The theme of airplane hijackings has always captivated audiences due to its high stakes and intense drama. These biopics not only recount real-life events but also delve into the psychological and emotional landscapes of those involved. Here's a curated list of 10 films that bring these harrowing stories to life, offering a mix of suspense, heroism, and the human spirit's resilience.

The Delta Force (1986)
Description: While not strictly a biopic, this film is inspired by the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, showcasing a fictionalized response by an elite military unit.
Fact: Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin star in this action-packed film, which was one of the first to depict a hijacking scenario on a large scale.


Executive Decision (1996)
Description: This film involves a hijacked plane and a daring rescue mission, blending elements of real-life hijackings with fictional action.
Fact: The film features a unique plot where a team of commandos parachutes into a plane mid-flight.


Air Force One (1997)
Description: While fictional, this film captures the essence of a hijacking scenario with the President of the United States on board Air Force One.
Fact: Harrison Ford, known for his role as Indiana Jones, plays the President in this high-stakes thriller.


United 93 (2006)
Description: This film recounts the events aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, where passengers and crew heroically attempted to regain control of the plane from hijackers.
Fact: The film was shot in real-time, and many of the actors playing flight attendants and passengers were actual airline employees.


Flight 93 (2006)
Description: Another depiction of the events of United Airlines Flight 93, this film focuses on the passengers' decision to fight back against the hijackers.
Fact: The film was released on the fifth anniversary of the attacks, providing a poignant tribute to the passengers.


The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988)
Description: This TV movie tells the story of Uli Derickson, a flight attendant who played a crucial role in negotiating with hijackers during the TWA Flight 847 hijacking in 1985.
Fact: Uli Derickson was portrayed by Lindsay Wagner, known for her role in "The Bionic Woman."


The Hijacking of the Achille Lauro (1989)
Description: Although not an airplane hijacking, this film captures the tension of a ship hijacking, which shares thematic elements with airplane hijackings, focusing on the ordeal of passengers and crew.
Fact: The film was based on the real-life hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro by the Palestine Liberation Front in


The Flight That Fought Back (2005)
Description: This documentary-style film explores the bravery of the passengers on United Flight 93, using interviews and reenactments to tell their story.
Fact: It was one of the first documentaries to focus solely on the events of Flight


Hijack (2008)
Description: This film dramatizes the hijacking of a commercial flight, focusing on the tense negotiations and the personal stories of those on board.
Fact: The film was shot in Canada, using a real Boeing 737 for authenticity.


The Hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 (2000)
Description: This film recounts the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan, highlighting the ordeal of passengers and crew over several days.
Fact: The film was based on the book "Hijacked: The True Story of the Heroes of Flight 73" by Dave Hirschman.
