Top Gun movies in order Top Gun Marathon
Page Last Modified:
28 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Top Gun: Maverick - 2022
Total Runtime:
241 Minutes
Total Items:
3
Average User Score:
(7.5)Top Gun movies in order
Get ready for a Top Gun movie marathon. Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and put on your shades. Whether you're new to the Tom Cruise "Maverick" movies or a longtime fan, these films are a blast. From supersonic jets and nostalgic tunes to iconic beach scenes and high-G stunts, the Top Gun series has it all. But what's the best way to watch these films in order? And what makes them so captivating? In this guide, we'll go through the Top Gun timeline, starting with Tony Scott's legendary 1986 film and moving on to Joseph Kosinski's modern aviation epic. We'll talk about the context without giving away any spoilers, talk about each film's style and atmosphere, and see how the characters and themes change over time. Get your Kenny Loggins playlist ready because you're about to enter the danger zone.
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Top Gun Movie 110 min. 1986For Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete's dreams of becoming an ace pilot.USER SCORE 7 -
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Top Gun: Maverick Movie 131 min. 2022After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.USER SCORE 8 -
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Top Gun (1986)
The film that started it all: Tony Scott's Top Gun is pure '80s adrenaline. It's full of aerial combat, military jet stunts, and the classic F-14 Tomcat silhouette against a fiery sunset. We meet Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise), a talented yet reckless pilot with an attitude as sharp as his flying skills. Alongside his RIO Goose (Anthony Edwards), Maverick is picked for the elite Top Gun school, where he competes against Val Kilmer's chill and collected Iceman. Amidst flying rivalries, steamy romances (with Kelly McGillis as Charlie Blackwood), and aerial battles over the ocean, Top Gun creates an atmosphere that's both tough and emotional. Add in the unforgettable Great Balls of Fire piano scene, Tom Skerritt as Viper, and the legendary volleyball match, and you've got a film that not only became iconic but also inspired a generation to become pilots. Paramount Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer set the stage for modern aviation action movies.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
It's been over 30 years, and Tom Cruise is back in one of the best modern blockbusters: Top Gun: Maverick. Joseph Kosinski directed the film, which mixes nostalgia with renewed intensity. It features practical aerial stunts that will literally blow you away. Maverick is now a veteran instructor, back at the Top Gun school to train a new generation of pilots for an almost impossible mission. Here we meet Miles Teller as Rooster, Goose's son, who has a complicated relationship with Maverick. Jennifer Connelly really shines as Penny Benjamin, a name that fans of the first film will recognize. The new lineup includes Glen Powell as Hangman, Monica Barbaro as Phoenix, Lewis Pullman as Bob, and Jon Hamm as Cyclone. The film is all about pushing the boundaries of supersonic flight. It features the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mysterious Darkstar hypersonic jet, which even impressed NASA. But it's not just about the spectacle. Top Gun: Maverick looks into Maverick's past, his relationship with Rooster, and the impact of years in the air. The emotional weight, along with some amazing high-G stunt flying and practical aerial cinematography, makes this more than just a simple sequel. It's a modern classic that breathes new life into the franchise while honoring its roots.
Why This Order Works Perfectly for Your Marathon
You might wonder, "Are there really only two films in the Top Gun franchise?" Yeah, there are some, but these movies aren't ones you'd want to just put on in the background. They go together perfectly, and the time jump of over 30 years makes it even more exciting. If you start with the original Top Gun, you can see how the characters, technology, and style have changed over time. Then, transitioning into Top Gun: Maverick, you get the best of both worlds: a rollercoaster ride of emotions and stunning visuals that blows its predecessor out of the water.
Whether you're into the nostalgia, the epic military jet stunts, the rivalry between Maverick and Iceman, or just the epic soundtrack, watching the films in order makes for a more complete experience. The Top Gun timeline is pretty simple, but that's exactly why it works so well. There are no time jumps, prequels, or spin-offs. It's just a straightforward, linear aviation story with a heart of titanium.
Tips for Your Ultimate Top Gun Movie Night
Want to make it memorable? Start your evening off right with some themed snacks. Think spicy popcorn and Red Bull for a little energy boost, and maybe a few Danger Zone cocktails. Hey, why not dim the lights and play the soundtrack as your friends arrive? And for a cool touch, how about setting up a little volleyball match in the backyard? For the true fans, there are some behind-the-scenes videos about the practical aerial cinematography of Maverick. You're going to love these films even more and more as time goes on. And if you're still in the mood after the marathon, there's plenty more to explore. Think documentaries about the real US Navy elite fighter program, interviews with the cast, or even video games that let you relive the Top Gun vibe. The franchise may be small in terms of the number of films, but it's a big deal.
Ready to Engage
There are movie nights, and then there are nights where you soar. A Top Gun movie marathon is the latter. Whether you're meeting Maverick for the first time or have been following him for years, these films deliver the blockbuster experience we all love. Get ready for a trip down memory lane, with a side of speed, friendship, loss, and redemption. And let's not forget the jet engine soundtrack to top it off.So, put on your shades, zip up that flight jacket, and press play. The only way to watch this franchise is in order, since it's the only way to do it right. If you watch the Top Gun movies in order, you're sure to have a great movie night.