Planes, Trains and Automobiles poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Steve Martin, John Candy, William Windom, Laila Robins, Michael McKean ... see more see more... , Kevin Bacon , Dylan Baker , Carol Bruce , Olivia Burnette , Diana Douglas , Martin Ferrero , Richard Herd , Edie McClurg , George Petrie , Gary Riley , Charles Tyner , Diana Castle , Ruth de Sosa , Bill Erwin , Larry Hankin , John Randolph Jones , Matthew Lawrence , Gaetano Lisi , Ben Stein , Lyman Ward , Nicholas Wyman , John Moio , Grant Forsberg , Lulie Newcomb , Gary Palmer , Victoria Vanderkloot , Susan Isaacs

Were it not for its profanity-laden opening scenes, John Hughes' Planes, Trains and Automobiles might have been suitable family entertainment: certainly it's heaps less violent and mean-spirited than ... read more read more...Hughes' Home Alone. En route to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family, easily annoyed businessman Neal Page (Steve Martin) finds his first-class plane ticket has been demoted to coach, and he must share his flight with obnoxious salesman Del Griffith (John Candy). A sudden snowstorm in Chicago forces the plane to land in Wichita. Unable to find a room in any of the four-star hotels, Neal is compelled to accept Del's invitation to share his accommodations in a cheapo-sleazo motel. Driven to distraction by Del's annoying personal habits, the ungrateful Neal lets forth with a stream of verbal abuse. That's when Del delivers the anticipated (but always welcome) "I don't judge, why should you?"-type speech so common to John Hughes flicks. The shamefaced Neal tries to make up to Del, but there's a bumpy time ahead as the mismatched pair make their way back to Chicago, first in a balky train, then by way of a refrigerator truck. We know from the outset that the oil-and-water Neal and Del will be bosom companions by the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but it's still a fun ride. The best bit: a half-asleep Del thinking that he's got his hand tucked between two pillows -- until his bedmate, Neal, bellows "Those aren't pillows!" ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

160,990 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

48 critics

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: John Hughes

Release Date: November 25, 1987

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000

Get It:

Stats: 6,864 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shinin' John Candy Steve Martin and John Candy John Candy Neal Page planes,trains & automobiles planes,trains & automobiles planes,trains & automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes,trains and automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles Del and Page
Upload a Photo | View All Planes, Trains and Automobiles Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (6,864)

  • phubbs1
    April 3, 2012
    phubbs1
    Possibly THE best Martin and Candy comedy made, so many classic laughs, classic dialog and some classic scenes which are simply perfect comedy played out by two perfect comedians.
    On top of that you have the usual excellent soundtrack to really bring home that road trip feel, th... read moree whole film has that lovely cozy Christmas glow (I know its Thanksgiving hehe) to it which Hughes seems to manage in all his films. Again he manages to create a very warm kind heart to his film which is brought home by the quite beautiful ending which always brings a smile to your face as you wipe away the odd tear.

    Near enough the perfect comedy, no joke, it really is everything you could want from a film, the only problem is I always want to see more adventures from the duo.
  • spielberg00
    April 3, 2012
    spielberg00
    John Candy (R.I.P.) is great in PLANES. His character is a reminder of any nuisance we've come across (and we all have); somehow, he does so well that rather than groaning, we are left laughing. I love the scene when he rambles on about people who can't shut up. Steve Martin, tho... read moreugh maybe not as much a comic relief, has his moments, as well. His character is composed of anger and frustration because of his hilariously unfortunate situation. It'd be hard to forget his tirade against a car rental agent, a celebration of a whopping eighteen F-bombs in less than a minute.

    PLANES isn't what we'd expect of John Hughes (R.I.P.). We know him mostly for teen comedies such as SIXTEEN CANDLES (still on my list), THE BREAKFAST CLUB, and WEIRD SCIENCE. He surely doesn't go out of his comical spectrum here, but it's not a movie about teen angst, teen pressure, teen love, or teen anything. It's a movie about an adult man who wants to get home on a nice, paved road, and the nature of coincidence as well as a childish adult man come put rocks on his path. The theme is not in any way similar to anything else Hughes has done, but he does fabulously well as writer-producer-director.

    http://themoviefreakblog.WordPress.com/review-planes-trains-automobiles
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 10, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a John Hughes classic. After seeing most of films, you realize how great John Hughes was at crafting a solid comedy film. Planes, Trains and Automobiles has a great cast of talented comedians. The late John Candy is absolutely great in his role, ... read moreand like every one of his films, he really shines in this film. Candy was one of the rarest examples of comedian. His talent couldn't be matched. After seeing this film, I think you'll agree. Director John Hughes, who normally directed teen comedies, succeeds at transitioning from his usual genre to a more "adult" oriented comedy. Planes, Train and Automobiles has the wacky comedy writing that we are used to with John Hughes films, and the fact that he was able to deliver a comedy that will appeal to adults. John Hughes was a tremendous film maker, an artist. He knew how to turn a dramatic situation into a comedic situation, and more important of all, he was able to get through to his audience no matter what age demographic. Planes, Trains and Automobiles, is a classic Hughes comedy. With the talents of the late great John Candy and Steve Martin, you have a memorable, fun, and sometimes sad comedy that is simply a great film to watch during the festivities. This is yet another memorable comedy film from John Hughes. The only thing that sucks about John Hughes is that, it's hard to pick a favorite, and I mean that as a compliment. All of his films were great entertainment, and Planes, Train and Automobiles is a great transition from his earlier works. A great comedy film.
  • 76Majikat
    September 25, 2011
    76Majikat
    Not exactly what I was expecting from this 80's Comedy Classic and yet it still made for easy watching tv.
  • fernandorafael
    March 20, 2011
    fernandorafael
    A bit dated (OK, a lot), but far better than 2010 rip-off Due Date. This is light, funny fare but also very human and unexpectedly touching. Del Griffith (John Candy) plays who has to be the worst travel companion ever in the history of vehicles; he's not specially endearing or a... read morenything, in fact, he's extremely irritating, but you can't help but sympathize with the way Candy portrays him. Steve Martin is even better. His tirade at a car rental desk is a celebration of the word "fuck" (the word and its derivatives are uttered an astounding 18 times during the one-minute sequence). Planes, Trains and Automobiles deserves a watch just for that hilarious breakdown. Dylan Baker is also memorable in a very brief but extremely funny turn: probably the biggest laugh in the film.
  • CloudStrife84
    February 19, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Comical virtuosos John Candy and Steve Martin star in this brilliantly hilarious road movie, about an advertising executive (Martin), who runs into all sorts of obstacles when trying to get home to his family in Chicago. What I love about this film (among a high number of other t... read morehings), is that it doesn't try too hard to be funny. It just succeeds with that naturally, with its masterfully executed gags and memorable antics. The biggest credit, of course, goes to Candy and Martin, whose wonderful interplay is the heart and soul of the movie. One is an easily-irritated cynic, and the other a high-spirited blabbermouth, which becomes the basis for a great many hilarious moments. Just some of the faces that Steve Martin makes are absolutely priceless. A film where top notch humor is not an exception, but dominates the entire story. There's just so much to enjoy about it, and despite having been around for more than two decades, it never grows old and tired. In fact, it's like a fine bottle of wine that only gets better with time. And hey, that even rhymes! So if you're one of the poor, unfortunate souls who happened to have missed it, well, then I hope this review may spur you to check it out. Because in all sincerity, it deserves nothing less than my warmest recommendation. A laughter-fest of a movie, and my all-time favourite comedy by the legendary John Hughes.

    "If I wanted a joke, I'd follow you to the john and watch you take a leak. Now are you gonna help me or are you gonna stand there like a slab of meat with mittons?"
  • FilmFanatik
    February 9, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    One of the greatest dramadies ever made. I think the thought of John Candy no longer being with us makes me cry more than the film itself. Not that the film is notorious for being sappy or anything. It's actually a riot, but it's affecting emotionally at times - particularly w... read moreith John's character arc.
  • ajv2688
    February 2, 2011
    ajv2688
    This comedy plays on one of those normally small annoyances of travel, that annoying guy sitting next to you who wont stop talking. This John Hughes movie is just as brilliant as his fantastic teen films of the time, and just as hilarious. It has a great cast too. I loved it a... read morend I highly recommend it.
  • kenstachnik
    December 13, 2010
    kenstachnik
    Funny, but overly sentimental
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 26, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    a pure 80's comedy classic. martin is one of the greatest comedy actors of all time and candy is is always a pure gem on film. this film has inspired so many others, but few other films are as consistently hilarious as this one. excellent.

View All Planes, Trains and Automobiles Reviews

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
July 26, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Pretty dispensable. Full Review

Richard Schickel
November 21, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

It is, of course, always a pleasure to watch Martin's steam-gauge face register his rising internal pressures and to witness his exquisitely expressed blowoffs. But Candy offers even more insinuating ... Full Review

Variety Staff
November 21, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Man versus technology has been one of the staples of screen comedy since the earliest silent days, and Hughes makes the most of the format here packing as many of the frustrations of modern life as he... Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

The film does have its scattered moments. But too often, the audience has as much reason as Del and Neal do to wonder where, if anywhere, they are going. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The script and direction by Hughes ... amount to wobbly passes that Martin and Candy turn into touchdowns anyway. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It's a fine cinematic treat that doesn't demand much from a viewer, but gives back a lot, both in terms of laughter and good feeling. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movies that last, the ones we return to, don't always have lofty themes or Byzantine complexities. Sometimes they last because they are arrows straight to the heart. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

A riotously springy holiday knockabout. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
January 29, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

A surprisingly powerful, and incredibly funny, little movie led by two terrific performances and John Hughes' razor sharp script. Full Review

Tim Brayton
October 31, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

The finest comedy screenplay John Hughes ever wrote. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Tommy Boy
    Tommy Boy (84%)
  • Uncle Buck
    Uncle Buck (85%)
  • National Lampoon's Vacation
    National Lampoon's Vacation (71%)
  • Road to Saddle River
    Road to Saddle River (100%)

More Movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Neal Page: [riding in back of pickup truck in freezing cold] What do you think the temperature is?
    • Taxi racer: One.
    • Del Griffith: You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right. I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you, but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me. I'm not changing. I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get.
    • Del Griffith: I haven't been home in years.
    • Del Griffith: You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right. I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you, but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me. I'm not changing. I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get.
    • Neal Page: He says we're going the wrong way.
    • Del Griffith: Oh, he's drunk. How would he know where we're going?
    • Neal Page: Where's your other hand?
    • Del Griffith: Between two pillows.
    • Neal Page: Those aren't pillows!
Submit a Fact | View All

Planes, Trains an... : Watch Free on TV

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Trivia

  • Name the actor who stared in The Great Outdoor, Summer Rental, Spaceball, and Planes Trains and Automobiles?  Answer »
  • What does travelling salesman Del, (John Candy) sell in the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles?  Answer »
  • Name the two main actors in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  Answer »
  • Which movie paired comedy actors Steve Martin and John Candy?  Answer »
More Planes, Trains and Automobiles Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Planes, Trains and Automobiles Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Planes, Trains and Automobiles to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?