The glitz and glam of Hollywood can make many things appear much better than they are in real life. Luckily, this is not the case when it comes to skydiving. Whether you have a tandem skydive planned or are trying to get over nerves and make a reservation, this list of skydiving films will definitely rev your “ready to skydive” engine.

For years, Skydive Perris has been the go-to skydiving destination for Hollywood’s top directors. In fact, Skydive Perris is the leading skydiving center in the world when it comes to providing the aircraft and skydiving-video expertise needed to make the best motion-picture skydiving scenes. 

Here are some of our favorites:

The Bucket List

Prior to this film, the term ‘bucket list’ was infrequently used. But after the film’s debut, it has become colloquial. Starring movie legends Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, The Bucket List details two cancer-ridden men from very different walks of life on the adventure of a lifetime, attempting to complete a list of things they’d like to do before they die. 

In the movie, one of the items on Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers’ (Morgan Freemans) bucket list just happens to be skydiving. To cross this item off their list — in a highly iconic scene from this film — the unlikely pair make a tandem skydive. A little-known fact is that this scene was shot at Skydive Perris from one of our very own tailgate aircraft, a Short SC7 Skyvan.  Ready to watch? Check out this skydiving movie on Netflix.

Honeymoon in Vegas

In the comedy Honeymoon in Vegas, hapless private investigator Jack Singer, played by Nicholas Cage, accidentally hops aboard an aircraft carrying the Flying Elvis Skydivers. Undoubtedly, this is one of the funniest skydiving scenes out there. Watch this skydiving movie, and then come to Skydive Perris to spot that plane yourself! The silver DC-3 that carries the troupe to altitude came from Skydive Perris. 

Point Break

While not filmed at Skydive Perris, Point Break makes our list of skydiving films because it can be credited with several legendary skydiving scenes that have inspired tens of thousands to take to the skies. Point Break is not directly centered on skydiving or a group of die-hard skydivers like Cutaway (2000), but a particularly notable feature of the original Point Break is the abnormally long skydiving scenes, which put skydiving in a primary position while still being separate from the larger context of the film’s plot. 

As an adrenaline-filled, action-driven crime thriller, Point Break is a must-see skydiving film.

Mission Impossible: Fallout

The Mission Impossible saga has captivated audiences for over a decade. The sixth installment of the series, Mission Impossible: Fallout, features one of the most remarkable skydiving scenes ever filmed. As the first actor to do a HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump on camera, Tom Cruise cemented his position as a radical skydiving film icon. How was the jump captured? This epic skydiving scene was filmed by none other than Skydive Perris’ own Craig O’Brien, one of the most legendary figures in skydiving videography today!

James Corden Skydives with Tom Cruise

Okay, so this isn’t exactly a terminal velocity film, but it is a skydiving video that took the internet by storm. Netting over 25 million views, Tom Cruise’s skydive with James Corden was a viral sensation. If you’ve got a serious case of the jitters, this video is perfect to help you relax for your upcoming skydive. The kicker? It was also shot right here at Skydive Perris.

Want to find out more about skydiving films? Head to our Movie Production Page to learn more.

The post Movies that will get you excited for skydiving appeared first on Skydive Perris.

Skydive Perris is the largest skydiving center on the West Coast (and one of the largest in the world), and that’s not just because we’re the closest one to Hollywood. Indeed, the film industry has trusted Perris for many decades, a fact proven in our extensive list of screen credits. Whether it was a major motion picture in Iron Man and Godzilla, a commercial in Bud Light, or a TV show, webisode and independent film, we’ve helped scores of projects get (quite literally) off the ground. More skydiving sequences have been filmed at Perris — for screens big and small — than anywhere else in the world, and here’s why.

Great Location for a Film Office

Skydive Perris is the only US-based dropzone with a department dedicated to working with Hollywood, and it’s the closest skydiving center to LA’s Studio Zone. Because of that, film producers benefit from the one-stop-shop convenience that Perris provides. It’s also an ideal location for filming — a private desert airport with extensive land and isolated areas to provide privacy for Hollywood’s biggest celebrity actors and singers, from Tom Cruise to Miley Cyrus.

Myriad of Aircraft

Skydive Perris has the largest fleet of jump planes in the nation, all of which have been heavily featured in the movies, including a beautiful DC-9 Passenger Jet that’s perfect for filming inside and out. Skydive Perris is home to several other kinds of aircraft, including small passenger planes, cargo planes with rear-exit tailgates, World War I replicas and hot air balloons. Several aircraft are even large enough to provide interior space for an entire film crew.

There’s the DeHavilland DHC6 Twin Otter that Skydive Perris was the first to purchase and operate in 1981. The Douglas DC-3, popularized through James Bond films. The Shorts SC7 Skyvans, our most popular and spacious plane for filming purposes. With all these and more, there’s a fit for all filmmakers and their crew. 

Rentals, Props & Vehicles

Even aside from the long list of aircraft that calls the Skydive Perris campus its home, the dropzone offers productions a full range of other vehicles to rent: a fire truck, classic cars, man lifts, golf carts and anything else you may need for the shoot. The Pro Shop offers parachuting equipment and accessories for rent and sale, including full military/HALO outfits, specialized military gear and non-functioning parachutes/rigs to be used as props.

And if you’re looking for a space optimal for stunt coordination without jumping mid-air, the indoor wind tunnel at Perris is perfect to rent. It’s the only wind tunnel on a dropzone in California, and can be used for freefall illusions or air suspension.

Talent

Every major freefall cinematographer in the world has shot at Skydive Perris. One of the very best in the business, Craig O’Brien (the cinematographer who shot skydiving sequences for Iron Man 3, Godzilla, Mission Impossible, and The Bucket List) occupies an office right here on the dropzone. In addition to Craig — as well as the revolving cast of fellow aerial cinematographers who visit to do their work — Skydive Perris is proud of its full staff of experienced helmet-cam videographers who jump at the dropzone all day, every day, filming tandem jumps and other extraordinary skydives.

We help match talent to the project in front of the camera, as well. Perris’ film office works closely with a cadre of professional stunt coordinators and aerial coordinators to make sure each production looks great and is done safely, and we’re incredibly proud of the many times our dropzone has made an appearance in Hollywood’s bright lights. If you’re ready for the ultimate filming package, from pre-flight training to prop resources and post-production catering at our Bombshelter Bar and Grill, we’d love to see you here too!

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