The 23 Best Train Movies That People Love (To Ride)


The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express (2004)

Our team compiled the best train movies and here is what they came up with

Harrison Ford is one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood, known for his roles in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. With a career spanning over five decades, Ford has appeared in a wide variety of films, from science fiction and action to comedy and drama. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Harrison Ford movies and explore why the actor was so appreciated in each of these roles.

Trains have been a popular subject in movies for decades, with many films featuring trains as a central aspect of the story. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, train movies have something for everyone. In this article, we will explore 23 of the most popular train movies of all time and delve into what makes them special.

Here are the 23 best train movies to check out on the streaming service.

1. The General (1926)

The General (1926)
The General (1926)

This silent comedy-adventure film tells the story of a Confederate railroad engineer (Buster Keaton) who sets out to recover his stolen train, “The General”, during the American Civil War. The film was well-received by critics and was a box office success. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

2. Union Pacific (1939)

Union Pacific (1939)
Union Pacific (1939)

This epic western film follows the building of the Union Pacific Railroad during the late 19th century. The film starred Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea, and was a box office hit. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $5.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

3. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Strangers on a Train (1951)
Strangers on a Train (1951)

This classic thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock tells the story of two men, one of whom suggests a “murder swap” to the other. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $5.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

4. The Great Race (1965)

The Great Race (1965)
The Great Race (1965)

This epic comedy film tells the story of a race between two rival turn-of-the-century inventors (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) to build the first automobile. The film was a box office success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. MPAA Rating: G. Box office: $18 million (adjusted for inflation)

5. The Train (1964)

The Train (1964)
The Train (1964)

This World War II film stars Burt Lancaster as a French Resistance leader who fights to stop a train filled with stolen art from reaching Germany. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $5.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

6. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

This crime thriller film stars Walter Matthau as a New York City subway dispatcher who must deal with a group of hijackers who have taken a subway train and its passengers hostage. The film was a commercial success and was remade in 2009. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $29 million (adjusted for inflation)

7. Silver Streak (1976)

Silver Streak (1976)
Silver Streak (1976)

This comedy film stars Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as two men who become embroiled in a murder mystery while on a cross-country train trip. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. MPAA Rating: PG. Box office: $106 million (adjusted for inflation)

8. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

This classic crime film is based on the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. It tells the story of a murder that takes place on a luxury train traveling from Istanbul to Calais. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. MPAA Rating: PG. Box office: $44 million (adjusted for inflation)

9. The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)

The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)

This western film tells the true story of a group of Union soldiers who steal a Confederate train during the American Civil War and use it to wreak havoc on the Southern supply lines. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $3.5 million (adjusted for inflation)

10. Runaway Train (1985)

Runaway Train (1985)
Runaway Train (1985)

This action film stars Jon Voight and Eric Roberts as two escaped convicts who hijack a train and must contend with a ruthless pursuit by the authorities. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Director for Andrei Konchalovsky. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $22 million (adjusted for inflation)

11. Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)

This action film stars Steven Seagal as a former Navy SEAL who must stop a group of terrorists who have hijacked a high-tech train. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for a Stinker Award for Worst Sequel. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $89 million (adjusted for inflation)

12. The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express (2004)

This animated film tells the story of a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature. MPAA Rating: G. Box office: $307 million (adjusted for inflation)

13. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

This comedy-drama film tells the story of three estranged brothers who take a train trip across India in an attempt to reconnect. The film was well-received by critics and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $35 million (adjusted for inflation)

14. The Lady (2011)

The Lady (2011)
The Lady (2011)

This biographical drama film tells the story of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese political activist who spent 15 years under house arrest. The film was well-received by critics and was nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $16 million (adjusted for inflation)

15. The Lunchbox (2013)

The Lunchbox (2013)
The Lunchbox (2013)

This Indian romantic film tells the story of a mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system that connects a young office worker with a lonely older man. The film was well-received by critics and was nominated for several awards, including the Grand Rail d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. MPAA Rating: PG. Box office: $9 million (adjusted for inflation)

16. Snowpiercer (2013)

Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer (2013)

This action-sci-fi film set in a post-apocalyptic world tells the story of a rebellion against a class-based society on board a train that travels around the globe. The film was well-received by critics and was nominated for several awards including the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $86 million (adjusted for inflation)

17. The Commuter (2018)

The Commuter (2018)
The Commuter (2018)

This action-thriller film stars Liam Neeson as an insurance salesman who is embroiled in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commuter train ride. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for a Stinker Award for Worst Supporting Actress for Elizabeth McGovern. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $103 million (adjusted for inflation)

18. The Girl on the Train (2016)

The Girl on the Train (2016)
The Girl on the Train (2016)

This psychological thriller film is based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel of the same name. It tells the story of a divorcee who becomes obsessed with a couple whose house she passes on her daily commute. The film stars Emily Blunt and was a commercial success. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $173 million (adjusted for inflation)

19. The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

The 15:17 to Paris (2018)
The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

This biographical drama film tells the true story of three American friends who thwart a terrorist attack on a train bound for Paris in 2015. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film received mixed reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Box office: $36 million (adjusted for inflation)

20. The Train Robbers (1973)

The Train Robbers (1973)
The Train Robbers (1973)

This western film stars John Wayne as a retired outlaw who agrees to help a widow recover the gold her husband stole from a train. The film received mixed reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: $6 million (adjusted for inflation)

21. The Train (2008)

The Train (2008)
The Train (2008)

This French action-thriller film tells the story of a German train filled with stolen art during World War II that must be stopped by a resistance fighter. The film received positive reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $14 million (adjusted for inflation)

22. The Great Train Robbery (1903)

The Great Train Robbery (1903)
The Great Train Robbery (1903)

This silent film is considered to be one of the first ever narrative films made and tells the story of a group of bandits who rob a train. The film received positive reviews and was a box office success. MPAA Rating: Not Rated. Box office: Unknown

23. Transsiberian (2008)

Transsiberian (2008)
Transsiberian (2008)

This thriller film tells the story of an American couple who takes the Trans-Siberian railway from China to Moscow and become embroiled in a dangerous game of deception. The film received positive reviews and was a moderate box office success. MPAA Rating: R. Box office: $6 million (adjusted for inflation)

Each of these train movies has something unique and special to offer, whether it be thrilling action, heartwarming drama, or a combination of both. From the silent comedy of “The General” to the action-packed thriller of “Runaway Train” and the heartwarming drama of “The Girl on the Train”, these films have stood the test of time and continue to be popular with audiences today. Many of the films were appreciated for its story, acting, direction, and special effects or for being a true story. These movies also showcase the versatility of trains as a setting for a wide range of genres and themes, from action and adventure to romance and comedy.

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