Movies About Aviation

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a 1964 black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden. The film follows an unhinged United States Air Force general who starts a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. This provokes a series of events that quickly spiral out of control and threaten the very existence of mankind. In the meantime, the President and his team of advisors must find a way to stop the impending destruction. The film is a scathing satire of Cold War politics and the idea of mutually assured destruction between two world powers. It is a classic example of Kubrick's unique brand of dark comedy, featuring hilarious performances and biting satire.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid
Rated PG

The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film directed by Philip Kaufman and starring Sam Shepard, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid, and Barbara Hershey. Adapted from Tom Wolfe’s best-selling 1979 book of the same name, it tells the story of the original Mercury 7 astronauts and their mission to become the first Americans to fly in space. The film follows the test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base, the selection of the Mercury 7 astronauts, and the flights of Alan Shepard and John Glenn, the latter becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. It paints a portrait of the bravery and dedication of the pioneers of the space program, as well as the cost of their courage. It also examines the media's relationship with the space program and the effects of the program on the nation.

From Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Rated PG

Airplane! is a 1980 American satirical disaster comedy film directed and written by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. It stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty, and features Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Lorna Patterson. The plot centres on ex-fighter pilot Ted Striker (Hays) who is forced to take control of an airplane after its crew is incapacitated by food poisoning. As the passengers and crew struggle with their predicament, Striker must overcome his personal demons and lack of confidence in his ability to land the plane safely. The film parodies several genres and films—including disaster films, such as Airport 1975 and Airport '77—as well as popular culture of the late 1970s. Airplane! was a critical and commercial success, grossing more than $83 million on a budget of $3.5 million. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and it is widely considered to be one of the funniest films of all time. It has also been recognized for its influence on the disaster parody genre.

From Paul Greengrass, starring David Alan Basche, Olivia Thirlby, Liza Colón-Zayas, J.J. Johnson
Rated R

United 93 is an American drama-thriller film about the United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked on 9/11 as part of the terrorist attacks. The film follows the events of the hijacked flight in real-time, from the moment the hijackers seize control of the plane to its crash into a Pennsylvania field. The film is directed by Paul Greengrass and stars J.J. Johnson, David Alan Basche, and Ben Sliney. Through a combination of gripping tension, the film paints a picture of the fear, confusion, and heroism of the passengers and crew on board the flight. As the passengers attempt to fight back against the hijackers, the film brings to light the courage and sacrifice of those on board, who ultimately put the safety of others ahead of their own.

From Howard Hawks, starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, Richard Barthelmess
Rated Passed

Only Angels Have Wings is a 1939 American drama film directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur. Set in a small South American port, the film follows the exploits of a mail-carrying air service run by Geoff Carter (Grant) and the conflicts that arise due to their dangerous job. Carter, an experienced pilot, is in love with Bonnie Lee (Arthur), a night club singer who is engaged to another man. As Carter and his team face a series of dangerous challenges, his feelings for Bonnie Lee become increasingly complicated. The drama is highlighted by thrilling stunt sequences and culminates in a daring rescue mission that tests the loyalties and courage of the pilots.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly
Rated PG-13

The Aviator is a 2004 biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, depicting the life of Howard Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), an American entrepreneur, aviator, film producer and director. The film follows Hughes' life from 1927 to 1947, during which time he became a successful film producer and an aviation pioneer, with a growing interest in aircraft design, breaking speed records and eventually founding the Hughes Aircraft Company. It also shows his personal life, including his relationships with actress Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale). The film ends with Hughes' increasing obsessions and his eventual mental breakdown. The Aviator is a compelling and engaging look at the life of a complex, driven individual, and his struggles with fame, wealth and mental illness.

From Directors: Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda, Akira Kurosawa, starring Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Jason Robards, Joseph Cotten
Rated G

Tora! Tora! Tora! is an epic war film that depicts the events leading up to and during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The film is told from both the Japanese and American perspectives, with the Japanese side primarily directed by Akira Kurosawa and the American side primarily directed by Richard Fleischer and Kinji Fukasaku. The film chronicles the mistakes, miscommunications and miscues on both sides that led to the surprise attack, and follows the action of the attack itself. The film concludes with the American victory at the Battle of Midway, which shifted the momentum of the war in the Pacific.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chi McBride, Stanley Tucci
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Valerie Mahaffey
Rated PG-13

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Denzel Washington, Nadine Velazquez, Don Cheadle, John Goodman
Rated R

From Jan Sverák, starring Ondrej Vetchý, Krystof Hádek, Tara Fitzgerald, Charles Dance
Rated R

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Tate Donovan, D.B. Sweeney
Rated PG-13

From Tony Scott, starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer
Rated PG

From Directors: George Seaton, Henry Hathaway, starring Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, George Kennedy, Jean Seberg
Rated G

From Don Taylor, starring Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino
Rated PG

From Tony Bill, starring James Franco, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, Scott Hazell
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner
Rated PG-13

From John Moore, starring Gene Hackman, Owen Wilson, Gabriel Macht, Charles Malik Whitfield
Rated PG-13

From Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, Brad Johnson, John Goodman
Rated PG

From Peter Markle, starring Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, Jerry Reed, David Marshall Grant
Rated R

From Michael Bay, starring Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, William Lee Scott
Rated PG-13

From Ken Finkleman, starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Raymond Burr
Rated PG

From Anthony Hemingway, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Gerald McRaney, David Oyelowo, Andre Royo
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Freddie Jones, David Huffman, Warren Clarke
Rated PG

From Mira Nair, starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston
Rated PG