After World War II the United States recognized the need for a separate branch of the armed forces devoted entirely to aerial warfare. The National Security Act of 1947 signed by President Harry Truman officially designated the U.S. Air Force as an independent service. It then quickly established itself as the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world. While there are countless films devoted to and about the U.S. Marine and Navy, not too many movies specifically deal with the U.S. Air Force. In this article we are going to take a look at ten movies that are either about or have a strong connection to the U.S. Air Force. So put your seat back and tray table up, because the films on this list are guaranteed to take you on a bumpy flight.
1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
IMDB: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% | Audience Score: 99%
Metacritic: 78
It’s been years since Pete “Maverick” Mitchell took pilot training with Top Gun. In this sequel he takes on the role of a mentor to train a new generation of fighter pilots. While this movie is actually about the U.S. Navy this small detail is often lost on most viewers and U.S. Air Force recruiters even went out to movie theaters to try and capitalize on the film’s success.
2. The Right Stuff (1983)
IMDB: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% | Audience Score: 90%
Metacritic: 91
Chuck Yeager was once a test pilot on a mission to try and break the sound barrier. After many attempts and a number of deaths, he finally succeeds. Yet, it must remain a secret instead of becoming world news. The film was based on Tom Wolfe’s 1979 book about U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research.
3. Black Hawk Down (2001)
IMDB: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 77% | Audience Score: 88%
Metacritic: 74
This film is about the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu, the longest and costliest firefight fought by the U.S. military since Vietnam. During this incident a pararescue member earned the Air Force Cross after fast-roping to a downed UH-60 helicopter to extract five wounded Rangers.
4. The Aviator (2004)
IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% | Audience Score: 79%
Metacritic: 77
The Aviator tells the true story of director and aircraft manufacturer Howard Hughes. Out of a fascination for airplanes, Hughes has been continuously trying to push the boundaries in this field since the 1930s.
5. Top Gun (1986)
IMDB: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 57% | Audience Score: 83%
Metacritic: 50
Maverick and his co-pilot Goose are hired at Top Gun, a tough naval training program for pilots. Here he competes with another top pilot, Iceman. After a tragic event, Maverick realizes that life can still be rough and doubts whether he wants to continue flying. In the end, he has to prove who the best pilot is.
6. Memphis Belle (1990)
IMDB: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 67% | Audience Score: 79%
Metacritic: 59
During World War II , an American B-17 bomber called ‘Memphis Belle’ is flown by a young ten-man crew of the 8th Air Force during dangerous bombing raids over Europe. During the briefing for their 25th and final flight they discover that the target for the bombardment is Bremen, a heavily defended city.
7. Air Force One (1997)
IMDB: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 79% | Audience Score: 66%
Metacritic: 61
Aboard the presidential plane Air Force One President Marshall, his wife, daughter and an army of top officials are on their way home. They have barely taken off when the plane is hijacked by radical communists led by the ruthless terrorist Korshunov. If the imprisoned dictator of his country is not released, Korshunov will kill the passengers one by one. The president must then take responsibility for the safety of everyone on board and for the future of a free world.
8. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 55% | Audience Score: 81%
Metacritic: 46
The United States and Japan are trying hard not to get involved while World War II breaks out. The extremists within the Japanese army however are urging Emperor Hirohito to make a pact with the Third Reich. They are now preparing the attack on China. This news disturbs President Roosevelt and he threatens with a food embargo. To increase the pressure, the American fleet is sent from San Diego to Pearl Harbor. That urges Japan to carefully plan a mission called Tora! Tora! Tora! On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the Japanese planes take off…
9. Eye in the Sky (2015)
IMDB: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 95% | Audience Score: 82%
Metacritic: 73
Colonel Catherine Powell heads a secret drone mission to kill a group of terrorists who are planning a suicide bombing in Nairobi, Kenya. When a 9-year-old girl is spotted in the kill zone Powell will have to decide with lawyers and politicians whether the mission should proceed.
10. Bat*21 (1988)
IMDB: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 81% | Audience Score: 58%
Metacritic: 58
During the Vietnam War, an American reconnaissance plane is shot down by the Viet Cong. The crew’s sole survivor is Colonel Iceal Hambleton, a missile expert. Because of his knowledge, it is vital that he is saved before being captured by the Viet Cong.
Honorable Mentions
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
IMDB: 8.4/10 – RT: 98% | 94% – Meta: 97
A comedy about U.S. Air Force General Jack Ripper who goes insane and sends his bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. with nuclear bombs.
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
IMDB: 7.1/10 – RT: 86% | 75% – Meta: N/A
This biopic details aviator Charles Lindbergh ‘s stints as a stunt pilot, a flight instructor, and his dangerous journey over the Atlantic Ocean in his signature monoplane.
Air Force (1943)
IMDB: 7.0/10 – RT: 82% | 70% – Meta: N/A
On December 6, 1941, the crew of the Mary-Ann, an unarmed B-17 bomber, are reassigned to aid in the defense of the Philippines and their constant attacks from Japan.
Hot Shots (1991)
IMDB: 6.7/10 – RT: 85% | 65% – Meta: 61
A spoof on ‘Top Gun’ in which former U.S. Navy pilot Topper Harley is haunted by an accident where his father lost control of a fighter jet.
Executive Decision (1996)
IMDB: 6.5/10 – RT: 63% | 53% – Meta: 62
An airplane hijacking film starring Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal as specialists trying to save the passengers from being blown up.
Broken Arrow (1996)
IMDB: 6.1/10 – RT: 54% | 44% – Meta: 61
Two Air Force pilots played by John Travolta and Christian Slater are sent on a top secret mission with two nuclear weapons aboard their aircraft that does not go according to plan when one of them turns out to be a traitor.
Conclusion
We hope that with this list of ten U.S. Air Force Movies we have given you some fresh suggestions on movies to watch tonight, or to just grab some popcorn and re-watch that old classic one more time. And let’s not forget to give thanks to all of our men and women serving in the United States Air Force. Thank you very much for everything that you do.
