There has always been something special about an aircraft soaring through the skies. Film audiences have enjoyed seeing pilots on the big screen for many years, with many of them becoming beloved characters in pop culture. Whether they have flown a real-life fighter jet such as an F/A-18, or a fictional vehicle like the X-Wing, these pilots have routinely performed incredible feats while in the air. They might have a bit of an ego, but they have spent significant time thousands of feet above other people.
The long-awaited legacy sequel Top Gun: Maverick was made as a celebration of the fighter pilot. In tying in to that theme, now is an opportune time to look back at the finest aviators in cinematic history. Pilots have consistently helped prove that human beings are truly capable of extraordinary things. Here are eight of the coolest pilots in blockbuster movies.
8 Maverick — Top Gun
Paramount Pictures
United States Naval Aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has always felt the need… the need for speed! In Top Gun, Maverick was selected with Nick “Goose” Bradshaw to attend the Naval Fighter Weapons School known as TOPGUN. It was there that Maverick proved himself to be the best of the best. Unwilling to stay on the ground, Maverick avoided promotion so that he could continue doing what he loved; flying. The joy that Maverick has experienced has been contagious, and his fiery intense, focused nature has made the character incredibly endearing.
7 Farrier — Dunkirk
Warner Bros. Pictures
Director Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk cast Tom Hardy as the World War II pilot, Farrier. Farrier was a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, providing air support from the cockpit of a Spitfire. His piloting skills allowed him to save many Allied ships and troops. Due to running out of fuel, Farrier was forced to land his plane and was eventually captured by German forces. The character of Farrier was inspired by Al Deere who shot down German planes during the Dunkirk evacuations.
6 Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger — Sully
Village Roadshow Pictures
Unlike the other pilots on this list, Sully is a real-life hero. He has been recognized for his heroism as captain of US Airways Flight 1549, during which he made decisions that saved over a hundred lives. Sully was unable to reach an airport after a bird strike caused his plane to lose all engine power. Thinking quickly, Sully and his copilot, Jeffrey Skiles, landed in the Hudson River. The passengers and crew were then rescued by boats, with no lives lost. The real-life “Miracle on the Hudson” was depicted in the Clint Eastwood-directed drama, Sully, where Tom Hanks played Chesley Sullenberger.
5 Carol Danvers — Captain Marvel
Marvel Studios
Before Carol Danvers could shoot energy from her fists, she was a pilot in the United States Air Force. The cat-appearing pet Flerken in Captain Marvel was even named after “Goose” Bradshaw from Top Gun. As a woman, Danvers was often underestimated in her aspirations for higher and greater things. She was able to overcome many obstacles to become one of the best pilots in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her participation as a test pilot for Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. led to her exposure to an Infinity Stone. Danvers’ call sign in the Air Force was the in-universe inspiration behind the name for the Avengers.
4 Steve Trevor — Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins is the daughter of a real-life fighter pilot, and her appreciation for pilots showed in the film’s version of Steve Trevor. Portrayed by Chris Pine, Steve Trevor was an American pilot and spy during World War I. He was intelligent, very competent, gentle, and kind in a world that sometimes got very ugly. Diana had to learn about the world before becoming a superhero, and Steve Trevor showed her that humans can be a force for good. After being briefly resurrected in Wonder Woman 1984, Trevor got to fly the iconic Wonder Woman invisible jet.
3 Wedge Antilles — Star Wars
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Wedge Antilles was never one of the leading characters in a Star Wars film, but he is perhaps the most important supporting character in the franchise. Antilles survived the attack on the first Death Star with Luke Skywalker and fought in the Battle of Hoth. He went on to destroy the second Death Star with Lando Calrissian, and joined Lando in the Battle of Exegol in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Despite constantly being put in intense life-or-death situations, Antilles always remained calm and focused. Wedge Antilles was the main character of the Rogue Squadron novels and video games, and will hopefully be featured by Lucasfilm in the Rogue Squadron film if it ever gets made.
2 Han Solo — Star Wars
Han Solo: captain of the Millenium Falcon. He made the Kessel run in 12 parsecs. A smuggler and expert pilot, Solo was a leader in the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War. His journey crossed paths with that of Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, first in A New Hope, with the loyal Chewbacca by his side. Once a self-serving man in a harsh galaxy, Han Solo was fortunately able to find friendship, love, and a cause he believed in. Solo has become one of the most beloved characters in cinematic history because of his natural and effortless charm.
1 Poe Dameron — Star Wars
Described as the best pilot in the Resistance, Poe Dameron was one of the few that knew exactly what kind of person he wanted to be. He was inspired by his heroic parents at a young age and aspired to be like them. Poe even wore his mother’s wedding ring on a necklace during the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Although it seemed like there was no hope of defeating the First Order, Poe Dameron was determined to fight to the very end. His good heart, daring nature, and swagger made him one of the coolest characters in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
