Air Force One Returns to Netflix: Why Harrison Ford’s 1997 Thriller Still Defines the Action Genre

Harrison Ford’s iconic 1997 action thriller Air Force One has landed back on Netflix, giving a new generation of viewers the chance to see why it remains a benchmark for the genre. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the film stars Ford as President James Marshall, who must single-handedly retake his hijacked plane from a group of Russian terrorists led by Gary Oldman’s chilling Egor Korshunov. The film was a massive commercial hit, grossing over $315 million worldwide, and earned praise for its relentless pacing and Ford’s commanding performance. Its famous line, “Get off my plane,” has become a cultural touchstone, cementing the movie’s place in action cinema history. Now streaming on Netflix, Air Force One offers a timely reminder of the high-stakes, star-driven blockbusters that defined 1990s Hollywood—and a compelling reason to revisit one of the best action movies of the last 30 years.