Top Gun – Amazing Movies in the 80’s

Top Gun was one of the defining movies in the 80’s. Its high-energy, adrenaline-fueled action created an instant cult following that has lasted for decades.

Top Gun was released in 1986 by Paramount Pictures. It featured everything that made the 80s a truly remarkable era, in one single film. Not only did it dominate the box office, but also changed popular culture, music, and fashion throughout the decade. The high-octane excitement and patriotic teams of Top Gun changed the generation forever.

The Making of Blockbuster Movies in the 80’s

The 1980s was full of cultural and technological improvements, especially in the entertainment industry. After the oil crisis of the 1970s, families found themselves with more disposable income than they knew what to do with. Top Gun tapped into the idea of national pride. The film portrayed the Navy’s elite fighter pilots as protecting the American ideal throughout the Cold War. It resonated with the broader cultural and political atmosphere of the decade.

Hollywood studios were spending a lot of money at the time to create blockbuster films. The movies themselves were becoming more extravagant, more marketable, and featured well-known stars and cutting-edge technology. The film was a product of the environment, featuring magnetic performances, unforgettable music, and dazzling aerial dogfights. Songs like Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling by the Righteous Brothers soared to the top of the Billboard charts soon after the film’s release.

How Top Gun Reshaped Movies in the 80’s

Without question, movies in the 80’s like Top Gun shaped fashion in the 80’s. The outfits and styles showcased by the actors found their way into the wardrobes of everyday Americans.

Big Budget Movies in the 80’s

Movies in the 80’s were all about going big, and Hollywood was no different. Paramount Pictures met the demand for big-budget films by providing the film with a very large budget. With the help of actors Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, Top Gun quickly became the highest-grossing film of the decade.

While Tom Cruise had been in Hollywood for a while, it was Top Gun that truly gave him his namesake. His portrayal of Maverick gave him his hero-like status. He had confidence and swagger. When combined with those iconic Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and leather bomber jacket, cemented his image as the ultimate movies in the 80’s heartthrob. The film itself didn’t just appeal to action movie films, rather it attracted a wide audience. It was filled with romance, action, and drama, a blueprint that countless films tried unsuccessfully to copy throughout the 80s.

The Top Gun Soundtrack

By 1986, MTV had completely revolutionized the music industry. Movies had been releasing soundtracks for decades. But, artists were finally able to present their songs with footage from the actual film. The Kenny Loggins music video for Danger Zone featured the F-14s and airbase from the film. In similar fashion, the music video for Take My Breath Away also used scenes from the film. This helped to tie the song’s success to the movie.

The use of B Roll from Top Gun in the production of the official soundtrack movie videos, allowed the artists and movie studios to promote one another. As Top Gun continued to gross some of the highest sales of the decade, the songs from the official soundtrack shot their way to the top of the charts. This integration of cinema and music became a trend for future films throughout the 80s and into the 90s.

A Pop Culture Icon

Without question, Top Gun left its mark on pop culture in the 80s. Soon after, everyone wanted a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, and leather bomber jackets. The Aviators became Ray-Ban’s highest-selling design, not just in 1986, but all time. People rushed to PX stores across the country to get their hands on their own World War II bomber jacket, in order to emulate the look of Tom Cruise.

And, although the popularity of the leather bomber jackets faded by the mid-90s, the nylon MA-1 bomber jacket grew in popularity, especially in the hip-hop subculture. Today, the bomber jacket is still a popular option for youth around the world as casual streetwear.

The Stars Who Made Top Gun Iconic

The Top Gun that we know today, could never have reached its peak popularity if it wasn’t for Director Tony Scott. He revolutionized the way that cinematography was done, by using quick cuts, and bold colors to highlight the action of the film. With the help of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Top Gun became a commercial success.

Tom Cruise’s role as Maverick defined his career and made him a superstar. It was because of his charisma and ability to perform the high-octane sequences in the film that made him a leading man of the era. From Top Gun to The Color of Money, to Cocktail, Rain Man, and Born on the Fourth of July, every film he starred in was a commercial success. Alongside him were his costars Val Kilmer and Kelly Michaelis who played the roles of Iceman and Charlie.

Top Gun’s Enduring Legacy

Top Gun left a significant footprint that continues to influence fashion, entertainment, and even military recruitment today. The film’s portrayal of the US Navy pilots glamorized the concept of military service, which actually led to an increase in recruitment for the U.S. Navy shortly after its release. The depictions of aerial combat and high-risk missions appeal to younger audiences and inspire them to pursue careers in aviation as well as in the military.

The influence of the film was so great that the effects of Tom Cruise’s role as Maverick were still being felt 30 years later. In 2022, a sequel to the film was released, and just like the original film, Top Gun: Maverick also became a major box office success.

Conclusion

In the end, Top Gun remains one of the most iconic movies in the 80’s thanks to its groundbreaking action sequences and star-making performances. Its impact on fashion and pop culture can still be felt today in today’s generation. Top Gun has become a timeless classic.