Whilewar filmsoffer historical insight and give us a reason to reflect on the past, they can also be thrilling. This is particularly true of aerial-themed war films that manage to convey the chaos in the sky and the heroes who navigate it. To get even close to conveying the feeling of being in the air, a sense of speed and motion, is enthralling when brought to the screen. Still, while aerial films are entertaining, realistic and entertaining ones can be challenging to make.
Some of the best aerial combat films push the boundaries of filmmaking, using state-of-the-art technology to capture actual aerial footage. This can lead to breathtaking sequences capturing the adrenaline-inducing danger of warfare, almost making the viewer feel like an active part of the process. Here are the best aerial war movies, ranked.
Updated June 04, 2025: If you’re a passionate fan of aerial war films, you’ll be happy to know that this article has been updated to include more entries.
13Hot Shots! (1991)
Leaning on the comedic talents of Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino & Lloyd Bridges,Hot Shots!follows troubled U.S. Navy pilot Topper Harley (Sheen), who is trying to overcome the memory of his father’s accidental death while on duty. When Topper is brought back to duty to participate in “Operation Sleepy Weasel,” he has to overcome both his past demons, an accident-prone commander, and an ultra-competitive rival, to build himself up to the hero he wants to be.
Taking Parody Into the Skies
Hot Shots!is a more comical take on the life of a fighter pilot as compared to the other more intense aerial warfare films. The filmessentially serves as a parodyofTop Gun’smore cheesy, self-obsessed ethos. AsTop Gunglorified the life and work of fighter pilots,Hot Shots!made a game out of satirizing that overly alpha approach to storytelling.
The film led to an even funnier (but less aerial) sequel,Hot Shots! Part Deux. For those who just want gag-heavy, slap-sticky nonsense, you can’t go wrong with the silly franchise; it’s not necessarily an accurate portrayal of war but a fun inclusion in aerial-themed cinema.StreamHot Shots!onHulu.
15 Best War Movies on Hulu to Watch Right Now
From tense dramas to thrilling historical docs, Hulu has you covered no matter what wartime tale piques your interest.
12The Red Baron (2008)
The Red Baronis based on Germany’s WWI flying ace, Manfred von Richthofen. The film follows von Richthofen’s rise as a fighter pilot while exploring his relationship with a nurse named Kate. It is mainly through his relationship with Kate that the Red Baron understands the deceptive nature of his cult hero status and begins questioning the triviality of war.
Legendary Pilot of World War I
The Red Baronoffers up an authentic period piece with remarkable battle sequences, highlighting the chaos of aerial warfare during WWI. In addition, the movie offered a unique look at the character of ‘Red Baron,’ presenting him as struggling with his hatred for war and his duty to his fellow humans.
Approaching strictly for aerial battles, the movie is utterly enthralling. However, the movie’s weak script makes the dramatic elements not land as intended, offering a mixed experience. Still, to see the story of the remarkable and complex character of Manfred von Richthofen on the screen is a treat for fans of aerial war history.StreamThe Red BarononTubi.
11Flight of the Intruder (1991)
After the death of a fellow bombardier, Jake “Cool Hand” Grafton (Brad Johnson) begins to question the morality behind war and his place in it. This sentiment finds him crossing paths with Virgil Cole (Willem Dafoe), a bombardier on his third tour of duty, and together they scheme to conduct an unauthorized air strike on Hanoi.
Bomber Pilots Make History
Flight of the Intruderboasts an earlystand-out performance from Willem Dafoe, who really steals the scene as the war-hardened Virgil Cole. The rest of the cast also round out the production exceptionally well, despite the slight shortcomings of the script that made Flight of the Intruder a slight side-note in the history of aerial war films. However, there is still a lot of quality here, particularly for aviation enthusiasts, as its depiction of the Vietnam War aircraft, like the A-6 Intruder and Douglas Skyraider, put front and center for a lot of the action (Hot Shots!even took footage from the film).StreamFlight of The IntruderonPluto TV.
10Devotion (2022)
Being a fighter pilot is hard; being the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history is harder. This is the basis of Jesse Brown’s (Jonathan Majors) journey inDevotion,as he, along with fellow fighter pilot Tom Hudner (Glen Powell), turned the tide in the U.S.’s most brutal battlein the Korean War. Brown’s heroics are remembered today, and the Navy fondly recognizes him as one of the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.
Heroes of the Navy
J.D. Dillard’sDevotionoffered a strong take on naval warfare by focusing his film on the story of two remarkable pilots and building the film around their friendship. This was bolstered by phenomenal performances from Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell, as Jesse and Tom, considered an honorable and authentic portrayal of the two real-life heroes. However, for those looking for aerial battles, the movie only includes two; thankfully, they are both thrilling and exciting additions to the competent wartime drama.StreamDevotiononParamount+.
9Midway (2019)
Midwayplays out the historical story of the Battle Of Midway, a pivotal battle in the Pacific Theater during WWII. The film is a new-age take on a 1976 film of the same name directed by Jack Smight and recounts the same battle. The 2019 remake, directed by Ronald Emmerich, has an ensemble cast of Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Woody Harrelson, and Ed Skrein, who perform commendably in their various roles to bring the intensity and camaraderie or war to the screen.
Bringing the Battle Of Midway to the Screen
The movie shuttles back and forth between the perspectives of the Americans and the Japanese and includes a frightening and dramatic retelling of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie was well-received for what it offered in terms of special effects, action, and, in general, showcasing aerial warfare. Despite beingunderwhelming at the box office, grossing $126 million worldwide against a budget of $100 million, it is worth a watch thanks to a great balance of drama and action.Rent or buyMidwayon digital platforms likeApple TV+.
8Catch-22 (1970)
Catch-22follows Yossarin (Alan Arkin), a bombardier that’s done with his job and is willing to go to despicable heights to get himself deemed unfit for work. However, his desire to leave is met with the infamous ‘catch-22,’ which is explained inone of the best lines of dialogue ever committed to filmwhen Yossarin realizes he is stuck: “OK, let me see if I’ve got this straight. In order to be grounded, I’ve got to be crazy. And I must be crazy to keep flying. But if I ask to be grounded, that means I’m not crazy anymore, and I have to keep flying.”
You Have to Be Crazy to Go To War
Adapted from Joseph Heller’sbest-selling anti-war novelof the same name,Catch-22is a hilarious hotbed of lunatic characters living on a fictional base somewhere in the Mediterranean. Living in their own world, the eccentric characters have an apparent disconnect from the seriousness of war and operate on absurd and erratic impulses. The star-studded film, though a flop on release, has since become considered to be a classic of the genre thanks to its balance of comedy and seriousness, ensemble cast, and capturing the insanity of war with a witty script.StreamCatch-22onPluto TV.
7Battle of Britain (1969)
Directed by long-standing James Bond director Guy Hamilton, 1969’s war flickBattle of Britaindepicts the exploits of the valiant British RAF (Royal Air Force) in countering Nazi attacks during WWII in the operations known as Adlertag or Eagle Day. This pivotal moment in military history saw the RAF, along with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy, defend Britain against attacks by the German Luftwaffe.
A Pivotal Moment in British War History
Long beforestand-out actor Michael Cainewould appear in war-cinema benchmarkDunkirk, Caine played Squadron Leader Canfield inBattle Of Britain. The movie boasted inventive and elaborate aerial action sequences and cinematography of airplanes engaging in combat in an era when CGI was non-existent, making it a visual feast of the era.
Despite this, the film received mixed reviews on release when anti-war sentiment was on the rise because of the US war with Vietnam. Still, it’s a compelling aerial war film that was far ahead of its time and is a landmark in pushing the genre forward, emphasizing the realism of aerial combat.StreamBattle of BritainonTubi.
The 15 Best War Movies Based on True Stories
While many movies are based around real-life wars, these war movies are based on the true stories that take place within them.
6Memphis Belle (1990)
Memphis Belleis a dramatized version of the events highlighted in the 1944 documentaryMemphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. It follows the crew of the titular B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft as they aim to complete their 25th and final bombing mission over Germany during World War II. The mission would be seen as crucial as it would mark them as the first crew in the Eighth Air Force to complete 25 missions, but the intense fights they face on the way prove it to be one of their most challenging missions.
The Incredible 25th Mission of the Memphis Belle
Memphis Bellemay not quite have the same flash and sensationalism as other films higher on this list, but the film has stood the test of time for its authenticity and careful construction of aerial warfare, carrying a more classical approach to the war genre. While slightly clichéd at points, the story perfectly introduces and draws the viewer into each of their personal stories, making the stakes of the 25th mission exciting. This is all helped by awell-rounded ensemble castincluding Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Sean Astin, and John Lithgow.Rent or buyMemphis Belleon different digital platforms, likePrime Video.
5Dark Blue World (2001)
Jan Sverák’sDark Blue Worldoffers a unique insight into the Czech pilots who fought for theBritish Royal Air Forceduring World War II. The movie follows friends turned competitors over the affections of a woman, Franta, and Karel, as two pilots serving in the RAF after fleeing their home in the Czech Republic due to the Nazi invasion.
Diaspora Fighting Back
Dark Blue Worldexplores the themes of mentorship, competition, and romance through the eyes of two Czech pilots. Along with the staple set of action sequences that come with a war film,Dark Blue Worldalso sheds light on the more human side of the flying daredevils, introspecting on emotions such as love, loyalty, and competitiveness. The film was directed by Jan Svêrák, the Academy Award-winning director ofKolya,and stars Ondřej Vetchý, Kryštof Hádek, and Tara Fitzgerald in prominent roles.Rent or buyDark Blue Worldon digital platforms likeApple TV+.
4Mission of Honor (2018)
2018’sMission of Honor,also known asHurricane,depicts the story of RAF Squadron No. 303, formed with a mix of Polish, Canadian, and British pilots who assisted Britain in fighting the Germans during WWII. The 303 Squadron flew Hawker Hurricanes and delivered the highest official German aircraft kill count out of all 66 Allied Squadrons that took to battle against the Nazi Luftwaffe.
Legendary Squadron that Terrorized the Luftwaffe
The film portrays the story of the legendary squadron and how they overcame national, lingual, and cultural divides and became a close-knit unit that offered a united front against the Nazi threat. Directed by David Blair, the film’s aerial battles are expertly crafted and executed. It’s a high-octane and thrilling account of a squadron that perhaps may not be as glorified or well-known in the history of WWII but was one of the deadliest and most lethal in the war.StreamMission of HonoronPluto TV.
