Top Gun Day — celebrated on May 13 every year — is a special day to celebrate, honor, remember, and enjoy the iconic movie. Top Gun was released in the year 1986 and starred Tom Cruise as naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. This movie broke all the previous records and became the highest-grossing movie of the time making a whopping $356 million worldwide. So, how do we celebrate this Top Gun Day, and why is the internet going gaga over it? Read on to find out and you will soon be joining this movie’s fan base.
History of Top Gun Day
Top Gun was a phenomenon back when it was released in 1986. It created a sensation at the time that even the U.S. military was talking about it! Although the movie was released on May 16, May 13 was picked as the official Top Gun Day. According to the day’s creators, they selected May 13 as the day because the original movie release date, May 16, coincided with iron Eagle Day and also because they messed up the graphics of the first poster – these mentioned May 13 in error.
An interesting fact about Top Gun is that it was based on a real school called U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School or TOPGUN. Formerly, it was based at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego. TOPGUN was founded in the late 1960s as a way to compensate for losing the air war in the Vietnam War. Later TOPGUN was relocated to Fallon, Nevada in 1996, and was renamed the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor. During the time of the Top Gun movie release, the navy used it as a recruiting tool. The Navy set up booths outside theaters and tried to recruit moviegoers to join the Navy. Surprisingly, it worked so well that, 90% of the Navy applicants said that they had seen the movie.
Ever since the movie came out, the Top Gun crew has been discussing a sequel, and the exciting production for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ started in 2019 and was all set to release in 2021. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the movie was then postponed to 2022. So, are you ready to get the Top Gun experience all again?
Top Gun Day timeline
The iconic Top Gun movie is released worldwide.
The original top gun website is created.
The creators begin to post about the movie on their website.
The first tweet mentioning the day comes from Alanagh McEleney.
Top Gun Day FAQs
Where can I watch Top Gun?
In the U.S., Top Gun movie is available to rent digitally on platforms including Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV. Cable TV also carries it at times.
Can Tom Cruise fly a jet?
Tom Cruise is a certified pilot and is well-accustomed to high-octane aviation stunts. He can fly P-51 propeller-driven fighter planes as well as some helicopters.
What planes are in Top Gun?
Some planes used in the Top Gun movie are Northrop F-5F Tiger II, NoGruman F-14 Tomcat, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II, and Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican.
Top Gun Day Activities
Watch the movie
By any chance, if you belong to the handful of the population that haven’t yet seen the Top Gun Movie, this is your chance to watch the movie. Enjoy the experience.
Cosplay is fun
What is a better way to celebrate Top Gun Day than watching the movie? Become the movie! Yes, you can cosplay as characters from the movie and have fun with your friends and other movie lovers.
Game it
There are also a couple of Top Gun games available for gamers who love the movie out there. You can celebrate the day by playing the game.
5 Cool Facts About The Top Gun Movie
The U.S. government helped finance it
The U.S. Government charged a minimal fee for the use of its aircraft carriers in the movie.
There are rides with the name
Owing to the insane popularity of the film, Top Gun became a ride at two amusement parks.
Some eyewear is linked to the movie
At least six brands of aviator spectacles are linked to the movie.
There are technical inaccuracies
Reportedly the film has a lot of technical inaccuracies and errors, including fake trophies.
The soundtrack made amazing sales
The film’s soundtrack which included hits like “Danger zone”, sold nine million copies.
Why We Love Top Gun Day
It is great to re-live
Top Gun Day gives us an opportunity to enjoy and re-live the excitement of the movie one more time. So, why not enjoy this day and the masterpiece?
It’s a perfect day to celebrate
On Top Gun Day, we can raise a glass to Goose, Maverick, Iceman, and the rest of the Top Gun class of 1986. It is a sweet gesture to let them know that we haven’t lost the loving feeling.
It brings back nostalgia
Top Gun Day brings back the feeling of nostalgia. It brings back dreams of youth and helps the next generation find the charm for themselves.
Top Gun Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | May 13 | Monday |
| 2025 | May 13 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | May 13 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | May 13 | Thursday |
| 2028 | May 13 | Saturday |
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