Probably the best discovery I ever made (relating to plane travel) is to buy a portable DVD player. Are you the kind of person who hates 2-3 hours on a flight across the country? Sick of reading a book and then getting queasy? Tired of that baby crying behind you as you try to keep your brain from self-destructing from boredom? Well, just buy the DVD player. You’ll thank me. Ever since I bought it, I’ve never had any problems of getting sick on planes. I’ve also never been bored on a plane since. So once you have the player, you still need to pick movies to watch. Here are 12 movies that just make that flight oh-so-much better:

1) Spinal Tap

Have you not seen this? Probably the best music mock-umentary out there. I know, lots of competition, right? But either way, this movie is jammed packed with rock hard music, hysterical characters, and even funnier circumstances.

What’s great for the flight: Music is always good, and this has kick-ass music. Also, you’ll laugh it up hard.

2) That Thing You Do

You might not know of this one, but this is one of my favorite films. It stars 4 nothings from Erie, Pennsylvania, who start a band and become the next teen sensation. This movie has a really catchy song (titled That Thing You Do) and you’ll get to hear it a few times. It also has a decent amount of humor in it, but the drama and the story are very well executed and perfectly made to make your airplane ride quite enjoyable.

What’s great for the flight: Lot’s of music. And Tom Hanks.

3) Almost Famous

A great film about the inner struggle of a young rock journalist as he attempts to write an article about the band Stillwater. This movie is amazing. Everything about it is fantastic. I like the line by Philip Seymour Hoffman, “You have to be honest… and unmerciful.” Fantastic film, with great drama.

What’s great for the flight: Are you starting to see that movies about music are great airplane movies? Good.

4) Snatch

All right, this film is a total guy-movie. It’s got Brad Pitt as a boxer, British gangsters, diamond robbers, and much more. Just sit back and watch real action and a movie that’s engaging the whole way through.

What’s great for the flight: This movie is fun as hell every time you watch it, especially up in the air.

5) Rounders

Poker. Period. It’s got Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and John Malkavich. And lots of poker. Like Snatch, it’s a total guy-movie, and you’ll love it. It’s fast paced, and a great tribute to Texas Hold ‘Em.

What’s great for the flight: Sitting in between a 400lb dude and a mother with a screaming child won’t matter anymore. You’re watching high stakes poker, and everything that comes with it.

6) High Fidelity

Returning to earlier themes, this movie is about a guy named Rob who runs a record store called Championship Vinyl. It’s got John Cusack and Jack Black. Need I say more. It’s hilarious and extremely fun to watch. Plus, it’s got a ton of references to music.

What’s great for the flight: The key to airplane movies is how fun they are, and this one tops the fun charts. Yeah that was lame, but it’s true.

7) Clerks

If you’re looking for comedy, look no further. You have found one of the greatest independent films of all time. Kevin Smith (before his films were popular) created this fantastic comedy about two wash-ups working at a convenient store.

What’s great for the flight: No matter how many times I watch, I still laugh. Just a lot of fun.

8) My Cousin Vinny

Note this is no testament of film greatness, but this movie still rocks as an airplane movie. It’s about two kids driving through the south that get accused of murder. Joe Pesci comes to defend them in the court room. The movie is mildly comedic, but very entertaining.

What’s great for the flight: It’ll keep you on the edge… of your airplane seat. How does it feel with your knees hitting the seat in front of you? Fly American, dummy.

9) Rock n’ Roll High School

This is the fifth movie about music on this list, but it’s a classic in my opinion. It stars The Ramones, the first punk band. The movie is definitely fun to watch, but the great bonus is the sick soundtrack (at least if you like Ramones music).

What’s great for the flight: Entertaining and will blow your earbuds out of your ears.

10) Spaceballs

A classic. Simply that. If you haven’t seen this. Go and rent it. Watch it regardless of whether you’re on a plane or not. This movie redefines comedy.

What’s great for the flight: Dude, it’s Mel Brooks.

11) Animal House

Can I just copy the above? Well, I guess I shouldn’t. This movie is about all the stuff that goes down in college fraternities. It’s hysterical and it makes an easy choice to bring on the flight.

What’s great for the flight: Will keep your mind focused on the movie rather than all the annoying people around you.

12) School of Rock

How can I end the list without another movie about music. Jack Black gives us his best movie as he attempts to teach an elementary school class how to play rock music. And you know what? The music is pretty sweet.

What’s great for the flight: Great soundtrack. Extremely fun to watch. Jack Black nails each shot he’s in.

Well as you can see, no intense dramas or too many films lacking significant musical influences for that matter. One thing I can say is that airplane trips are usually not the time for serious dramas. If the characters are crying it’ll just remind you how depressed you are flying on that plane. That’s why you need to keep the music hard and the comedy flowing.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any film suggestions to add to this list, please post them in the comments.