There’s something about airplanes on screen that grabs our attention, maybe it’s the thrill of flight, the sense of adventure, or the tension of what can go wrong midair. Over the years, filmmakers have used aviation in all kinds of stories, from war dramas and biopics to comedies and action thrillers.

Here’s our list of the top 10 best movies with airplanes every aviation fan (or movie lover) should watch, along with the aircraft that helped make them legendary.

1. Airplane – Best Aviation Comedy

Kicking things off with a classic, Airplane! is the gold standard of aviation parody. A spoof of the 1957 disaster film Zero Hour!, it takes place aboard a Boeing 707 and hilariously exaggerates every airline cliché. It remains a staple of classic aviation cinema and still holds up as one of the funniest air travel films ever made.

2. Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick – Iconic Fighter Jets

No list of pilot movies would be complete without Top Gun and its blockbuster sequel. The original Top Gun features Navy pilots training in F-14 Tomcats, while the sequel brings in the F/A-18 Super Hornet and even a fictional hypersonic jet. Both films stand out for their flight sequences and the way they capture the skill and pressure of life in the cockpit.

3. The Aviator – Historical Aviation Drama

The Aviator tells the story of Howard Hughes, an aviation pioneer who helped shape the early days of flight. With aircraft like the Hughes H-1 Racer and Spruce Goose (Hughes H-4 Hercules) appearing on screen, the film combines aviation history with a deep look at Hughes’ complicated life. 

4. Sully – Real Life Heroism

This film is based on the true story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who safely landed an Airbus A320 on the Hudson River after a bird strike. It focuses on the decisions made in the cockpit and the investigation that followed. If you’re interested in movies about pilots where the story stays grounded in reality, Sully is a must-watch.

5. The Flight – Intense Pilot Drama

This movie follows a commercial airline pilot, played by Denzel Washington, who pulls off a dramatic crash landing, then faces questions about what really happened. The film uses a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and explores the human side of a high-stress job. It’s one of the most emotional and personal airplane-themed movies on this list.

6. United 93 – Powerful Realism

United 93 tells the story of the passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Using a Boeing 757, the film presents the events with restraint and respect, as the setting for a courageous final stand by passengers. It’s one of the most impactful dramatizations of real-world events.

7. Pearl Harbor – WWII Aviation Action

While it’s partly a love story, Pearl Harbor stands out for its large-scale aerial battle scenes. From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the Doolittle Raid, the film features aircraft like the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Japanese Zeros, and B-25 bombers. It’s one of the best aviation adventure films for viewers who enjoy high-stakes missions and dramatic flying sequences.

8. Airport – Disaster Drama

Released in 1970, Airport helped establish the format for many of the best movies featuring airplanes that followed. The plot centres around a snowstorm, a bomb threat, and a Boeing 707 on the runway. It’s a classic combination of suspense and human drama that pulls you in.

9. Air Force One – Political Thriller

This suspenseful political action film stars Harrison Ford as the U.S. President aboard Air Force One, a Boeing 747. When terrorists hijack the plane mid-flight, the story becomes a tense battle at 30,000 feet. With strong performances and nonstop action, Air Force One remains one of the best movies featuring airplanes from the 1990s, balancing drama with high-altitude thrills.

10. Die Hard 2 – Airport Under Siege

Set in a snowed-in airport, this sequel brings together action and aviation. Multiple aircraft appear throughout, including DC-10s, 747s, and L-1011s. And while it’s not strictly a flying film, the aviation elements play a key role in the plot, earning its place among top aviation films for action fans.

Final Approach

If you’re looking for the best movies featuring airplanes, this list is a great place to start. From true stories to classic action films, each one offers a different perspective on flight and the people behind it. They also make great in-flight movie recommendations, especially if you enjoy stories set above the clouds.

And if you’d like to see real aircraft in action, the Abbotsford International Airshow takes place August 8–10. It features an impressive lineup of aerial performances you can experience up close and over 350,000 square feet of military and civilian aircraft displays.

Tickets are on sale now. Get yours and enjoy a weekend of aviation at its best.