Train-themed films remain an attractive notion among viewers to this day because of the endlessly creative and cinematic possibilities they present. The claustrophobic nature of the trains makes them an ideal setting for action sequences where characters face off against each other in confined spaces and have limited options, heightening the tension and anxiety among the spectators. It can also serve as a way to express the characters’ loneliness and isolation. Additionally, fast-moving trains can give action-packed, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat moments, where there is tremendous scope for race-against-the-clock scenarios in which the characters must push their limits and demonstrate a sense of urgency to prevent a catastrophic event. Train travel facilitates meeting new people and creates an intimate setting ideal for a love story, making it a perfect place to explore the human connection and craft compelling stories. As a result, a train can serve as a backdrop for films in a wide range of genres, including action (Bullet Train, 2022), science fiction (Snowpiercer, 2016), horror (Horror Express, 1972), adventure (Von Ryan’s Express, 1965), romance (Compartment No. 6, 2021), murder mystery (Murder on the Orient Express, 1972), etc. This article compiles a list of films that mostly take place on trains or have trains as an essential plot element. Before we get to the list of the 15 best train films, here are some honorable mentions.
- Bullet Train (2022) – David Leitch
- Von Ryan’s Express (1965) – Mark Robson
- Silver Streak (1976) – Arthur Miller
- Shanghai Express (1932) – Josef Von Sternberg
- Murder on the Orient Express (1972) – Sidney Lumet
Below is the list of the top 15 train films worth checking out.
15. The Bullet Train (1975) – Junya Sato
Junya Sato’s The Bullet Train, the 1975 Japanese action film that inspired Jon De Bont’s 1994 Hollywood action blockbuster, Speed, is an ideal starting point for this list. Tetsuo Okita (Ken Takakura), a local businessman who lost his manufacturing company due to bankruptcy, resulting in his separation from his wife and kid, is struggling to make ends meet. In an elaborate scheme to extort money from the government, Okita and his two colleagues plant a bomb on one of the Bullet Trains traveling from Tokyo to Hakata. The bomb is designed to detonate when the train speed falls below 80 Km/h. As a result, the authorities must find a means to defuse the bomb on time to avert the disaster and apprehend the perpetrators before they flee.
The film’s plot—which involves criminals planting a bomb on a train and demanding a ransom in exchange for preventing the train from exploding—is nothing new; however, the meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the story is impeccable, which is the primary reason for its inclusion on this list. Extreme care is taken in depicting all the facets of the story, whether it’s the detailed characterization of the antagonists, the police procedural aspects, or the plot exposition (including the bomb’s mechanism and how it will detonate). The screenplay maintains its suspense and unpredictability, especially at the end (due to the introduction of new plot points) about the outcome of the bomb’s detonation and the capture of the perpetrators. It’s a tense ride throughout.
14. Horror Express (1972) – Eugenio Martin
Horror Express, directed by Eugenio Martin, is a tightly scripted, action-packed, thrilling ride that clocks in at just under 90 minutes and is a must-see for fans of the Sci-fi/Horror genre. In 1906, in China, Professor Alexander Saxton (Christopher Lee) discovers a prehistoric frozen creature that he believes will reveal answers to human evolution. He boards the trans-Siberian train, placing the live being in the box, intending to return to Europe for further research. While on board, he encounters his professional rival, Dr. Wells, played by Peter Cushing. However, the creature defrosts, breaks out of the box, and begins killing people on the train, prompting Professor Saxton and Dr. Wells to join forces to stop it before something worse happens.
Horror Express exemplifies efficient low-budget filmmaking because the film’s impressive ensemble, rich production design, and surprisingly good visual effects all achieved for less than $300,000. Using confined spaces to great advantage, every action sequence—including the film’s climax, which takes place in the dark—is expertly staged. Also, John Cacavas’s score stands out, especially the whistling theme, which will surely stick in your head long after the end credits have rolled. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing deliver outstanding performances and complement each other well in the film. Additionally, Telly Savalas makes a cameo appearance and steals the show with his haughty portrayal of a Cossack officer, delivering the film’s best scene.
13. Breakheart Pass (1975) – Tom Gries
Tom Gries’ Breakheart Pass, a murder mystery set on a train traversing the snowy Rocky Mountains, is an exhilarating ride from start to finish. During the height of the frontier era, a severe outbreak of diphtheria breaks out at a military outpost, leading the authorities to dispatch a train via the Rocky Mountains carrying medical supplies and replacement soldiers. Along with the troops, Governor Richard Fairchild (Richard Crenna), the outpost commander’s daughter, Marica (Jill Ireland), the squad’s captain, Major Claremont (Ed Lauter), the U.S. Marshal Pearce (Ben Johnson), and his strange prisoner, John Deakin (Charles Bronson), are also on board. However, one by one, people start getting murdered, and John Deakins begins an investigation to unearth some startling revelations.
The film’s plot develops gradually through an astute screenplay, and a few compelling surprises unveiled at just the appropriate times keep the audience captivated and hooked throughout. As a result, the film’s finale becomes very effective and packs a solid punch. Some of the finest and most tense scenes occur while Deakins wanders the train at night, hunting for clues and critical information. The action is also expertly choreographed and executed, particularly the fight scene atop the train, which is shot in a manner that will elicit a high level of anxiety from the viewers. Charles Bronson shines as John Deakins, who becomes a key player in this murder mystery. Even though his performance doesn’t call for anything special from him, he does an excellent job with the material given to him.
12. Snowpiercer (2013) – Bong Joon-ho
Snowpiercer, Bong Joon Ho’s Hollywood debut film, is the least talked about film in his pitch-perfect filmography thus far, but it is still an intriguing piece of sci-fi cinema. In 2031, the Earth has frozen over due to a failed climate change experiment. The sole inhabitants still alive are those on board the self-sufficient circumnavigational train known as the Snowpiercer, which has been operational since the post-apocalyptic event. Passengers are segregated, with the wealthy living lavishly in the front cars and the poor crammed into squalid tail compartments guarded by armed officers. Tired of living in squalor and being oppressed by Minister Mason (Tilda Swinton) and her guards, a group of lower-class citizens decides to revolt, led by Curtis Everett (Chris Evans), intending to march to the front of the train, where the main engine is, and seizing control of it. However, each section of the train presents new surprises and challenges for the rebels to overcome.
The film drops us smack dab in the middle of the events, which has a long history. The first act hooks us by filling us in on what happened leading up to the film’s opening that has resulted in the development of a plan (of seizing control of the engine); this sets the stage for the second act, where the plan comes to life. The film picks up pace and becomes more interesting as Curtis and his followers march towards the train’s front, leading to a polarizing conclusion. The train’s production design is imaginative and impressive, progressing from a dirty, cramped rear end to a spacious, more ostentatious front end as it draws near the engine. There are also a few superbly choreographed action sequences, particularly the tunnel combat scene, which makes excellent use of darkness and claustrophobia. The film delves into the themes of classism and effectively conveys how, regardless of the situation, the rich will always exploit and discriminate against the poor for their gain.
11. Compartment No. 6 (2021) – Juho Kuosmanen
Compartment No. 6, a well-scripted romantic drama that won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021, establishes Juho Kuosmanen as a director to watch out for. A young Finnish archaeology student named Laura (Seidi Haaria) plans a train trip to Murmansk to see the prehistoric stone drawings known as petroglyphs. On the train, she is forced to share a compartment with an obnoxious Russian miner, Lyokha (Yuri Borisov), whom she first dislikes due to his crude demeanor. As they spend more time together and get to know one another, the more they realize how similar they are, particularly in their desire for human connection.
The film’s strength is in its skilled and compassionate handling of the shift from the initial dislike between these two distinct people to the gradual development of the special bond as the story progresses. The creators avoid falling into the trap of cheap romanticism by not going overboard with the emotions, instead opting for a grounded, realistic approach. The film accurately depicts the experiences of ordinary people who struggle with loneliness and find it challenging to establish human connections. Furthermore, the film makes excellent use of its setting—a train—to show how chance encounters with strangers can sometimes have a profound impact on a person’s life. Seidi Harla and Yuri Borisov deliver superb performances and elevate this tale of self-exploration to a higher level with their magnetic chemistry.
10. The Tall Target (1951) – Anthony Mann
Set during a fascinating time in American history, Anthony Mann’s The Tall Target is a tense and absorbing little historical thriller. Sergeant John Kennedy (Dick Powell) of the New York Police Department once guarded Abraham Lincoln for 48 hours while he campaigned for President of the United States and came away deeply impressed by the man. After Lincoln assumes office, Kennedy learns of an assassination plot against the president-elect during the train ride from Baltimore to Washington, DC. As a result, Kennedy decides to jump on board to try to foil the assassination attempt.
Once Kennedy boards the train, things become very interesting and unpredictable, such as his partner turning up dead, someone impersonating him, people attempting to kill him, and someone he trusts completely betraying him. Despite numerous instances of Kennedy facing insurmountable obstacles, the way he persistently fights back makes for a compelling watch. The makers successfully create an intense atmosphere inside the train, with people divided over Lincoln as the country prepares for a Civil War, and the cramped setting of the train interiors allows Mann to infuse the story with paranoia and claustrophobic tints. Although I have never been a fan of Dick Powell, he does a decent job as a tough detective who puts his life on the line to save the President. However, the film’s best performance comes from young Ruby Dee, who plays Rachel, a slave traveling on the train. She proves to be Powell’s only true friend on the train. The performance exudes strength and dignity in its subtlety.
9. Unstoppable (2010) – Tony Scott
Tony Scott, one of my favorite filmmakers, brings his legendary career to a fitting conclusion with Unstoppable, an unrelenting, fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster of a film. A runaway train with dangerous, hazardous chemicals is speeding towards Stanton, Pennsylvania, and appears unstoppable until a veteran engineer, Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington), and a rookie conductor, Will Colson (Chris Pine), risk their lives to stop it with a switch engine.
The striking aspect of this film is that as the train loses control, multiple efforts are made to halt it, with each attempt more dangerous and consequential than the previous one, heightening the tension among the viewers. The film is shown from multiple people’s points of view, including Barnes and Colson, Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson), the yardmaster who emerges as Barnes and Colson’s aid, and Galvin (Kevin Dunn), the vice-president of AWVR train operations whose main priority is to save the money and the reputation of the company he works for; the editing is tight, and the momentum and tension remain constant throughout the entire duration. Within its 98-minute runtime, the film is tightly scripted; nonetheless, the writing allows for just enough character development, and the actors—particularly Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, and Rosario Dawson—deliver credible performances. The film demonstrates how ordinary people can display extraordinary and heroic qualities through mental toughness and resilience in the face of immense danger and hardship.
8. Train to Busan (2016) – Yeon Sang-ho
Train to Busan, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, is arguably one of the finest zombie horror flicks of all time. Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo), a divorced father and a hedge fund manager, takes the superfast KTX bullet train from Seoul to Busan to drop off his estranged young daughter Su-an (Kim Su-an) at her mother’s house. At the same time, a mysterious viral outbreak starts spreading in the country. Before the train departs, an unidentified sick woman infected by the virus sneaks overboard unnoticed. She soon turns into a zombie and attacks the train attendant, who also turns. The infection quickly starts spreading rapidly throughout the train. As a result, the passengers must fight for their survival against the zombies.
This film’s popularity stems from the fact that, in addition to its top-notch action, it truly shines in its emotional aspect with compelling characters and their genuinely moving and well-written arcs. The new zombies are aggressive, infect quickly, and have a few additional features that you must watch the film to find out. The film’s action sequences create some exhilarating moments, such as when the characters narrowly escape the zombies at Daejeon station and return to the train, or the film’s climactic action setpiece, which elevates the film and is so intense it will make you gasp for breath. Train to Busan is a gripping and nerve-wracking zombie horror film that genre fans should not miss out on.
7. The Narrow Margin (1952) – Richard Fleischer
Along with films like Detour (1945), Nightfall (1956), Blast of Silence (1961), etc., Richard Fleischer’s 71-minute nail-biting noir thriller The Narrow Margin—which has an Academy Award-nominated screenplay written by Earl Felton—serves as the pinnacle of B noir. Detective Gus Forbes (Don Beddoe) and Sergeant Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) are tasked with accompanying Mrs. Neill (Marie Windsor), the widow of a mobster, on a train journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. Neill is expected to testify against the mob and possesses a payoff list that belonged to her husband. However, the mob is also on the train, determined to ensure she never arrives at her destination.
The film does an excellent job of cornering Brown in situations where the odds are constantly stacked against him, as he is outnumbered and has no one to turn to for assistance. Firstly, he loses his partner, Gus Forbes, in the first scene itself, and because everything happens so fast and there is such an overwhelming sense of urgency, Brown does not even have time to mourn his death. Then, he has to identify the assailants, outwit them, and constantly devise new strategies to shield the victim from harm within the pressure cooker setting. On top of that, he must endure Mrs. Neill’s tantrums, who is highly uncooperative and demanding. There are also a few well-executed twists, particularly the final one, which is genuinely surprising. The Narrow Margin moves at a frenetic pace and contains no wasted emotion, unnecessary character exposition, or subplots—a quality often lacking in modern films.
6. Night Train (1959) – Jerzy Kawalerowicz
Among the films I watched for this list, the most enjoyable find was Night Train, directed by the renowned Polish filmmaker Jerzy Kawalerowicz. At first, I thought it would be a standard murder mystery taking place entirely on a train, but it ended up being much more profound and captivating than that. Jerzy (Leon Niemczyk) and Marta (Lucyna Winnicka), two strangers, find themselves on an overnight train to the Baltic Sea coast with tickets for the same sleeping compartment. Marta’s rejected lover, Staszek (Zbigniew Cybulski), is also on board without a ticket. He constantly stalks her and refuses to leave her alone. As the authorities board the train in pursuit of a wanted murderer, suspicions begin to circulate, and it appears as though one of the protagonists is the main culprit.
The film patiently builds up the train’s atmosphere and the characters who inhabit it. Aside from the protagonists, the train is populated by several interesting characters, such as a married woman who frequently hits on Jerzy, a young sailor who constantly stares at and admires a young girl, a suspicious-looking stranger who hides from everyone, and more. Subtly veiled as a murder mystery, the film focuses on its characters and their actions, highlighting how people tend to be judgmental and form opinions about others based on their first impressions without knowing the complete picture. It also illustrates how people can turn their backs on someone and stop at nothing to discredit them just as quickly as they can turn the same person into a hero. The masterful screenplay maintains ambiguity by revealing details about the characters at the appropriate times, keeping the audience guessing, and allowing them to form their own perceptions of these characters. The film also features some outstanding performances, particularly by the two leads, Leon Niemczyk and Lucyna Winnicka, and there’s some riveting drama and mesmerizing score to go along. Night Train makes an important statement about societal dynamics.
5. Runaway Train (1985) – Andrei Konchalov
Based on Akira Kurosawa’s screenplay, Runaway Train, directed by Andrei Konchalov, is a raw, gritty, and tense rollercoaster that excels not just for its story and action set pieces but also for its detailed characterization and emotional impact. During winter, two inmates, Manny (Jon Voight) and Buck (Eric Roberts), escape from Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison in Alaska. They board a multiple-locomotive train intending to reach the furthest possible distance before the infamously sadistic warden, Ranken (John P. Ryan), finds out. Unfortunately, the train’s engineer dies from a heart attack, turning the train into a runaway in the frozen wastes of Alaska. As a result, they find themselves stranded, helpless, alone, and hurtling towards an impending catastrophe as the train spins out of control.
After the first act, the train ride begins, and the film is divided into three subplots—the events aboard the train, the one involving the control unit, and Ranken’s pursuit of Manny. All these subplots get the appropriate screen time and relevance to keep the audience engaged. The introduction of Sara (Rebecca De Mornay), a locomotive hostler who fell asleep on the train when it lost control, makes things interesting. Amidst the chaos, she comes across as the voice of reason, and the chemistry and dynamics between the three in that claustrophobic train cabin are the film’s highlights, revealing the true nature of each character. From attempting to place a passenger atop a rushing train from a helicopter to depicting the difficulty of moving from one car to another in the snow, the action sequences are stunning and as realistic as they get. The film’s complex character development allows for exploring fascinating intercharacter dynamics, most notably the ruthless game of cat-and-mouse and ego clash between Ranken and Manny out of their deep hatred towards one another. Highly recommended.
4. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) – Joseph Sargent
Arguably one of the finest New York-based films, Joseph Sergeant’s highly entertaining The Taking of Pelham One Two Three also boasts one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history. A New York City subway train is hijacked by four armed men who demand $1 million within an hour in exchange for the train and the lives of the passengers they are holding captive. In his endeavors to rescue the passengers and bring the perpetrators to justice, Lt. Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) of the New York City Transit Police must navigate the unyielding demands of the hijackers, the red tape of City Hall, and the perpetual ticking of the clock.
The film’s storyline, in which bandits plan to hijack a train and extract money from the government, is nothing particularly groundbreaking. However, more than the plot, the film remains memorable for its characters. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a quintessential New York film, down to the characters’ interactions, sense of humor, bickering, resilience, friendliness, paranoia, etc. The dynamics and tension between the thieves, particularly Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw) and Mr. Grey (Hector Elizondo), are critical in establishing them as formidable adversaries. None of the characters in the film appear one-note or generic, as the makers enable each character to take on its own shape, evolve, and be distinctive. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a film that is both tense and humorous, with snappy dialogue and plenty of swag. It is a must-see.
3. The Lady Vanishes (1938) – Alfred Hitchcock
Read the in-depth analysis of Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography here
The Lady Vanishes, directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, is a delightful comedy thriller and one of his underrated masterpieces. Based on Ethel Lina White’s 1936 mystery novel The Wheel Spins, the film begins when travelers on a trans-European train are forced to halt for the night owing to terrible weather. While stuck at a local hotel, Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood), an English tourist on her way home to marry, meets and befriends an old, mysterious woman, Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty). When the train journey starts the next day, Iris and Miss Froy share the same cabin and visit the dining car for tea. A short time later, Iris realizes that Miss Froy has vanished into thin air, and no one on the train seems to admit to having seen her. As a result, Iris, assisted by the musician Gilbert (Michael Redgrave), begins an investigation to resolve the mystery.
The film is a genre-bending adventure from start to finish that begins as a lighthearted romp, progresses to a suspense-filled mystery, and concludes as an engaging thriller. The film is genuinely replete with Hitchcock’s signature storytelling style, in which he transforms a simple story into a memorable cinematic experience. The Lady Vanishes is Hitchcock’s funniest movie, and it is full of dry British humor, owing primarily to the antics of Caldicott and Charters (played by Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne), two ardent cricket lovers who are more worried about missing the test match than about anything serious occurring on the train. Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave have excellent chemistry, which makes their romantic angle tender and lovely. The film becomes increasingly suspenseful as it progresses, and the final twist is genuinely surprising. The Lady Vanishes is an exquisitely crafted, finely produced, and sublimely directed cinematic treasure that is an all-time must-see.
2. The Train (1964) – John Frankenheimer
The train, directed by John Frankenheimer, is a perfect example of anxiety-inducing cinema that will make you wonder, “How did they shoot that?” the entire time while watching it. In August 1944, as the Allies draw near Paris, German Colonel Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) is eager to bring home all of France’s greatest paintings. Despite the chaos of retreat, he manages to secure a train to carry the priceless artworks back to Germany. Paul Labiche, played by Burt Lancaster, is the station master responsible for coordinating the train to Berlin and ensuring its smooth operation. However, he is also a member of a group of resistance fighters who want to stop the theft of their national treasures. As a result, he and others devise an elaborate ploy to prevent the train from ever leaving French territory.
The task of stopping the train from reaching Germany appears nearly impossible to Lapice and his men due to their overwhelming numerical disadvantage, lack of resources, and the total control of the railways by the Nazis. But the plan that they come up with to dupe the Nazis is ingenious and extraordinary. Furthermore, the film is a testament to the French people’s resilience, as Lapice and his men refuse to give up and fight until the end despite the odds stacked against them. The film also benefits from a potent nemesis in the form of Von Waldheim, an ardent art lover and someone who appreciates beauty and must acquire it even at the cost of his own men. All of the action, from the trains colliding to Burt Lancaster’s doing his own death-defying stunts, is shot in real without any tricks or effects, giving the film an authentic, gritty appearance. You’ll be amazed by the amount of commitment and conviction you see onscreen. The last twenty minutes (which rarely have any dialogue) are the pinnacle of visual storytelling and will leave you speechless. The train is filmmaking at its elite and an exhilarating experience.
1. The General (1926) – Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman
The number one spot on this list belongs to Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman’s The General, a film released 98 years ago that has stood the test of time and remains one of the best action comedies ever made. The film begins in 1862, in Georgia, USA, during the second year of the American Civil War, when Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton), a train engineer, tries to enlist in the army but is turned down because the Confederate army values him more for his engineering skills. This alienates Johnnie from his lifelong love, Annabelle (Marion Mack), and her family, who believe he is a coward. One day, the Union spies kidnap The General, Johnnie’s treasured train on which he works as an engineer, with Annabelle also on board. Consequently, Johnnie embarks on a mission to rescue his General and Annabelle.
The film’s most intriguing aspect is how Johnnie’s relentless pursuit of saving the two loves of his life—The General and Annabelle—thrusts him smack dab in the middle of the Civil War. From the scene where he skillfully evades derailing the engine from the tracks to the one near the end on the bridge, every one of the jaw-dropping and death-defying stunts that Keaton himself performed will still astound you and leave you spellbound. His ability to seamlessly integrate comedy and action into the same sequence remains unparalleled, with many attempting but failing to reproduce it. Everything about this film is top-notch: the camera work is masterful, constantly moving to evoke a sense of urgency; the score harmonizes flawlessly with the unfolding events; and the editing is razor-sharp, keeping the action moving forward at a breakneck pace. The General is among Buster Keaton’s finest works, both behind and in front of the camera.
0The General movie links: Letterboxd, wikipedia
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