Jet Fighter Movies– Whether you’re into action movies or not, there’s no denying the appeal of fighter jets. They’re loud, they’re fast, and they’re badass.
So if you’re looking for a good movie to watch that will get your heart racing, check out one of these ten films about fighter jets.
The Top 10 Movies About Fighter Jets
Jet Fighter Movies
Movies about fighter jets have always been popular, and for good reason. They offer an adrenaline-pumping look at a world most of us will never know.
There’s something about fighter jets that just captivates the imagination. Perhaps it’s the speed and power they represent, or maybe it’s their role in defending our country.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of movies out there that feature fighter jets. We wanted to take a look at these movies and try to figure out which ones were the best.
This is what we came up with. Here are 10 of the best movies about fighter jets.
1. The Tuskegee Airmen (1995)
Jet Fighter Movies: The Tuskegee Airmen (1995)
That morning, the weather was a low overcast with a fog ceiling of only 200 feet that lifted to 1,000 feet in patches by noon.
The First Air Force’s control tower got a report from one of its pilots at 11:22 AM that he had spotted an unidentified aircraft near his unit and going in the same direction.
Three P-51 Mustang fighters from the Tuskegee Airmen squadron were scrambled to investigate, and they arrived on the scene at 12:15 PM.
The P-51s identified the aircraft as a German Junkers Ju 88 bomber, but they were too late to make an interception.
The ensuing battle became one of the most controversial episodes of World War II. The bomber, piloted by Lieutenant Elwood T.
Driver, was one of twelve that had taken off from an airfield near Rome earlier that morning on an anti-shipping sweep along the coast.
The Junkers dropped several bombs along with German leaflets demanding surrender before making a hasty retreat to their base in Italy with the three P-51s hot on their tail.
When the German aircraft arrived at its destination, it headed for a landing strip only to find that the Italians had cut the power to the lights.
The bomber’s pilot attempted to land in total darkness, but his wing clipped a tree and ruptured its fuel tanks, causing an inferno upon impact. Out of the four-man crew, only the pilot survived the crash.
The Tuskegee Airmen were all African American pilots who fought in World War II. They flew with distinction while facing both enemy fire and racism at home.
Racism was also a factor for these valiant men. From the deeply entrenched prejudices of some white officers and airmen to the indignity of segregated facilities and restaurants in small-town America, these airmen faced challenges at every turn.
The Tuskegee Airmen were finally recognized for their accomplishments with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. This stirring film tells their story.
The Tuskegee Airmen is an excellent film about the African American pilots who fought in World War II.
The film tells the story of these brave men while also highlighting the racism they faced both at home and abroad. The Tuskegee Airmen are a must-see for anyone interested in history or civil rights.
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2. Top Gun (1986)
Jet Fighter Movies: Top Gun (1986)
Top Gun is a 1986 American action film starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. It was produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott.
The screenplay was written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr., and was inspired by an article in California magazine about the United States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer, Rick Rossovich, and Tim Robbins.
Cruise stars as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a young United States Naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65).
He and his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Edwards), are given the chance to train at the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego.
Top Gun was released on May 16, 1986, and became one of the highest-grossing films of 1986. The film also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Take My Breath Away”.
Top Gun is considered one of the greatest and most popular films ever made. It has spawned a number of merchandise items, including a video game, comic books, and a soundtrack album.
A sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, is currently in production and set for release in 2020.
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3. Flyboys (2006)
Jet Fighter Movies: Flyboys (2006)
Flyboys is a 2006 war film based on the true story of the Lafayette Escadrille, a group of young American men who volunteered to serve in the French Air Force before the United States entered World War I.
The film follows the young pilots as they train in France and are eventually sent into battle against the Germans.
While Flyboys received mixed reviews and was a box office failure, it is notable as the first film to portray aerial combat with original World War I aircraft.
The production utilized Nieuport 28s and SPAD VII fighter planes that were on static display in museums, which had their engines removed for safety purposes.
Much of the flying in the film was done using computer-generated aircraft. The producers were forced to rely on special effects in the film because no original World War I aircraft exist anymore.
The film begins by showing the back-story of five American boys around the age of ten living on Lake Michigan in 1916, enjoying their summer vacation boating and fishing.
The five boys are constantly playing pranks on each other, as one urges the others to go through with his prank.
The boys play a prank on an overweight boy by shooting him with a water-powered jet, making him fall into the lake and believing he had drowned.
As chance would have it, during this time, a nearby traveling circus comes to their town looking for talent. The boys go to the circus and see the flying trapeze act. This changes their lives as they all become fascinated with flying.
Fast forwarding to a few years later in France, after America has entered World War I, some of the boys have become young men and answer the call to fly for their country. They travel to France, train to be pilots, and finally fight in combat.
Their first attempts at aerial combat are dismal as they struggle to control their Nieuport 28 fighter planes and barely escape with their lives on more than one occasion.
They manage to improve their skills and score some victories against the Germans before three of them die in battle. The survivors later return to America.
The film was actually an amalgamation of many different American pilots’ stories, instead of just one group. Because their names are so similar, the Lafayette Flying Corps is often confused with the Lafayette Escadrille.
The Lafayette Escadrille did not exist until 1916, while the Lafayette Flying Corps was formed in 1915 and fought for over a year before being disbanded.
The Lafayette Escadrille was an American squadron that was made up of French pilots who had volunteered to fight for the United States.
While Flyboys is not a historically accurate depiction of the events that transpired, it is still an interesting film to watch because it portrays the human side of war and how it affects young men who are suddenly thrown into it.
It is also interesting to see how the aerial combat was filmed and how the producers had to use special effects because no original World War I planes still exist.
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4. The Red Baron (2008)
Jet Fighter Movies: The Red Baron (2008)
The Red Baron is a 2008 biographical war film about the World War I German fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron.
The film was directed by Nikolai Müllerschön and written by Christian Frei and Bernd Eichinger. It stars Matthias Schweighöfer as von Richthofen and Joseph Fiennes as his friend, squadron commander Roy Brown.
The film tells the story of von Richthofen’s military career from his entry into the German air force in 1915 to his death in 1918.
It also explores the Baron’s private life, including his relationships with his family and friends. The film was shot on location in Britain, France, and Germany.
The Red Baron was released in Germany on October 9, 2008, and received mixed reviews from critics.
However, Matthias Schweighöfer’s performance was praised, and the film was a box office success in Germany. It was also nominated for four German Film Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
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5. Pearl Harbor (2001)
Jet Fighter Movies: Pearl Harbor (2001)
The film opens with footage of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, followed by a scene depicting young servicemen listening to President Franklin D. Roosevelt declare war on Japan on radio.
The story flashes forward to an adult Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) returning home from World War II, where he flew fighter planes.
Rafe, who was raised in Hawaii by his grandparents, is an aviation enthusiast and has become a pilot like his late father.
Rafe’s friend Danny (Josh Hartnett) is introduced as the fiancé of Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale), the sister of Rafe’s best friend, Sid (Toby Huss). Rafe and Danny are both pilots, while Sid is a submariner aboard the USS Arizona.
Rafe’s mother Evelyn expresses her concern to Rafe that Danny will become a “target for someone looking to make a name for himself” after both men learn of the Pearl Harbor attack. She also tells him that he doesn’t have to go back to war.
Back home in Hawaii, the Japanese attack has commenced, and the military and civilians are trying to deal with the aftermath. A group of soldiers led by Capt.
Matt Garth (Gregory Itzin) arrive at the hospital to evacuate patients. Among them is Rafe’s grandfather, who dies in Rafe’s arms while expressing his regret that he would never see Hawaii again.
While at the airfield attempting to take off, Danny, Rafe, and their other friend, Aiden (Jesse James), are attacked by Japanese Zeros; Aiden is instantly killed, while Danny crashes his plane.
Rafe manages to shoot down one of the attackers before taking off, much to Danny’s surprise.
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6. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
Jet fighter movies: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
Entertainment Weekly calls Polly and her robot sidekick “manufactured nostalgia.”
Combining traditional hand-drawn cel animation with live-action foregrounds, the film will transport audiences to a place where they can experience what it would be like if giant monsters really were attacking major cities.
When viewers first meet Sky Captain, he is manning an anti-aircraft gun emplacement during a monster attack on New York City.
He is the stereotypical hero—cocky, confident, and brave under fire. When he spots what appears to be another flying creature behind the first wave of attackers, his priorities immediately shift from defense to offense.
He soon joins forces with Joe “Sky Captain” Sullivan, the operator of a flying newsreel camera who is also trying to get footage of the creatures.
Polly Perkins is a reporter for The Chronicle, a small New York City newspaper.
She is investigating the disappearances of several famous scientists, including her friend and mentor, Dr. Totenkopf. Polly’s investigations lead her to believe that Totenkopf is behind the attacks.
The film follows Polly and Sky Captain as they travel the world, trying to track down Totenkopf and stop his monsters.
Along the way, they are joined by Dex, a pilot and mechanic who helps them maintain their aging fighter plane, and Franky, a young girl who is determined to help them despite her inexperience.
The final battle takes place on an airship over Mount Fuji, where Totenkopf has gathered all of his creatures for a final assault on humanity. Polly and Sky Captain are able to defeat Totenkopf and save the world.
Polly and Sky Captain are two of the last remaining humans in the world. 98% of the human race has been killed by giant monsters, which began appearing and attacking major cities around the world about a year before the film takes place.
The only way to combat the monsters is with fighter planes, which are piloted by brave men and women like Sky Captain.
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7. Red Tails (2012)
Jet fighter movies: Red Tails (2012)
Red Tails is a 2012 war film based on the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen. The film was produced by George Lucas and Rick McCallum and co-written by Aaron McGruder.
It was released on January 20, 2012. The movie stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, and Nate Parker, and also stars Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo, and David Oyelowo.
Red Tails is based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots (fighters and bombers) who fought in World War II.
The men in this group fought against segregation while enlisting and, once enlisted, were subjected to harsh conditions, including second-class citizenship.
Red Tails takes place in the Mediterranean theater of World War II. A group of African American pilots are flying escort missions for bombers on a long and arduous mission to destroy one of Germany’s largest oil refineries.
The Tuskegee Airmen eventually succeeded with few casualties, but not without paying a heavy price.
George Lucas and Rick McCallum had been trying to make this movie for over two decades, but were struggling to find a studio that would finance it because of its all-black cast. In the end, Lucas himself funded the film’s $58 million budget.
Red Tails is an important film because it tells the story of a little-known aspect of American history.
The Tuskegee Airmen were some of the bravest pilots in World War II, and their story is one that needs to be remembered. This film does a great job of telling their story and honoring their heroism.
I highly recommend Red Tails to anyone interested in war films or biopics. It is a history-based movie, but it also has some great action scenes and is an enjoyable movie in general.
Red Tails stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, and Nate Parker, and also stars Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo, and David Oyelowo. The film was written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder and directed by Anthony Hemingway.
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8. Sky Fighters (2005)
Jet fighter movies: Sky Fighters (2005)
A plane with a TV crew crashes in the mountains, and two days later, an obvious weather phenomenon freezes half of Europe, apparently killing hundreds on the ground.
An anthropological team is sent on a secret mission to discover what happened. They find out that some cloned prehistoric animals have been released and are now attacking people.
The team has to find a way to stop the animals before they destroy all of Europe.
This movie is a French production, and it was first screened in France on November 9, 2005.
Jean Reno, Christian Clavier, Marie-Josée Croze, Frédéric Diefenthal, Vincent Cassel, and Guillaume Canet star in the film, which was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
This movie has not yet been commercialized in the United States. It was produced by Studio Babelsberg GmbH & Co. KG (Berlin).
The screenplay for this film was by George Arthur Bloom, Alain Godard, and Jean-Jacques Annaud. The music is by Bruno Coulais.
This movie has a running time of 106 minutes and is rated PG-13 for violence.
Some of the reviews for this film have been positive. For example, the review at Rotten Tomatoes found that 56% of the critics liked it, and they gave it a fresh rating.
Another review at Rotten Tomatoes said that this movie is not for everyone and most viewers would probably consider it “stupid.”
The film itself was well received in France, but it didn’t make very much money when it was released due to poor scheduling (it was screened at the same time as Harry Potter).
There is no information about how long it will take for this movie to be commercialized in the United States or when it will be released in theaters in the U.S.
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9. Stealth (2005)
Jet fighter movies: Stealth (2005)
The United States Navy develops a revolutionary new fighter jet that can go invisible. A test pilot gets tangled up with two sexy women, and together they try to stop the Russians from stealing it.
The 2005 film Stealth is one of those movies that, as soon as it starts, you kind of know isn’t going to be good.
Starring Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, and Josh Lucas, the trio play a team of fighter pilots who must stop a group of Russian terrorists from stealing a new invisible fighter jet.
The biggest problem with stealth is the fact that it’s just so boring. There’s no excitement, no tension, and very little action.
What could have been an interesting story about military technology and espionage is instead a dull love triangle between Foxx, Biel, and Lucas. The acting is nothing to write home about either, with Foxx phoning it in and Biel looking like she’s just not interested.
The only thing that Stealth has going for it is its visual effects, but even then, they’re not particularly impressive. Overall, this is a movie that you can safely skip.
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10. Fortress (2012)
Jet fighter movies: Fortress (2012)
Fortress is a 2012 American science fiction action film directed by Mike Elliot and starring Michael Pea, Christian Bale, and Melissa Leo.
The film is about a group of criminals who are sent to a high-tech prison that resembles a futuristic city.
The film premiered at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival on March 10, 2012. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2012.
A man named Jameson is being chased by police after being blamed for a murder he didn’t commit. He manages to escape into a parking lot where he’s shot and killed by an unknown sniper.
A SWAT team arrives at the scene of his death only to find out he had a device implanted in his head and was working for the government.
Prisoners John Henry and David Jones are brought in to work at a secret underground prison called Stronghold where all the prisoners have devices implanted in their heads that make them do whatever is commanded by an unknown person who controls these actions from the outside.
Some of the prisoners are told that they are free to live in the outside world but are actually living in the stronghold. It is now up to them to decide not to do what they’re told so they can set themselves free.
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