There’s something about aviation films that moves the heart. Perhaps it’s the roar of engines, the majesty of flight against a blue sky, or the tales of grit and courage that play out a mile above the earth. Whether you’re a die-hard airplane buff or simply someone who loves a good, powerful tale, these movies convey the thrill-a-minute magic, risk, and just plain awe of flight. So strap in—we’re counting down the 10 greatest aviation movies that’ll get you eager to get in the air.
10. One Six Right
This one’s for the dreamers—the pilots, the plane-spotters, and anyone who ever gazed up when a plane flew by. One Six Right isn’t about action or war. Instead, it focuses on the Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, telling the stories of those who live and breathe aviation. The visuals are stunning, but what stands out is the passion behind it all. It’s a quiet, moving tribute to general aviation that reminds us why people fall in love with flying in the first place.
9. Amelia
You can’t speak of the spirit of flight without acknowledging Amelia Earhart. This Hilary Swank-starring biopic chronicles the pioneering aviator her early flights to her historic solo transatlantic flight, and finally, her disappearance. It’s an intimate portrait of an individual who altered the landscape of aviation and took risks none of her kind had ever taken. Her bravery continues to inspire, and this film gives voice to that legacy.
8. Sully
This isn’t your average plane film full of glitzy stunts. Sully is the real-life story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who executed an emergency Hudson River landing when both engines were grounded by a bird strike. Tom Hanks brings measured intensity to the part, demonstrating what it takes to remain cool under pressure. It’s an account of proficiency, honesty, and composure in adversity—and confirmation that, at times, the most tremendous heroics are the most unassuming.
7. Patlabor 2: The Movie
Think animation can’t be based on reality? Patlabor 2 will make you believe otherwise. This thriller anime has one of the most technically sound presentations of air-to-air combat available. From radio communications to electronic warfare, it gets the specifics right. But hardware is only half the story—it’s also about politics, humanity, and how we handle war in a contemporary world. It’s a gem that’s ripe for discovery, particularly by those who like realism.
6. The Aviator
Howard Hughes was not only a Hollywood tycoon—he was a flying fanatic. In The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio goes deep into Hughes’ world, revealing both his genius and his demons. The movie is an eye-fillet of a film, full of beautiful planes and thrilling flights, but it’s also a powerful tale of obsession, invention, and the price of greatness. Hughes helped push aviation forward in ways we still feel today, and this film gives that journey the drama it deserves.
5. The Right Stuff
Few movies capture the raw grit and guts of early test pilots like The Right Stuff. It’s the story of the Mercury Seven—the first Americans in space—but before rockets, they were pilots flying faster and higher than ever before. This movie has it all: risk, ego, competition, and the need to push beyond what anyone believed was possible. If you’re interested in learning how aviation set the stage for space travel, this is the film to see.
4. Memphis Belle
In World War II, Memphis Belle tells the story of the crew of a B-17 bomber on their last mission into Europe. It’s intense, emotional, and profoundly respectful of the actual men who flew into harm’s way day after day. You sense the camaraderie of the crew, the fear of each run, and the relief that they made it home. It’s not a war movie—it’s an ode to teamwork, sacrifice, and the human spirit’s resiliency in the face of unimaginable adversity.
3. The Tuskegee Airmen
This movie highlights a band of heroes whose tale was previously neglected. The Tuskegee Airmen is a true story of the first African American fighter pilots of the U.S. military in World War II. Confronted with racism in their own country and the horrific realities of war overseas, they consistently demonstrated themselves. The movie is uplifting, poignant, and a reminder that bravery isn’t all about flying into battle—it’s also about standing up to tyranny.
2. Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick
You knew this would be on the list. Top Gun rebranded the flight movie in the ’80s, making fighter pilots rock stars and providing us with some of the most incredible aerial footage ever captured. Years later, Top Gun: Maverick managed to top it, adding emotional heft, state-of-the-art flying sequences, and an intense examination of legacy and mentorship. These films don’t merely make you long to fly—they make you long to fly fast, low, and with “Danger Zone” pounding in your headphones.
1. Twelve O’Clock High
This is the daddy of all flying movies. Twelve O’Clock High is set during WWII, but rather than concentrating on aerial combat, it’s concerned with leadership, stress, and the psychological burden of sending men into combat. It’s a subdued, somber film, but effective. Gregory Peck stars as a commanding officer who has been sent to whip into shape a faltering bomber squadron, and the film serves to illustrate just how burdensome that task can be. It’s commonly used in military command training, and with good reason. This movie isn’t so much about flying as it is about what it takes to lead, follow, and survive.
If you’re dreaming of soaring through the skies yourself or simply want an inspiring tale that soars, these movies will take you there. They’ll capture your heart, exhilarate you, and remind you why the sky has ever been a calling to us.