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Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. It is a sequel to Top Gun (1986) and follows Maverick as he trains a new generation of naval aviators for a dangerous mission while confronting unresolved parts of his past.

Plot

The film follows Maverick as he is called back to Top Gun to train elite pilots for a high-risk mission. The story focuses on his tensions with authority, his connection to Rooster, and his efforts to complete the assignment.

Cast

The ensemble includes Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer. Cruise and Kilmer reprise roles from the original film.

Reception and box office

Top Gun: Maverick was widely noted for its action sequences and nostalgic appeal. It was also a major commercial success, with box office figures tracked by major film databases and studios.

Ending

By the end of the film, Maverick and Rooster complete the mission and survive. The story closes on a more hopeful note, with Maverick moving forward in his personal life after resolving long-standing tensions.

Key facts

  • Tom Cruise reprises his role as naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
  • The plot centers on Maverick training Top Gun graduates for a special and dangerous mission.
  • Miles Teller plays Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late friend Goose.
  • Val Kilmer appears as Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the film.
  • The film is a direct sequel to Top Gun and continues the story of several returning characters from the original.

Frequently asked questions

What is Top Gun: Maverick about?
It follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he returns to Top Gun to train younger Navy aviators for a dangerous mission while confronting his past, including his relationship with Rooster, the son of Goose.
Who is in the cast of Top Gun: Maverick?
The cast includes Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer.
What is the box office of Top Gun: Maverick?
It was a major commercial hit and one of the highest-grossing films of 2022. The provided sources identify it as a widely successful release, though they do not list a single box office total here.
How does Top Gun: Maverick end?
The mission succeeds, Maverick and Rooster survive, and Maverick ends the film on a hopeful note after resolving key personal conflicts.
Which characters return in Top Gun: Maverick?
Returning characters include Maverick, Iceman, and references to Goose; Rooster is also central as Goose’s son. The film also revisits other legacy elements from the original Top Gun.
Is Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick?
Yes. Val Kilmer appears as Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, in what sources describe as his final film role.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun:_Maverick
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, sequel status, cast, and premise.
  2. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/top-gun-maverick
    Supports: Official synopsis, principal characters, and mission premise.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Top-Gun
    Supports: Connection to the original film, sequel context, and Val Kilmer’s return.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1745960/
    Supports: Cast list and plot summary.