Nothing says “hello summer” quite like a good old fashioned movie night. Especially if there’s ice cream, and if you’re really lucky/ hipster, you’re watching on a projector in the back yard and you probably have a dog named Wingspan and a child named Banjo. You’re everything we hate in this world but you put on a good movie night, and your small batch popcorn seasoning is second to none, so here we are.

If you’re hosting, deciding which cinematic experience to partake in can be fraught with pressure. Glen hates horror, but Alex throws up at Rom-Coms, while film minor Aaron only watches subtitled black and white movies that make no sense with a soundtrack that is one singular melancholy violin chord.

What’s a host to do? (besides tell Aaron to go home).

Hear me now- plane movies. There’s one for every genre. Seriously, who hates planes (I mean I kind of do but only because I was locked inside of one for the better part of 8 years of my life), but normal people get all excited at take-off and landing, full of hope at the thrill of flying to somewhere exciting. Meanwhile your FA is probably throwing up in the trash cart because we have to sit backwards and that landing was bumpy as all get out. But I digress.

Below you’ll find an analysis of some of my favorite films centered around planes. I’m confident you’ll find one that’s perfect for your next movie night. Pass the popcorn.

Starrring: Denzel Washington

Food/Drink Pairing: anything but alcohol, abject tension

We follow the cautionary tale of one pilot’s turbulent (had to) redemption arc after his crash landing- asked to confront demons of his past and present, the film asks what is the price of doing the right thing, and is it worth it? Also for those with a fear of flying, perhaps this is a no-go since the scene leading up to the crash will make you want to sew your feet to the ground on which you stand. Side-note: the tension level for this movie should come with a warning label, and for that I will forever resent the fact that we watched after a particularly raw therapy session.

This flight has been the definition of customer service and class. I’m sure the pilot won’t ruin it by being so intoxicated he completely inverts the plane.

“To the world you may be just one person (ball), but to one person (ball) you may be the world.” — Dr. Seuss

Starring: Tom Hanks, A Very Sad Volleyball

Food/Drink Pairing: coconut, both water and meat

If you’d like to watch Tom Hanks struggle to survive/ flail around and establish a surprisingly touching friendship with a volleyball anointed with his own blood, then this is the movie for you. Whilst his trials on said abandoned mound of sand account for most of the film, the ending is oddly profound; what does it truly mean to move on, and what keeps us going against all odds?

WE’RE SORRY WILSON!

Starring: Tom Hanks (again)

Food/ Drink pairing: roast goose/ Hudson River water

By now we’re all familiar with the photo of the plane floating in the water, as all the passengers waited for rescue out on the wings. While the landing was 1 in a million, what happens later in the film – the whole investigative angle- was very much played up to add drama. At the end of the day, Sully was and is regarded as a fast thinking hero, who kept his crew and passengers safe from the scourge of geese who got sucked into plane engines.

The “V” is for vengeance

We love a good depiction of a heroic crew, and again there’s the Tom Hanks factor to up the ante, but could have done without the melodrama/ can we have a moment of silence for the real victims here, the unsuspecting flock of birds. #savethegeese

Spoiler: the snakes land the plane

Starring: Samuel L Jackson

Food/Drink Pairing: mice/various bird eggs swallowed whole/ water you absorb through your skin

Almost ten years later can we believe this movie got the green light? Nope.

Are we thrilled it did? Absolutely.

Check realistic expectations with your excess bags as you watch Sam Jackson fly around a reptile-infested plane while he tries to keep a key trial witness safe aboard and, ya know, safely land a plane. It’s utter nonsense, but it’s the nonsense we love to see.

I’VE HAD IT WITH THESE SNAKES ON THIS PLANE.

Starring: Leslie Nielson, the dreams of our forefathers

Food/Drink Pairing: Excellence/ comedic timing/ the succor of comedic genius

Is this the best movie ever made? No, that is and always will be Dirty Dancing. But coming in hot in second place is this beloved, epically spoofable gem. 10/10 no notes, will watch again, just go see it. Now. Right now.

“Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say let ’em crash.”