Movies About Planes

From Joseph Kosinski, starring Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer
Rated PG-13

Top Gun: Maverick is an upcoming American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun and stars Tom Cruise in the lead role as Maverick, an aging pilot who works as a flight instructor and must confront his own mortality when he returns to a fighter jet program. Alongside Cruise, the film also stars Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Connelly, and Glen Powell. The film follows the story of Cruise's character, Maverick, who is now a flight instructor and is tasked with training a new generation of pilots. Maverick is forced to come to terms with the realities of a changing military, including the use of drones in combat. At the same time, he must confront his past and the memories of his time in the legendary "Top Gun" program. Ultimately, Maverick must decide if he is willing to take his place at the forefront of a new era of aerial combat.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Rated PG-13

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 biographical crime comedy-drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The film follows the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. (DiCaprio), a young con artist and former check-forger. After successfully posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, Frank is eventually pursued by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks). As Carl slowly closes in, Frank finds himself increasingly desperate to outwit his pursuer. With its frenetic pace, witty dialogue, and compelling performances, Catch Me If You Can is a thrilling and entertaining story of one man’s attempt to beat the system.

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 comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. It stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty as a pair of hapless lovers who must save an airplane full of passengers from a deadly virus. The film also features Lloyd Bridges, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Peter Graves, and Leslie Nielsen as the ineptly comedic air traffic controller. The plot is a parody of the disaster film genre, and the script is full of intentionally humorous dialogue and gags. The film was a critical and commercial success, and its influence can still be felt in Hollywood comedies today.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura Vi, Tsunehiko Kamijô
Rated PG

Porco Rosso is a 1992 Japanese animated adventure film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Set in the Adriatic Sea in the 1930s, the film follows the story of a World War I veteran, now a bounty hunter and professional pilot, named Porco Rosso. After his plane is destroyed by pirates, he is cursed and transformed into an anthropomorphic pig. Porco must fight off the pirates who keep trying to pick on him, while also dealing with the advances of a young engineer who offers to help him build a new plane. In the end, Porco is able to reclaim his human form and find peace and redemption.

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

United 93 is a dramatization of the events on board United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The film follows the passengers and crew of the doomed plane as they attempt to foil the hijackers' plans. Despite the passengers and crew’s efforts, the plane eventually crashes in Pennsylvania. The film is told from the perspective of the passengers, flight crew, and air traffic controllers, resulting in an emotional and harrowing depiction of the events of that fateful day.

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

The Aviator is a biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese which follows the life of legendary filmmaker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). The film follows Hughes from his early twenties as a millionaire playboy to the later years of his troubled life as a reclusive businessman. The film chronicles Hughes' passionate and obsessive involvement in the development of two of the greatest aircrafts of the 20th century—the Hughes H-1 Racer and the H-4 Hercules (better known as the Spruce Goose). It also chronicles his turbulent personal life, including his relationships with actresses Katharine Hepburn (played by Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (played by Kate Beckinsale). The Aviator is filled with dramatic performances and stunning visuals, telling a story of a man whose ambition and innovative spirit knew no bounds.

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

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

From Wes Craven, starring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, Brian Cox, Laura Johnson
Rated PG-13

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

From Joe Johnston, starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton
Rated PG

From Robert Schwentke, starring Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Sean Bean, Kate Beahan
Rated PG-13