Films about hijacked planes tap into the inherent drama and tension of air travel gone wrong. These movies often focus on the terrifying experience of passengers and crew members taken hostage or the heroic efforts to save them. Incorporating elements of thriller, action, and sometimes political intrigue, these films explore the human condition under extreme stress, the strategies of negotiation and survival, and the technical and psychological aspects of aviation security. Below is a list of films that dive into various narratives surrounding hijacked planes, each bringing a unique perspective to this high-stakes scenario.
“Non-Stop”, 2014
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Liam Neeson plays a U.S. Air Marshal aboard a transatlantic flight from New York to London. He receives a series of text messages threatening to kill a passenger every 20 minutes unless his demands are met, leading to a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery, Nate Parker, Corey Stoll, Lupita Nyong'o, Omar Metwally, Jason Butler Harner, Linus Roache;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: detective, thriller, action;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
“Executive Decision”, 1996
Director: Stuart Baird
A group of terrorists hijack a transatlantic flight, and it's up to an intelligence analyst and a commando team to board the plane mid-air and thwart the hijackers' plans. The film balances the tension of the hijacking with the intricacies of military and intelligence operations.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, Steven Seagal, B.D. Wong, Len Cariou, Whip Hubley;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: action, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Executive Decision” on the website imdb.com
“Passenger 57”, 1992
Director: Kevin Hooks
Wesley Snipes stars as an airline security expert who finds himself trapped on a flight hijacked by a notorious terrorist. Known for the line “Always bet on black,” Snipes' character uses his skills to try and outwit the hijackers.
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Bruce Payne, Tom Sizemore, Alex Datcher, Bruce Greenwood, Robert Hooks, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Horse, Marc Macaulay, Ernie Lively;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,9;
More information about the film “Passenger 57” on the website imdb.com
“Flightplan”, 2005
Director: Robert Schwentke
Jodie Foster plays a widow who boards a transatlantic flight with her daughter, only for her daughter to disappear mid-flight. As she frantically searches for her child, she discovers a deeper and darker plot involving the plane's hijacking.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Sean Bean, Kate Beahan, Michael Irby, Assaf Cohen, Erika Christensen, Shane Edelman, Mary Gallagher, Haley Ramm;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Flightplan” on the website imdb.com
These films, varying in tone, style, and perspective, all contribute to the intense and compelling genre of hijacked plane movies. They each explore what happens when the security of air travel is breached, and ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary situations.
In the heartache and adrenaline that embody films about hijacked planes, we find a riveting blend of human courage, vulnerability, and the indomitable will to survive. From the heart-wrenching drama of those based on true stories to the high-octane thrillers that pit man against impossible odds, these films captivate audiences by plunging them into scenarios that are as terrifying as they are mesmerizing. They weave tales that not only entertain but also provoke thought on the complexities of security, terrorism, and the human spirit under duress. As these narratives unfold high above the earth, they offer more than just edge-of-your-seat suspense; they provide a lens through which we examine resilience, heroism, and the complexities of the modern world. In doing so, films about hijacked planes hold up a mirror to society, revealing our fears, our strengths, and the incredible lengths to which individuals will go to protect what they hold dear, making them a timeless and compelling genre within cinema.
