Aviation Movies

Agree with all of the above (except Hot Shots - it was too corny and wasn't that funny at all) and will add these (listed in no particular order):

Dark Blue World (2002)

Battle of Britain (1969)

Catch-22 (1970)

Memphis Belle documentary (1944) (or, alternatively, the 1990 film if you don't own or can't find the documentary, but the documentary is better)

One Six Right (2005)

Always (1989)

Zero Hour (1957)

Midway (1976)

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

The Red Baron (2008)

I suppose you could watch the "Airport" series of disaster films that plagued the '70's too (Airport (1970), '75, '77, Concorde).

You also might want to check out The Flying Misfits and the Baa Baa Black Sheep/Black Sheep Squadron television series that followed it.
 
Almost forgot:

1941 (1979) (can't believe I forgot that one! "1941" and "Airplane!", are Must See films!)

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

The Rocketeer (1991)

Forever Young (1992)
 
Fandango. Not really an "aviation" movie, per se, but has some really funny aviation scenes.
 
Most of the movies listed are really good choices, so I won't waste space listing them again.

Two I didn't see...

Cloud Dancer (1980) - poor plot and acting, but the flying makes up for it.

Amelia (2009) - Worth it for the Electra alone.
 
Iron Eagle I II III IV

Iron Eagle!? I just watched that, that may be the worst movie I've ever seen. A high school kid flies an unauthorized mission in an F16, and then doesn't get punished whatsoever? The special effects were about as good as the plot too....The radio coms were fun to laugh at....I'm no mil pilot, but I'm guessing it isn't Pilot: "I'm ready for takeoff" Tower: "Ok for takeoff"
 
Here is a rare one. Skyjacked with Charlton Heston. It came out in 1972 and it is about a Soldier who hijacks a 707 and makes the crew fly to Russia. Kind of a cheesy movie but some of the 707 footage is cool.
 
+1 on the flying scenes in Cloud Dancer. Also for The Great Waldo Pepper, The Blue Max, and Tora Tora Tora. I hate the new movies because of the CGI/Special effects thing - isn't like Flying.

I would recommend a new movie - Barnstormers (http://www.barnstormingmovie.com/trailer.htm)
I would also recommend The Spirit of St. Louis with Jimmy Stewart
The Flying Leathernecks has some great Corsair and Hellcat footage
 
Love Dark Blue World, great story of the life of a pilot as well as the flying.

Just finished Flat Top on netflix, ok movie but it was instant demand available and had planes in it so what the hell.
 
Most of the movies listed are really good choices, so I won't waste space listing them again.

Two I didn't see...

Cloud Dancer (1980) - poor plot and acting, but the flying makes up for it.

Amelia (2009) - Worth it for the Electra alone.

I remember watching Cloud Dancer being filmed when I was a kid at both KDVT and KFFZ.
 
The War Lover (1962) with Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner. Excellent flick. The gear-up landing in this clip is real, performed by the late Paul Mantz originally for the movie Twelve-O'Clock High.

"...the fine line that separates the hero from the psychopath...."

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Whenever I think of an aviation movie, for some reason Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio comes to mind, because that's what I imagine the general publics perception of the pilot life is.
 
Well, I guess technically it's not "from" anything. I think it's a publicity shot from The Right Stuff with Sam Sheppard and Chuck Yeager (whom he portrayed in the movie).

I can't believe this thread has gone into page two with only ONE mention of The Right Stuff. The rest of you are monsters.
 
For kicks and giggles I personally believe "Space Cowboys" with Tommy Lee Jones and Clint Eastwood is worth another watch.
 
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