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Flight (2012 film)

Flight is a 2012 American drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by John Gatins.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Flight is a 2012 American drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by John Gatins. It stars Denzel Washington as an airline pilot whose heroic crash-landing leads to an investigation that exposes his alcoholism and personal struggles. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival and was released theatrically in November 2012.

Plot

The film centers on airline pilot Whip Whitaker, who makes a near-miraculous emergency landing after a mechanical failure. An investigation into the accident raises questions about responsibility and Whip's substance abuse.

Production

Flight was directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by John Gatins. It was produced by Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Steve Starkey, Zemeckis, and Jack Rapke.

Release

The film premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 14, 2012, and opened in theatres in the United States on November 2, 2012 through Paramount Pictures.

Cast and reception

The film stars Denzel Washington, with supporting roles listed in major databases including Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, Melissa Leo, and John Goodman. It received generally positive reviews and multiple listings classify it as an R-rated drama.

Key facts

  • Denzel Washington plays William 'Whip' Whitaker Sr., an airline pilot who crash-lands a badly malfunctioning plane.
  • The story follows the crash investigation and the revelation of Whip's alcoholism.
  • The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by John Gatins.
  • It premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 14, 2012, before its U.S. theatrical release on November 2, 2012.
  • The film is commonly described as a drama, with thriller and psychological elements in some listings.
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Canadian context

The film is part of mainstream North American cinema and was reviewed and distributed widely in Canada; French-language Canadian references also identify it as a 2012 American drama film by Robert Zemeckis.

Frequently asked questions

What is Flight about?
It follows an airline pilot who survives a catastrophic plane malfunction, then faces a crash investigation that exposes his alcoholism.
Who directed Flight?
Robert Zemeckis directed the film.
Who wrote Flight?
The screenplay was written by John Gatins.
When was Flight released?
It premiered on October 14, 2012, and was released theatrically on November 2, 2012.
Who stars in Flight?
The film stars Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker; other listed cast members include Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, Melissa Leo, and John Goodman.
What genre is Flight?
It is primarily a drama, with thriller and psychological-drama labels appearing in some film databases.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_(2012_film)
    Supports: director, writer, cast, plot, premiere date, theatrical release, distributor
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1907668/
    Supports: director, writer, genre, runtime, plot summary
  3. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film526099.html
    Supports: director, writer, runtime, genre, synopsis
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flight_2012
    Supports: synopsis, director, producer, distributor, genre, rating, release date
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70243453
    Supports: premise, cast, genre
  6. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_(film,_2012)
    Supports: French-language identification of the film as a 2012 American drama directed by Robert Zemeckis