Top Gun: Maverick

Is Top Gun: Maverick worth watching?

Top Gun: Maverick is worth watching for viewers who want an accessible, high-stakes action drama with memorable aerial sequences and a strong leading performance from Tom Cruise. It succeeds because the training, relationships and final mission all serve the same clear story. See Top Gun first if possible for the full payoff, but Maverick also works as a polished standalone action movie.

Why watch this movie?

Top Gun: Maverick is Joseph Kosinski's 2022 action drama that returns Tom Cruise to the role of Navy aviator Pete Maverick Mitchell. More than thirty years into his service, Maverick is assigned to train a group of TOP GUN graduates for a mission unlike any they have faced. The film combines aerial action with a story about responsibility, legacy and Maverick's relationship with a new generation of pilots.

Who should watch it?

Watch Top Gun: Maverick if you want a crowd-pleasing action movie built around aerial set pieces, an ensemble of pilots and a clear emotional throughline. Watching Top Gun first adds context for Maverick's history and the legacy at the center of the story, but this sequel establishes its own mission and relationships clearly enough for new viewers. It is a strong choice for fans of Tom Cruise, practical-feeling action and military aviation dramas.

Pros

• Tom Cruise gives Maverick a convincing mix of confidence, vulnerability and experience
• Joseph Kosinski keeps the aerial mission structure clear and propulsive
• The pilot ensemble, including Miles Teller and Monica Barbaro, gives the training scenes energy
• Balances large-scale action with Maverick's personal stakes and legacy
• Its 131-minute runtime builds steadily toward a focused final mission

Cons

• Viewers unfamiliar with Top Gun may miss some of the emotional callbacks
• The story follows a familiar training-to-mission action framework
• Its military setting and aviation focus may not appeal to viewers seeking a more grounded drama
• The emotional beats are broad rather than subtle

If you liked this movie

Start with Top Gun for the original Maverick story, then try Mission: Impossible - Fallout for another Tom Cruise-led action spectacle with escalating practical stakes. Ford v Ferrari and F1 offer different kinds of high-speed team competition, while Dunkirk is a strong choice for viewers who want tense aviation-focused action with a more serious historical setting.