Airplane movie
 | The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (April 2026) |
In pop culture, an airplane movie[a] is a film that has appeal for passengers on commercial flights. Such movies are often watched by passengers on in-flight entertainment screens or personal electronics in order to cope with the length of the flight and the airplane cabin's restricted space. Examples include Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002).
Definition
[edit]The definition varies, but they are generally watched by commercial flight passengers to cope with the length of the flight before arriving at their destination.[2] In addition, they are described as a distraction for individuals uncomfortable with the airplane's cramped cabin,[3] with publications such as The Atlantic,[4] GQ,[5] and Looper labelling airplanes as "metal tubes" in relation to the viewing of airplane films.[6] Airplane films tend to avoid the involvement of sexual content and gore to avoid disturbing other passengers.[4][7] Airplane films should also avoid airplane-related disasters in the film.[8]
History
[edit]The first in-flight movie was screened by Aeromarine Airways in 1921, showing a film called Howdy Chicago! to passengers on a Felixstowe F.5 flying boat as it flew around Chicago. However, it was not until the 1960s that in-flight entertainment became popular. In 1961, David Flexer of Inflight Motion Pictures developed the 16 mm film system using a 25-inch reel for a range of commercial aircraft. Trans World Airlines then committed to Flexer's technology in the same year and was the first to debut a feature film in flight, By Love Possessed (1961).[9]
Publications such as The Atlantic,[10] GQ,[5] the Los Angeles Times,[11] and Time Magazine have made rankings for films considered as the best airplane movies.[12]
Films considered airplane films
[edit]The film Crazy Rich Asians (2018), directed by Jon M. Chu, has been considered the best airplane movie.[b] In an interview with Ineye Komonibo of PopSugar, clinical psychologist Sabrina Romanoff states that passengers often turn to feel-good movies such as Crazy Rich Asians as a response to the stress felt in the limited space of an aircraft cabin.[14] Other films considered as airplane movies include Bend It Like Beckham (2002),[5][12] Catch Me If You Can (2002),[15][6] and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).[5][11]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Sheck, Maggie (8 January 2025). "Jon M. Chu Explained Why Crazy Rich Asians Is The Best Movie To Watch On A Plane, But Also Revealed One Actor's Work That Might Be Taking The Title". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on 9 January 2025.
- 1 2 Grebey, James (24 September 2025). "The 32 greatest plane movies of all time". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 25 September 2025.
There are plane movies—the sort that you might want to watch when you're stuck in the middle seat of a long flight...
- ↑ Wilkinson, Alissa (18 April 2024). "'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' Review: War, Undemanding". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2025.
- 1 2 Cruz, Lenika (23 August 2022). "The Guilt-Free Pleasure of Airplane Movies". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Saxena, Jaya (26 September 2018). "The Best Movies to Watch on an Airplane Right Now". GQ. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018.
- 1 2 3 Starner, Nina (22 December 2025). "10 Best Movies To Watch On A Plane". Looper. Archived from the original on 22 December 2025.
- ↑ Wilkinson, Alissa (22 December 2024). "What's the Secret to Choosing a Good Airplane Movie?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024.
- ↑ Garrity, Tanner. "What Makes a Great Plane Movie?". insidehook.com. InsideHook. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- ↑ White, John Norman (2013). A History of Inflight Entertainment (Report). Airline Passenger Experience Association – via Academia.edu.
- ↑ Bai, Stephanie (22 August 2025). "Four Perfect Airplane Movies". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 9 December 2025.
- 1 2 McNamara, Mary (10 December 2025). "34 movies and shows to watch on a plane — or trapped at the airport — this holiday season". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025.
- 1 2 Rosenstock, Brian (17 June 2024). "The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024.
- ↑ Mack, David (27 January 2024). "What Makes a Perfect "Plane Movie"?". Slate. Archived from the original on 25 March 2026.
- 1 2 Komonibo, Ineye (4 June 2025). "The Psychological Reason "Crazy Rich Asians" Is Everyone's Plane Movie". PopSugar. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026.
- ↑ Specter, Emma (17 December 2023). "Traveling This Season? Here Are Our Favorite Movies to Watch on a Plane". Vogue. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024.