TMDb/Top Gun Movie Top Gun 3 is in development as the iconic Iceman helmet hits auction. Dive into the franchise's legacy and $1.5B Maverick success. April 30, 2026 AceShowbiz - Top Gun cemented itself as a cornerstone of 1980s cinema when director Tony Scott's 1986 aerial action film skyrocketed Tom Cruise to stardom and embedded the movie deeply into American pop culture. The franchise's legacy was revitalized 36 years later with the release of Top Gun: Maverick, which defied pandemic box office odds by grossing an astonishing $1.5 billion worldwide on a $170 million budget.