Box Office Smash That ‘Saved Cinema’ Is Now Streaming Free for the First Time Ever

Top Gunhas been all over the headlines lately. In celebration of the original film’s 40th anniversary, Tony Scott’s 1986 action flick soared back into theaters, as well as its stellar sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, which took 36 years to launch. And now, even more fantastic news: The crowd-pleasing second chapter is available to stream for free. 

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For the sequel, Tom Cruise reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, an oftentimes-rogue fighter pilot who is now tasked with coaching a group of young Top Gun graduates, including his late best friend and wingman’s son, Rooster, played by Miles Teller, through what is seemingly a suicide mission. 

It’s an action-packed thrill ride that delivers on white-knuckle energy and tearjerking emotion while also staying loyal to Scott’s original tone, story, and vision. Some might even say it’s better than the original (us — we would say that). 

In addition to Cruise and Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, Jon Hamm, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Glen Powell, Chris Parnell, and Danny Ramirez all round out the star-studded cast. of the Joseph Kosinski-directed film.

Released in May 2022, the film was a major box office hit, generating $1.5 billion worldwide on a $177 million budget. It also counteracted the critical post-pandemic period when movie theaters were in dire need of a lifeline, proving that blockbusters weren’t dead in this era of streaming. Moviegoers just needed a really good excuse to leave the comfort of their couches. 

The following year, Steven Spielberg and Cruise, who worked together on Minority Report and War of the Worlds, reunited at the Oscar nominees luncheon. The two were both vying for Academy Awards — Speilberg with The Fabelmans and Cruise with Top Gun: Maverick. While chatting, Variety shared that Spielberg had a message for Cruise and how he might have saved cinema. 

“You saved Hollywood’s ass and you might have saved theatrical distribution,” Spielberg said. According to the outlet, Cruise was left blushing. Now, let’s see what he can do with Top Gun 3. 

Top Gun: Maverick is streaming for free on Pluto.

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