d++ Henry Cavill Reveals His Lifelong Love for 1982 Cult Comedy ‘Airplane II: The Sequel’
Henry Cavill has built a career playing some of cinema’s most iconic and stoic heroes — Superman in Man of Steel, Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes, and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. But away from the cape and the swords, the British actor harbors an unexpected passion: a slapstick cult comedy from the early ’80s that he says never fails to make him laugh.
That movie is “Airplane II: The Sequel,” the 1982 follow-up to the legendary parody film Airplane! Packed with zany gags, deadpan one-liners, and outrageous space-age spoofing, the film has long divided critics but earned a loyal following. Among its most enthusiastic fans? Cavill himself.
“I Could Watch It 100 Times and Still Laugh Like a Kid”
In a candid interview, Cavill admitted that Airplane II remains one of his ultimate comfort watches.
“I could watch it 100 times and still laugh like a kid,” he said. “It’s ridiculous, it’s over the top, and that’s exactly why I love it. No matter what mood I’m in, it just lifts me up.”
Friends say Cavill’s love for the movie sometimes shows up on set in surprising ways. Known for his disciplined approach to acting and his commanding screen presence, the star reportedly lightens the mood by quoting lines from the film when the cameras stop rolling.
“Henry has this very serious presence,” one co-star shared, “but when he starts mimicking those Airplane II jokes, everyone breaks down. It’s not what you expect from him — and that’s what makes it so great.”
A Window Into Cavill’s Playful Side
For an actor often associated with larger-than-life, brooding characters, Cavill’s affection for a goofy, fast-paced parody is an unexpected — and endearing — revelation. It shows that beneath his polished action-hero image is someone who still relishes the joy of simple, silly humor.
Industry insiders say this love of comedy may help explain Cavill’s range as an actor. While he’s drawn to intense, commanding roles, he’s also comfortable leaning into lighter, more self-aware moments — something audiences have glimpsed in interviews and off-screen appearances.
Nostalgia That Stuck
Cavill’s appreciation for Airplane II stretches back to his childhood, when the film’s irreverent humor first captured his imagination. Over the years, it has remained a go-to movie whenever he needs to unwind.
In an era when actors are often asked about the serious works that inspired them, Cavill’s candid affection for a quirky space parody feels refreshingly down-to-earth. It’s a reminder that even Hollywood’s biggest stars have their own comfort films — and sometimes, the stories that stay with us aren’t the most prestigious, but the ones that make us laugh until we can’t breathe.
For Cavill, that movie just happens to be a decades-old, delightfully ridiculous sequel — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
