10 Detective Movies Set on Planes

Description: A pilot must navigate a hijacked plane to a Soviet airbase, dealing with a hostage situation and the complexities of international politics. The film's focus on negotiation and strategy makes it a classic in this genre.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Hijacked" by David Harper, which was inspired by real-life hijackings. It was one of the first films to deal with the topic of airplane hijacking in a major way.

Description: A special forces team must rescue hostages from a hijacked plane, involving detective-like tactics to outsmart the terrorists. The film's basis in real events adds to its intensity.

Fact: The movie was inspired by the hijacking of TWA Flight

Description: A team of experts must board a hijacked plane in mid-air to thwart a terrorist plot. The film's complex plot involving espionage and counter-terrorism makes it a thrilling watch.

Fact: The film was notable for its use of real military aircraft, including a Boeing 747, for some of its aerial shots. It was also one of the last films to feature Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal together before Seagal's character dies early in the movie.

Description: While not strictly a detective film, the President of the United States (Harrison Ford) must outwit terrorists who have taken over his plane, showcasing a different kind of detective work involving strategy and survival.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use a full-scale replica of Air Force One for filming. The movie's plot was inspired by real-life events, including the hijacking of TWA Flight

Description: A prison transport plane carrying some of the most dangerous criminals is hijacked, leading to a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. While more action-oriented, the film involves detective-like elements in tracking down the criminals.

Fact: The film used a real decommissioned prison transport plane, which was modified for the movie. Nicolas Cage performed many of his own stunts, including the famous scene where he jumps onto the plane's wing.

Description: A serial killer escapes on a Christmas Eve flight, leading to a deadly game of cat and mouse at 35,000 feet. The film's focus on a lone flight attendant trying to save the passengers makes it a unique addition to this list.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use CGI to simulate turbulence effects inside an airplane. It also features a cameo by Lauren Holly, who plays a character named "Maggie" in a nod to her role in "Dumb and Dumber."

Description: Jodie Foster plays a grieving mother who wakes up to find her daughter has disappeared on a plane. The film's premise of a child vanishing mid-flight adds a layer of suspense and urgency to the detective work.

Fact: The film was shot on a specially constructed set that allowed for realistic airplane movements. The plane used in the movie was a fictional design, combining elements from various real aircraft.

Description: Although more of a horror-comedy, the film involves detective work to uncover who released the snakes on the plane. The unique premise and Samuel L. Jackson's iconic performance make it memorable.

Fact: The film's title became a cultural phenomenon, leading to numerous internet memes. The original script had a much darker tone, but it was rewritten to be more humorous.

Description: A seemingly innocent flight turns into a nightmare when Rachel McAdams' character is coerced into assisting in an assassination plot. The film's setting on a late-night flight adds to the tension and isolation of the characters.

Fact: The film was shot in just 24 days. The airplane scenes were filmed on a set built in Los Angeles, which was a replica of a Boeing

Description: Liam Neeson stars as an air marshal who must stop a mysterious hijacker on a transatlantic flight. The film's real-time narrative and the claustrophobic setting of an airplane make it a perfect fit for this collection.

Fact: The film was shot entirely on a set designed to replicate the interior of a Boeing