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{{Short description|1986 action drama film by Tony Scott}}
{{about|the 1986 film|the sequel|Top Gun: Maverick{{!}}''Top Gun: Maverick''|other uses}}
{{use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date= January 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Top Gun
| image          = Top Gun Movie.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Tony Scott]]
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jim Cash]]
* [[Jack Epps Jr.]]
}}
| based_on       = {{based on|"Top Guns"|Ehud Yonay}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Don Simpson]]
* [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]
}}
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[Tom Cruise]]
* [[Kelly McGillis]]
* [[Val Kilmer]]
* [[Anthony Edwards (actor)|Anthony Edwards]]
* [[Tom Skerritt]]}}<!--NAMES ON POSTER ONLY-->
| cinematography = [[Jeffrey L. Kimball]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Chris Lebenzon]]
* [[Billy Weber]]
}}
| music          = [[Harold Faltermeyer]]
| studio         = [[Jerry Bruckheimer Films|Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films]]
| distributor    = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|1986|5|12|New York City|1986|5|16|United States}}
| runtime        = 109 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $15 million
| gross          = $357.4 million<ref name=BOM>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=tt0092099 |title=Top Gun |access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref>
}}

'''''Top Gun''''' is a 1986 American [[Action-drama|action drama film]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Gun (1986) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57496-TOP-GUN |publisher=American Film Institute |access-date=December 1, 2022}}</ref> directed by [[Tony Scott]] and produced by [[Don Simpson]] and [[Jerry Bruckheimer]], with distribution by [[Paramount Pictures]]. The screenplay was written by [[Jim Cash]] and [[Jack Epps Jr.]], and was inspired by an article titled "Top Guns", written by Ehud Yonay and published in ''[[California (magazine, defunct 1991)|California]]'' magazine three years earlier. It stars [[Tom Cruise]] as [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] [[Pete "Maverick" Mitchell]], a young [[Naval aviator (United States)|naval aviator]] aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}. He and his [[radar intercept officer]], [[Lieutenant (junior grade)]] Nick "Goose" Bradshaw ([[Anthony Edwards (actor)|Anthony Edwards]]), are given the chance to train at the [[United States Navy]]'s [[United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program|Fighter Weapons School]] (Top Gun) at [[Marine Corps Air Station Miramar#Naval Air Station|Naval Air Station Miramar]] in [[San Diego, California]]. [[Kelly McGillis]], [[Val Kilmer]] and [[Tom Skerritt]] also appear in supporting roles.

When ''Top Gun'' was released on May 16, 1986,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Avery|date=2021-08-19|title='Top Gun 2': The Release Date & All The Latest Updates About The Sequel|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/top-gun-2-4500139/|access-date=2021-08-27|website=Hollywood Life|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="bomweekly" /> although its visual effects and soundtrack were universally acclaimed, the film initially received mixed reviews from film critics. Despite this, four weeks after its release, the number of theaters showing it increased by 45 percent,<ref name=bomweekly>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=topgun.htm |title=Top Gun Weekly |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2017-05-25 |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622143410/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=topgun.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and it overcame initial critical resistance to become a huge commercial hit, grossing $357.4  million dollars globally against a production budget of $15 million. ''Top Gun'' was the highest-grossing domestic film of 1986,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers - Top-Grossing Movies of 1986 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1986/top-grossing-movies |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=The Numbers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 20 Highest Grossing Movies of 1986 |url=http://www.imdb.com/list/ls057842080/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=IMDb}}</ref> as well as the [[1986 in film|highest-grossing film of 1986]] worldwide.

The film maintained its popularity over the years and earned an [[IMAX]] 3D re-release in 2013, while the retrospective critical reception became more positive, with the film also emerging as a [[Cult film|cult classic]]. Additionally, the [[Top Gun (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the film has since become one of the most popular film soundtracks to date, reaching [[RIAA certification|9× Platinum certification]]. The film won both an [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Academy Award]] and a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Golden Globe]] for "[[Take My Breath Away]]" performed by [[Berlin (band)|Berlin]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Remember Top Gun's song 'Take My Breath Away' in 1986? Exclusive interview with John Crawford of Berlin |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/take-my-breath-away-top-gun-berlin-interview/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402031013/https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/take-my-breath-away-top-gun-berlin-interview/ |archivedate=April 2, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2022 |website=the-shortlisted.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2015, the United States [[Library of Congress]] selected the film for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]], finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-top-gun-enter-national-849092 |title='Ghostbusters,' 'Top Gun,' 'Shawshank' Enter National Film Registry |author=Mike Barnes |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408142727/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-top-gun-enter-national-849092 |url-status=live }}</ref> A sequel, ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'', in which Cruise and Kilmer reprised their roles, was released 36 years later on May 27, 2022 to widespread critical acclaim<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Tom Cruise's rare feat: Reviving Maverick, 36 years later |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/movies/2022/05/25/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick/ |work=washingtonpost.com}}</ref> and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=It's Too Soon for 'Top Gun 3' to Take Off |url=https://collider.com/top-gun-3-movie/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
<!-- NOTE: According to WP:FILMPLOT guidelines, plot summaries for featured film articles should be 400-700 words. -->
[[U.S. Navy]] [[Naval aviator (United States)|Naval Aviator]] [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] [[Pete "Maverick" Mitchell]] and his [[radar intercept officer|Radar Intercept Officer]] (RIO) [[Lieutenant (junior grade)|Lieutenant Junior Grade]] Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, stationed in the [[Indian Ocean]] aboard {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}, fly the [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]]. During an interception with two hostile [[MiG-28]]s,{{efn|group=A|Fictional planes portrayed by [[Northrop F-5]]s}} Maverick missile-locks on one, while the other hostile locks onto Maverick's wingman, Cougar. Maverick drives it off, but Cougar is so shaken that Maverick, despite being low on fuel, defies orders to land first, so he can shepherd him back to the carrier. As a result, Cougar resigns his commission, and loses his opportunity to attend [[United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program|Top Gun]], the Naval Fighter Weapons School at [[Naval Air Station Miramar]]. Maverick and Goose are sent in his place by [[Commander, Air Group|CAG]] "Stinger," but not without getting a reprimand for disobeying the landing order.

Before the first day of instruction, Maverick unsuccessfully approaches a woman at a bar. He learns the next day she is an [[Astrophysics|astrophysicist]] and civilian Top Gun instructor, Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. She becomes interested in Maverick upon learning of his inverted maneuver with a MiG-28. In Maverick's first training hop, he flies below {{Convert|10000|ft}}, breaking a major [[rule of engagement]], to defeat instructor Lieutenant Commander Rick "Jester" Heatherly. Maverick and Goose also buzz the control tower when specifically told not to do so. They are reprimanded by the Top Gun Commanding Officer, Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf.

Privately, Jester tells Viper that while he admires Maverick's skill, he is not sure if he would trust him in combat. In class, Charlie objects to Maverick's aggressive tactics against the MiG-28, but privately tells him she admires his flying; they begin a romantic relationship.

On training Hop 19, Maverick abandons his wingman, "Hollywood," to chase Viper. As a result, first Hollywood, and then Maverick, are defeated in a demonstration of the value of teamwork. Jester tells Maverick his flying is excellent, but criticizes him for leaving his wingman. Maverick's rival, Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, calls his behavior "foolish," "dangerous," and worse than the enemy, to which Maverick responds, "I am dangerous."

Maverick and Iceman, the leading contenders for the Top Gun Trophy, chase an [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4]] in Hop 31. As Iceman has trouble getting a lock on the A-4, Maverick pressures him to break off so that he can move into firing position. However, Maverick's F-14 flies through Iceman's [[Wake turbulence|jet wash]] and suffers a [[flameout]] of both engines, going into an unrecoverable [[Flat spin (aviation)|flat spin]]. Maverick and Goose [[ejection seat|eject]], but Goose slams into the jettisoned [[aircraft canopy]] and is killed by the impact.

The board of inquiry clears Maverick of any wrongdoing, but he is shaken and guilt-ridden, and considers quitting. He seeks advice from Viper, who flew with Maverick's father in the [[Vietnam War]] air battle where he was killed. Contrary to official reports faulting Mitchell, Viper says he died heroically. He tells Maverick he can succeed if he regains his self-confidence. Maverick chooses to graduate and congratulates Iceman, who has won the Top Gun Trophy. Iceman, Hollywood, and Maverick receive immediate deployment orders to deal with a crisis situation; they are sent to ''Enterprise'' to provide air support for the rescue of the SS ''Layton'', a disabled communication ship that drifted into hostile waters.

Aboard ''Enterprise'', Iceman and Hollywood are assigned to provide air cover, with Maverick and RIO Merlin on standby. Iceman expresses his concerns to Stinger about Maverick's mental state, but is told to just do his job. Iceman and Hollywood are pulled into a [[dogfight]] with what first appear to be two MiGs, but turn out to be six. After Hollywood is shot down and parachutes to safety, Maverick is scrambled alone due to catapult failure. He goes into a spin after encountering another jet wash, but recovers. Shaken, he breaks off temporarily, but then re-engages and shoots down three MiGs. Iceman destroys a fourth, and the remaining two MiGs withdraw. Upon their triumphant return to ''Enterprise'', the pilots share their newfound respect for one another. Finally confident and able to let go of the guilt caused by the training accident, Maverick later throws Goose's [[dog tags]] overboard.

Offered the choice of any assignment, Maverick chooses to return to Top Gun as an instructor. He and Charlie reunite at a bar in Miramar.

== Cast ==
<!-- opening credits title card billing -->
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Tom Cruise]] as LT [[Pete "Maverick" Mitchell]]: A U.S. Navy aviator assigned to Top Gun. The character was loosely based on [[Duke Cunningham]] and his accomplishments during the Vietnam War.<ref>{{Cite web |last=tamera.twitty@gazette.com |first=TAMERA TWITTY |title='Top Gun' inspiration, presidentially pardoned Randy 'Duke' Cunningham speaks in Colorado Springs |url=https://gazette.com/military/top-gun-inspiration-presidentially-pardoned-randy-duke-cunningham-speaks-in-colorado-springs/article_f58b23d2-b04f-11eb-b95e-b7929844bd46.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=May 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kelly McGillis]] as Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood: Instructor of Top Gun and Maverick's love interest. The character is based on a real-life person, [[Christine Fox]], who worked at [[Marine Corps Air Station Miramar|Naval Air Station Miramar]].<ref name=Richman1985>{{cite news|last=Richman|first=Alan|title=Air Warfare Expert Christine Fox—Fighter Pilots Call Her "Legs"—Inspires the New Movie Top Gun| url= http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,20091443,00.html|access-date=December 22, 2013| work=People |date=August 5, 1985| page= 115| archive-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616055144/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,20091443,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Val Kilmer]] as LT Tom "Iceman" Kazansky: Top Gun's best student and Maverick's rival turned wingman. 
* [[Anthony Edwards (actor)|Anthony Edwards]] as [[Lieutenant (junior grade)|LTJG]] Nick "Goose" Bradshaw: Maverick's radar intercept officer and best friend.
* [[Tom Skerritt]] as [[Commander (United States)|CDR]] Mike "Viper" Metcalf: Commanding officer and instructor of Top Gun. A veteran of the [[Vietnam War]] who served with Duke Mitchell, Maverick's father. The character was based on a real person: Rear Admiral [[Pete Pettigrew|Pete "Viper" Pettigrew]], a former Navy aviator, Vietnam War veteran and Top Gun instructor, who served as a technical advisor on the film and also makes a cameo appearance in the film as a colleague of Charlie's.
<!-- 3 at a time -->
* [[Michael Ironside]] as [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|LCDR]] Rick "Jester" Heatherly: A Naval Aviator, and Top Gun instructor
* [[John Stockwell (actor)|John Stockwell]] as LT Bill "Cougar" Cortell: Maverick's former wingman
* [[Barry Tubb]] as LTJG Leonard "Wolfman" Wolfe: Hollywood's radar intercept officer
* [[Rick Rossovich]] as LTJG Ron "Slider" Kerner: Iceman's radar intercept officer
* [[Tim Robbins]] as LTJG Sam "Merlin" Wells: Cougar's radar intercept officer (later Maverick's during the climax)
* [[Clarence Gilyard]] as LTJG Marcus "Sundown" Williams: Chipper's radar intercept officer (later Maverick's during the end of training)
<!-- co-starring, 3 at a time -->
* [[Whip Hubley]] as LT Rick "Hollywood" Neven: A student from Top Gun and Iceman's wingman during the climax
* [[James Tolkan]] as CDR Tom "Stinger" Jardian: Commander of the [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS ''Enterprise'']] Carrier Air Group
* [[Meg Ryan]] as Carole Bradshaw (wife of LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw)
<!-- opening credits billing ends here -->
* [[Adrian Pasdar]] as LT Charles "Chipper" Piper: A Naval Aviator and student of Top Gun
* [[Duke Stroud]] as Air Boss Johnson
* [[Aaron and Adam Weis]] as Bradley Bradshaw: Goose and Carole's son (uncredited)
* [[Scott Altman]] as Lt. Scott: 'D-Bear' Altman, [[F-14]] [[aircrew]] (uncredited)
{{Div col end}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
The primary inspiration for the film was the article "Top Guns" by Ehud Yonay, from the May 1983 issue of ''[[California (magazine)|California]]'' magazine, which featured aerial photography by then-Lieutenant Commander Charles "Heater" Heatley.<ref name="Top Gun Movie -The 80s Rewind">{{cite web|url=http://www.fast-rewind.com/topgun.htm|title=Top Gun|work=fast-rewind.com|access-date=December 5, 2006|archive-date=April 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409095049/http://www.fast-rewind.com/topgun.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/top-gun-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-iconic-action-film | title='Top Gun': Behind-the-Scenes Facts About the Making of the Iconic Action Film | date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> The article detailed the life of fighter pilots at [[Marine Corps Air Station Miramar|Naval Air Station Miramar]] in [[San Diego]], self-nicknamed "Fightertown USA".<ref name="Top Guns - California Magazine">{{cite magazine |last=Yonay |first=Ehud |date=May 1983 |title=Top Guns |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_california_1983-05_8_5/page/94/mode/2up |magazine=California Magazine |location=Beverly Hills, CA |publisher=California Magazine, Inc. |page=94 |access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref> Numerous screenwriters allegedly turned down the project.<ref name="Top Gun Movie -The 80s Rewind" /> Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson went on to hire Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., to write the first draft. The research methods, by Epps, included attendance at several declassified Top Gun classes at Miramar and gaining experience by being flown in an F-14. The first draft failed to impress Bruckheimer and Simpson, and is considered to be very different from the final product in numerous ways.<ref>Special Edition DVD, Interview with Jack Epps</ref> [[David Cronenberg]] and [[John Carpenter]] were approached to direct the film, but both declined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=2022-05-16 |title=David Cronenberg Breaks Down Cannes Walkouts, His New Film's Sexuality, and Why Netflix Turns Him Down |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/david-cronenberg-cannes-interview-crimes-of-the-future-walkouts-netflix-1235267464/ |access-date= |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Brian |date=2016-03-15 |title=In Conversation With... John Carpenter |url=https://entertainment.ie/movies/movie-news/in-conversation-with-john-carpenter-235597/ |access-date= |website=[[Entertainment.ie]] |language=en}}</ref> Tony Scott was hired to direct on the strength of a commercial he had done for Swedish automaker [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] in the early 1980s, where a [[Saab 900]] turbo is shown racing a [[Saab 37 Viggen]] fighter jet.<ref>{{cite news |last=Delaney |first=Sam |date=12 June 2015 |title=Jets, jeans and Hovis |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/24/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226123953/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/24/1 |archive-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref>

Actor [[Matthew Modine]] turned down the role of Pete Mitchell because he felt the film's pro-military stance went against his politics and he chose to do ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]'' instead.<ref>Nolasco, Stephanie. [https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/full-metal-jacket-star-matthew-modine-stranger-things "'Full Metal Jacket' star Matthew Modine explains why he turned down 'Top Gun,' 'Back to the Future': The actor has said no plenty of times — with good reason,"] ''Fox News'' (July 7, 2020).</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/encounter/57174/|title=154 Minutes With Matthew Modine|date=June 15–22, 2009|last=Murphy|first=Tim|magazine=New York magazine|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105233139/http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/encounter/57174/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.salon.com/2020/08/07/matthew-modine-full-metal-jacket-top-gun-white-privilege/ | title=Matthew Modine on America's love affair with guns & what people get wrong about "Full Metal Jacket" | date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> The producers wanted Tom Cruise for the role after seeing him in ''[[Risky Business]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/top-gun-tom-cruise-anniversary-jerry-bruckheimer-1234973603/ | title='Top Gun' Turns 35: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer on Convincing Tom Cruise to Play Maverick | date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> Cruise was offered the part while he was in [[London]] filming ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]''; he was reluctant to take the part but Tony's brother [[Ridley Scott]] convinced him to take it.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/10/top-gun-30th-anniversary-tom-cruise-maverick/ | title=Tom Cruise reflects on landing his 'Top Gun' role as Maverick — exclusive clip | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref> Cruise liked the script and convinced the producers to rewrite it before starring in the film.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/tom-cruise-winging-it-2-190433/ | title=Tom Cruise: Winging It | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=June 19, 1986 }}</ref> For the role of Maverick, before Tom Cruise, [[Emilio Estevez]], [[Patrick Swayze]], [[Sean Penn]], [[Rob Lowe]], [[Charlie Sheen]], [[Michael J. Fox]] and [[Ralph Macchio]] were considered, while [[Brooke Shields]], [[Demi Moore]] and [[Julianne Phillips]] were the possible candidates for Charlie. Phillips had been scheduled to perform a screen test opposite Tom Cruise.

<!-- IRRELEVANT AND NEEDS BETTER SOURCE The character of Chipper Piper was created just for Pasdar as Scott loved his performance.<ref>Rys, Richard. [https://www.phillymag.com/news/2007/06/19/exit-interview-adrian-pasdar/Exit Interview: Adrian Pasdar] Phillymag.com (June 19, 2007).</ref>{{Better source needed}} -->Val Kilmer was reluctant to play Kazansky as he found the script "silly" and disliked warmongering in films, but took the role as he was under contractual obligations with the studio and Scott's enthusiasm on the project.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-07-23 |title=What we learned from Val Kilmer's documentary 'Val' |url=https://nypost.com/2021/07/23/what-we-learned-from-val-kilmers-documentary-val/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/movies/val-kilmer-tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick/ | title=Behind the scenes of that Val Kilmer-Tom Cruise reunion in 'Top Gun: Maverick' | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref> Kilmer's role however, turned out to be one of his best performances upon release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/val-kilmer-wasnt-interested-top-gun-originally/|title=Val Kilmer Reveals He Didn't Want to Be in 'Top Gun' Originally: 'The Story Didn't Interest Me'|first=Eric|last=Todisco|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=April 21, 2020|accessdate=January 3, 2025}}</ref>

The producers wanted the assistance of the U.S. Navy in the production of the film. The Navy was influential in relation to script approval, which resulted in changes being made.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jr |first=Jacob V. Lamar |date=1986-11-24 |title=The Pentagon Goes Hollywood |language=en-US |magazine=Time |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,962933-1,00.html |access-date=2023-03-18 |issn=0040-781X}}</ref> The opening dogfight was moved to international waters as opposed to [[Cuba]], the language was toned down, and a scene that involved a crash on the deck of an aircraft carrier was also scrapped.<ref>Special Edition DVD, Interview with the producers</ref> Maverick's love interest was also changed from a female enlisted member of the Navy to a civilian contractor with the Navy, due to the U.S. military's prohibition of fraternization between officers and enlisted personnel.<ref name="Top Gun Movie -The 80s Rewind" /> The "Charlie" character also replaced an aerobics instructor from an early draft as a love interest for Maverick after producers were introduced to [[Christine Fox|Christine "Legs" Fox]], a civilian mathematician employed by the [[Center for Naval Analyses]] as a specialist in Maritime Air Superiority (MAS), developing tactics for aircraft carrier defense.<ref name=Richman1985/>

=== Filming ===
[[File:VF-111 TOPGUN MOVIE.jpg|thumb|F-14A Tomcats of Fighter Squadrons [[VF-51]] "Screaming Eagles" and [[VF-111 (1956-95)|VF-111]] "Sundowners", and F-5E/F Tiger IIs of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, 1985]]

Filming began in [[Oceanside, California]], on June 26, 1985, with it later moving to Miramar to begin shooting scenes on the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ascmag.com/articles/flying-high-with-top-gun|title=Flying High With Top Gun|website=American Cinematographer|date=June 10, 2021|first=Les Paul|last=Robley|accessdate= September 13, 2022}}</ref> The Navy made aircraft and crew from [[Carrier Air Wing Fifteen]] (CVW-15) available for the movie, which then consisted of F-14 squadrons [[VF-51]] "Screaming Eagles" (which Mike "Viper" Metcalf mentions in the scene at his home) and [[VF-111 (1956–1995)|VF-111]] "Sundowners" (which was referenced by Marcus "Sundown" Williams' callsign and helmet design).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf051.htm|title=VF-51 Screaming Eagles|publisher=HOME OF M.A.T.S. - the most comprehensive Grumman F-14 Reference Work - by Torsten Anft!|access-date=June 21, 2023}}</ref> Paramount paid as much as US$7,800 per hour (equivalent to ${{inflation|US|7800|1985|end_year=2023|r=-2|fmt=c}} in 2023) for fuel and other operating costs whenever aircraft were flown outside their normal duties. After filming wrapped up, one of the aircraft used (BuNo 160694) was sent to the [[USS Lexington (CV-16)#USS Lexington Museum|USS ''Lexington'' Museum]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]], where it resides today.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/did-you-know-that-mavericks-top-gun-f-14-tomcat-currently-features-vf-84-jolly-rogers-paint-scheme-and-is-on-display-aboard-uss-lexington/|title=Did You Know that Maverick's Top Gun F-14 Tomcat Currently Features VF-84 Jolly Rogers Paint Scheme And Is On Display Aboard USS Lexington?|author=Dario Leone|publisher=The Aviation Geek Club|date=November 3, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2023}}</ref> Aside from the aircraft of CVW-15, F-14s of other squadrons made background appearances. Aircraft of [[VF-114]] "Aardvarks" and [[VFA-213|VF-213]] "Blacklions" appear in shots of the carrier sequences filmed aboard the ''Enterprise'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baranek |first=Dave "Bio" |url=https://archive.org/details/topgundaysdogfig0000bara/ |title=Topgun Days: Dogfighting, Cheating Death, and Hollywood Glory as One of America's Best Fighter Jocks |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=9781616080051 |location=New York |language=en |oclc=464579706 |url-access=registration}}</ref> while the fleet of [[Fighter Squadron 1 (United States Navy)|VF-1]] "Wolfpack" is visible in shots taken at Miramar. The majority of the carrier flight deck shots were of normal aircraft operations and the film crew had to take what they could get, save for the occasional flyby which the film crew would request. During filming, director Tony Scott wanted to film aircraft landing and taking off, back-lit by the sun. During one particular filming sequence, the ship's commanding officer changed the ship's course, thus changing the light. When Scott asked if they could continue on their previous course and speed, he was informed by the commander that it cost US$25,000 (equivalent to ${{inflation|US|25000|1985|end_year=2023|r=-3|fmt=c}} in 2023) to turn the ship, and to continue on course. Scott wrote the carrier's captain a check so that the ship could be turned and he could continue shooting for another five minutes.<ref>Special Edition DVD, Interview with Tony Scott and Pete Pettigrew.</ref>

[[File:Filming of Top Gun movie (01) 1985.jpg|thumb|upright=.75|Filming and [[clapperboard]] of ''Top Gun'' on July 5, 1985]]

Future [[NASA]] [[astronaut]] [[Scott Altman]] was among the pilots of VF-51<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-original-top-gun-stunt-pilot-became-an-astronaut/|title=This original Top Gun stunt pilot became an astronaut|author=Ortiz, M.|publisher=We Are The Mighty|date=5 July 2022}}</ref> who flew F-14 aircraft for many of the film's stunt sequences, having been recently stationed at [[Marine Corps Air Station Miramar|NAS Miramar]] at the time of filming. Altman was the pilot seen "[[The finger|flipping the bird]]" in the film's well-known opening sequence, as well as piloting the aircraft shown "buzzing the tower" throughout the film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/05/11/space.shuttle.altman/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |title=Former 'Top Gun' leads Hubble repair mission |author=John Zarrella |work=CNN |date=January 17, 2020 |access-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927045037/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/05/11/space.shuttle.altman/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcghs.org/photo1200.htm|title=Tazewell County Photo of the Month - December 2000|website=www.tcghs.org|access-date=January 17, 2021|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723004012/https://www.tcghs.org/photo1200.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The infamous "buzzing the tower" sequence raised concern among residents who called the base and local news media to report a "berserk pilot".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/its-time-to-buzz-the-tower-former-f-14-rio-explains-how-the-legendary-top-gun-tower-fly-by-scene-was-filmed/|title="It's time to buzz the tower:" Former F-14 RIO explains how the legendary Top Gun tower fly-by scene was filmed|author=Dario Leone|publisher=The Aviation Geek Club|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2023}}</ref>

Most of the sequences of the aircraft maneuvering over land were shot at [[Naval Air Station Fallon]], in [[Nevada]], using ground-mounted cameras.<ref name="ASC">{{cite web |last=Robley |first=Les Paul |date=May 1986 |title=Flying High With Top Gun |url=https://theasc.com/articles/flying-high-with-top-gun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219214326/https://theasc.com/articles/flying-high-with-top-gun |archive-date=19 December 2022 |publisher=[[American Society of Cinematographers]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rogers |first=Pauline |date=1998 |title=Contemporary Cinematographers on Their Art |url=https://archive.org/details/contemporarycine00roge |url-access=registration |publisher=CRC Press |pages=[https://archive.org/details/contemporarycine00roge/page/201 201-202] |isbn=9781136045776}}</ref> The majority of air-to-air filming was done using a [[Learjet]].<ref name="ASC"/> The F-14s also had cameras mounted both inside the cockpit and on six external camera mounts, which were built by [[Grumman]] for filming ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'' and modified for use on ''Top Gun''.<ref name="ASC" />

The fictitious MIG-28 enemy aircraft was depicted by the [[Northrop F-5]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/pearl-harbor-blog/northrop-f-5a-freedom-fighter-and-t-38-talon|title=Northrop F-5|publisher=pacificaviationmuseum.org|date=2012-10-11|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-date=August 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828085622/https://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/pearl-harbor-blog/northrop-f-5a-freedom-fighter-and-t-38-talon/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The film was shot in the [[Super 35]] format, as anamorphic lenses were too large to fit inside the cockpits of the fighter jets.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/americancinemato0000unse_p1a9/page/38 |title=American Cinematographer Manual |publisher=ASC Press |year=2001 |isbn=9780935578157 |editor1-last=Hummel |editor1-first=Rob |edition=8th |page=38 |access-date=May 4, 2021 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504043722/https://books.google.com/books?id=1cYYAQAAIAAJ&q=%22optics+allow+this+is+one+of+the+reasons%22 |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Reshoots after ''Top Gun''{{'}}s filming wrapped conflicted with ''[[Made in Heaven (1987 film)|Made in Heaven]]'', in which McGillis starred with brown hair. ''Top Gun''{{'s}} filmmakers were forced to hide her hair color, which for example resulted in the scene shot in an elevator featured McGillis in a baseball cap.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-14 |title=Top Gun and the End of the Homoerotic Action Movie |url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/top-gun-and-the-end-of-the-homoerotic-action-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120055352/https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/05/top-gun-and-the-end-of-the-homoerotic-action-movie/ |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=2020-12-02 |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kelly McGillis recalls 'Top Gun' love scene and 'a lot of partying' while filming |url=http://yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/movie-talk/kelly-mcgillis-recalls-top-gun-love-scene-lot-215315250.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111201547/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/movie-talk/kelly-mcgillis-recalls-top-gun-love-scene-lot-215315250.html |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=2020-12-02 |website=yahoo.com |date=February 8, 2013 |language=en-US}}</ref> While filming her scenes, McGillis had to be shoeless to match Cruise's height.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2013/02/08/kelly-mcgillis-stood-tall-in-top-gun/61007864007/|title=Kelly McGillis stood tall in 'Top Gun'|first=Gene|last=Triplett|website=The Oklahoman}}</ref>

Renowned aerobatic pilot [[Art Scholl]] was hired to do in-flight camera work for the film. The original script called for a [[Spin (flight)|flat spin]], which Scholl was to perform and capture on a camera on the aircraft. The aircraft was observed to spin through its recovery altitude, at which time Scholl radioed "I have a problem... I have a real problem". He was unable to recover from the spin and crashed his [[Pitts Special]] biplane into the [[Pacific Ocean]] off the Southern California coast near [[Carlsbad, California|Carlsbad]] on September 16, 1985. Neither Scholl's body nor his aircraft were recovered, leaving the official cause of the accident unknown.<ref>Ashurst, Sam (November 4, 2008). [http://www.totalfilm.com/features/hollywood-s-deadliest-stunts Hollywood's deadliest stunts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013105455/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/hollywood-s-deadliest-stunts |date=October 13, 2009}}. ''[[Total Film]]''.</ref> ''Top Gun'' was dedicated to Scholl's memory.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/mw95w0WFqA0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140708064213/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw95w0WFqA0&t=6m12s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw95w0WFqA0&t=6m12s|title=Top Gun – Abspann (Sat 1, 1989)|date=April 23, 2008|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==== Locations ====
The San Diego restaurant and bar [[Kansas City Barbeque]] served as a filming location for two scenes shot in July 1985. The first scene features Goose and Maverick singing "[[Great Balls of Fire]]" while seated at the piano. The final scene, where "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]{{-"}} can be heard on the restaurant's [[Wurlitzer]] jukebox, was also filmed at the restaurant. Both scenes were filmed consecutively. After the release of the movie, the restaurant went on to collect a significant amount of memorabilia from the motion picture until a kitchen fire on June 26, 2008, destroyed much of the restaurant. Some memorabilia and props, including the original piano used in the film, survived the fire, and the restaurant re-opened in November 2008.<ref name="KFMBTV">{{cite web |title=Kansas City BBQ Reopens for First Time Since Fire |url=http://www.sandiego.com/option,com_sdca/task,ln/target,story-147588-html/ |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=KFMBTV}}</ref>

In 1985, Paramount Pictures rented the Graves House, now commonly called the [[Top Gun House|''Top Gun'' House]], a historic San Diego [[Folk Victorian]]/[[Queen Anne style architecture in the United States|Queen Anne]] cottage located at 102 North Pacific Street, and used it as the home for Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Top Gun" House |url=https://oceansidehistoricalsociety.org/history-of-oceanside/top-gun-house/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Oceanside Historical Society |language=en-US}}</ref> Charlie's backyard scenes were filmed at another house located at 112 First Street (Seagaze Drive) that was behind The Graves House.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawthorne |first=K. |date=2022-06-13 |title=History of the "Top Gun" House |url=https://historiesandmysteries.blog/2022/06/13/history-of-the-top-gun-house/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=Histories and Mysteries |language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, The Graves House was relocated and later renovated into a pie shop called High Pie located at 250 North Pacific Street.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=The 'Top Gun' House Is Now a Stylish Restaurant—See Inside |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-top-gun-house-is-now-a-stylish-restaurant-see-inside |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{further|Top Gun (soundtrack)|l1=''Top Gun'' (soundtrack)}}
The ''Top Gun'' soundtrack is one of the most popular soundtracks to date, reaching [[RIAA certification|9× Platinum certification]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Top+Gun%22# |title=RIAA Searchable Gold and Platinum Database |website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=July 6, 2012}} (may have to press the Search button)</ref> and No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart for five non-consecutive weeks in the summer and fall of 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/1986-08-02/billboard-200|title=Top 200 Albums – Billboard|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623100921/http://www.billboard.com/charts/1986-08-02/billboard-200|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Harold Faltermeyer]], who previously worked with both [[Jerry Bruckheimer]] and [[Don Simpson]] on ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]'', was sent the script of ''Top Gun'' by Bruckheimer before filming began. [[Giorgio Moroder]] and [[Tom Whitlock]] worked on numerous songs including the Oscar-winning "[[Take My Breath Away]]". [[Kenny Loggins]] performed two songs on the soundtrack, "[[Playing with the Boys]]", and "[[Danger Zone (song)|Danger Zone]]". [[Berlin (band)|Berlin]] recorded the song "Take My Breath Away", which would later win numerous awards, sending the band to international acclaim. After the release of Loggins's single "Danger Zone", sales of the album exploded, selling 7 million in the [[United States]] alone. On the re-release of the soundtrack in 2000, two songs that had been omitted from the original album (and had been released many years before the film was made), "[[Great Balls of Fire]]" by [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] and "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]" by [[The Righteous Brothers]], were added. The soundtrack also includes "[[Top Gun Anthem|''Top Gun'' Anthem]]" and "Memories" by Faltermeyer, with [[Steve Stevens]] also performing on the former.

Other artists were considered for the soundtrack project but did not participate. [[Bryan Adams]] was considered as a potential candidate but refused to participate because he felt the film glorified war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Gun |url=http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/21800%7C0/Top-Gun.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215041546/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/21800%7C0/Top-Gun.html |archive-date=2013-12-15 |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> The band [[Toto (band)|Toto]] was originally meant to record "Danger Zone", and had also written and recorded a song "Only You" for the soundtrack. However, there was a dispute between Toto's lawyers and the producers of the film, paving the way for Loggins to record "Danger Zone" and "Only You" being omitted from the film entirely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toto99.com/blog2010/index.php?/archives/785-TOP-GUN-soundtrack.html|title=toto99.com – Official TOTO Website – Encyclopedia|work=toto99.com|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107223612/http://www.toto99.com/blog2010/index.php?%2Farchives%2F785-TOP-GUN-soundtrack.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, the specialized film music label La-La Land Records released a two-CD set of the soundtrack. The second disc contains the same tracks that have been made available on previous editions. But the first disc contains the complete instrumental score by Harold Faltermeyer which is officially available for the first time (only the "Top Gun Anthem" ended on the first edition of the soundtrack album with the "Memories" track added years later on the expanded and deluxe editions).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2024-10-16 |title='Top Gun', 'Days of Thunder' Expanded Scores to Be Released on Vinyl by Enjoy the Ride Records (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/top-gun-days-of-thunder-soundtrack-vinyl-enjoy-the-ride-records-1236177883/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Release ==
===Theatrical===
The film's premiere was held in New York City on May 12, 1986,<ref name=premiere>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/actor-tom-cruise-attends-the-top-gun-premiere-party-on-may-news-photo/156180769|title=Actor Tom Cruise attends the 'Top Gun' Premiere Party on May 12, 1986|access-date=July 21, 2019|last=Gallela|first=Ron|date=November 9, 2012 |via=[[Getty Images]]|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721073458/https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/actor-tom-cruise-attends-the-top-gun-premiere-party-on-may-news-photo/156180769|url-status=live}}</ref> with another held in San Diego on May 15.<ref name=AFI>{{AFI film|id=57496}}</ref>

The film opened in the United States and Canada in 1,028 theaters on May 16, 1986, a week prior to the [[Memorial Day]] weekend, which was considered a gamble at the time.<ref name=BOM/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 26, 1995|page=1|title=Fast fades follow wow bows|last=Klady|first=Leonard}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
In addition to its box office success, ''Top Gun'' went on to break further records in the then still-developing home video market. It was the first new-release blockbuster on [[VHS]] to be priced as low as $26.95 and, backed by a massive $8 million marketing campaign, including a ''Top Gun''-themed [[Diet Pepsi]] commercial,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/movies/2020/11/16/why-top-gun-sold-out-soda-company.html |title=Why ''Top Gun'' Sold Out to a Soda Company |first=James |last=Barber |website=[[Military.com]] |date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-16-ca-3708-story.html |title=''Top Gun'' Videocassette to Carry Diet Pepsi Ad |first=Dennis |last=Hunt |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 16, 1987 |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-01-22-8701060507-story.html |title=Diet Pepsi Will Pop Up as an Opening Act to ''Top Gun'' |first=Kim |last=Masters |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 22, 1987 |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>Taylor, Rod (March 1, 2005). [http://promomagazine.com/entertainmentmarketing/marketing_high_flyer/ High Flyer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505151117/http://promomagazine.com/entertainmentmarketing/marketing_high_flyer/ |date=2006-05-05}}. ''Promo''.</ref> the advance demand was such that the film became the best-selling VHS in the industry's history on pre-orders alone, with over 1.9 million units ordered before its launch on March 11, 1987.<ref name=Takeoff>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title='Top Gun' Cassettes In Record Takeoff: 1,900,000 Units|page=1|last=Bierbaum|first=Tom|date=March 4, 1987}}</ref> It eventually sold a record 2.9 million units.<ref name="price">{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0D9133FF934A25756C0A96E948260 |title=Wearing Spielberg Down To Put 'E.T.' on Cassette |author=Harmetz, Aljean |date=May 17, 1988 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504043716/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/17/movies/wearing-spielberg-down-to-put-et-on-cassette.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1995, the film premiered on a [[THX]] certified [[LaserDisc]] with a [[Dolby Digital]] AC-3 track.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-transfer-proc/156439888/ |title=Transfer process at new 'Heights' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002223406/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-transfer-proc/156439888/ |date=November 11, 1995 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |page=28 |publisher=[[San Francisco Examiner|The San Francisco Examiner]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> A Widescreen VHS release was released on September 10, 1996.<ref>{{cite news |last=King |first=Susan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107891272/letterbox-brings-wide-screen-home/ |title='Letterbox' Brings Wide Screen Home |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311215357/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107891272/letterbox-brings-wide-screen-home/ |date=August 16, 1996 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |page=96 |work=Times Staff Writer |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

The film was first released in the U.S. on [[DVD]] under Paramount Pictures on October 20, 1998, and included the film in both Widescreen (non-anamorphic [[Univisium]] 2.00:1) and Full Screen ([[open matte]]) versions.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} ''Top Gun''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s home video success was again reflected by strong DVD sales, which were furthered by a Special Collector's Edition 2-disc DVD release on December 14, 2004, in both Widescreen (anamorphic 2.39:1) and Full Screen (open matte) versions, that include new bonus features. Special features comprise [[audio commentary]] by Bruckheimer, Tony Scott and naval experts, four [[music video]]s including the "Top Gun Anthem" and "Take My Breath Away", a six-part documentary on the making of ''Top Gun'', and vintage gallery with interviews, behind-the-scenes and survival training [[featurette]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Gun Fullscreen Special Collector's Edition|url=https://www.amazon.com/Top-Gun-Full-Screen-Collectors/dp/B0002WZTPC/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.amazon.com| date=December 14, 2004 |archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504043716/https://www.amazon.com/Top-Gun-Full-Screen-Collectors/dp/B0002WZTPC/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=|url-status=live}}</ref>

Subsequently, the film was first released on a Special Collector's Edition [[Blu-ray]] disc on July 29, 2008, with the same supplemental features as the previous 2004 DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Top-Gun-Special-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B000RZGIQ8|title=Top Gun Special Collector's Edition Blu-ray|website=Amazon|date=July 29, 2008|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}</ref> A 2-disc limited edition [[3-D film|3D]] copy was issued on February 19, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liebman |first=Martin |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Top Gun 3D Blu-ray Review |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Top-Gun-3D-Blu-ray/60004/#Review |website=Blu-ray.com}}</ref> The remastered [[4K Ultra HD]] version of the film was released in Digital format on May 13, 2020, with the Blu-ray following on May 19, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Cruise Is Here to Fill Your 'Top Gun' Void |date=1 May 2020 |url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/2020/04/30/tom-cruise-here-fill-your-top-gun-void.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501232418/https://www.military.com/off-duty/2020/04/30/tom-cruise-here-fill-your-top-gun-void.html |archive-date=1 May 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Military.com]]}}</ref> It included two new special features titled ''The Legacy of Top Gun'' and ''On Your Six: Thirty Years of Top Gun'', with the remaining bonus features carrying over from previous versions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liebman |first=Martin |date=May 9, 2020 |title=Top Gun 4K Blu-ray Review |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Top-Gun-4K-Blu-ray/265018/#Review |website=Blu-ray.com}}</ref>

''Top Gun'' reached number one on the U.K. [[UK Video Charts|Official Film Chart]] based on DVD, Blu-ray, and download sales on the week ending on May 31, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/film-chart/20220525/offfilm/|title= Official Film Chart Top 40 |website= [[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]] |date=May 31, 2022|accessdate=May 26, 2022}}</ref>

=== IMAX 3D re-release ===
''Top Gun'' was re-released in IMAX 3D on February 8, 2013, for six days.<ref name="Slash Film">{{cite news |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/top-gun-gets-imax-3d-re-release-in-february/ |title=''Top Gun'' Gets IMAX Re-Release in February |author=Lussier, Germain |publisher=Flash Film |date=2012-12-11 |access-date=2012-12-11 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808121211/https://www.slashfilm.com/top-gun-gets-imax-3d-re-release-in-february/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A four-minute preview of the conversion, featuring the "Danger Zone" flight sequence, was screened at the 2012 [[International Broadcasting Convention]] in [[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]].<ref name="Hollywood Reporter">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-gun-coming-theaters-3d-234032 |title=''Top Gun'' Coming to Theaters in 3D |author=Giardina, Carolyn |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2011-09-12 |access-date=2011-09-14 |archive-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109040521/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-gun-coming-theaters-3d-234032 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2021 re-release===
''Top Gun'' was re-released in [[Dolby Cinema]] and screened by [[AMC Theatres]] on 153 screens on May 13, 2021. On the first weekend it grossed a total of $248,000 ranking at number 10. It grossed a total of $433,000 in a ten-day period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3061285633/?ref_=bo_tt_gr_3|title=Top Gun (2021 Re-release)|website=Mojo.com|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
The film quickly became a success and was the highest-grossing film of 1986. It would be six months before its theater count dropped below that of its opening week.<ref name=bomweekly /> It was number one on its first weekend with a gross of $8.2 million, and went on to a total domestic gross of $176.8 million, and $177 million internationally, for a worldwide box office total of $353.8 million.<ref name=BOM/> The film sold an estimated 47.65 million tickets in North America in its initial theatrical run.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 13, 2016|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=topgun.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|title=Top Gun (1986)|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817091548/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=topgun.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film grossed an additional $3 million in its IMAX re-release in 2013, and an additional $471,982 in its 2021 re-release, bringing its domestic gross to $180.3 million and its worldwide gross to $358.3 million.<ref name=BOM/>

=== Critical response ===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 59% based on reviews from 76 critics, with an average rating of 6.10/10. The website's critical consensus states: "Though it features some of the most memorable and electrifying aerial footage shot with an expert eye for action, ''Top Gun'' offers too little for non-adolescent viewers to chew on when its characters aren't in the air."<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=top_gun |title=Top Gun |type=m |access-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411062759/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/top_gun |url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] score of 50 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=top-gun |title=Top Gun |type=m |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822112451/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/top-gun |url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |date=May 28, 2022 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/top-gun-maverick-box-office-1235034420/ |title='Top Gun: Maverick' Still Taking Breath Away With Record $150M Memorial Day Opening, Best Ever For Tom Cruise – Saturday AM Update |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=May 28, 2022 }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying that: {{cquote|Movies like ''Top Gun'' are hard to review because the good parts are so good and the bad parts are so relentless. The dogfights are absolutely the best since [[Clint Eastwood]]'s electrifying aerial scenes in [[Firefox (film)|''Firefox'']]. But look out for the scenes where the people talk to one another.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/top-gun-1986 |title=Top Gun |first=Roger |last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |work=Roger Ebert.com |date=May 16, 1986 |access-date=April 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420095448/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/top-gun-1986 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} [[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, praising the action sequences but criticizing the romantic subplot, writing that "it belongs in a teenage sex-fantasy film and not in a movie that deserves the genuine romantic value of ''[[An Officer and a Gentleman]]''".<ref>{{cite news |last=Siskel |first=Gene |title=Top Gun hits the right target with thrilling flying scenes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104389089/gene-siskel-top-gun-1986-34-stars/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 16, 1986 |language=en}}</ref> American film critic [[Pauline Kael]] commented: {{cquote|When McGillis is offscreen, the movie is a shiny homoerotic commercial: the pilots strut around the locker room, towels hanging precariously from their waists. It's as if masculinity had been redefined as how a young man looks with his clothes half off, and as if narcissism is what being a warrior is all about.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kael |first=Pauline |author-link=Pauline Kael |title=5001 Nights at the Movies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4LzeUZ03vQC&pg=PA780 |publisher=[[Picador (imprint)|Picador]] |year=1991 |location=[[New York City|New York, N.Y.]] |page=780 |isbn=978-0-8050-1367-2 |access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref>}}

Some critics have said that the film promotes American [[jingoism]]. Filmmaker [[Oliver Stone]] told ''[[Playboy]]'' that the film "sold the idea that war is clean, war can be won… nobody in the movie ever mentions that he just started World War Three!" In 1990, Tom Cruise, while promoting Stone's ''[[Born on the Fourth of July (film)|Born on the Fourth of July]]'', said the film should be taken as a "fairy tale" instead of real depiction of wars and added that it would have been irresponsible to make a sequel because the film gave a misleading view of war.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zenou |first=Theo |title='Top Gun', brought to you by the U.S. military |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/05/27/top-gun-maverick-us-military/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> Cruise reprised his role in the [[Top Gun: Maverick|sequel]] 36 years later, this time to mostly positive reviews. [[Val Kilmer]], who was critical of warmongering in the first film, also returned for the sequel.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wynne |first=Kelly |title=Turns Out Val Kilmer Didn't Care About 'Top Gun' At All |date=April 21, 2020 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/turns-out-val-kilmer-didnt-care-about-top-gun-all-1499274|publisher=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref>

Journalist and former F-14 RIO Ward Carroll considered the movie iconic and culturally relevant, even jokingly referring to it as "the greatest movie ever made".<ref name="C-SPAN1">{{citation|interviewer1-last=Lamb|interviewer1-first=Brian|interviewer1-link=Brian Lamb|subject1=Ward Carroll|title=Q&A: Ward Carroll|website=[[C-SPAN]] website|url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?303169-1/qa-ward-carroll|date=2011-12-15|access-date=2022-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129003953/http://www.c-span.org/video/?303169-1/qa-ward-carroll|archive-date=2014-11-29|url-status=live|language=en-us|quote=You remember the F-14, remember Top Gun, the greatest movie ever made? I know you would agree. Maverick and Goose, I was Goose.}}</ref>{{rp|at=02:18}}<ref name="Military.com1">{{citation|author1-last=Carroll|author1-first=Ward|title=79 Cringeworthy Errors in 'Top Gun'|url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/2019/07/22/79-cringeworthy-errors-top-gun.html|date=2019-07-22|access-date=2022-08-25|website=[[Military.com]] website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826054612/https://www.military.com/off-duty/2019/07/22/79-cringeworthy-errors-top-gun.html|archive-date=2022-08-26|url-status=live|language=en-us|quote=Paramount had a huge challenge when they decided to make 'Top Gun.' Real-life air-to-air combat doesn't lend itself to the silver screen in that it's super technical, very chaotic, and generally takes place at ranges that would prevent two jets from being in the frame at the same time.}}</ref> But while conceding the need for narrative and cinematographic liberties, he felt that the film had several "cringe-worthy technical errors that cause it to be as much cartoon as tribute".<ref name="Military.com1" /> Carroll identified 79 departures from naval aviation procedure, technical mistakes, and continuity errors in a 2019 article for [[Military.com]].<ref name="Military.com1" /> The [[YouTube]] creator [[LegalEagle (YouTuber)|LegalEagle]] posted a video called "Military Laws Broken: Top Gun (with real JAG)", in which the film is reviewed with a veteran [[Judge Advocate General]] lawyer, which discusses that the film takes considerable liberties concerning US Military and Naval regulations and laws that are violated. For instance, Maverick's buzzing the air control towers would in real life have likely resulted in his flight status being immediately revoked, while other offenses committed would likely have had the pilot being punished with the death penalty if committed during a time of war.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stone |first1=Devin James |title=Military Laws Broken: Top Gun (with real JAG) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTx_qZL3tqM |website=YouTube |date=May 25, 2022 |publisher=Devin James Stone |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>

In 2025, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' listed ''Top Gun'' as having the best stunts of 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Thomas |date=June 7, 2025 |title=The Best Stunts of All Time, Over Nearly 100 Years of the Oscars |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-stunts-all-time-movies-oscars-stunt-design-100-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720043450/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-stunts-all-time-movies-oscars-stunt-design-100-years/ |archive-date=July 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! {{Refh}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[59th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]
| [[Billy Weber]] and [[Chris Lebenzon]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="4"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987 |title=The 59th Academy Awards (1987) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 16, 2011 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109082101/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987 |archive-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]]
| "[[Take My Breath Away]]" <br> Music by [[Giorgio Moroder]]; <br> Lyrics by [[Tom Whitlock]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| [[Donald O. Mitchell]], [[Kevin O'Connell (sound mixer)|Kevin O'Connell]], [[Rick Kline]], and [[William B. Kaplan]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]]
| [[Cecelia Hall (sound editor)|Cecelia Hall]] and [[George Watters II]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards]]
| Top Box Office Films
| [[Harold Faltermeyer]]
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| 
|-
| Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures
| "Take My Breath Away" <br> Music by Giorgio Moroder; <br> Lyrics by Tom Whitlock
| {{won}}
|-
| [[7th Brit Awards|Brit Awards]]
| [[Brit Award for Soundtrack/Cast Recording|Best Soundtrack]]
| ''Top Gun''
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[44th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score – Motion Picture]]
| Harold Faltermeyer
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/top-gun/ |title=Top Gun |publisher=[[Golden Globe Awards]] |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song – Motion Picture]]
| "Take My Breath Away" <br> Music by Giorgio Moroder; <br> Lyrics by Tom Whitlock
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Motion Picture Sound Editors#Golden Reel Awards|Golden Reel Awards]]
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Dialogue and ADR for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – ADR]]
| Andy Patterson and Juno J. Ellis
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| 
|-
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Sound Effects]]
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="3"| [[Goldene Leinwand|Golden Screen Awards]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[29th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist)]]
| "[[Top Gun Anthem|''Top Gun'' Anthem]]" – Harold Faltermeyer and [[Steve Stevens]]
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/29th-annual-grammy-awards |title=29th Annual GRAMMY Awards |publisher=[[Grammy Awards]] |access-date=May 1, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition|Best Instrumental Composition]]
| "''Top Gun'' Anthem" – Harold Faltermeyer
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Japan Academy Film Prize]]
| colspan="2"| [[Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film|Outstanding Foreign Language Film]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[National Film Preservation Board]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Film Registry]]
| {{won|Inducted}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-15-216/ |title=2015 National Film Registry: "Ghostbusters" Gets the Call |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=December 16, 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[13th People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Favorite Motion Picture
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|}

* In 2008, the film was ranked at number 455 in ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s list of the 500 greatest films of all time.<ref>[https://www.empireonline.com/500/8.asp The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119170317/http://www.empireonline.com/500/8.asp |date=January 19, 2012}}. ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''.</ref>
* [[Yahoo! Movies]] ranked ''Top Gun'' number 19 on their list of greatest action films of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/|title=Yahoo Movies|work=yahoo.com|access-date=January 15, 2017|archive-date=December 12, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981212015742/http://movies.yahoo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

;[[American Film Institute]] list
*[[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes]]:
**"I feel the need—the need for speed." – #94

== Influence ==
Film producer [[John Davis (producer)|John Davis]] said that ''Top Gun'' was a recruiting video for the Navy, and that people saw the movie and said, "Wow! I want to be a pilot."<ref>{{cite book |last=Robb |first=David |title=Operation Hollywood: How the Pentagon Shapes and Censors the Movies |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=New York|year=2004 |page=[https://archive.org/details/operationhollywo00robb/page/180 180] |isbn=1-59102-182-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/operationhollywo00robb/page/180}}</ref> The Navy had recruitment booths in some theaters to attract enthusiastic patrons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/aug/29/media.filmnews |title=Top Gun versus Sergeant Bilko? No contest, says the Pentagon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517120416/http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Guardian/0,4029,543821,00.html |archive-date=May 17, 2007 |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Campbell |first=Duncan |date=August 29, 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |title='Top Gun' Boosting Service Sign-Ups |date=5 July 1986 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-05-ca-20403-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417033944/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-05-ca-20403-story.html |archive-date=17 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the film's release, a popular claim arose that the number of young men who joined the Navy wanting to be naval aviators went up by 500%;{{sfn|Robb|2004|p=[https://archive.org/details/operationhollywo00robb/page/182 182]}} however, its accuracy has since been disputed, with modern analyses indicating a more modest total Navy enlistment increase of 8%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=William |date=2022-06-14 |title=Maverick Top Gun stat turns out to be a real goose |url=https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/maverick-top-gun-stat-turns-out-to-be-a-real-goose/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Australian Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="novelly">{{Cite web |last=Novelly |first=Thomas |date=2022-08-11 |title='Top Gun' Boosted Recruiting and Brought the Tailhook Scandal. So What Happens After the Blockbuster Sequel? |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/08/11/top-gun-boosted-recruiting-and-brought-tailhook-scandal-so-what-happens-after-blockbuster-sequel.html |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Military.com}}</ref> The film helped rehabilitate the military's image following the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="Suid_669">{{cite book |last1=Suid |first1=Lawrence H. |url=https://archive.org/details/gutsglorymakingo0000suid/page/669/mode/2up?q=%22top+gun%22 |title=Guts and Glory: The Making of the American Military Image in Film |date=2015 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=9780813190181 |page=669 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

The U.S. [[Department of Defense Office of Inspector General]] blamed sexist behavior depicted in ''Top Gun'' for making sexual assault more likely in the real-life military, contributing to the [[Tailhook scandal]] in 1991.<ref name="novelly"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-05-30/top-gun-maverick-memorial-day-tom-cruise-pentagon-propaganda |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |title=Op-Ed: Why does the Pentagon give a helping hand to films like 'Top Gun'? |first=Roger |last=Stahl |date=May 30, 2022 |access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Suid_501">{{cite book |last1=Suid |first1=Lawrence H. |url=https://archive.org/details/gutsglorymakingo0000suid/page/501/mode/2up?q=%22top+gun%22 |title=Guts and Glory: The Making of the American Military Image in Film |date=2015 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=9780813190181 |page=501 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

In December 2024, Tom Cruise was awarded the [[Navy Distinguished Public Service Award|Distinguished Public Service Award]], which is the highest civilian honor given to private citizens by the US Navy for his "outstanding contributions" to the military through his appearances in military-related film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise honoured with US Navy's highest civilian award |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj90ww3ld3ro |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=www.bbc.com |date=December 17, 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==

The 1991 film ''[[Hot Shots!]]'' was a comedy spoof of ''Top Gun''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/31/movies/review-film-pilots-in-hot-shots-shoot-down-top-gun-in-a-hail-of-parody.html|title=Pilots in 'Hot Shots!' Shoot Down 'Top Gun' In a Hail of Parody|first=Janet|last=Maslin|date=July 31, 1991|website=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=December 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223211509/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/31/movies/review-film-pilots-in-hot-shots-shoot-down-top-gun-in-a-hail-of-parody.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Top Gun'' is one of many war and action films, especially those by Bruckheimer, parodied in the 2004 comedy ''[[Team America: World Police]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2004/10/strings_attached.html|title=Strings Attached|journal=Slate|first=David|last=Edelstein|date=October 14, 2004|access-date=June 24, 2014|archive-date=October 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009142746/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2004/10/strings_attached.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Top Gun'', along with ''[[A Few Good Men]]'', is recognized for being an inspiration for the TV series ''[[Supercarrier (TV series)|Supercarrier]]'', ''[[Pensacola: Wings of Gold]]'', ''[[JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' and the subsequent [[NCIS (franchise)|''NCIS'' franchise]] in turn. ''JAG'' and ''NCIS'' are also owned by Paramount.<ref>{{cite news|title=From the Man Behind 'Magnum, P.I.,' 'Top Gun' Meets 'A Few Good Men' |first=Neal |last=Karlen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/05/tv/cover-story-from-the-man-behind-magnum-pi-top-gun-meets-a-few-good-men.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=May 3, 2018|date=1995-11-05|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804055157/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/05/tv/cover-story-from-the-man-behind-magnum-pi-top-gun-meets-a-few-good-men.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[DisneyToon Studios]] film ''[[Planes (film)|Planes]]'' (2013) pays homage to ''Top Gun'' with Kilmer and Edwards appearing in the film as part of the voice cast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/movies/disney-planes-top-gun-val-kilmer-anthony-edwards-57157487/ |title=Disney's 'Planes' Taps Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards for 'Top Gun' Homage - PIC |last=Blauvelt |first=Christian |date=2013-03-27 |website=hollywood.com |access-date=2017-11-05 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020648/http://www.hollywood.com/movies/disney-planes-top-gun-val-kilmer-anthony-edwards-57157487/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Two Chinese war films, ''{{ill|Sky Fighters (2011 film)|lt=Sky Fighters|zh|歼十出击}}'' (2011) and ''[[Sky Hunter]]'' (2017), were based on ''Top Gun''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=2017-11-02 |title=I Watched China's 'Top Gun' So You Don't Have To |url=https://warisboring.com/i-watched-chinas-top-gun%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8aso-you-dont-have-to/ |website=[[War Is Boring]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Groffman |first=Nicolas|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2170552/top-gun-was-twice-remade-chinese-why-didnt-anybody-notice-clue|title=Top Gun was twice remade in Chinese, why didn't anybody notice? Clue: PLA|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=2018-10-29|access-date=2018-10-29|archive-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029130734/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2170552/top-gun-was-twice-remade-chinese-why-didnt-anybody-notice-clue|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 23, 2011, China's state broadcaster ''[[China Central Television]]'' published a TV news story about the claimed efficiency of Chinese fighter pilots which incorporated footage from the ''Top Gun'' action sequences.<ref name="CCTV Tries" /> [[internet in China|Chinese internet]] users noticed the plagiarism, whereupon the broadcast was immediately withdrawn. The CCTV has declined comments on this incident.<ref name="CCTV Tries">{{cite news |url = https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2011/01/28/video-cctv-tries-to-pass-off-%E2%80%98top-gun%E2%80%99-clip-as-military-drill/ |title = Video: CCTV Tries to Pass Off 'Top Gun' Clip as Military Drill? |newspaper = [[The Wall Street Journal]] |last = Chin |first = Josh |date = January 28, 2011 |access-date = 2018-08-20 |archive-date = August 20, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180820172918/https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2011/01/28/video-cctv-tries-to-pass-off-%E2%80%98top-gun%E2%80%99-clip-as-military-drill/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

The film was parodied in the episode "Fat Gun", as part of the [[Family Guy season 23|twenty-third season]] of the [[Seth MacFarlane]] animated sitcom [[Family Guy]].

== Sequel ==
{{main|Top Gun: Maverick}}

A sequel, ''Top Gun: Maverick'', was released on May 27, 2022, to critical and commercial success.<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes Editorial">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Christopher |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Top Gun: Maverick First Reviews: The Most Thrilling Blockbuster We've Gotten In Years |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/top-gun-maverick-first-reviews-the-most-thrilling-blockbuster-weve-gotten-in-years/ |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> The sequel had been in active development since at least 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/top_gun_2.html|title=''Top Gun 2'' is Heading to the Runway|last=Brodesser-Akner|first=Claude|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] magazine|date=October 13, 2010|access-date=October 15, 2010|archive-date=October 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015190520/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/top_gun_2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By September 2014, it was revealed that [[Justin Marks (writer)|Justin Marks]] was in negotiations to write the screenplay,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-gun-2-lands-jungle-731131|title='Top Gun 2' Lands 'Jungle Book' Writer (Exclusive)|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 8, 2014|access-date=September 9, 2014|archive-date=September 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909200133/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-gun-2-lands-jungle-731131|url-status=live}}</ref> which was confirmed in June 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/top-gun-2-maverick-drone-warfare-1201529697/|title='Top Gun 2′ to Feature Maverick, Drone Warfare|last=Zumberge|first=Marianne|magazine=Variety|date=June 26, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2015|archive-date=June 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627112235/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/top-gun-2-maverick-drone-warfare-1201529697/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2017, during the promotional tour for ''[[The Mummy (2017 film)|The Mummy]]'', Cruise confirmed that a sequel to ''Top Gun'' would start filming in 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/05/23/tom-cruise-top-gun-2-definitely-happening/|title=Tom Cruise Says 'Top Gun 2' Is 'Definitely Happening'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 23, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427140725/https://ew.com/movies/2017/05/23/tom-cruise-top-gun-2-definitely-happening/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, Cruise revealed that the sequel's title would be ''Top Gun: Maverick'', with Faltermeyer returning as composer for the film. Scott was originally intended to return to direct the sequel, but had died by suicide on August 19, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2017/06/02/top-gun-2-title-tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick|title=In Which Tom Cruise Reveals The Title Of The TOP GUN Sequel|first=Scott|last=Wampler|date=June 2, 2017|website=Birth.Movies.Death.|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=June 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604093512/http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2017/06/02/top-gun-2-title-tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in June 2017, it was announced that [[Joseph Kosinski]], who directed Cruise in 2013's ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]'', was set to direct—with ''Maverick'' dedicated to Scott's memory<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/top-gun-sequel-release-july-12-2019-tom-cruiise-joseph-kosinski-jerry-bruckheimer-paramount-1202123050/|title=Paramount Sets 'Top Gun 2' For July 2019; Joseph Kosinski Firmed For Tom Cruise Pic|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701012824/http://deadline.com/2017/06/top-gun-sequel-release-july-12-2019-tom-cruiise-joseph-kosinski-jerry-bruckheimer-paramount-1202123050/|url-status=live}}</ref>—and Kilmer was announced to reprise his role as Iceman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mauch |first1=Ally |last2=McNiece |first2=Mia |last3=Warner |first3=Kara |date=August 27, 2021 |title=Tom Cruise 'Was Adamant' Val Kilmer Had to Be in Top Gun: Maverick, Says Jerry Bruckheimer |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/movies/tom-cruise-was-adamant-val-kilmer-had-to-return-top-gun-maverick/ |access-date=August 29, 2021 }}</ref> McGillis was not asked to return for the sequel,<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Desiree |date=2019-07-26 |title=Kelly McGillis Says She Wasn't Asked to Be Part of 'Top Gun' Sequel (Exclusive) |publisher=Entertainment Tonight |url=https://www.etonline.com/kelly-mcgillis-says-she-wasnt-asked-to-be-part-of-top-gun-sequel-exclusive-129341}}</ref> but appears in the film via archive footage. The Bradshaw family—Edwards, Ryan and the Weis twins—also appear via archive footage, while [[Miles Teller]] plays their now-adult son, LT Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw.

== Video games ==
{{Main|List of Top Gun video games|l1=List of ''Top Gun'' video games}}
''Top Gun'' also spawned a number of [[video game]]s for various platforms, while "I feel the need—the need for speed" started the car race series with [[The Need For Speed]].

The [[Top Gun (1986 video game)|original game]] was released in 1986 under the same title as the film. It was released on [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[Atari ST]]. Another game, also titled ''[[Top Gun (1987 video game)|Top Gun]]'', was released in 1987 for [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) and [[Nintendo VS. System]] arcade cabinets. In the 1987 game, the player pilots an F-14 Tomcat fighter, and has to complete four missions. A sequel, ''Top Gun: The Second Mission'', was released for the NES three years later.

Another game, ''[[Top Gun: Fire at Will]]'', was released in 1996 for the PC and later for the [[PlayStation|Sony PlayStation]] platform. ''[[Top Gun: Hornet's Nest]]'' was released in 1998. ''[[Top Gun: Combat Zones]]'' was released for [[PlayStation 2]] in 2001 and was subsequently released for the [[GameCube]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. ''Combat Zones'' features other aircraft besides the F-14. In 2006, another game simply titled ''Top Gun'' was released for the [[Nintendo DS]]. A 2010 game, also titled ''[[Top Gun (2010 video game)|Top Gun]]'', retells the film's story. At E3 2011, a new game was announced, ''Top Gun: Hard Lock'', which was released in March 2012 for [[Xbox 360]], PC, and [[PlayStation 3]].

==See also==
* [[List of media set in San Diego]]
* [[List of cult films]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Jordan|first=Meredith|title=Top Gun Memos: The Making and Legacy of an Iconic Movie|url=https://topgunmemos.com/|oclc=1321076730|publisher=Citation Press|year=2022|isbn=9781733787437}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|display=''Top Gun''|n=no|s=no|b=no|v=no}}
* [http://www.fandango.com/movie-news/top-gun-30th-anniversary-remember-the-movie-with-this-exclusive-artwork-750546 'Top Gun' 30th Anniversary Exclusive Art Work] on [[Fandango Media|Fandango]]
* [https://www.paramountmovies.com/movies/top-gun Paramount Movies]
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{TCMDb title|16475}}
* {{AFI film|57496}}

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