Up in the air: 12 films which are set in an aircraft

Films that will be sure to have you at the edge of your seat,

Films with plane sequences are always a joy to experience. They are action-packed, thrilling and will be sure to have you at the edge of your seat throughout. Here is a list of 12 films that are shot on planes but take very different approaches to the theme.

So, buckle up, go through the list and pick the ones that appeal to you the most.

1. Air force one

The film follows Harrison Ford, who plays the role of the President of the United States. He must fight a group of terrorists, led by Gary Oldman, who take over his plane. The film is indeed a thrilling one. The last fight scene, where Ford attempts to stop Oldman from escaping is sure to cause panic and anxiety among viewers, as they root for Ford to succeed. The film also gave us the iconic line, "Get off my plane."

2. Executive Decision

This iconic 90s action movie is one that never gets old. The film stars Kurt Russell as an intelligence analyst who accompanies a team of soldiers, led by Steven Seagal, to sneak into a hijacked plane. The film includes a number of mid-air fights and risky encounters and will be sure to entertain you. From start to finish, the film will keep you at the edge of your seat.

3. World War Z

The film stars Brad Pitt as an employee of the United Nations, who must stop a zombie outbreak that could turn the world upside-down. The thrill begins when Pitt makes it to a plane full of survivors and must find somewhere safe to land. However, all hell breaks loose when one zombie manages to get on board.

4. Neerja

This film is based on the 1986 plane hijacking and gives viewers the same feelings of fear and anxiety that the passengers may have experienced that day. The film stars Sonam Kapoor in the lead role as Neerja Bhanot, who gave her life for the safety of the passengers. Although heart-breaking, her courage and determination to save everyone on board are admirable and empowering.

5. Flight

The film's intense action sequences, coupled with the fantastic acting of Denzel Washington, who plays an alcoholic pilot, makes the film a great success. During a commercial flight, we witness the plane experiencing massive failure and losing control. This sequence makes for an enthralling viewing experience as we witness Washington calmly take control of the situation.

6. Flightplan

The film follows Jodie Foster, who plays the role of a mother who discovers that her daughter is missing. The film is set in a double-decker jet, making Foster's mission even more difficult. During the movie, Foster must find her daughter and uncover why she was kidnapped. Her incredible acting and the tension and suspense in the film make it a must-watch.

7. Soorarai Pottru

The film revolves around a youngster, Maara, a former IAF captain, who resides in a remote village. His life-long dream is to launch his very own airline, but he must overcome multiple obstacles in his path. He looks up to Paresh Goswami, the owner of Jaz Airlines, who later uses his influence to put Maara off track as he fears competition. The film is loosely based on GR Gopinath, the man who revolutionized Indian aviation and made tickets cost-effective and affordable for all.

8. Snakes on a Plane

This film is set on a trans-ocean flight, on which a crate of venomous snakes are released to kill all the passengers on board and crash the plane. Later in the film, we learn that the snakes were released with the aim of killing a witness meant to testify against a mob boss, who is also on the plane. This makes the film more exciting and interesting.

9. Red eye

Red eye is about a woman who gets kidnapped on a flight. Threatened by her father being potentially killed, she must assist her captor in a political assassination. What makes the film stand out is that the majority of it is filmed inside the aircraft itself. The film stars Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy in the lead roles and makes for an adventurous ride.

10. Con Air

The film follows an aircraft with a group of inmates. During the film, the prisoners hijack the plane and this makes for some interesting action-packed scenes. The film stars Nicholas Cage, John Cusack, Steve Rhames and other iconic names in the industry. What makes the film even more interesting is that it is rooted in reality. The Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System exist in reality and it transports prisoners from one place to another. The schedules of these planes are kept a secret from the public. The prisoners also learn that they are flying only on the day of the flight to avoid riots onboard.

11. Top Gun

Top Gun is an action-packed drama whose intense scenes are stunning even today. The film revolves around Maverick, who is given a second chance to redeem himself after losing his dear friend. The film also contains a number of aerial action sequences that make it thrilling and worth your while.

12. Sully

Sully is based on the real-life incident that came to be famously known as the 'miracle on the Hudson.' The film follows Sully, the pilot of the plane and how he managed to land on the Hudson River after a bird strike destroyed both the power engines of the plane. Sully is played by Tom Hanks in the film and we witness the lengthy trial that took place after the incident, where the airline desperately tried to blame Sully after his heroic landing.

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