We may only be two thirds of the way into 2012, but already airline passengers have been treated to a host of fantastic in-flight movies.
From big budget box office smashes to low-budget indies with inspiring performances, there have been hundreds of great releases since the start of year, all of them helping to entertain passengers on the way to their next destination.
One of the biggest hits of the year so far has to be The Avengers, Marvel Comics’ ensemble action-adventure starring the likes of Robert Downey as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America and Chris Hemsworth as Thor.
As the biggest grossing film of the year so far (Dark Knight Rises is catching up fast), this family-friendly, fast-paced film is doing for airline passengers what it did for cinema goers; namely, giving them 143 minutes of adrenalin-pumped fun.
With The Amazing Spider-Man being included as part of in-flight entertainment packages later this year, 2012 looks set to be a big year for comic book movies being screened in the air.
Another popular film with airline audiences this year has been The Muppets. Kermit the Frog and friends returned to screens alongside actors Amy Adams and Jason Segal (who is also credited as one of the movie’s writers). This feel-good film is a great addition to any IFE package, as it’s loved by children and adults alike.
Other family favourites this year have included Aardman Animations’ Pirates: Band of MIsfits , which stars Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, David Tennant and Salma Hayek; and cartoon flick Top Cat, which sees T.C., the world’s coolest alley cat, return to screens along with Officer Dibble, Benny and Spook.
Romantic comedies have also been a bit hit this year, with Jason Segal and Emily Blunt starring in The Five-Year Engagement; a movie about a betrothed couple whose engagement keeps getting extended as the result of a series of unforeseen incidents. Another popular film with airline audiences this year has been This Means War, featuring Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine. Hardy and Pine star as CIA agents and best friends who fall for the same woman, Witherspoon, and subsequently do their best to outdo each other to win her affections.
Another big in-flight movie for 2012 has been Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. Released in cinemas in 2011 and based on British author Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 book of the same name, this has been very well received by passengers this year. Set during World War I, the movie tells the story of a horse called Joey and stars David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Watson.
All in all, a great year of movies so far for airline passengers. With the likes of The Bourne Legacy, Brave and Ice Age 4: Continental Drift available available in-flight soon, it’s set to get even better for the run up to Christmas.
Written by Samantha Murray, a keen blogger, traveller and freelancer.