What are some of the popular movies like Top Gun you know of? Top Gun is a 1986 American action drama film that kept many viewers on their toes due to the thrilling storyline.
We cannot deny that Tony Scott did a good job directing this movie; the characters also brought their A-game.
If you are a lover of this action drama, there are many other movies with the same thrilling and action storyline, so we have made a list of movies like Top Gun.
Let us get into it!
I. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
The first on our list of movies like Top Gun is Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel that surpasses the 1986 Top Gun.
The story is about a distinguished U.S. Navy captain, Pete Mitchell, also known as Maverick (Tom Cruise), who returned to the U.S.
Navy strike fighter tactics program as an instructor. However, he must face his past, including a hotshot lieutenant holding a grudge and having to train his deceased best friend’s son. Can he succeed and go back home in one piece?
Joseph Kosinski directed this masterpiece with 96% ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and 8.3 out of 10 by IMDb.
2. Devotion (2022)
This 2022 war and biographical action film made it to our list of movies like Top Gun.
Based on a true story, the movie is about Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history, and his friendship with his fellow fighter pilot Tom Hudner.
These friends faced horrific experiences in the Korean War battle, making them the most celebrated wingmen and heroes.
Based on a 2015 novel written by Adam Makos, the director J. D. Dillard did a fantastic job. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 81%, while IMDb gave it 6.8 out of 10.
3. Flyboys (2006)
A group of young Americans volunteered and enlisted to serve in the French Air Service before the United States in World War 1.
They faced many challenges, including ambush, death, and accusations. The survivors later become the first American fighter pilots.
Although with a relatively low budget, Tony Bill directed this exceptional war and action film that made it to our list of movies like Top Gun.
Flyboys is rated 33% by Rotten Tomatoes and 6.5 out of 10 by IMDb.
4. Red Tails (2012)
A group of black pilots called the Tuskegee Airmen faced severe discrimination and segregation; they were always kept on the ground and never allowed to fly in the sky during World War II.
However, under the guidance of Col. A.J Bullard (Terrence Howard), these African American pilots were allowed to show their prowess and skills.
This tribute to heroes directed by Anthony Hemingway made it to our list of movies like Top Gun with its action and thrilling storyline.
Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 40%, and IMDb gave it 5.9 out of 10.
5. Memphis Belle (1990)
Although this movie is old, we cannot leave it out of our list of movies like Top Gun as it gives a similar experience and feeling. It is 1943, and the air war with Germany is getting stronger.
The 8th Air Force has a B-17 bomber known as Memphis Belle whose crew must complete their 25th mission before returning to the U.S. Will they make it out alive? Will they endure and survive the turbulence?
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, Memphis Belle will keep you hooked. Regarding ratings, this movie is rated 68% by Rotten Tomatoes and 6.9 out of 10 by IMDb.
6. Only The Brave (2017)
While others run away from danger, an elite crew of men runs towards it to save lives, homes, and properties while forming a strong and unique brotherhood.
This movie is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
The storyline is a tribute to the crew who fought against the wildfire in Prescott, Arizona, in June 2013.
Joseph Kosinski directed this exciting action drama with an 87% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6 out of 10 from IMDb.
7. Midway (2019)
Although there are many other action dramas, Midway made it to our list of movies like Top Gun.
The film is about the battle of Midway – a clash between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the American Fleet.
The decisions and instincts of the United States Navy soldiers and their bravery gave them a chance to defeat their rivals.
This realistic combat movie directed by Roland Emmerich got ratings of 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.7 out of 10 on IMDb.
8. The Guardian (2006)
The top characters from Top Gun and The Guardian have similar feelings hence the need to add the movie to our list of movies like Top Gun.
Champion swimmer with a cocky attitude and troubled past, Jake (Ashton Kutcher) meets Ben (Kevin Costner), his tutor and a legendary rescue swimmer with emotional wreckage.
Ben takes Jack through hard lessons to teach him about loss, sacrifice, and love. Andrew Davis directed this movie with many actions, lessons, and emotions.
The Guardian generated 37% from Rotten Tomatoes and 6.9 out of 10 from IMDb.
9. G.I. Jane (1997)
G.I. Jane is another movie with intense military training; we did not include this movie in our list of movies like Top Gun because the lead character is a lady but because it shows resilience the lead character displayed to prove her strength.
Jordan O’Neill (Demi Moore) is enrolled in the Navy SEALs training program, she is faced with people who expect her to fail, but she strives to prove them wrong even in the most challenging situations to earn her place.
Ridley Scott did so well in directing this movie that he got 51% from Rotten Tomatoes and 6 out of 10 from IMDb.
10. An Officer And A Gentleman (1982)
An Officer And A Gentleman may be the oldest drama in our list of movies like Top Gun, but the challenges and adventures the lead character faces are thrilling.
Raised by a drunken father and having nobody to rely on, Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) enrolled in the U.S. Navy and tried to use his nasty attitude to make his training easier, but with the strict leadership of Sgt. Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.) and an unexpected romance with Paula (Debra Winger), he learns some tough life lessons.
Directed by Taylor Hackford, An Officer, And A Gentleman is rated 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7 out of 10 on IMDb.
11. Pearl Harbor (2001)
The fighter pilot scenes of Pearl Harbor are enjoyable and similar to Top Gun, so we added it to the list. This movie is a story of war, romance, and history.
Two childhood friends and Army Air Corps pilots – Rafe (Ben Affleck) and Danny (Josh Hartnett), meet a Navy nurse Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale), who later becomes Rafe’s girlfriend.
Rafe goes to fight in Europe alongside British Air Corps while his girlfriend finds comfort in the arms of Danny. Things turn south when Rafe returns and learns of the new relationship.
However, the turmoil of Pearl Harbor brings them together, and they might have to reconcile.
Michael Bay directs this tale of romance and war. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 24%, and IMDb gave it 6.2 out of 10.
12. The Right Stuff (1983)
The Right Stuff is next on our list of movies like Top Gun, directed by Philip Kaufman.
This historical drama is about 7 pilots selected to run a space program.
The work was hazardous, and their lives were not guaranteed as the missile designers had poor records of failure.
However, these pilots were successful in the launch. This movie is based on a book written by Tom Wolfe.
With a rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.8 out of 10 on IMDb, the film is a must-watch.
13. Hot Shots! (1991)
If you are a die-hard fan of Top Gun, you will surely love Hot Shots!
This hilarious drama is about an unstable but talented fighter pilot, Lieutenant Sean Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen) is haunted by memories of his father’s ghost and in a personality conflict with a cocky Lieutenant Kent Gregory (Cary Elwes) over a woman Ramada Thompson (Valeria Golino).
Will he be able to fight the memories of his father’s ghost, win his love and save a mission sabotaged by a greedy aerospace company owner?
Jim Abrahams did a fantastic job directing this drama in our list of movies like Top Gun. Rotten Tomatoes rated Hot Shots! 85%, while IMDb rated it 6.7 out of 10.
14. Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
This movie made it to our list of movies like Top Gun, as there are many fighting scenes, even more than the original.
A fighting navigator Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson), is tired of the boring missions he has been flying.
On one of his boring missions, he convinces pilot Stackhouse (Gabriel Macht) to fly another course, leading to their being shot down.
Burnett has to outrun a pursuing army while his commanding officer Reigert (Gene Hackman), takes risks to save him.
The director John Moore did a good job; however, Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 37%, and IMDb gave it 6.4 out of 10.
15. First Man (2018)
While Top Gun had exciting flight scenes, First Man showed viewers the terror side of flying rocket planes, which is why we included it in our list of movies like Top Gun.
NASA recruited Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) in 1960 for a mission known as Project Gemini.
There were many trials, challenges, and tragedies before Neil and another astronaut Buzz Aldrin (Corey Stoll), landed on the moon in 1969, with Neil taking the first step on the moon. How does being the first man to step on the moon feel?
This semi-fictional drama is directed by the Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 87%, while IMDb gave it 7.3 out of 10.
Bottom Line
If you are a die-hard fan of Top Gun or love the action, war, and exciting storyline, there are other similar movies for you.
We have carefully selected the best movies like top gun, that will satisfy you and keep you on your feet.
Enjoy your movie time!
