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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Airplane Movies of All Time

Are you an airplane enthusiast? Do you love the thrill of watching a movie about the aviation industry? If so, you've come to the right place! In this article, we'll be discussing the top 10 airplane movies of all time. From classics like Top Gun to newer releases like Sully, we'll cover a variety of films that have made an impact in the aviation industry. We'll break down the plot, characters, and special effects of these movies to determine which one is the best of the best. So buckle up, and get ready for an exciting ride as we explore the world of aviation through the lens of these amazing airplane movies. What will be the number one movie on our list? Read on to find out!

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Introduction

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Airplane Movies of All Time TLDR;

Content

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Airplane Movies of All Time

10

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

This movie follows the story of Frank Abagnale, a teenage con artist who masquerades as a pilot, doctor and lawyer. The movie follows Frank’s journey and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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9

The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

This classic war movie follows a Navy pilot as he is sent on a dangerous mission to destroy a strategic bridge in North Korea. The movie follows his journey and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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8

The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

This movie tells the story of a group of passengers who are forced to crash-land their plane in the desert. The movie follows their journey as they attempt to build a new plane out of the wreckage and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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7

The Blue Max (1966)

This movie is set during World War I and follows a German fighter pilot as he attempts to become the first pilot to shoot down 20 enemy aircraft and receive the Blue Max medal. The movie follows his journey and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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6

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

This movie follows the story of an ace World War I fighter pilot who is struggling to adjust to post-war life. The movie follows his journey as he finds solace in barnstorming and air racing, and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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5

Sully (2016)

This movie tells the story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the hero pilot who successfully landed a US Airways plane on the Hudson River in 2009. The movie follows Sully’s journey from his initial selection to the fateful day of the crash and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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4

The Aviator (2004)

This biographical drama tells the story of Howard Hughes, an eccentric billionaire who was obsessed with aviation. The film follows Hughes’ journey from his early days as an aviation pioneer to his eventual downfall due to his mental illness. The movie features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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3

The Right Stuff (1983)

This movie tells the story of the first American astronauts, the Mercury Seven, and their exploits in the early days of the US space program. The movie follows their journey from their initial selection to the first US manned spaceflight and features some of the most realistic and thrilling scenes of aircraft flying ever put on film.

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2

Airplane! (1980)

This classic comedy from the minds of the Zucker brothers follows a retired ex-fighter pilot who is forced to take the control of a commercial airliner when the crew is incapacitated by food poisoning. The movie is full of sight gags and wacky hijinks as the passengers and crew attempt to find a way to land the plane safely.

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1

Top Gun (1986)

The undisputed king of airplane movies, Top Gun was released in 1986 and starred Tom Cruise as a cocky fighter pilot who enters the US Navy’s elite fighter weapons school. The movie is filled with iconic moments and features some of the most exciting aerial footage ever put to film. The movie was a massive hit and spawned a sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, which is set for release in 2020.

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Did you know?

Did you know that the top 10 airplane movies span over a century of film and feature a variety of genres? The earliest, Wings (1927), was the first movie to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. Other notable movies from the list include The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), Roger Corman’s The Phantom (1996), and the classic Airplane! (1980). The most recent entry is the 2019 film, The High Note, which follows a female pilot’s quest to become an astronaut. Some of the other titles on the list include The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), The Aviator (2004), and the highly-acclaimed Sully (2016). Each one of these films offers a unique insight into the world of aviation and the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Whether you’re a fan of drama, comedy, or action, there’s something for everyone in this collection of top 10 airplane movies.