Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Kernel Score: 82% · 2,156 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy
Released: 1987-11-26
Runtime: 92 minutes
Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles worth watching?
Must-watch. A warm, very funny Thanksgiving road comedy about a tense businessman stuck traveling with a chatty salesman. The leads are terrific, and it has more heart than most comedies of its time.
Watch it if you
- like buddy comedies with heart
- love 80s John Hughes films
- want a classic holiday watch
Skip it if you
- dislike crude jokes and profanity
- want modern pacing
Best for: Thanksgiving week
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+, YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An irritable marketing executive, Neal Page, is heading home to Chicago for Thanksgiving when a number of delays force him to travel with a well meaning but overbearing shower curtain ring salesman, Del Griffith.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a comedy with crude humor and some profanity as two mismatched travelers try to get home.
- Language: Moderate — Includes a notably profanity-heavy comedic outburst and crude language typical of an R-rated comedy.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — Some incidental smoking/drinking references are implied by the setting.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles
If you liked Planes, Trains and Automobiles, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) — 86%: Another John Hughes comedy with a charming lead.
- The Breakfast Club (1985) — 87%: Another John Hughes film with real heart.
- Back to the Future (1985) — 95%: Fun, beloved 80s comedy adventure.
- Sideways (2004) — 79%: Two mismatched friends on a road trip.
- Dumb and Dumber (1994) — 73%: Goofy road-trip comedy with a mismatched pair.
- The Great Dictator (1940) — 91%: Classic comedy with heart under the jokes.
Director
Cast
- Steve Martin as Neal Page
- John Candy as Del Griffith
- Laila Robins as Susan Page
- Michael McKean as State Trooper
- Dylan Baker as Owen
- Kevin Bacon as Taxi Racer
- Olivia Burnette as Marti Page
- Carol Bruce as Joy Page
- Diana Douglas as Peg
- Martin Ferrero as Motel Clerk
Planes, Trains and Automobiles FAQ
Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles worth watching?
Must-watch. A warm, very funny Thanksgiving road comedy about a tense businessman stuck traveling with a chatty salesman. The leads are terrific, and it has more heart than most comedies of its time.
Where can I watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles?
In the US you can stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Fubo, Paramount+ and YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles OK for kids?
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a comedy with crude humor and some profanity as two mismatched travelers try to get home.
What movies are like Planes, Trains and Automobiles?
If you liked Planes, Trains and Automobiles, try Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future and Sideways.