To celebrate the release of Top Gun Maverick, we’ll dive into the danger zone with films that are similar to the Top Gun Sequel or share the same intensity or salute to heroism.
TOP GUN (1986)
If your going to start a list about the Danger Zone got to start with the original Top Gun film. one of those quintessential 80s movies, considered a ‘hip film’ to like and rewatch over, over and over. A Young Tom Cruise starting to fly high in Hollywood he plays Code-named Maverick, Pete Mitchell, an impetuous, daredevil Navy-pilot ace, is accepted into Top Gun, Miramar’s elite Fighter School. But there, the impulsive young pilot will have to compete with the best of the best, including Iceman, a brilliant and highly competitive fellow student. It stars Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Meg Ryan.
IRON EAGLE (1986)
Made the same year as Top Gun, one could say it’s also a rip-off. Then it came out 4-5 months before Top Gun. It’s a rebel hotshot who confronts their trainer Jason Gedrick and Louis Gossett Jr. Doug’s father is shot down during a mission in the middle east and the government refuse to negotiate his release. Dough plans to train up good and steal a plane to save his old man. It’s a cheesefest, action is solid.
DAYS OF THUNDER (1990)
From the skies to need for speed and burning some rubber, Tom Cruise next to his then wife Nicole Kidman. Cruise works again with Tony Scott in a Nascar thrill ride. It is Top Gun with wheels as Cruise plays that cocky driver who wants to be the best whilst defying everyone around him.
HOT SHOTS (1991)
Who said things couldn’t be funny? This film spoofs everything including Top Gun. Charlie Sheen stars in lead role the best pilot in his squadron. This parodies those action films and some of their most famous scenes that takes itself too seriously. It’s from the makers of Airplane and also stars the legendary Lloyd Bridges
ONLY THE BRAVE (2017)
Directed by Top Gun Maverick filmmaker Joseph Kosinski and stars Rooster (Miles Teller). Once again showcases heroism, this time the brave forest fire service team. Josh Brolin is the leader of the team who takes a no good waste of space Brendan (Teller) who needs a job especially now he is becoming a father. Whilst the scenes with the fires will be drastic and intense it follows the hotshot firefighting team leading up to the real life events that happened in Arizona, 2022 in 2013. We see how these guys operate and those risks they face and why the training in constant.
FIREFOX (1982)
1980’s was full of tough guy machismo action films especially ones with a cold war theme and Clint Eastwood is our man in this one in lead and directors role . He plays the best pilot the good old U-S-A has to offer who heads into Soviet Union to steal an experimental fighter jet. Some nice special fx, gritter spy thriller, it’s a bit of a relic when it comes to politics.
Notable other films
Memphis Belle Hunt For Red October, Behind Enemy Lines, Pearl Harbour, Captain Marvel
Chronicles in film 
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