Maverick’ Became the Defining Action Movie of the 2020s

In an era where franchise fatigue and streaming dominance have chipped away at Hollywood’s traditional blockbuster model, Top Gun: Maverick pulled off something remarkable: it became the rare film that not only defined a genre but also revitalized it. A sequel arriving nearly four decades after the original, it could have been a nostalgic rehash or a soulless IP cash grab. Instead, it transcended both expectations and industry trends, delivering a cinematic experience that felt as urgent and exhilarating as the most innovative action films of past decades. This wasn’t just another Tom Cruise movie—it was a carefully engineered, meticulously executed, high-stakes defense of what action cinema used to be and what it could still become.

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From Cruise’s obsessive commitment to practical effects to its staggering box office success, Maverick operated on multiple levels: as a rebuke to CGI-heavy, weightless action sequences; as a study in legacy filmmaking that honored its past without being shackled by it; and, somewhat more opaquely, as a piece of cultural and political mythmaking.

The film flirted with propaganda in the way its predecessor did, but this time, it avoided explicit military recruitment messaging while still basking in its aesthetics. It rewarded the next generation of movie stars, launching Glen Powell and Monica Barbaro toward Hollywood’s A-list, while also giving Val Kilmer a quiet, devastating moment of cinematic closure. And behind the scenes, Cruise’s impassioned on-set speech about COVID safety—equal parts righteous industry defense and self-mythologizing theater—made the film’s very existence a symbol of perseverance. Maverick wasn’t just the biggest action movie of the 2020s—it was a referendum on what modern action movies had become, and what they had lost.

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Tom Cruise’s Obsession with Perfection

If there’s one thing Top Gun: Maverick proves, it’s that Tom Cruise doesn’t just star in his movies—he architects them with the kind of fervent dedication usually reserved for Olympic athletes or cult leaders. Cruise has long positioned himself as the last true movie star, a man who will throw himself out of planes, strap himself to the side of jets, and insist that action sequences be executed with the kind of practical realism that feels almost masochistic. Maverick is a testament to that ethos. Rather than relying on green-screen trickery, the film trained its actors to withstand the crushing G-forces of real fighter jets, capturing dogfights with in-camera precision that CGI simply can’t replicate. Every aerial sequence pulses with authenticity, the weight of the aircraft visible in every movement, the physical strain on the actors evident in their faces.

When Precision Becomes Mythology

What elevates Maverick beyond a well-crafted action film, though, is the sheer mythology that Cruise has built around himself. This isn’t just about making a good movie—it’s about proving something, to the audience and to Hollywood at large. At a time when digital effects have made everything feel weightless, Cruise’s demand for physical reality feels almost defiant, a refusal to let blockbuster filmmaking lose its sense of real stakes. He isn’t just Maverick the character; he’s Maverick the idea, the last of a dying breed who still believes that cinema should be felt on a visceral level. Watching him push himself (and his cast) to the absolute limit makes the film itself feel like an act of faith in moviemaking as a tactile, human-driven craft.

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A Box Office Phenomenon That Revived Theaters

When Top Gun: Maverick soared past the billion-dollar mark, it wasn’t just a financial win—it was a resuscitation. The pandemic had hollowed out the theatrical experience, leaving many to wonder if moviegoing as we knew it would ever return. Streaming was king, tentpoles underperformed, and even studios began experimenting with same-day digital releases. And then Maverick happened. It didn’t just open big—it stayed big, raking in numbers that made Marvel and DC films look like niche indies. It became the rare film that people saw multiple times in theaters, not because they had to keep up with a cinematic universe, but because they wanted to feel something again.

The Movie That Brought People Back to the Multiplex

What makes Maverick’s box office triumph so defining is that it wasn’t driven by algorithms or corporate synergy—it was pure word of mouth, nostalgia, and sheer spectacle. There was no Disney-sized franchise machine behind it, no interconnected storytelling demanding viewers keep up. It was, in essence, an old-school Hollywood success story: a movie that worked so well, it became an event in itself. Theaters weren’t just selling tickets; they were selling an experience, one that reminded people why blockbusters existed in the first place. In an era where most studios hedge their bets on streaming metrics, Maverick proved that theatrical spectacle still has cultural currency.

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The Military Recruitment Subtext (or Not-So-Subtext?)

From its inception, Top Gun has functioned as more than just a cinematic thrill ride; it has also served as a potent recruitment tool for the U.S. Navy. The 1986 original film’s portrayal of naval aviators as daring and charismatic heroes led to a significant surge in enlistment. Reports indicate that the Navy experienced a substantial increase in recruitment following the movie’s release, with some accounts suggesting a 500% spike in applications, although this figure has been subject to debate. Recruitment booths were strategically placed outside theaters to capitalize on the film’s popularity, directly translating cinematic excitement into military interest. ​

Maverick’s Contemporary Enlistment Impact

Decades later, Top Gun: Maverick continues this legacy, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between Hollywood and military recruitment. The sequel’s depiction of advanced aviation technology and the camaraderie among pilots has renewed interest in naval aviation careers. The Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy actively supported the film’s production, aiming to present the military in a positive light and aid in recruitment efforts. While precise data on recruitment increases post-Maverick are not yet available, the film’s cultural impact suggests a revitalized allure of military service, demonstrating the enduring power of cinema in shaping public perception and career aspirations.​

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Tom Cruise’s Passionate Speech About the Importance of Masks (a PR stunt?)

In December 2020, a leaked audio recording of Tom Cruise berating crew members on the set of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning for failing to follow COVID-19 protocols went viral. His voice, already etched into cinematic memory through decades of high-octane performances, took on a new role—that of Hollywood’s self-appointed pandemic enforcer.

“We want the gold standard. They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing! I’m on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs you motherf***ers. I don’t ever want to see it again, ever! And if you don’t do it you’re fired, if I see you do it again you’re f***ing gone.”

He raged, positioning himself not just as a movie star but as a savior of an industry teetering on the brink. Whether it was a spontaneous outburst or a calculated PR move, the moment became emblematic of Cruise’s larger-than-life persona—an actor who doesn’t just make movies, but who sees himself as their guardian. And in many ways, Top Gun: Maverick became the embodiment of that mission.

The Last Movie Star, or the First Industry Plant?

What makes Maverick so fascinating in this context is that it exists at the intersection of genuine passion and corporate necessity. Cruise’s speech—whether a heartfelt plea or an expertly orchestrated leak—framed him as a martyr for the theatrical experience. And then, when Maverick landed, it delivered on that promise. The film wasn’t just an audience favorite; it became a symbol, a beacon for the return of “real” Hollywood. The industry’s need for a success story aligned perfectly with Cruise’s own mythology. In many ways, Maverick was the ultimate industry plant—not because it was artificial, but because it was engineered to be exactly what Hollywood needed at that precise moment. Whether by design or by sheer force of will, Cruise didn’t just make the defining action movie of the decade—he made himself its defining figure.

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A Masterclass in Action Movie Tropes

The best action movies don’t just embrace tropes—they elevate them. Top Gun: Maverick thrives because it understands the mechanics of its genre better than almost any film in recent memory. It leans into the classic beats of a one last mission story, complete with a reluctant hero, a cocky new generation of pilots, and an impossible objective that no one believes can be achieved. It gives us a training montage, a climactic dogfight, and a triumphant return from presumed death. These are ingredients that have been used in countless action films, yet Maverick makes them feel fresh, even urgent.

Why the Tropes Work

What sets Maverick apart isn’t just its execution of familiar tropes—it’s the way it executes them. Every beat is fine-tuned to perfection, every emotional payoff meticulously engineered. The film takes time to build its stakes, ensuring that when Maverick finally steps into the cockpit, it means something. It avoids the bloat of modern blockbusters, clocking in at just over two hours—a lean, focused adrenaline rush that never overstays its welcome. And crucially, it doesn’t rely on spectacle alone; it builds characters we actually care about. In an era of endless sequels and cinematic universes, Maverick proves that the fundamentals still matter. It reminds us why action movies work in the first place—not because of CGI or franchise connections, but because of the pure, exhilarating joy of watching someone achieve the impossible.

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The Rise of Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, and the Next Generation of Stars

It would have been easy for Top Gun: Maverick to be a one-man show, a Tom Cruise vehicle that simply used a younger cast as background players in his grand return to the cockpit. Instead, the film did something rare for a legacy sequel—it actually launched new stars. Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, and the rest of the ensemble weren’t just supporting actors in Maverick; they were part of a carefully designed torch-passing moment, proving that charisma and presence still matter in an era where Hollywood increasingly relies on IP, not individual star power. Each of them brought something distinct to the film, filling out a squadron that felt real, dynamic, and worthy of carrying on the Top Gun legacy.

The Old-School Charisma of the New Guard

Glen Powell, as Hangman, delivered a performance that felt ripped straight from the golden age of action films—cocky, magnetic, and effortlessly cool, channeling the kind of energy that used to define movie stars before superheroes in spandex took over. His role wasn’t massive, but his impact was undeniable; Maverick sent him rocketing into leading-man status, leading to Devotion, Anyone But You, and a future in blockbuster cinema. Monica Barbaro, as Phoenix, was just as crucial, grounding the film in a modern sensibility, proving that Top Gun could evolve beyond its hyper-masculine 1986 origins. She wasn’t just the token female pilot—she was every bit as skilled, competitive, and compelling as her male counterparts, proving herself not only in the cockpit but as a commanding screen presence.

And the rising talent didn’t stop there. Miles Teller had already been a familiar face in Hollywood, but his turn as Rooster—the son of Maverick’s fallen friend Goose—redefined his career. He carried both the emotional core of the film and the physical presence of a true action star, holding his own against Cruise in both heart-wrenching moments and adrenaline-fueled aerial sequences. Jay Ellis, as Payback, and Danny Ramirez, as Fanboy, added another layer of effortless charm and camaraderie to the squadron, ensuring that the Top Gun team felt like more than just a collection of archetypes. Lewis Pullman, playing the nerdy but surprisingly capable Bob, stole scenes with his quiet, unassuming presence, proving that even the guy with glasses could be a crucial part of a mission. Meanwhile, Manny Jacinto, known for his work on The Good Place, may have had a smaller role in Maverick, but his involvement in such a massive film positioned him for even bigger projects.

Unlike so many action films that sideline their young talent, Maverick made its new generation feel necessary—not just as narrative devices, but as the natural successors to Cruise’s world of practical, high-stakes action filmmaking. They weren’t just there to witness Maverick’s return—they were there to prove that the future of the genre could still be built on star power, charisma, and the kind of chemistry that turns good movies into classics.

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Val Kilmer’s Quiet, Devastating Performance

Legacy sequels often struggle with how to handle returning characters, especially when those actors are dealing with real-life struggles. Top Gun: Maverick faced an enormous challenge with Val Kilmer’s Iceman. Kilmer, who has battled throat cancer, had lost his ability to speak fluently—a brutal reality for an actor whose presence had always been defined by his voice, his smirk, his ability to command a scene with just a line. Instead of awkwardly avoiding this, Maverick leaned into it, giving Kilmer one of the most emotionally impactful moments in the entire film.

A Tribute That Transcended Nostalgia

Iceman’s return wasn’t just fan service; it was a deeply personal, devastatingly real moment between two men reckoning with time, mortality, and the legacy they left behind. Kilmer barely speaks, but his performance is felt—in his expressions, in the weighted pauses between him and Cruise, in the way the film honors him without turning him into a spectacle. Where Maverick could have used CGI trickery or clunky exposition, it instead chose sincerity, crafting a scene that functions as both a narrative necessity and a farewell to one of the most iconic figures in Top Gun history. In an industry often obsessed with digital resurrection (The Irishman, Rogue One), Maverick understood that sometimes, the most powerful performances are the ones that embrace reality.

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The Ultimate American Mythmaking

Top Gun: Maverick operates as more than just a high-octane action film; it serves as a vessel for contemporary American mythmaking. The narrative centers on Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a relic of a bygone era, who is summoned to train a new generation of pilots for a perilous mission. This storyline transcends simple plot mechanics, tapping into the archetype of the lone cowboy mentoring the next wave, a motif deeply embedded in American storytelling. The film’s visual language—sweeping shots of fighter jets slicing through expansive skies—evokes the grandeur of the American frontier, positioning the pilots as modern-day explorers charting the unknown. This deliberate framing elevates the characters to near-mythic status, embodying ideals of bravery, innovation, and rugged individualism.

Reinventing the Hero’s Journey

What distinguishes Maverick in the realm of mythmaking is its self-awareness and evolution of traditional hero narratives. Maverick is not portrayed as an infallible hero; instead, he grapples with his legacy, the consequences of his past actions, and the inexorable passage of time. This introspection adds layers to his character, transforming him from a two-dimensional action figure into a symbol of resilience and redemption. The film acknowledges the complexities of modern heroism, where vulnerability and mentorship are as valorized as physical prowess. By intertwining personal stakes with nationalistic fervor, Maverick crafts a narrative that resonates on both individual and collective levels, reinforcing and reimagining the American mythos for contemporary audiences.

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The Movie That Saved the 2020s Action Genre

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film industry faced unprecedented challenges, with theaters shuttered and productions halted. Top Gun: Maverick emerged as a beacon of hope, not only revitalizing the action genre but also reaffirming the viability of theatrical releases. The film’s commitment to practical effects and high-octane sequences offered audiences a tangible, immersive experience that streaming platforms struggled to replicate. Its box office triumph signaled a renewed appetite for large-scale action spectacles, encouraging studios to greenlight similar projects and invest in the genre’s resurgence. According to data from The Numbers, the action genre’s market share saw a significant increase post-Maverick, indicating a revitalized interest in action narratives.

Catalyst for Industry Resurgence

Beyond its financial success, Maverick served as a catalyst for broader industry trends. Its emphasis on practical stunts and in-camera effects set a new standard for action filmmaking, prompting a shift away from CGI-heavy productions. This return to tactile filmmaking not only enhanced the authenticity of action sequences but also rekindled audience appreciation for the craft. Moreover, the film’s success demonstrated the enduring appeal of legacy sequels when executed with care and respect for their predecessors. Studios took note, leading to a slate of action films that balance nostalgia with innovation. Maverick’s impact extended beyond the screen, influencing production methodologies, marketing strategies, and distribution models, ultimately contributing to the action genre’s revitalization in a post-pandemic world.

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