These Are My 10 Go-To Inflight Movies

Traveling by plane allows me to be productive with any work I need to complete or to watch a movie that I’ve been putting off due to time restraints. I value this time, especially when traveling solo, because I can enjoy some entertainment without any distractions, which is very different from my experience at home with 3 young children.

On long-haul flights, I try to take advantage of the time in the air to watch movies and keep myself entertained, particularly when traveling in economy, as I am not captivated by the luxuries of a business- or first-class cabin. Typically, I’m drawn to lighthearted comedy films that offer a sense of comfort and familiarity rather than choosing to watch a new movie I haven’t seen yet.

Whether I’m using a seat-back screen or my own handheld device with downloaded content, these are my top 10 favorite inflight movies.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’

I must confess I’m a sucker for rom-coms.

The newest film on my favorites list is “Crazy Rich Asians.” Since its release in August 2018, this film has become a popular choice for inflight viewing, with it appearing in the inflight entertainment selections of several airlines I’ve flown with.

This film’s blend of romance, family dynamics, and humor makes it ideal for short flights. It delivers plenty of fun during a 2-to-3-hour journey. It also serves as a valuable addition to my arsenal of movies on long-haul flights.

Additionally, I find the movie’s aviation elements very entertaining. In a private cabin with lie-flat seats inspired by the luxurious Singapore First Class Suites, the 2 main characters take off on a flight to Singapore with the fictional Pacific Asean Airlines, taking pleasure in the luxury and comforts of their own suite.

‘Spider-Man’

I enjoy watching “Spider-Man” in flight, even if I’m not a huge fan of the superheroes and villains from Marvel Comics. My favorite is from the first “Spider-Man” trilogy, which starred Tobey Maguire and was directed by Sam Raimi and released in 2002. It is a perfect film for inflight viewing, as it is filled with excitement, loaded with emotion, and remains engaging while remaining easy to follow.

Many airlines offer this movie as inflight entertainment, and I like to watch it on the seat-back IFE monitor instead of downloading it to my phone. It’s simpler to follow action-packed scenes on a larger inflight TV screen than on a small handheld device.

‘The Irishman’

I’m fond of mobster movies, but sometimes their intensity isn’t what I’m looking for during my flights. Nonetheless, there’s an exception to that sentiment: Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” starring the legendary actors Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino.

“The Irishman” spans several decades, delving into themes of loyalty, power, betrayal, and the consequences of a life steeped in organized crime. It’s a 3.5-hour movie, making it my preferred choice for a flight of over 3 hours. It keeps me engaged throughout, helping the flight time fly by.

‘Ratatouille’

“Ratatouille” is an excellent inflight movie and one of my favorites even when I’m not flying, especially when I’m in the mood for something heartwarming, entertaining, and fun. The film follows Remy, a rat who loves cooking, as he chases his dream of becoming a chef in Paris. As I’m a foodie with a family of talented cooks, this film speaks to me in so many ways.

This is a fantastic movie to enjoy on my own, but it’s even better when I watch it with my kids while we’re flying together. I always make sure to have it with me on my trips since I can download it on Disney+ on my phone or iPad.

‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’

Whether I’m at home or on a flight, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” starring Kristen Bell and Jason Segel, is one of my personal favorites. It’s such a hilarious and entertaining movie to watch on a flight.

Although there are a few R-rated scenes in the film that I’m a little cautious about during the flight, I enjoy the mix of awkward humor, relatable moments, and outrageous antics. It’s the perfect inflight entertainment when I’m in the mood for laughter. While on a plane, I like watching movies with straightforward, light plots. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is a good choice for that.

‘Coming to America’

“Coming to America,” the classic Eddie Murphy comedy from 1988, is one of those timeless films that you can’t help but stop and watch if it’s on TV. It’s also a great travel companion and perfect for watching on a flight, as the story is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, clever humor, and uplifting vibes that make the time pass quickly.

The combination of Prince Akeem’s (Eddie Murphy) royal Zamundan upbringing and the harsh reality of his new life in Queens creates an entertaining dynamic. Semmi, Prince Akeem’s aide (Arsenio Hall), also keeps me laughing the entire time.

I generally download this movie before a flight, so if nothing else interests me, it’s my go-to movie.

‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’

Some movies are so well-known and cherished over time that they don’t need an introduction. Not only are “Home Alone” and its sequel, “Home Alone 2,” absolute classics that are fantastic to enjoy during the holidays, they also make excellent inflight movies for travelers of all ages.

The sequel again stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a charming little boy who ends up in New York City by accident. While hurrying through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with his family to catch their plane to Miami (MIA), he gets distracted and gets on the wrong flight to New York City instead.

Every time I watch this film, I find myself completely captivated by his journey of surviving in New York City all on his own. Plus, I really enjoy the famous New York landmarks like the Plaza Hotel, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center that make an appearance, creating a fun travel-inspired film that’s just right for flying.

‘Bridesmaids’

I found myself in a real pickle trying to decide between “Bridesmaids,” the gut-busting comedy featuring Kristen Wiig, and “The Hangover,” the wild bachelor party escapade starring Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper.

Ultimately, I’m fond of the inflight meltdown scene in “Bridesmaids,” where Kristen Wiig’s character approaches her friend in first class while drunk only to be turned back to economy repeatedly by the flight attendant.

Although both films are R-rated, “Bridesmaids” seems more suited to an inflight setting.

‘A Bronx Tale’

“A Bronx Tale” is another crime drama that I watch while flying. I’ve seen this film a few times when traveling with various airlines that have it in their movie library. I usually choose it whenever it’s offered inflight.

The movie takes me on a journey following the film’s protagonist, Calogero, also known as C, as he grows up in the Bronx in the 1960s and navigates issues of race, love, loyalty, and criminality while attempting to forge his way in life.

Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri, 2 of my favorite actors, deliver their performances effortlessly. De Niro also directed. This engaging, character-focused crime drama with deep emotions captivates me and makes me lose track of time during my flight.

‘Catch Me If You Can’

There’s nothing I enjoy more than a riveting documentary, and while Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can” isn’t exactly a documentary, it draws inspiration from the true-life incidents of Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young con artist who successfully impersonates a pilot for Pan American Airlines, and later a doctor and lawyer.

Throughout the movie, I find myself captivated by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) as he pursues Frank, who skillfully eludes the authorities. I’m hooked the entire time throughout this movie with practically no dull scenes.

This travel-themed film ranks among my all-time favorites and is a staple in my selection of inflight movies.

Final Thoughts

Watching inflight movies is the most popular way for passengers to pass the time while flying. Everyone has their own method of keeping themselves entertained during a flight, and mine involves watching some of my favorite entertaining and comforting films.