We asked The Atlantic’s writers and editors: What is the perfect film to watch on a plane?
Replies
Back in the days when they lowered the screen from the ceiling and everybody was shown the same movie, they showed Hot Shots, a hilarious spoof of Top Gun that featured lots of planes crashing. Great fun on a flight.
aug 25, 2025, 11:18 pm • 0 0 • view
Airplane
aug 25, 2025, 7:48 pm • 2 0 • view
Inception. especially if the elevator scene somehow syncs with some small but noticeable altitude drop.
aug 25, 2025, 7:30 pm • 0 0 • view
Snakes on a plane
aug 25, 2025, 7:27 pm • 0 0 • view
LotR each and every flight even if it is, sadly, only the theatrical release
aug 25, 2025, 7:17 pm • 1 0 • view
This is the correct answer. I’ve probably watched it 15 times on flights. I’d watch it on land too, but I don’t think I ever have.
aug 25, 2025, 7:16 pm • 0 0 • view
I am watching a film on a plane right now and the answer is ‘whatever you know well enough that you can fall asleep and won’t miss anything’
aug 25, 2025, 7:38 pm • 0 0 • view
Please no hate. .my favorite airplane movie was Troop Beverly Hills.
aug 25, 2025, 10:00 pm • 0 0 • view
Talking about the perfect film to watch on a plane is like talking about the perfect book to read in an outhouse.
aug 25, 2025, 7:20 pm • 4 0 • view
Alive Castaway Flight Final Destination 5
aug 25, 2025, 7:19 pm • 1 0 • view
Donnie Darko
aug 26, 2025, 12:50 am • 0 0 • view
And 12 Monkeys
aug 26, 2025, 12:51 am • 0 0 • view