Overview
A legendary fighter pilot returns to train the next generation amidst personal demons and high-stakes missions.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- nostalgic
- sincere
- theatrical spectacle
- action movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an emotionally resonant legacy sequel with spectacular practical aerial action and a commanding Tom Cruise performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Maverick returns to Top Gun to train a younger cohort, including Rooster, the son of his deceased best friend.
The story revisits Maverick and his Top Gun identity while centering the next generation of pilots.
The film emphasizes intense in-flight photography, cockpit close-ups, and practical aerial maneuvers during training and mission sequences.
Maverick's relationship with Rooster is shaped by the death of Rooster's father and Maverick's past decisions.
Films like Top Gun: Maverick, and why
Top Gun
Shares high-altitude military action, charismatic pilot protagonists, practical aerial spectacle, and themes of mentorship and redemption.
The Right Stuff
Combines elite military training, youthful rivalry, patriotic adventure, and emotionally charged aircraft combat.
First Man
Features technically grounded aviation spectacle, institutional pressure, and a determined pilot confronting extreme risk.
Dunkirk
Offers propulsive military aviation action, team dynamics, and large-scale practical combat filmmaking.
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Kosinski
- Release Date
- 2022-05-21
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 (11618)
Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Miles Teller
- Jennifer Connelly
- Bashir Salahuddin
- Jon Hamm
- Charles Parnell
- Monica Barbaro
- Lewis Pullman
- Jay Ellis
- Danny Ramirez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Top Gun: Maverick about?
- A daring naval aviator returns to train a younger generation for an almost impossible mission while confronting the personal cost of his past.
- What is Top Gun: Maverick like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Top Gun: Maverick as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Top Gun: Maverick violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Top Gun: Maverick as moderate.
- What did critics think of Top Gun: Maverick?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an emotionally resonant legacy sequel with spectacular practical aerial action and a commanding Tom Cruise performance.
- Which films are like Top Gun: Maverick?
- Films with a similar feel include Top Gun, The Right Stuff, First Man, and Dunkirk.
- How long is Top Gun: Maverick?
- Top Gun: Maverick runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Top Gun: Maverick?
- In United States, Top Gun: Maverick streams on Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads.
