Airplane! is a 1980 American parody film written and directed by David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, and produced by Jon Davison. It stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty and features Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Lorna Patterson. The film is a parody of the disaster film genre—particularly the 1957 Paramount film Zero Hour!, from which it borrows the plot and central characters—as well as many elements from Airport 1975 and other films in the Airport series. Airplane! is known for its use of surreal humor and fast-paced slapstick comedy, including visual and verbal puns, gags, and obscure humor. Released by Paramount Pictures, Airplane! was a critical and commercial success, grossing $171 million worldwide against a budget of $3.5 million.
Director | Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker |
Produced by | Jon Davison |
Screenplay by | Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker |
Based on | uncredited |
Starring | Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty |
Music | Elmer Bernstein |
Cinematography | Joseph Biroc |
Edited by | Patrick Kennedy |
Production, company | Paramount Pictures, Howard W. Koch Productions |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Released | June 27, 1980 (Toronto and Buffalo), July 2, 1980 (Wide) |
Running time | 87 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $3.5 million |
Box office | $171 million |
Netflix ID | 60002777 |
About Airplane!
Parody disaster film from David and Jerry Zucker which borrows the plot and characters of the 1957 film Zero Hour! It features a man with a fear of flying tasked with making sure a plane lands safely when the pilots become sick.
Achievement of Airplane!
The film is alternatively titled Flying High! The film's creators received the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Comedy. It was a Golden Globe nominee for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Airplane!
Films directed by Jim Abrahams.. Films set in airports.. Films about aviation accidents or incidents.. Films set on airplanes.. American slapstick comedy films.. Surreal comedy.. Self-reflexive films.. American disaster films.. American parody films.. Films based on adaptations.. Films set in Chicago.. American satirical films.. American aviation films.