled the drugs onto the plane, and they decided to acquit him.

After his release from prison, Whip is unable to find a job and ends up becoming a drug dealer. He gets involved in drugs once again and begins to spiral out of control.

While high on cocaine and alcohol, he attempts to fly his private plane again but crashes the plane into an apartment building. This time he is killed in the crash while several innocent people are killed.

Although the movie Flight is based on a true story, it should be noted that some details have been changed for dramatization purposes.

The real-life pilot involved in the plane crash, William “Whip” Whitaker Jr., was actually found to be under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana at the time of the crash.

Whitaker was also convicted of drug smuggling and served time in prison. However, he was later released and is currently living a sober life.

The apartment building that Whitaker crashed into was not actually destroyed, and there were no fatalities. Whitaker’s plane only clipped a few balconies before crashing into the ground floor.

Nonetheless, the movie Flight provides an interesting look at the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. It also highlights the potential consequences of such behavior, including a possible prison sentence and/or death.

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6. Non-Stop (2014)

Airplane Movies Non Stop (2014)

In the movie Non-Stop, Bill Marks (played by Liam Neeson) is a U.S. Air Marshal who is faced with a mysterious situation while on board a flight from New York to London.

Shortly after takeoff, Marks begins to receive text messages on his phone from an unknown person who demands that $150 million be transferred to an off-shore account within 20 minutes.

If the money is not transferred, someone on board will be killed every 20 minutes. As the plot progresses, the situation becomes even more desperate and dangerous for all involved.

Marks must try to figure out exactly what is going on while struggling with his own personal life, which includes problems at home and his drinking problem.

The Non-Stop movie has been described as a “discreet” and “taut” thriller, with an emphasis on suspense rather than action (Rea).

Non-Stop was released in theaters on February 28, 2014 and received positive reviews from critics, especially for Neeson’s acting performance. As of March 1st, 2014, Non-Stop has a certified fresh rating of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.2/10 score on IMDB.

Non-Stop was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by John W. Richardson and Christopher Roach. The movie had a budget of $50 million and grossed $220.6 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo).

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7. View from the Top (2003)

Airplane Movies View from the Top (2003)

For many women, becoming a flight attendant is a dream job. In “View from the Top,” aspiring stewardess Gina Morrison (Trudie Styler) views it as an opportunity to get away from her life in plucky small-town America and experience something new and exciting.

With a little help from her friends, family, and the airline she works for, Gina makes the most of her time in the air, meeting interesting people and having amazing adventures.

The film follows Gina as she starts out as a lowly gate agent and works her way up to becoming a flight attendant on international routes.

Along the way, she has to deal with the ups and downs of love and career, as well as life on the road.

Gina’s relationships with her family members make for some of the film’s funniest moments, including running afoul of her father (Harold Gould) after he finds himself simultaneously attracted to two fellow passengers on one of his flights.

When she meets pilot Nick Hendricks (Mike Myers), their relationship threatens to derail all of the progress she’s made. Then again, everything changes when Gina finds herself facing her fear of heights head-on.

“View from the Top” is a 2003 American romantic comedy film written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Bruno Barreto. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Preston, Mark Ruffalo, and Mike Myers in his first non-comedic role.

Paltrow plays an ambitious young woman who joins the airline industry with the goal of becoming a flight attendant, hoping it will bring her closer to the jet-setting lifestyle she’s always dreamed of.

Along the way, she learns about love and life while facing numerous hurdles, including an old flame (Ruffalo) who is now working at the airline she works for.

Myers plays a pilot, and Preston plays another flight attendant. The cast also features Heather Burns, Henry Simmons, Rob Lowe, Simon Baker, Amanda Detmer, and Gina Gershon.

Production took place in Toronto. It was released theatrically on February 7, 2003, and grossed $9.5 million against its $31 million budget. The film received mixed reviews from critics but has a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language. It’s available to watch on Netflix.

“View from the Top” was released on DVD and VHS on July 22, 2003.

The film starts at a high school graduation where Gina Morrison (Gwyneth Paltrow) is giving a speech about her life goals: breaking out of her small town and seeing the world.

She’s been accepted into multiple colleges but decides against going to college and instead starts working at an airport as a ticket agent.

She meets other people working at the airport who encourage her to apply to be a flight attendant. Gina is accepted into the program and starts training.

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8. Con Air (1997)

Airplane Movies Con Air (1997)

In Con Air, a group of criminals and convicts are transported on a hijacked plane. The passengers are forced to fight for their lives when the plane is taken over by the criminals.

The film is full of action and suspense, and it is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Con Air is an excellent movie for those who enjoy action and adventure.

It is one of the most popular movies of all time, and it is sure to entertain viewers of all ages. If you are looking for a movie that will keep you entertained from beginning to end, then be sure to check out Con Air. You won’t regret it!

Con Air is a 1997 American action thriller film directed by Simon West, written by Scott Rosenberg, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack,

John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, and Colm Meaney. The film follows the story of a group of criminals and convicts who are transported on a hijacked plane.

The passengers are forced to fight for their lives when the plane is taken over by the criminals. Con Air is an excellent movie for those who enjoy action and adventure.

Con Air was released on June 6, 1997, and it received mixed reviews from critics.

The film opened at number one with $33,051,132 at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend and went on to gross $224 million domestically and $174 million overseas, for a total of $398 million worldwide.

The movie became an instant commercial success in the United States, but only gained mixed reviews from critics. Con Air was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing, but lost to Titanic.

However, the film has gone on to become a cult classic and is now considered one of the most popular movies of all time. It is sure to entertain viewers of all ages.

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9. Sully (2016)

Airplane Movies Sully (2016)

The film tells the story of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), a commercial airline pilot who became a hero after successfully landing his passenger jet on the Hudson River in 2009, saving all 155 passengers and crew.

The film also portrays the events leading up to and following the emergency landing, as well as the investigations that were launched to determine the cause of the accident.

Despite being initially praised for his actions, Sully soon faced criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which accused him of making an unnecessary emergency landing and endangering the lives of his passengers.

The film culminates with Sully’s vindication after a federal investigation finds he was not at fault.

The film is based on Sullenberger’s book, “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters,” co-written by Jeffrey Zaslow and Sullenberger.

It stars Tom Hanks as the pilot, along with Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, Autumn Reeser, and Holt McCallany.

The movie was directed by Clint Eastwood, who also produced it with Robert Lorenz and Frank Marshall. It was released on September 9, 2016, and received positive reviews from critics.

Rotten Tomatoes has a rating of 85% based on 204 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. Based on reviews from 45 critics, the film has a score of 68 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.

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10. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Airplane Movies Catch Me If You Can (2002)

The movie Catch Me If You Can is about the life of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who successfully posed as a doctor, a lawyer, and a jet pilot in his early 20s.

The film is based on Abagnale’s autobiography of the same name.

Frank’s parents got divorced when he was young, and he lives with his mother, who has a very close relationship with her son.

He finds it difficult to cope with the divorce and starts lying in order to get extra attention from his mother. This begins his life of crime, because he also impersonates an airline pilot when he is just 16.

Frank spends much time at Pan American World Airways in order to learn about aviation.

He starts out forging checks, but quickly graduates to stealing entire identity packets from the company, including real pilot uniforms and IDs.

With his new identity, he begins jetting around the world, living lavishly on other people’s dime.

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