Top Gun: Maverick crushed it at the box office when it was finally released after multiple covid-related delays back in 2022.

The formula was basic but effective: it tapped into the nostalgia of a definitive ‘80s flick, with Tom Cruise reprising the titular role, but with deeper themes on aging and legacy that resonated across all age groups.

The film was a technical marvel as well. Practical effects with real jets, remarkable live action sequences, and a tight script earned rave reviews by critics and moviegoers alike.

Post-pandemic, audiences craved big screen escapism and Maverick delivered, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide, which not only made the movie Cruise’s biggest hit ever, but it also provided a boost for theaters in desperate need of a financial lifeline. Steven Spielberg even told Cruise directly, “You saved Hollywood’s ass” and added that Maverick might’ve “saved the entire theatrical industry.”

Maverick didn’t just open strong over Memorial Day; it had legs, sticking around and raking in cash week after week, bucking the quick-drop trend of modern blockbusters. Consequently eagerness for Top Gun 3 has been building since TG:M was officially declared a hit.

Confirmed in early 2024 and with Cruise himself saying he’s “working on” it as of last May, the sequel promises to be another high-stakes aerial drama with the same core team like director Joseph Kosinski – whose most recent movie is also a hit, raking in over a half-billion dollars worldwide – and co-stars Glen Powell and Miles Teller.

Filming could start later this year with a potential 2026 release. Much of the anticipation stems from Maverick’s unfinished character arc and the viewing public’s growing appetite for authentic spectacles in a CGI-saturated era. Further, it also shows Hollywood that quality sequels, not endless reboots, can still soar if they honor the source while evolving in a way that is believable without being preachy.

Can’t wait to see Maverick take off one more time.