It’s the movie that made Leslie Nielsen a comedy star.
The weekend is finally among us.
And, for those staying in tonight, there’s a packed line up of films airing on TV.
Here are your options.
Airplane! – Comedy Central – 9pm
Our pick for tonight, this 1980 spoof of old Hollywood disaster films follows a former pilot (Robert Hays) now terrified of flying who must conquer his fear.
This is after those in the cockpit of the plane he is on are struck down with severe food poisoning mid-flight.
Co-starring future star of The Naked Gun trilogy Leslie Nielsen in a standout turn, Airplane’s mix of pitch-perfect deadpan performances, sharp one-liners and inventive visual gags makes it the comedy movie arguably packed with the most successful jokes ever.
You may be thinking: ‘surely we can’t be serious’. Well, we are serious and don’t call us Shirley.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – Film4 – 9pm
A reboot of the ’90s kids favourite featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – MTV – 9pm
The second and widely considered best in the YA franchise.
Taken 3 – E4 – 9pm
The third film in a franchise which should really only have consisted of one movie.
Alfie – Turner Classic Movies – 9pm
Michael Caine plays a young womaniser in this ’60s comedy-drama.
The Nice Guys – RTÉ2 – 9.50pm
Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling make for a hilarious odd couple in this terrific ’70s set crime comedy.
Terminator Salvation – Dave – 10pm
The one with Christian Bale.
Man About Dog – Virgin Media One – 10pm
A 2004 Irish comedy about three friends obsessed with dog racing.
Pride – BBC Two – 10.25pm
This acclaimed historical comedy-drama centres on a group of UK gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners’ strike in 1984.
Sea Fever – RTÉ One – 10.35pm
This claustrophobic Irish sci-fi horror-thriller follows the crew of a marooned Irish fishing trawler as they find themselves threatened by a parasitic infection.
Resident Evil – Horror Channel – 10.45pm
The first live-action movie adaptation of the popular horror video game series.
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing – TG4 – 11pm
A ’70s Western starring Burt Reynolds.
The Untouchables – Film4 – 11.20pm
This classic gangster drama about Prohibition Agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) and his efforts to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro) celebrates its 35th anniversary this week.
The Birds – Turner Classic Movies – 11.20pm
Birds turn against mankind in this legendary horror from Alfred Hitchcock.
Gringo – BBC One – 11.35pm
David Oyelowo gives a fun lead performance is this unremarkable but watchable crime comedy.
Shampoo – Great! Movies Classic – 11.40pm
This ’70s comedy-drama co-written by and starring Warren Beatty follows a Los Angeles hairdresser on Election Day 1968, as he juggles his relationships with several women.
Local Hero – RTÉ2 – 12am
This acclaimed ’80s comedy-drama follows a man working for an American oil company that is sent to Scotland to buy up an entire village.
However, things don’t go as expected.
Night School – Channel 4 – 12.10am
Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish star in this comedy about a group of high school dropouts forced to attend night school.
In Love and War – RTÉ One – 12.25am
Chris O’Donnell plays famous writer Ernest Hemingway in this critically panned romantic drama.
Bloodline – Horror Channel – 12.45am
A cast against type Seann William Scott (American Pie) stars in this horror thriller as a vigilante serial killer.
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