If you enjoyed the high-stakes tension and gripping drama of 'Emergency Declaration' (2022), you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 thrilling movies and shows that deliver similar adrenaline-pumping experiences, from airborne disasters to intense survival scenarios. Whether you're a fan of suspense, action, or emotional depth, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Air Force One (1997)
Description: An action-packed thriller about a hijacked presidential plane, where the President must use his skills to outmaneuver terrorists and save his family and crew.
Fact: The film's famous line 'Get off my plane!' was ad-libbed by Harrison Ford. The movie was a box office hit, grossing over $315 million worldwide.


Con Air (1997)
Description: A high-octane action film about a prison transport plane hijacked by dangerous criminals, with a former Army Ranger caught in the middle trying to stop them.
Fact: The film's production faced challenges with the plane set, which was built on a gimbal to simulate flight but caused motion sickness among the crew. It features one of the most expensive practical stunts ever filmed at the time.


The Terminal (2004)
Description: A heartwarming yet tense drama about a man stranded in an airport terminal due to a political crisis, showcasing human resilience and adaptability in confined spaces.
Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years. A full-scale airport set was built to replicate the terminal environment.


Flightplan (2005)
Description: A psychological thriller about a woman who searches for her missing daughter aboard a flight, facing disbelief and suspicion from the crew and passengers.
Fact: The film's plot was inspired by the urban legend of the 'Vanishing Lady.' The airplane set was designed to be modular, allowing for quick reconfiguration to simulate different areas of the plane.


Snakes on a Plane (2006)
Description: A cult classic action-horror film about a plane overrun by deadly snakes, with passengers and crew fighting for survival in a confined, high-pressure environment.
Fact: The film's title and premise became a viral internet sensation before its release, leading to last-minute reshoots to include more over-the-top action and dialogue. Real snakes were used alongside CGI for certain scenes.


United 93 (2006)
Description: A harrowing, real-time account of the events aboard United Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks, focusing on the passengers' heroic efforts to thwart the hijackers.
Fact: The film was shot in a documentary style to enhance realism, with many actors being unknowns. Families of the victims were consulted during production to ensure accuracy and respect.


Flight (2012)
Description: A drama-thriller centered around a commercial airline pilot who becomes a hero after a miraculous crash landing, but whose personal demons threaten to unravel his life.
Fact: The crash sequence in the film was praised for its realism and was achieved using a combination of practical effects and CGI. The movie's script was on the 'Black List' of best unproduced screenplays for years before being made.


Sully (2016)
Description: A biographical drama that recounts the true story of a pilot who successfully landed a damaged plane on the Hudson River, saving all passengers, but faced intense scrutiny afterward.
Fact: The film used a combination of real aircraft and large-scale models to recreate the landing sequence. It was shot in IMAX to enhance the immersive experience of the flight scenes.


7500 (2019)
Description: A tense, claustrophobic thriller set almost entirely in the cockpit of a hijacked airplane, focusing on the pilot's desperate attempts to regain control and save lives.
Fact: The film was shot in a real airplane cockpit to enhance authenticity. It features long, uninterrupted takes to heighten the sense of realism and tension.


The Flight Attendant (2020)
Description: A thriller series that combines high-stakes tension with a psychological drama, set against the backdrop of air travel, focusing on a protagonist dealing with a crisis that spirals out of control.
Fact: The series is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Chris Bohjalian. It was initially developed as a half-hour comedy before evolving into an hour-long thriller.
