Top Gun (1986) – IMDb: 6.9

Top Gun (1986), directed by Tony Scott, is a high-flying action drama that became a cultural phenomenon. The film follows a group of elite fighter pilots at the United States Navy’s Top Gun school, where the best of the best are trained to be the country’s top aviators. With a mix of heart-pounding aerial combat, intense personal drama, and an unforgettable soundtrack, Top Gun cemented its place as one of the most iconic films of the 1980s.
Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is a hotshot fighter pilot with a reputation for taking risks and breaking the rules. His daring flying style often puts him at odds with his fellow pilots and superiors, but Maverick’s talent is undeniable. When he is sent to the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California, Maverick must face the best pilots in the Navy, all vying for the coveted title of Top Gun.
At Top Gun, Maverick encounters Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer), a rival pilot who follows the book and adheres to strict discipline, contrasting Maverick’s reckless, yet effective, flying style. Throughout the training, Maverick’s confidence is tested, and he grapples with his personal demons, particularly the shadow of his father’s death during a previous war mission.
As Maverick competes for the Top Gun trophy, his emotional journey unfolds, especially his romance with Charlie (Kelly McGillis), an instructor at the school. But when tragedy strikes and a close friend is lost, Maverick must overcome his doubts, reconcile with his past, and rise to the occasion to become the pilot he was always meant to be.