Top Gun 3 announced with Tom Cruise returning

The blockbuster franchise will continue with a third installment, revealed at CinemaCon.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of lush, deep red velvet fabric, capturing the sumptuous, high-fashion textures and dramatic lighting associated with Hollywood red carpet glamour.The continued success of the Top Gun franchise signals Hollywood's appetite for nostalgia-driven blockbusters that can draw audiences back to theaters.Las Vegas Today

During Paramount's CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas, it was announced that a third installment in the Top Gun franchise is in the works, with Tom Cruise and producer Jerry Bruckheimer both set to return. Top Gun 3 will serve as a follow-up to the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick, which saw Cruise reprise his iconic role as Capt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell.

Why it matters

The Top Gun franchise has been a major box office draw, with the original 1986 film and the recent 2022 sequel both performing extremely well. The announcement of a third film signals the continued popularity of the brand and Cruise's enduring star power, as he continues to anchor major action franchises.

The details

Top Gun 3 was revealed during Paramount's CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas. While Cruise was not present to announce the news, the studio confirmed that he and producer Jerry Bruckheimer will both be returning for the third installment. Details on the plot and supporting cast have not yet been released, but the film will likely continue the story of Maverick and the world of elite naval aviators.

  • Top Gun: Maverick premiered in 2022.
  • The original Top Gun film was released in 1986.

The players

Tom Cruise

The iconic actor who has starred as Capt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in the Top Gun franchise since the original 1986 film.

Jerry Bruckheimer

The veteran producer who has been involved with the Top Gun franchise since the beginning and will be returning to produce the third installment.

Paramount Pictures

The major Hollywood studio that owns the rights to the Top Gun franchise and will be producing and distributing the upcoming third film.

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What’s next

Details on the plot, supporting cast, and release timeline for Top Gun 3 are expected to be announced in the coming months as the film enters production.

The takeaway

The continued success of the Top Gun franchise, anchored by the enduring star power of Tom Cruise, demonstrates Hollywood's appetite for nostalgia-driven blockbusters that can draw audiences back to theaters. The announcement of a third installment signals that the studio believes there is still significant commercial potential in revisiting this iconic property.