Flight of the Phoenix (2004) movie poster

Flight of the Phoenix (2004)

"Out of the ashes, hope will rise."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 76%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 38% (RT: 30%, MC: 47) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
ActionAdventureDrama

Where to Watch

Streaming
Prime Video
Rent / Buy
Google PlayApple TVFandango at Home
See all watch options on JustWatch
Director
Runtime
1h 53m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.0/10 (928 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
30%
Metacritic
47
Cast
Dennis Quaid as Frank Towns
Giovanni Ribisi as Elliott
Miranda Otto as Kelly
Tony Curran as Rodney
Sticky Fingaz as Jeremy
Jacob Vargas as Sammi
Most people think so. 76% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 928 votes. Critics scored it lower at 38%, but audiences disagreed.
Overview
When an oil rig in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia proves unproductive, an aircraft crew are sent to shut the operation down and fly them out. On the flight out over the desert on the way to Beijing, Capt. Frank Towns and co-pilot A.J. are unable to keep their cargo plane, a C-119 Flying Boxcar, in the air when a violent sandstorm strikes. Crash-landing in a remote uncharted part of the desert, the two pilots and their passengers -- a crew of oil workers and a drifter -- must work together to survive by rebuilding the aircraft. Soon, low supplies and a band of merciless smugglers add even greater urgency to their task. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
  • Dennis Quaid spent months preparing for the role, heavily researching the subject matter.
  • John Moore cited several classic action films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
Audience Consensus

Flight of the Phoenix is a 2004 action, adventure, drama film directed by John Moore. When an oil rig in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia proves unproductive, an aircraft crew are sent to shut the operation down and fly them out. On the flight out over the desert on the way to Beijing, Capt.

Frank Towns and co-pilot A.J. are unable to keep their cargo plane, a C-119 Flying Boxcar, in the air when a violent sandstorm strikes. Crash-landing in a remote uncharted part of the desert, the two pilots and their passengers -- a crew of oil workers and a drifter -- must work together to survive by rebuilding the aircraft. Soon, low supplies and a band of merciless smugglers add even greater urgency to their task.

The film has been rated by 928 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a action film, Flight of the Phoenix delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences.

Flight of the Phoenix (2004) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/MovieSuggestions
⬆ 71💬 183 comments
What are some "Men on a mission"-movies but they're not military, spies, etc.? For example Sorcerer (1977) -- a Flight of the Phoenix type situation might qualify too. But I'm not looking for movies that are only about survival.
I know Thunder Run but not made for TV movies Time Bomb and \[don't remember title\], both from the 80s and are similar to Thunder Run (and remotely... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "Blues Brothers. They're on a mission from God."
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