What makes a perfect movie to watch on a flight? A few core traits come to mind: something bright and easy to see on a small screen, fast-paced and entertaining enough to make you forget about how uncomfortable that cramped chair is. Today, it’s easier than ever to watch your pick of the endless options for viewing material; besides movies available through airlines, most streaming services include the option to download content ahead of time for offline viewing on phones, computers, or tablets.
The 10 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
Here are 10 of the best movies to watch on a plane—mostly lighthearted, funny fare to pass the time that doesn’t rely on a big screen to make it worth a watch.
Hit Man
We’re not even technically at summer yet, but this romantic crime comedy (inspired by a true story) will surely end up in my favorite movies of the year. Glen Powell stars as Gary Johnson, a college professor who pretends to be a hitman to entrap clients while moonlighting as an undercover cop—and ends up falling in love with Madison (Adria Arjona), a woman who hires him to kill her husband. Really, almost any of Richard Linklater’s movies would make a great plane movie, from Dazed and Confused to the Before trilogy to Everybody Wants Some; they all share Linklater’s signature blend of warmth and naturalistic humor, just as present as ever in Hit Man.
Little Miss Sunshine
Still one of the best products of the Sundance Film Festival hype, Little Miss Sunshine is a smartly calibrated crowd-pleaser: a family road trip movie where nobody fully gets over their problems but everyone makes some progress in learning about themselves. It’s funny, sweet, and occasionally heartbreaking—and its all-star ensemble features actors like Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, and Alan Arkin doing some of the best work of their
JFK
If you’re looking for a bit of a longer, more involved viewing experience, check out JFK, Oliver Stone’s 1991 political thriller about the investigation into the assassination of the 35th president. JFK famously (and controversially) refused to stick to the established facts of the assassination, showcasing several prominent conspiracy theories. But setting aside the historical record, it works marvelously as a dense, kinetic thriller.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Booksmart
Love & Basketball
Bend It Like Beckham
Burn After Reading
Some Like It Hot
My Dinner with Andre
Time
