After 36 years, Top Gun: Maverick soared into theaters and shattered records—proving sequels can eclipse originals. From “when did top gun maverick come out” to “new top gun” rumors, One table. Fresh 2025 intel. No recycled trivia. Let’s launch.
When Did Top Gun: Maverick Come Out? The Long-Awaited Release
Top Gun: Maverick release date: May 27, 2022 (wide U.S. theatrical).
- Premiere: May 4, 2022 (CinemaCon, Las Vegas)
- Cannes Film Festival: May 18, 2022 (out of competition)
- Global rollout: May 25–27, 2022
Delayed twice by COVID (from 2019 to 2021, then 2022), the wait paid off: $1.495 billion worldwide — Cruise’s biggest hit ever. It held the #1 spot for 3 weeks and became the second-highest-grossing film of 2022 (behind Avatar: The Way of Water).
Who Played Maverick in Top Gun? Tom Cruise – Then and Now
Tom Cruise has always been Pete “Maverick” Mitchell — no recast, no reboot.
- 1986 (Top Gun): 23-year-old hotshot
- 2022 (Top Gun: Maverick): 59-year-old captain, test pilot, mentor
In Tom Cruise Top Gun 2, he’s not just acting—he’s flying. Cruise trained the cast in real F/A-18 Super Hornets, endured 1,600+ hours of flight time, and performed the Darkstar hypersonic sequence (Mach 10+). His mantra: “If it’s not real, it’s not in the movie.”
Who Directed Top Gun: Maverick? Joseph Kosinski’s Vision
Director: Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy, Oblivion)
- Replaced Tony Scott (original director, passed in 2012)
- Worked with Cruise since Oblivion (2013)
- Insisted on 100% practical aerial footage — no green screen dogfights
- Collaborated with Navy TOPGUN instructors for authenticity
Kosinski’s style: visceral, immersive, and emotional — earning 96% RT and 6 Oscar noms (won Best Sound).
Top Gun 2 Streaming in 2025: Where to Watch Top Gun: Maverick
As of October 29, 2025, Top Gun 2 streaming is exclusive to Paramount+ (Essential: $5.99/mo | Premium: $11.99/mo).
| Platform | Availability | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | Streaming (HD/4K) | $5.99–$11.99/mo | Full access; 7-day free trial |
| Amazon Prime Video | Add Paramount+ | +$5.99/mo | Via Prime Channels |
| Apple TV | Rent/Buy | $3.99 / $14.99 | 4K Dolby Vision + Atmos |
| YouTube / Google Play | Rent/Buy | $3.99 / $14.99 | Downloadable |
| Fandango At Home (Vudu) | Rent/Buy | $3.99 / $14.99 | Bonus features |
| Microsoft Store | Rent/Buy | $3.99 / $14.99 | Xbox integration |
Top Gun movie streaming (1986): Also on Paramount+, Pluto TV (free with ads), and rentable everywhere.
Where is Top Gun Maverick streaming free? Nowhere legally — but Paramount+ trials or library cards (Kanopy, Hoopla) sometimes include it.
New Top Gun? Top Gun 3 Rumors in 2025
Yes, a “new Top Gun” is in early development:
- Working title: Top Gun 3
- Status: Script in progress (Ehren Kruger writing)
- Cruise: Confirmed to return (per Paramount CEO Brian Robbins, July 2025)
- Kosinski: Likely directing
- Plot tease: Post-Maverick mission; Rooster (Miles Teller) may lead
No release date yet — earliest 2027 due to Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 8 (2025) and space film with Doug Liman.
Conclusion: Top Gun: Maverick – The Sequel That Redefined Legacy
Top Gun: Maverick didn’t just return on May 27, 2022 — it rebooted a franchise. With Tom Cruise as the eternal Maverick, Joseph Kosinski at the helm, and real jets in every frame, it’s the gold standard for action sequels. Stream it now on Paramount+, rent in 4K, and prep for Top Gun 3.
As Maverick says:
“It’s not the plane. It’s the pilot.”
In 2025, the pilot is still Tom Cruise — and the sky belongs to him.
Your orders:
- Fire up Paramount+.
- Watch in 4K.
- Comment: Maverick or Rooster — who carries the torch?