Buzz
Delving into cinematic history reveals that airplanes have been a central theme since the early days of filmmaking. From the fantastical visions of Georges Méliès in Trip to the Moon to the more grounded depictions of aviation post-World War I, filmmakers have long been captivated by the allure of flight. Early aviation films often overlapped with war narratives, but the 1920s and '30s saw a shift as flight became safer and more accessible. World War II further fueled the genre with its dramatic air battles, while commercial aviation opened new avenues for storytelling. These films, inspired by the release of the much-anticipated Top Gun sequel, celebrate the exhilaration of flying, offering audiences a thrilling escape from the routine of everyday air travel. Far from portraying flight as serene, these movies capture the adrenaline and tension that come with soaring through the skies.
Wings (1927)
Since its inception, the Academy Awards have celebrated grand historical narratives, with Wings setting the stage as the first Best Picture winner in 1929. Starring silent film icon Clara Bow as Mary, the film tells the story of two World War I pilots vying for the affection of another woman, only to realize Mary's true worth. Her bravery as an ambulance driver adds depth to the romantic drama, but the film's standout feature is its breathtaking aerial sequences. Filmed with military assistance and featuring perilous stunts, these scenes remain awe-inspiring even by modern standards. Wings not only claimed the first Best Picture Oscar but also pioneered the award for Visual Effects.
Where to stream: Kanopy
Hells Angels (1930)
Howard Hughes’ ambitious pre-Code project, Hells Angels, was a financial gamble that cost nearly $3 million—a staggering sum at the time—and failed to recoup its expenses at the box office. Despite its commercial shortcomings, the film became a breakthrough for rising star Jean Harlow and showcased some of the most intense flying sequences of the late-silent and early-sound era. Hughes’ dedication to authenticity led him to acquire numerous World War I-era planes and personally design many of the aerial scenes. The production’s lengthy timeline even forced a transition from silent to sound midway through. Hughes’ daring stunt-flying, including a near-fatal crash, added to his legendary status, while the film’s legacy was immortalized in the Oscar-winning biopic The Aviator.
Where to stream: YouTube
Night Flight (1933)
Night Flight distinguishes itself by focusing less on aerial spectacle and more on the emotional tension experienced by those on the ground—pilots’ loved ones and the individuals ensuring their missions’ success. Adapted from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s (The Little Prince) autobiographical account of his time as a mail pilot in South America, the film initially faded into obscurity after its release but was rediscovered in 2011. Despite its star-studded cast, including John Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Clark Gable, and Myrna Loy, the movie’s lack of grandiose flying scenes contributed to its box office failure. However, it poignantly captures the peril and uncertainty of early aviation.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
While many aviation films, including the excellent Night Flight, struggle to harmonize airborne action with ground-based drama, Only Angels Have Wings excels at both. This quintessential golden-age Hollywood masterpiece features Cary Grant in a rare rugged role, alongside Jean Arthur and a young Rita Hayworth. The film masterfully blends high-stakes flying adventures in the Andes with a poignant tale of ill-fated love, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Where to stream: Digital rental
A Guy Named Joe (1943)
A Guy Named Joe is a heartfelt romantic fantasy starring Spencer Tracy as Pete Sandidge, a daring American pilot who perishes during a World War II mission. A year later, Pete returns to Earth as a spirit, guiding a young pilot, Ted Randall (Van Johnson), in the South Pacific. Complications arise when Ted falls for Pete’s former lover, Dorinda, who had just begun to heal from Pete’s death. This timeless story was later reimagined by Steven Spielberg in Always, though with varying success.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Twelve O’Clock High (1949)
Twelve O’Clock High stands out for its use of authentic combat footage and its focus on the iconic B-17 Flying Fortresses. Departing from the overtly propagandistic tone of its contemporaries, the film offers a darker, more introspective look at the psychological toll on bomber pilots during World War II. Gregory Peck delivers a powerful performance, and the film’s decision to forgo a romantic subplot keeps the narrative tightly focused on the harrowing realities of war, though it results in an entirely male primary cast.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Zero Hour (1957)
Zero Hour! is a film that’s difficult to view without a sense of humor, largely due to its exaggerated melodrama, a hallmark of classic disaster movies. Its plot, which revolves around a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot taking control of a commercial airliner during a crisis, was famously parodied in Airplane! decades later. Despite its over-the-top nature, the film delivers gripping tension and expertly staged moments of impending catastrophe, making it an entertaining watch.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965)
Inspired by the chaotic energy of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Ken Annakin’s Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines takes the concept further with its dedication to historical accuracy. Set in 1910, the film features an array of meticulously recreated period aircraft, from monoplanes to biplanes and triplanes. While modern engines were used for practicality, the exteriors faithfully mirrored their early 20th-century counterparts. The result is a vibrant, whimsical comedy that pays heartfelt tribute to the pioneers of aviation.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Battle of Britain (1969)
Guy Hamilton, renowned for his work on James Bond films, infused his signature style into this depiction of the 1940 air campaign, where Britain triumphed over the German Luftwaffe, thwarting Hitler’s plans for invasion. Featuring a stellar cast of British icons like Michael Caine, Ian McShane, Laurence Olivier, and Christopher Plummer, the film prioritizes historical accuracy, as understood in 1969. Over a hundred authentic Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes were restored for the production, with many made airworthy. The movie culminates in an epic aerial battle over London, one of the most spectacular ever captured on screen.
Where to stream: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, History Vault, Pluto
Airport (1970)
The Airport franchise epitomizes the star-studded disaster films of the 1970s, second only to The Poseidon Adventure in grandeur. This wildly entertaining film, set in a snowbound Chicago airport, weaves together a blizzard, a bomb threat, and high-stakes drama both in the air and on the ground. Its stellar cast, including Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, and Oscar-winning Helen Hayes, delivers a quintessential ‘70s experience. Nominated for Best Picture, the film proves the Academy once embraced fun-filled blockbusters.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)
The Great Waldo Pepper offers a thrilling look at the unregulated early days of aviation, focusing on the daring barnstormers of the 1920s. Robert Redford stars as Waldo Pepper, a World War I veteran yearning for the aerial glory he missed during the war. After joining a flying circus, he transitions to Hollywood as a stunt pilot. The film’s climax features a dramatic dogfight with Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin), a German consultant, during the filming of a historical aerial duel. This sequence caps off a series of exhilarating biplane and monoplane flights, blending humor and action seamlessly.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Right Stuff (1983)
This film chronicles the origins of the U.S. space program in the 1960s, focusing on the Mercury missions and the Air Force test pilots who paved the way. Starting with Chuck Yeager’s (Sam Shepard) historic supersonic flight, the movie immerses viewers in the perilous, adrenaline-fueled world of early aviation and space exploration, dominated by men pushing the limits of speed and technology under extreme conditions.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Top Gun (1986)
A quintessential ‘80s action film, Top Gun delivers high-octane aerial sequences, minimal plot, and undeniable homoerotic undertones. It remains a cultural touchstone for its era, capturing the spirit of machismo and competitive camaraderie among fighter pilots.
Where to stream: Netflix, Paramount+
Iron Eagle (1986)
Debuting the same year as Top Gun, Iron Eagle surpasses its rival in pure ‘80s bravado, delivering thrilling dogfights and unaed patriotic action. While overshadowed at the box office by Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer’s star power, the dynamic duo of Louis Gossett Jr. and David Suchet (of Poirot fame) shines just as brightly. The franchise also boasts four installments, all featuring Gossett, compared to Top Gun’s two, cementing its legacy in the genre.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Porco Rosso (1992)
Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli masterpiece, Porco Rosso, offers a unique take on World War I-era aviation. The film follows Marco Pagot, a former Italian ace pilot turned bounty hunter, cursed to live as a pig. Battling air pirates over the Adriatic, the film combines Miyazaki’s signature animation style with a rich, whimsical narrative. Though less widely known than his other works, it stands as a testament to his genius. For more of Miyazaki’s aviation passion, The Wind Rises explores the life of the designer behind Japan’s WWII Zero fighter planes.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Independence Day (1996)
While not the pinnacle of realism in aviation films, Independence Day delivers exhilarating aerial sequences that echo the patriotic fervor of 1980s combat movies. Will Smith’s F/A-18 pilot, Steven Hiller, takes center stage, but the film’s most iconic moment belongs to Randy Quaid’s Russell Casse, whose heroic sacrifice remains unforgettable. A nostalgic nod to America’s cinematic love affair with airborne heroics, the film is a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Peacock, Fubo
Air Force One (1997)
Air Force One masterfully blends fact with fiction, casting Harrison Ford as a fearless U.S. President who must protect his family from terrorists posing as journalists aboard the iconic presidential aircraft. The film delivers a thrilling mix of high-altitude action and intense hand-to-hand combat, making it an exhilarating, if slightly over-the-top, cinematic experience.
Where to stream: Tubi
The Sky Crawlers (2008)
Set in a world where war is a corporate-sponsored spectacle, The Sky Crawlers explores the lives of genetically engineered adolescent pilots who engage in perilous aerial battles for public entertainment. The film delves into themes of identity and purpose, but its standout feature is the stunningly animated dogfights, particularly a reconnaissance mission that spirals into chaos. A thought-provoking and visually captivating tale.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Red Baron (2008)
This film sparked significant controversy in Germany for its romanticized portrayal of Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary World War I fighter ace, and its departure from historical accuracy. It invents a fictional romance and a rebellious persona for the pilot, diverging from documented facts. However, the movie shines in its breathtaking aerial combat sequences, showcasing the iconic Fokker biplanes in stunning nighttime scenes. For those familiar with the Red Baron only through Peanuts comics, this offers a fresh perspective.
Where to stream: Kanopy, Fandor, Freevee
Red Tails (2012)
Despite receiving mixed reviews, Red Tails reflects the passion of Lucasfilm’s final project before its Disney merger. Co-written by Aaron McGruder (The Boondocks) and John Ridley (12 Years a Slave), the film dramatizes the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the nearly all-Black 332d Fighter and 477th Bombardment Groups of the U.S. Air Force during World War II. While its optimistic tone drew criticism, the exhilarating aerial battles and the film’s celebration of a pivotal moment in aviation history make it a compelling watch.
Where to stream: Disney+, Prime Video
Flight (2012)
Denzel Washington delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as a substance-abusing commercial pilot whose reckless behavior endangers a flight to Atlanta. After miraculously saving most passengers during a catastrophic incident, he is initially hailed as a hero—until his drug use is exposed. The ensuing cover-up and moral reckoning form the core of this gripping drama. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film features a harrowing crash sequence that stands as one of the most intense in cinematic history.
Where to stream: Paramount+, Prime Video, Epix
