Film: The 80s Cult Classic Original "Top Gun" Movie Turns 40

Released in the United States on May 16, 1986. Top Gun a US action drama film 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 three years earlier. It stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. He and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant (junior grade) Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), are given the chance to train at the United States Navy's Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt also appear in supporting roles.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects and soundtrack, but criticism for its screenplay and military propaganda. Despite this, four weeks after its release, the number of theaters showing it increased by 45 percent,  and it overcame initial critical resistance to become a huge commercial hit, grossing $362.3 million dollars globally against a production budget of $15 million. Top Gun was the highest-grossing domestic film of 1986, as well as the highest-grossing film of 1986 worldwide. 

40 years have passed since Top Gun was released in theaters, to turn a cultural phenomenon and became one of the most well-known action movies of all time, earning a spot in the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical impact. Tom Cruise had already made a name for himself  but it was Top Gun that cemented his stardom.  Cruise was cast as Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick, a talented but cocky and reckless pilot.  When his best friend, Nick  aka Goose Bradshaw, played by Anthony Edwards, who died in an accident, Maverick has to overcome his guilt and eventually graduates and then helps the other pilots in combat again.

Since then, Top Gun turned into a lasting phenomenon that a sequel was developed decades later, and it too became a blockbuster hit.  Top Gun: Maverick saw  Cruise reprise his role as Mitchell, dealing with Goose's death once again, now that he has to teach Goose’s son, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, played by Miles Teller. Top Gun: Maverick has even more stars than its predecessor. 

Even four decades later, Top Gun still remains part of the cultural zeitgeist especially from the 80s The movie spawned a truly dedicated fanbase that “Top Gun Day” was created to honor the film. Also The Top Gun soundtrack is one of the most popular soundtracks to date, reaching 9× Platinum certification and No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for five non-consecutive weeks in the summer and fall of 1986.

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 classic. Additionally, the soundtrack to the film has since become one of the most popular film soundtracks to date.