The Best Train Movies

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Updated May 16, 2024 74.2K views 48 items
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3.8K votes
793 voters
4 reranks
Voting Rules
Movies must feature trains.

What are the best train movies ever made? This list includes a lot of different movies that all feature trains in some fashion. Whether it's comedy or drama, the great train movies included here are all memorable. Some of them are among the best movies of all time, too. Which one is your favorite? Vote up the train films you like the most and feel free to rerank this list any way you want. If any good train movies are missing, feel free to add them to the list.

Some of the best train films are train robbery movies. Among them: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and The Great Train Robbery. Trains are an excellent vehicle (so to speak) for story lines involving robberies. They're fast, dangerous and an exciting means of transportation, after all. Along those lines, two outstanding Alfred Hitchcock films both involve trains: 1951's Strangers on a Train and 1959's North By Northwest.

Without a doubt, some of the best comedy films are also about trains. Who can forget the hilariously classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring Steve Martin and John Candy? And 1976's Silver Streak is a comedy thriller that includes murder, mayhem and the comedic genius of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.

Enjoy this list of top notch railroad movies, and don't forget to vote!
Most divisive: Broken Arrow
Over 700 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Train Movies
  • Runaway Train
    1

    Runaway Train

    Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay
    158 votes
    Escaped convicts (Jon Voight, Eric Roberts) and a stowaway girl (Rebecca De Mornay) ride an unmanned diesel speeding out of control through Alaska.
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  • North by Northwest
    2

    North by Northwest

    Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason
    144 votes
    In the classic suspense film North by Northwest, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), an unsuspecting New York advertising executive, becomes entangled in a web of espionage. Mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies, he's thrust into a perilous cross-country chase. Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), a mysterious and alluring woman, aids him in his desperate struggle for survival. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this thrilling masterpiece of intrigue and mistaken identity is filled with iconic scenes, including the famous crop-duster sequence and the climactic Mount Rushmore showdown. It's a testament to Hitchcock's mastery over tension and suspense.
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  • Murder on the Orient Express
    3

    Murder on the Orient Express

    Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam
    119 votes
    Having concluded a case, detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) settles into what he expects will be a relaxing journey home aboard the Orient Express. But when an unpopular billionaire is murdered en route, Poirot takes up the case, and everyone on board the famous train is a suspect. Using an avalanche blocking the tracks to his advantage, Poirot gradually realizes that many of the passengers have revenge as a motive, and he begins to home in on the culprit.
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  • The Train
    4

    The Train

    Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau
    184 votes
    With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Germans, Col. Franz Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) conspires to sneak out by train all of the art masterpieces looted by the German army. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon) alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is pressed into service. He reroutes the train, and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way.
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  • Silver Streak
    5

    Silver Streak

    Gene Wilder, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Pryor
    210 votes
    While on a cross-country train ride, overworked book editor George Caldwell (Gene Wilder) begins an unexpected romance with an enigmatic woman named Hilly Burns (Jill Clayburgh). His vacation is interrupted, however, when he witnesses a murder for which he is then accused. The true villains kidnap Hilly and eject Caldwell from the moving train. Desperate, Caldwell teams up with car thief Grover Muldoon (Richard Pryor), and together they must save Hilly while avoiding the police.
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  • Unstoppable
    6

    Unstoppable

    Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson
    67 votes
    When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals, and an accident would decimate human life and cause an environmental disaster. The only hope of bringing the train to a safe stop is in the hands of a veteran engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine), who must risk their lives to save those in the runaway's path. Inspired by true events.
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  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles
    7

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins
    213 votes
    In the comedic classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Neal Page (Steve Martin), a high-strung marketing executive, finds himself paired with Del Griffith (John Candy), an eternally optimistic, overly talkative salesman. The mismatched duo embark on a two-day journey of chaotic travel mishaps attempting to get Neal home to his family for Thanksgiving. The trials they face include plane reroutes, train breakdowns, and automobile disasters. Directed by John Hughes, this film cleverly intertwines humor with heartwarming moments, revealing the unlikely friendship that forms amidst the chaos. Despite their contrasting personalities and constant setbacks, Neal and Del persist in their cross-country trek, offering viewers a hilarious look at the perils of holiday travel.
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  • The Taking of Pelham One Two Three 1974
    8

    The Taking of Pelham One Two Three 1974

    Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam
    98 votes
    In New York City, a criminal gang led by the ruthless "Mr. Blue" (Robert Shaw) hijacks a subway car and threatens to start shooting one passenger per minute unless they receive a million dollars in cash from the city within an hour. On the other end of the line, crusty veteran transit policeman Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) has his hands full dealing with the mayor's office and his hotheaded fellow cops, while also trying to deliver the ransom before the deadline expires.
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  • The Polar Express
    9

    The Polar Express

    Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Nona Gaye
    220 votes
    In the enchanting animation, The Polar Express, a young boy (Daryl Sabara) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole aboard a magical train. Tom Hanks lends his voice to multiple roles, including the charismatic Conductor and the mysterious Hobo. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film is a captivating mix of adventure and fantasy that won three Oscar nominations. With its groundbreaking motion capture technology, The Polar Express offers viewers a visually stunning trip into the heart of Christmas wonderment without revealing Santa's biggest secret.
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  • Emperor of the North
    10

    Emperor of the North

    Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine
    128 votes
    A legendary hobo, A No.1 (Lee Marvin) is renowned for his expertise in riding the rails for free, but he meets his match with Shack (Ernest Borgnine), a fierce railroad conductor who mercilessly kicks stowaways off of his train. Joined by brash young hobo Cigaret (Keith Carradine), A No.1 manages to elude Shack but issues a challenge to the heavily armed conductor, announcing that he will ride the train for its entire route, leading to a violent showdown between the two strong-willed men.
  • Strangers on a Train
    11

    Strangers on a Train

    Robert Walker, Farley Granger, Ruth Roman
    125 votes
    In the suspenseful thriller, Strangers on a Train, tennis star Guy Haines (Farley Granger) encounters eccentric Bruno Antony (Robert Walker) during a chance meeting on a train. A conversation ensues, with Antony proposing an unthinkable pact: murder swapping. The chilling plot spirals when Antony takes their conversation as a binding agreement and acts upon it, plunging Haines into an unfathomable dilemma. Directed by the renowned Alfred Hitchcock, this film is a masterwork of tension and terror. It was nominated for the Best Cinematography award at the 1952 Academy Awards.
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  • The Lady Vanishes
    12

    The Lady Vanishes

    Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Dame May Whitty
    47 votes
    On a train headed for England a group of travelers is delayed by an avalanche. Holed up in a hotel in a fictional European country, young Iris (Margaret Lockwood) befriends elderly Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty). When the train resumes, Iris suffers a bout of unconsciousness and wakes to find the old woman has disappeared. The other passengers ominously deny Miss Froy ever existed, so Iris begins to investigate with another traveler (Michael Redgrave) and, as the pair sleuth, romantic sparks fly.
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  • Snowpiercer
    13

    Snowpiercer

    Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton
    120 votes
    In Snowpiercer, a dystopian thriller, the remnants of humanity (post-apocalyptic ice age) reside aboard a perpetually moving train. Curtis Everett (Chris Evans), a passenger from the impoverished tail section, leads a rebellion against the oppressive front car passengers. Namgoong Minsoo (Song Kang-ho), a security specialist, aids in their tumultuous journey. Tilda Swinton shines as Minister Mason, the train's cruel authority figure. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this film won multiple awards for its vivid storytelling and stark social commentary. Its unique premise and memorable characters make it an engaging watch.
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  • The General
    14

    The General

    Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender
    128 votes
    One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny's fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton's boundless wit and dexterity.
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  • Train to Busan
    15

    Train to Busan

    Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok
    64 votes
    A man (Gong Yoo), his estranged daughter and other passengers become trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak in South Korea.
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  • From Russia with Love
    16

    From Russia with Love

    Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw
    87 votes
    In the heart-pounding thriller From Russia with Love, James Bond (Sean Connery) returns, tasked with a high-stakes mission. Bond is sent to assist in the defection of Soviet consulate clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi), who claims to have fallen for him from afar. Little does he know, it's a trap laid by SPECTRE, an international crime syndicate seeking revenge on 007 for his prior exploits. With exotic Istanbul as a backdrop and featuring a memorable boat chase scene, this film won the BAFTA Award for Best British Art Direction (Color). A classic Bond adventure filled with danger, deceit, and daring escapes.
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  • Breakheart Pass
    17

    Breakheart Pass

    Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Jill Ireland
    76 votes
    When diphtheria breaks out at Fort Humboldt, a train is dispatched with medical supplies and relief troops. Also on board are Utah's governor (Richard Crenna), his mistress (Jill Ireland), a marshal (Ben Johnson) and his prisoner, outlaw John Deakin (Charles Bronson). As the train passes through the mountains, soldiers go missing, telegraph lines are cut and it's discovered that there is no epidemic. There's a conspiracy afoot, and it's up to Deakin, actually a federal agent, to expose it.
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  • The Taking of Pelham 123
    18

    The Taking of Pelham 123

    Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro
    148 votes
    Chaos reigns in the New York City subway system when heavily armed criminals, led by a mastermind named Ryder (John Travolta), hijack a subway train and threaten to kill everyone on board unless a large ransom is paid. Dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) uses his extensive knowledge of the transit system in a bid to outwit the hijackers and save the hostages, but one question remains: even if the hijackers get their money, how can they possibly escape?
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  • Back to the Future Part III
    19

    Back to the Future Part III

    Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen
    160 votes
    In Back to the Future Part III, the saga continues, with Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) catapulting back in time to the Old West of 1885. Stranded and desperately searching for a way home, he crosses paths with his friend's earlier incarnation, Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). The pair grapples with an assortment of Wild West challenges, including run-ins with infamous outlaw Buford Mad Dog Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson). With clockwork precision, director Robert Zemeckis weaves comedy, action and sci-fi into this final installment of the iconic trilogy. This film won a Saturn Award for Best Music, further amplifying its status as a timeless classic.
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  • Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
    20

    Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

    Steven Seagal, Eric Bogosian, Katherine Heigl
    125 votes
    Former U.S. Navy SEAL Casey Ryback (Steven Seagal) has left the armed forces to lead a quiet life as a chef in Denver. While taking time off from his new job, Ryback decides to go on a scenic train trip with his niece Sarah (Katherine Heigl). When the arrival of evil genius Travis Dane (Eric Bogosian) and an international team of hijackers interrupts their relaxing journey through the majestic Rocky Mountains, Ryback must get involved and save the day.
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  • The Great Train Robbery
    21

    The Great Train Robbery

    Broncho Billy Anderson, Alfred C. Abadie, Donald Gallaher
    66 votes
    The Great Train Robbery is a 1903 American silent short Western film written, produced, and directed by Edwin S. Porter, a former Edison Studios cameraman. Actors in the movie included Alfred C. Abadie, Broncho Billy Anderson and Justus D. Barnes, although there were no credits. Though a Western, it was filmed in Milltown, New Jersey. At ten minutes long, The Great Train Robbery film is considered a milestone in film making, expanding on Porter's previous work Life of an American Fireman. The film used a number of innovative techniques including composite editing, camera movement and on location shooting. The film is one of the earliest to use the technique of cross cutting, in which two scenes appear to occur simultaneously but in different locations. Some prints were also hand colored in certain scenes. Techniques used in The Great Train Robbery were inspired by those used in Frank Mottershaw's British film A Daring Daylight Burglary, released earlier in the year. Film historians now largely consider The Great Train Robbery to be the first American action film and the first Western film with a "recognizable form".
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  • Murder on the Orient Express
    22

    Murder on the Orient Express

    Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer
    56 votes
    A lavish trip through Europe quickly unfolds into a race against time to solve a murder aboard a train. When an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks, the world's greatest detective -- Hercule Poirot -- arrives to interrogate all passengers and search for clues before the killer can strike again.
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  • Source Code
    23

    Source Code

    Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga
    115 votes
    In Source Code, Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a US Army helicopter pilot who wakes up in another man's body, on a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. The thriller unfolds as Stevens relives the same eight minutes over and over again, in an experimental government program known as the Source Code. Vera Farmiga plays military officer Colleen Goodwin, tasked with guiding Stevens through his perplexing journey. With each reset, he uncovers more about the bomb, his own life, and the enigmatic Source Code.
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  • Once Upon a Time in the West
    24

    Once Upon a Time in the West

    Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson
    73 votes
    In the sprawling epic Once Upon a Time in the West, Harmonica (Charles Bronson), a mysterious harmonica-playing gunman, faces off against cruel assassin Frank (Henry Fonda) amidst the dust and danger of the American frontier. As these two forces clash, Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale), a newly widowed woman, finds herself caught in their deadly game. Directed by Sergio Leone, this iconic western won the David di Donatello for Best Director and is renowned for its stirring Ennio Morricone score and stunning cinematography that paints a vivid picture of life on the untamed frontier.
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  • The Girl on the Train
    25

    The Girl on the Train

    Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson
    17 votes
    Commuter Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) catches daily glimpses of a seemingly perfect couple, Scott and Megan, from the window of her train. One day, Watson witnesses something shocking unfold in the backyard of the strangers' home. Rachel tells the authorities what she thinks she saw after learning that Megan is now missing and feared dead. Unable to trust her own memory, the troubled woman begins her own investigation, while police suspect that Rachel may have crossed a dangerous line.
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  • The Commuter
    26

    The Commuter

    Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson
    36 votes
    Insurance salesman Michael is on his daily commute home, which quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger, Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on the train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realizes a deadly plan is unfolding, and he is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that carries life and death stakes for everyone on the train.
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  • Transsiberian
    27

    Transsiberian

    Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley
    83 votes
    On their way home from China, married Christian missionaries Roy (Woody Harrelson) and Jessie (Emily Mortimer) take a train from Beijing to Moscow. On board, they befriend Carlos (Eduardo Noriega) and Abby (Kate Mara). When Roy does not return in time at one stop, Jessie waits for him to catch up at the next station. Carlos and Abby stay with her, insisting the town is unsafe, however Carlos' attempts to "befriend" Jessie radically change the dynamic of the trip.
  • The Narrow Margin
    28

    The Narrow Margin

    Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, Jacqueline White
    35 votes
    Tense story of a tough cop attempting to transport the widow of a gangster to the trial in which she'll testify. They undertake a rail journey from Chicago to Los Angeles with their lives constantly under threat from hit men on the train, who will stop at nothing to prevent her from testifying.
  • Union Pacific
    29

    Union Pacific

    Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Akim Tamiroff
    47 votes
    Veteran Dick Allen (Robert Preston) and gambler Sid Campeau (Brian Donlevy) plot to derail the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad at the behest of crooked banker Asa M. Barrows, a major investor in a competing railroad line who will profit from any delay. Meanwhile, Allen and his old friend, railroad boss Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea), compete for the attention of Mollie Monahan (Barbara Stanwyck), beautiful postmistress and daughter of the railroad engineer.
  • Broken Arrow
    30

    Broken Arrow

    John Travolta, Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis
    82 votes
    Air Force pilots Vic Deakins (John Travolta) and Riley Hale (Christian Slater) are sent on an overnight top-secret mission with two nuclear weapons aboard their aircraft. But, after they are in the air, Deakins changes the plan. He attempts to kill Hale and then steals the weapons with the intent of selling them to terrorists. However, Hale survives the crash and meets up with park ranger Terry Carmichael (Samantha Mathis). Together, Hale and Terry attempt to thwart Deakins' plan.
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