“Alive”, 1992
Director: Frank Marshall
This film tells the harrowing true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed into the Andes mountains in 1972. The survivors, many of whom were members of a rugby team, are forced to endure brutal conditions and make unthinkable decisions in order to stay alive.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton, Bruce Ramsay, John Haymes Newton, David Kriegel, Kevin Breznahan, Sam Behrens, Illeana Douglas, Jack Noseworthy;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Alive” on the website imdb.com
“Cast Away”, 2000
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Tom Hanks stars as a FedEx executive who survives a plane crash and is stranded on a deserted island. While not a traditional plane crash film—it focuses on the aftermath and one man's struggle to survive—the crash is a pivotal moment that sets the story in motion.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Chris Noth, Nick Searcy, Jenifer Lewis, Paul Sanchez, Lari White, Leonid Citer, David Allen Brooks, Yelena Popovic;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, melodrama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 143 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Cast Away” on the website imdb.com
“Flight”, 2012
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Denzel Washington plays a skilled airline pilot who heroically lands a malfunctioning plane, saving nearly everyone on board. However, subsequent investigations into the crash reveal troubling details about the pilot's condition during the flight.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Tamara Tunie, Brian Geraghty, Melissa Leo, Nadine Velazquez, Michael Beasley;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Flight” on the website imdb.com
“Fearless”, 1993
Director: Peter Weir
Jeff Bridges stars as a man who survives a catastrophic plane crash and emerges deeply changed, feeling invulnerable and disconnected from reality. The film explores the psychological effects of surviving such a traumatic event.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez, Tom Hulce, John Turturro, Benicio Del Toro, Deirdre O'Connell, John de Lancie, Spencer Vrooman, Daniel Cerny;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Fearless” on the website imdb.com
“Sully”, 2016
Director: Clint Eastwood
Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, this biographical drama recounts the true story of US Airways Flight 1549 and Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger's remarkable emergency landing on New York's Hudson River in 2009.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Valerie Mahaffey, Delphi Harrington, Mike O'Malley, Jamey Sheridan, Anna Gunn, Holt McCallany, Ahmed Lucan, Laura Linney;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Sully” on the website imdb.com
“United 93”, 2006
Director: Paul Greengrass
A real-time account of the events aboard United Airlines Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on September 11, 2001, which crashed after passengers attempted to retake control from the terrorists.
Starring: Christian Clemenson, Cheyenne Jackson, David Alan Basche, Peter Hermann, Corey Johnson, Daniel Sauli, Trish Gates, Richard Bekins, Michael J. Reynolds, Khalid Abdalla;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “United 93” on the website imdb.com
“The Grey”, 2011
Director: Joe Carnahan
After their plane crashes in Alaska, a group of oil workers led by Liam Neeson's character must battle harsh weather conditions and a pack of wolves as they struggle for survival.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, Nonso Anozie, James Badge Dale, Ben Hernandez Bray, Anne Openshaw, Peter Girges;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
“Final Destination”, 2000
Director: James Wong
This supernatural horror film kicks off with a group of teenagers surviving a plane explosion after one of them has a premonition, only to find themselves pursued by Death itself, which seeks to rectify their escape from fate.
Starring: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke, Daniel Roebuck, Roger Guenveur Smith, Chad Donella, Seann William Scott, Tony Todd, Amanda Detmer;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: horror, science fiction, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Final Destination” on the website imdb.com
“Flight of the Phoenix”, 2004
Director: John Moore
A remake of the 1965 classic, this film stars Dennis Quaid and centers around the crash of a transport plane in the Mongolian desert. The survivors, led by an eccentric passenger, attempt to rebuild the plane and escape.
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto, Tyrese Gibson, Hugh Laurie, Jared Padalecki, Tony Curran, Sticky Fingaz, Jacob Vargas, Scott Michael Campbell;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, melodrama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Flight of the Phoenix” on the website imdb.com
“The Flight That Fought Back”, 2005
Director: Bruce Goodison
This docudrama recreates the story of United Flight 93 on 9/11, using real-time information, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with family members of the passengers who fought against the hijackers.
Starring: Greg Benson, Toni Youngblood, Jason LeGrande, Bryce Wagoner, Kevin Paul, Bryan Friday, Steve Izay, Raj Maan, Ankur Bhatt, Pej Vahdat;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: documentary, drama;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
Remember, these films often contain intense sequences and emotionally gripping scenes, making them a potent experience for viewers looking for both thrills and a reflection on human resilience.
In conclusion, films about plane crashes often tap into our deepest fears while showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. They stretch across genres from heart-pounding thrillers to poignant dramas, each telling a distinct story set against the backdrop of aviation disaster. As these narratives unfold, viewers are invited to bear witness to extraordinary acts of survival, the complex web of factors leading to tragedy, and sometimes, the poignant reflections on life's fragility. These films, by immersing us in the harrowing experiences of their characters, prompt us to confront our vulnerabilities, explore the nuances of fate versus human error, and perhaps most significantly, recognize the incredible tales of courage and recovery that often emerge from such catastrophes. Whether it is through the lens of a seasoned investigator, a sole survivor, or a grieving family, films about plane crashes compel us to engage with the unthinkable and find meaning in the midst of chaos.
