Commentary: 34 movies and shows to watch on a plane — or trapped at the airport — this holiday season

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Despite rising prices, travel headaches, and recent flight cancellations, many Americans – myself included – will still be starting their holiday season from an airplane. While others are busy making packing lists, I’m thinking about what to watch. Those hours spent waiting at the gate and then flying can be a great, guilt-free chance to finally watch or re-watch favorite shows and movies.

Watching movies on a plane is a unique experience, and not every film is a good fit. Be mindful when choosing emotional dramas or singalongs. While it’s okay to get swept up in a movie, loud crying or enthusiastic singing could bother those around you.

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When traveling with children, or sitting near them, it’s best to choose movies and shows that are family-friendly. I learned this the hard way when I tried to watch “Game of Thrones” with my young son – even without the sound, the content wasn’t appropriate!

It’s best to avoid anything that focuses on stressful or upsetting air travel, like the “Final Destination” movies. Also, movies or shows that require you to concentrate intensely on subtitles might not be ideal. The best airplane entertainment lets you get lost in something while still being aware of your surroundings – and able to respond to flight attendant requests.

With all these considerations in mind, here are some suggestions.

Watch at the gate

Comedy series are great to watch while waiting because they’re cheerful and the episodes are short, so you’re less likely to get caught up in a storyline and miss your turn.

“Schitt’s Creek” (Amazon)

This incredibly funny series follows a formerly wealthy, but chaotic, family as they adjust to a new life in a small town. You’ll enjoy it again and again, no matter how many times you watch!

“Derry Girls” (Netflix)

If you’re not used to the Northern Irish accent, you might need subtitles – even though I usually advise against them. But this show is an exception. It’s a funny and heartwarming look at five Catholic school friends and their families growing up in Derry during the Troubles in the 1990s, all seen through the watchful eyes of their strict but memorable teacher, Sister Michael (Siobhán McSweeney).

“New Girl” (Hulu)

It’s always fun to watch the hilarious adventures of friends and roommates Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece.

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Netflix)

You can jump into this hilarious police comedy anytime! Andy Samberg stars as Jake Peralta, a detective who leads a quirky but effective team in New York. They’re overseen by Captain Holt, brilliantly played by the late Andre Braugher – arguably the most deadpan and insightful police captain ever seen on television. It’s a show that easily lives up to the legacy of “Barney Miller.”

“Abbott Elementary” (Hulu)

Enjoy the holidays with this funny, heartwarming, and insightful comedy series created by and starring Quinta Brunson, which playfully portrays the life of a teacher. Compared to the craziness of a school classroom, even a busy airport will seem peaceful!

“What We Do in the Shadows” (Hulu)

If you haven’t seen this funny and unusual comedy-horror series, which pretends to be a real documentary about vampires living in Staten Island today, you really should check it out.

Watch on domestic flights

These comedy series are also great for flights—about six episodes will get you from Los Angeles to Chicago, and ten or eleven from L.A. to New York. However, movies are ideal, particularly if you can start one when the plane takes off and finish it just as you’re preparing for landing.

FILMS:

“The Da Vinci Code” (AMC+)

“The Da Vinci Code” is a perfect movie to watch on a flight. It’s entertaining and visually interesting—with scenes filmed in the Louvre and references to the Knights Templar and biblical history—but it’s also light and doesn’t require a lot of concentration. You get a tour of Paris, exciting action, and a feel-good ending, all with the always-charming Tom Hanks.

“Spy” (Amazon)

Melissa McCarthy plays a relatable, down-to-earth spy who finally takes on field work in this surprisingly overlooked comedy gem. It’s a guaranteed laugh-riot, even if you’re stuck with the worst seat on the plane! Plus, since it’s set in Paris, it pairs perfectly with “The Da Vinci Code” for a long flight – making for a five-hour entertainment combo.

“Crazy Rich Asians” (Netflix)

Jon M. Chu’s delightful romantic comedy offers a welcome escape from the frustrations of modern air travel. It’s a film that will make you feel, at least for a little while, like you’re relaxing in luxurious first class – maybe even with a double bed!

“Iron Man” (Disney+)

Relive the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Robert Downey Jr. and remember just how fantastic it is. It truly holds up!

“Sense and Sensibility” (Amazon)

With its beautiful acting, script, directing, visuals, and music, this is considered one of the best adaptations of Jane Austen, making it a perfect movie to watch when you’re not feeling well—and ideal for a flight.

Television

Our TV critic helps you navigate the many holiday shows and movies you can enjoy at home.

“Paddington” and/or “Paddington 2” (Netflix)

You’ll fall in love with the charming bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw), and then enjoy a delightful adventure filled with playful fun—plus, Hugh Grant in “Paddington 2”! Watching these movies will leave you feeling warmer and more considerate towards others, making any journey a little brighter.

“Edge of Tomorrow” (Netflix)

Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in a thrilling sci-fi adventure where they fight off an alien attack, using time travel as a key strategy. Expect a classic, suspenseful story with plenty of surprising turns. And if you’re feeling uncomfortable, just imagine Cruise and Blunt battling it out in their high-tech suits!

“The Martian” (Netflix)

Let me tell you, if you’re feeling stressed about a delayed flight, do yourself a favor and think about Matt Damon’s character in ‘The Martian.’ Seriously, after spending time with an astronaut stranded on Mars for years, a missed connection feels pretty minor. He’s not worried about baggage claim; he’s figuring out how to grow food on a completely barren planet! It really puts things in perspective, let me tell you.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (Amazon)

This incredibly realistic movie throws four teens into a thrilling survival game where they’re virtually transformed into the characters played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.

“Skyfall” (Amazon)

Look, you can’t really go wrong with most Bond movies, but for me, Daniel Craig is the best Bond. And “Skyfall”? It really stands out. Judi Dench as M is just fantastic and has a bigger role than usual, which I loved. Plus, the theme song is incredible – seriously, it’s one of the best!

“Knives Out” (Amazon)

“Knives Out” is a clever and engaging whodunit that brought the classic manor house mystery back into the spotlight when it was released in 2019. It’s full of intriguing characters and sharp humor.

SHOWS:

“Hawkeye” (Disney+)

Looking for a fun, action-packed Marvel series to get you in the holiday spirit? This five-episode show is it! Set a year after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” it follows Kate Bishop, a huge fan of Hawkeye, as she teams up with the hero himself, Clint Barton, to battle both familiar and new foes – all while enjoying a New York Christmas.

“Black Mirror” (Netflix)

This sci-fi anthology is ideal for watching on flights. First, it’s a really great show! Second, each episode tells a complete, standalone story, making it easy to fill however much time you have – and finally catch up on a popular series everyone’s been discussing.

“Sherlock” (PBS)

I absolutely love how each episode feels like a mini-movie! It’s such a treat to get lost in the world of Sherlock, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, and the whole cast. They take the classic Sherlock Holmes stories and give them such clever, modern updates – it’s brilliant!

Watch on international flights

As a movie and TV buff, I’ve always said long flights – we’re talking six hours or more – are perfect for a binge-watching session. You’ve finally got the time to dive into a whole movie series or even knock out an entire season (or two!) of your favorite show. It’s a total game-changer for surviving those long journeys!

FILMS:

“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (HBO Max)

If you choose the director’s cuts of all three movies, watching the entire story will take nearly 12 hours – about the same amount of time it takes to fly from Los Angeles to New Zealand, where the films were made.

“Hunger Games” (HBO Max)

The four Hunger Games movies, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, add up to roughly nine hours of viewing time. That’s long enough to cover the distance from Los Angeles to London or Paris, even with breaks for food and restrooms!

“Mission Impossible” films (Amazon and other platforms)

The “Mission: Impossible” films are wonderfully over-the-top, and while they feature plenty of things going wrong, that makes them perfect for a long movie marathon. The entire series adds up to over 18 hours of footage – honestly, that’s a lot to watch at once! Luckily, there are enough movies to pick and choose the ones you enjoy most, along with all of Tom Cruise’s incredible stunts.

“Harry Potter” (HBO Max)

Regardless of your opinions on J.K. Rowling, the films based on her books are truly enjoyable. The entire series is quite lengthy—around 20 hours long—but it’s easy to watch in parts. You can jump in anywhere, though I especially recommend not missing “Order of the Phoenix,” as it’s a strong entry that doesn’t get enough credit.

SHOWS:

“Black Doves” (Netflix)

Keira Knightley and Matt Whishaw star as incredibly capable, yet unconventional, mercenary spies who take their orders from the steely Sarah Lancashire. This six-part series tells a full, self-contained story (with another season planned) and, set in London during the Christmas season, makes for a gripping holiday thriller.

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“House”

Choose any season of ‘House’ – there are eight, each with around 22 episodes – and you’ll be captivated by the brilliant, funny, and often cynical Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and his team. Plus, the medical mysteries are so unusual, you won’t spend the show worrying about whether you have the same symptoms!

“The Durrells in Corfu” (PBS)

In 1935, Louisa Durrell, a recently widowed mother of four, makes a bold move: she uproots her family to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, hoping for a fresh start financially. The series follows their often funny adventures as they adjust to life in a new country. Featuring young actors Josh O’Connor and Callum Woodhouse as two of Louisa’s sons, the show ran for four seasons with a total of 26 episodes – you won’t be disappointed!

“Call the Midwife” (Netflix)

If you only want to watch Christmas episodes, there are about a dozen from this fantastic, long-running show about midwives in London’s East End – they’re always heartwarming! However, if you’re new to the series, it’s best to start from the beginning with Season 1 and watch it all the way through.

“Mare of Easttown” (HBO Max)

If you somehow missed Kate Winslet’s incredible performance as a local Pennsylvania cop – and her amazing accent! – while she investigated a really tough murder, you absolutely need to check it out. And if you did see it? Trust me, it’s worth another eight-hour binge. This time, instead of trying to figure out who did it, you can just appreciate how fantastic everyone is in it.

“Slow Horses” (Apple TV)

You’ll quickly lose track of time watching the TV series based on the first five Mick Herron ‘Slough House’ novels. Gary Oldman is clearly enjoying his role as Jackson Lamb – a delightfully messy, witty, and unapologetically rude spymaster who leads a team of MI5 rejects who, against all odds, manage to get the job done.

“The Crown” (Netflix)

Feeling impatient on a long flight? Compare that to the decades covered in ‘The Crown,’ a show where Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton all played Queen Elizabeth II. The show truly transports you with its beautiful locations, detailed costumes, and depiction of changing eras. With 60 hours of content, you can experience history without ever leaving your couch!

“30 Rock” (Hulu)

Tina Fey’s comedy about a behind-the-scenes TV show—and the television industry as a whole—remains as sharp and funny today as it was when it first aired nearly 20 years ago. The show actually improved over time, so if you’re planning to watch, Seasons 4 and 5 are a great place to start.

“Parks and Recreation” (Peacock/Amazon)

Spending time with the characters from Parks and Recreation – like Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, and April Ludgate – always makes things better. The show really hit its stride in the second season, making that a great place to begin watching.

“The Wire” (HBO Max)

David Simon’s crime drama, set in Baltimore and spanning five seasons, is quite gritty – definitely not for everyone. However, it’s widely considered one of the greatest TV dramas of all time. If you’re looking for something truly captivating to watch on a long flight, this is an excellent choice.

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2025-12-10 14:35