What’s the Secret to Choosing a Good Airplane Movie?

22.12.2024 - 12:35 / nytimes.com

I can’t possibly tell you the answer to that question unless I’m sitting right next to you on the flight. (You can ask me if you see me.) But there are some principles to consider before your next flight — guidelines that go beyond the length of your trip — and they have everything to do with how adventurous you are.

First of all, some advice gleaned from my partner, an intrepid in-flight movie watcher. When you first sit down, immediately start scrolling through the options. When you see a title that looks interesting, plug it into Metacritic and see what the rating is. That will give you a sense of what’s been said about the film.

You don’t need to pick a film with a high critical score. Sometimes you just want to watch the kind of movie that will never garner critical acclaim. Sometimes that’s what I want, too. But if you’re armed with options before liftoff, you’ll probably find something that fits your mood.

Perhaps you’re embarking on a long-awaited adventure in a new place. The chances are good that your airline will have a selection of movies from your destination, and this is a great moment to start immersing yourself in the culture. On a flight operated by Icelandair years ago, I navigated to the selection of Icelandic movies and TV shows. All of them were gorgeous and fascinating and very Icelandic. Many seemed to feature sheep.

Maybe you want the adventure to wait until after you land because you’re a nervous flyer? Then for heaven’s sake, do not watch “Cast Away” or “Red Eye.” Opt for familiarity: A firmly grounded comedy should do it, preferably a silly one. (Not “Airplane!”)