Exploding Helicopter
@chopperfireball
The world's leading authority on films where helicopters explode. Check out our podcast and website:
The Exploding Helicopter podcast will return this week when we book in to HOTEL ARTEMIS (2018). We discuss the action, the mystery, the 'John Wick vibes' and an exploding helicopter that could be a video art installation. Listen soon, wherever you get your pods...
Here at Exploding Helicopter we consider this remake vastly superior to the original for one simple reason.... From KING KONG (1976)
RAMBO III (1988) with four spectacular and creative exploding helicopters, this is another classic. Design by @cultmovie.cards
BLUE THUNDER (1983) a true classic of the exploding helicopter genre. Design by @cultmovie.cards
BROKEN ARROW (1996) which features John Travolta's immortal kiss off line "I said, goddamn what a rush!" Design by @cultmovie.cards
TRUE LIES (1994) where Arnold Schwarzenegger blows up a helicopter by using Art Malik as a human air-to-air missile.
In case you missed them, here are the other five entries so far in the series... MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) the only time a helicopter has been blown up by a piece of chewing gum.
We've teamed up with @cultmovie.cards to celebrate 12 films with an exploding helicopter. Here's the iconic chopper fireball from DIE HARD 4.0 (2007).
Watched THE ODYSSEY (2026) and I can confirm that it does not feature an exploding helicopter.
Watched PAYDAY (1973) where Rip Torn plays a narcissistic country music artist whose life on the road spins out of control amid pills, booze, and sex. It's a fantastic performance. He creates a true monster who casually uses, abuses, discards, and suborns everyone around him.
Not a film that many people remember as having an exploding helicopter. From THE THING (1982)
Watched THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO (1940) an enjoyably lively swashbuckler. George Sanders is great as the moustache-twizzling villain, and Joan Bennett is gorgeous as the damsel-in-distress. The only blackspot is Louis Hayward's hero. He's appropriately energetic, but lacking in charisma.
Watched THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE (1968) a Dirty Dozen clone with William Holden whipping a rag tag group of criminals [and Canadians] into shape. It's very good, but is very much in the second tier of the WW2 men-on-a-mission movies that proliferated in the Sixties.
An exploding helicopter masterpiece. From WHO KILLED CAPTAIN ALEX (2010)
Watched THE RIDE BACK (1957) solid, unspectacular, horse opera with William Conrad playing a sheriff trying to bring in Anthony Quinn who is wanted for murder.
Watched WILDCAT (2025), an absolute action clunker starring Kate Beckinsale as a mother trying to rescue her daughter amid a London gangland war. The script is a bargain-bin, Guy Ritchie-inspired mess, which would be bad enough on its own. Unfortunately, much of the dialogue is delivered...
Watched THE OCCUPANT (2025) the pivot point of the film's plot is a helicopter crash. Unfortunately, fires on the wrecked chopper burn for a bit and then fizzle out. Much like the film itself.
Watched DEAD OF WINTER (2025). Hoping this does for Emma Thompson what a certain 2008 action thriller did for Liam Neeson. Fingers crossed for Dame Emma playing a succession of amnesiac assassins, terminally ill mob bosses seeking redemption, and ex-MI6 agents with an unusually specific skill set.
"You're fired!" It's no.4 in our @cultmovie.cards series celebrating 12 classic exploding helicopters from films. This time it's TRUE LIES (1994) where Arnold Schwarzenegger blows up a chopper by using Art Malik as a human air-to-air missile.
Watched CROMWELL (1970) and I can confirm that it does not feature an exploding helicopter.
One of only two films where a helicopter is blown up with an exploding American football. From THREE KINGS (1999)
Watched KING OF THE KICKBOXERS 2 (1992) aka Fighting Spirit. In parts, it's amusing and incompetent. The fights are non stop, but - as I've complained many times before - without characters you care about it's ultimately a bit boring.
We got one! ALPHA (2026) becomes the 9️⃣6️⃣1️⃣st film we've found with an exploding helicopter. 🚁💥🎥 Thanks to @thewykah.bsky.social for the tip-off! 🙏
Watched THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE (2024). Guy Ritchie's attempt at a macaroni combat movie proves to be one cold, congealed plate of pasta. For all the slick and polished presentation, TMOUW is devoid of personality and atmosphere.
The Exploding Helicopter podcast returns! We're back to review the Steven Seagal-less HALF PAST DEAD 2 (2007). Find out which obscure cast member is promoted to leading man status as we discuss the film's baffling attempts at series continuity. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! 🚁💥🎧
Watched GUNMAN'S WALK (1958) above average horse opera that's elevated by its themes of racism and what we call these days 'toxic masculinity'. Phil Karlson directs.