1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
A young Indiana Jones (played by River Phoenix) steals a priceless artefact from a gang of criminals and then escapes via a circus train. During the chase he fights off the criminals, almost gets impaled by a rhino, develops a life-long fear of snakes and acquires his iconic whip and hat.
2. From Russia with Love (1963)
A brutal fight scene between Bond (Sean Connery) and SPECTRE agent Grant (Robert Shaw) in a cramped carriage on board the Orient Express.
With a gun turned on him and the realisation that Grant is an imposter, Bond utters the immortal line: "Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something."
3. The General (1926)
Classic Buster Keaton film that features nearly every stunt imaginable on a train, including a chase sequence, clearing railroad tie from the tracks (whilst riding on front of a train), plus one of the most expensive set pieces in silent film history, whereby a collapsing bridge sends a real train plummeting into a ravine.
4. Back to the Future: part III (1990)
In the year 1885, Dr Emmet Brown (Christopher Lloyd) uses a concoction of homemade fuel to propel a stream locomotive up to 88mph as an improvised method of propelling the DeLorean time machine. He later retrofits the same train into a new, hovering time machine and flies off in search of a new adventure.
5. Stand by Me (1986)
“Train dodge”
Gordie (Will Wheaton), Chris (River Phoenix - making a second appearance on the list), Teddy (Corey Feldman) and Vern (Jerry O’Connell) decide to risk crossing a ravine using a train track only to then almost get taken out by an oncoming train.
6. Mission Impossible (1996)
At the film’s climax, a helicopter pursues a high speed train into the Channel Tunnel where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) – navigating his way across the top of the train – eventually manages to blow it up (along with a double crossing Jon Voight) with the aid of some explosive chewing gum.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
“Get your hands off my lobby boy!”
During their journey via train to the reading of Madame D’s will, Gustav (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) are accosted by the Lutz military police, leading to an on board scuffle as Gustav tries to protect his young protégé.
8. Inception (2010)
“You’re waiting for a train.”
Upon entering the penultimate dream, Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) – haunted by visions of his deceased wife (Marion Cotillard) who repeatedly infiltrates his unconscious – watches helplessly as freight train unexpectedly appears and ploughs through the centre of a busy street.
9. Trains Planes and Automobiles (1987)
After finally parting company with Del (John Candy) following a nightmare trip, Neal (Steve Martin) travels back to Chicago for Thanksgiving.
On the way he reflects on Del’s situation, eventually leading to one of the most poignant scenes in all of John Hughes movies.
10. Spirited Away (2001)
After the carnage in the bathhouse, Chihiro travels by train to return a valuable item to Yubaba’s sister. On the way she is accompanied by Noface, a fly and a hamster thing, on board a carriage occupied by shadowy spirits.
If you haven’t seen it, it all makes sense in the end!
