Cinema history is as romantic and cinematographic as the original medium of film. In the annals of film history, we come across majestic milestones as well as falling deities alike. Yet a few films have succeeded in describing a century by internalizing their worries, anger, apprehension, and vulnerability like all other types of expression.
These epics have catapulted their lead stars, with a cult following, into instant stardom. The 1986 film ‘Top Gun’ directed by Tony Scott did just the same with both the ’80s generation Y and Tom Cruise, who played a starring role in the film.
Top Gun is one of those quintessential 80’s movies and it still holds up as an exciting action film despite some admittedly dated moments. Tom Cruise became an A-list actor playing Maverick, a cocky Navy fighter pilot to become the best of the best in a competition.
The charming performance of Cruise, the stylish direction of Tony Scott, and the intense flying sequences make this film stand out among imitators. Although the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick will soon reach theaters, there are a few other fantastic movies that might fulfill the need for pace. Here are films to watch if you want to watch movies like Top Gun.
Here are the Best Movies like Top Gun:
Days of Thunder
Available on Amazon Prime
The first movie in which Hollywood heartthrobs Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman paired up on the screen is ‘Days of Thunder’. For ‘Far Far Away’ (1992), and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999) the famous duo returned. This Tony Scott directorial casts Cruise as a road car driver named Cole Trickle who starts in the smaller local events and then tries to arrive on the Daytona 500 racing track.
Armed with a screenplay by the prolific Robert Towne, famed for penning ‘Chinatown’ by Roman Polanski, and spectacular performances by Cruise, Kidman and legendary Robert Duvall, Scott succeeds in spinning an epic story of America’s deep-rooted and historically important driving history, track competition, love, and passion.
Though ‘Days of Thunder’ in terms of box office haul did not emerge as a winner like ‘Top Gun,’ it remains one of the most important racing films of all time.
First Man
Available on Amazon Prime
While Top Gun is dealing with the excitement of flying at peak speeds, First Man is dealing with the terror of everything. The film centers on Neil Armstrong and his astronaut life. Those men were willing to push the envelope like the Top Gun pilots, but the reality of what they were doing is far less glamorous.
Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle makes a beautiful-looking movie during the dramatic flying scenes that will have you picking your seat. Ryan Gosling is brilliant in a take on the man we have never seen before as Armstrong is.
Pearl Harbour
Available on Amazon Prime
The name Michael Bay has now become associated with a style of iconic cinema that makes heavy use of special effects and blasts of knee-jerking. But we should not forget that, throughout his career, Bay has made some pretty iconic films.
These ventures may not have been critical favorites, but they remained etched in movie buffs’ memories. One such classic Bay oeuvre development is the ‘Pearl Harbor’ starring Ben Affleck in 2001. The war epic got mixed reactions from critics and bagged an interesting tally of four nominations for the Academy Award against six nominations for the Raspberry Award, including worst picture.
As a re-imagination of one of the most destructive assaults in the history of the Second World War, the film tells the story of men and women as opposed to passion, defeat, envy, national pride, and the grim reality of war. There are stores like Top Gun that sells antique items and war-related memorabilia.
A Few Good Men
Available on Amazon Prime
In ‘A Few Good People,’ Tom Cruise as a marine officer trying to find his feet in his profession. We see the star as a young military prosecutor locking horns with one of the most experienced and seasoned officers in the U.S. Navy.
Pitted against an actor as strong as Jack Nicholson, Cruise comes off with incredible success, playing Daniel Alastair Kaffee ‘s character with such magnanimity that as long as he’s on it you can’t keep your eyes off the screen.
‘A Few Good Men’ is an adaptation of the play by the same name by Aaron Sorkin. The film marks a milestone in Sorkin’s legendary career, as it was his first screenwriter project. While it is more self-explanatory than appropriate, ‘A Few Good Men’ has succeeded both strategically and economically in making strong progress.
Risky Business
Available on Amazon Prime
The 1983 thriller ‘Risky Business’ has nothing to do with ‘Top Gun’ thematically, but its presence in this category is unavoidable because it was in this film that Tom Cruise became a household name in America.
Cruise plays Joel, a high school student regarded as a party boy who ruins parties if his parents drop him in the house alone. His fun days are short-lived, as Joel is quickly entangled in a risky scenario involving gangsters and sex workers.
‘Risky Business’ is a funny premise of the coming-of-age genre that integrates aspects of crime dramas into its plot. Joel helped Cruise showcase his versatile side as an actor capable of shouldering comedic and dramatic roles just as deftly as characters packed with action.
Considered by many as one of 1983’s finest films, ‘Risky Business’ received warm acclaim from both critics and audiences. Roger Ebert, renowned film critic, compared ‘Risky Business’ with Dustin Hoffman’s 1967 landmark film, ‘The Bachelor’ for the former’s real comic moments, and excellent dialogues.
Memphis Belle
Available on Amazon Prime
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, this war film from 1990 is a fictionalized version of William Wyler’s 1943 documentary. ‘Memphis Belle’s story centers around a bomber aircraft used during World War II.
‘Memphis Belle’ depicts, in a similar vein with ‘Top Gun,’ the lives of young pilots who are trying to make a mark with their skills and bravery. Yet their mission involves bombing a highly defended stronghold of the Axis and would probably cause any casualties.
While death breathes in the nap of their neckline, after the decisive air battle, the young pilots put all their faith into their abilities to emerge as winners.
With all its strength and immediacy, ‘Memphis Belle’ describes the exhilarating feeling. The film does use some of the prevalent cliches of war movies, but it doesn’t take away the sheer fun quotient it offers.
Born on the Fifth of July
Oliver Stone is a maverick from Hollywood who has paved his own way by writing and directing films that have a lasting intelligence and emotional impression on the audience. Stone cemented his status as one of the leading faces in contemporary world cinema, with the 1989 flick ‘Born on the Fourth in July.’
Tom Cruise is playing the fictitious role of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam War veteran who tried to serve in the U.S. Army but wound up in the Marine Corps. When he was paralyzed by a tragic accident in the war field his perception of war took a turn on his head.
The story follows the change of mind of Kovic when the man discovers that there are people who make a fortune out of the war while their countrymen fight with the enemy, tooth, and nail. For its strict political stance on wars and warmongers, the film is a strong declaration of anti-war feelings.
Look at that for Cruise’s good success in the leading role in which he loses all of his Hollywood glamors and becomes a man tormented by the ravages of war. Interestingly enough, a film adaptation of Kovic ‘s biography with Al Pacino as the lead actor was planned for the first time back in 1976. Stone took over the project himself after the sale collapsed, and roped in Cruise.
Rocky
Available on Amazon Prime
‘Rocky’ is one of the greatest sports movies of all time, a film that can not be categorized by its cinematic qualities. It’s like an emotion that you feel and that stays with you all through your life. Sylvester Stallone stars not only as of the eponymous boxer but also acts as the film’s creator.
As the film opens, we see Rocky as a small-time fighter who wasn’t very institutionalized in the sport but more of a novice ready to do his own thing.
However, when he gets to meet the world’s heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, chance unexpectedly comes knocking. ‘Rocky’ became a cult favorite as soon as it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and even managed to bag it.
The reason this film finds itself on this list is that in ‘Top Gun’ like Maverick, ‘Rocky’ is a more instinctive person who still follows intuitions rather than laws. Yet it is their unorthodox approaches that bring honor to them. You can find the DVDs of movies like Top Gun and Rocky on various online stores.
American Made
Available on Amazon Prime
Cruise has recently returned to the sky for American Made, perhaps as a way to brace himself for the Top Gun sequel. The film is based upon a true story about Bobby Seal, an American pilot who in the 1980s became a drug runner for the CIA.
This is not that often that Cruise plays these morally questionable characters, and while Seal is obviously not portrayed as a villain, it’s enjoyable for a moment to see the actor move away from the part of the hero. It’s a light, enjoyable experience, with a Cruise winning score.
Behind Enemy Lines
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Despite being among fighter pilots, there isn’t really any combat in Top Gun except for the climax. So Behind Enemy Lines will probably satisfy that itch for those looking for a bit more straightforward action in their fighter pilot movies.
Owen Wilson stars as a pilot who has been shot down during a peacetime monitoring flight and has to live alone in very dangerous terrain. Wilson makes a surprisingly effective action hero and with some great sequences, the film succeeds in being an effective thriller.
Hot Shots!
Available on Amazon Prime
While Top Gun may be a beloved movie, there’s a lot about it that’s ripe for satire. Yeah, it’s not a big shock that Hot Shots quickly followed! , Funny take on Airplane’s filmmakers! It could be an easy target for Top Gun but Hot Shots!
Is happy following a variety of famous movies. The result is a stupid, outrageous comedy that will make you laugh aloud. The movie is a must-see for those die-hard Top Gun fans, for how it recreates those famous moments.
Crimson Tide
Available on Amazon Prime
Tony Scott was back for a much quieter and more intense story in the Navy set. Crimson Tide stars Denzel Washington on a nuclear submarine, as a young commanding officer. Tensions escalate as, in an ambiguous situation, he and his superior (Gene Hackman) fight for the decision to initiate a warhead.
The film uses the claustrophobic atmosphere to heighten the story’s violent tension. Washington and Hackman are brilliantly squaring off against each other, and a stellar cast that includes James Gandolfini and Viggo Mortensen back them up.
The Right Stuff
Available on Amazon Prime
Top Gun and The Right Stuff are also films that discuss the courage behind those individuals who are trying to go further and better. The Best Thing is the epic story of the people who for the first time smashed the sound barrier, registered speeds, and soared into space.
The film is packed with famous young faces such as Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Jeff Goldblum, and Dennis Quaid playing real-life legends such as John Glenn and Chuck Yeager. The film is amusing, humorous, and encouraging to see the heights achieved by these men, and the bravery they had.
Captain Marvel
Available on Amazon Prime
It is impossible for any film dealing with fighter pilots not to owe Top Gun much. While it is not a huge feature of Captain Marvel’s MCU story, the story certainly tips its cap on the famous film that came before, including the cute and dangerous “bird” named Goose.
The film stars Carol Danvers, a Kree warrior who explores her dark history on Earth that could change everything she knows. The film is pure comic book fun with Brie Larson sliding beautifully into the title role and probably being the most powerful character in the MCU.
Checkout More Upcoming Marvel Movies
Conclusion
All these movies are packed with action sequences and drama. Moreover, there are websites like Top Gun where you can read about war heroes and their stories. These movies recommended by us are just like Top Gun and will give you the same feel. If you think that we have missed any movie, do write to us.