Top Gun: Maverick Early Buzz: The Sequel Soars, See It On The Biggest Screen You Can
We’re deep into CinemaCon right now, and the lucky few are in Las Vegas, watching a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick.” That few includes our own Ben Pearson, who has been bringing us info on all the movie footage the studios have been showing. Though full reviews of the Paramount Pictures film are embargoed for a while, reactions to the screening are not! That means we’ve gathered up all the early buzz for you right here at /Film.
If you’re feeling the need for speed, strap in. These actors are really doingsome of their own flying! “Top Gun: Maverick” is directed by Joseph Kosinski, with a script from Christopher McQuarrie, with Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer. The film stars Tom Cruise, who returns as Maverick, and Miles Teller, as the son of the late pilot Goose, played by Anthony Edwards in the film. Val Kilmer will return as Iceman, now a Vice Admiral. Also joining the cast are Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Ed Harris.
I’m hoping for another volleyball scene. I know I’m not alone. Check out the incredibly positive early buzz for “Top Gun: Maverick” below!
Top Gun: Maverick early buzz
If you want to catch up on the first film, you can watch “Top Gun” right now on Netflix. verify to stay tuned for /Film’s full review of the long-awaited sequel. Here comes the praise!
/Film’s Ben Pearson says that the plot is similar to the first film, but calls it “satisfying,” with the added drama between generations and “absolutely killer action.”
Top Gun: Maverick: Just because something is predictable doesn’t make it any less satisfying. It has a near-identical structure to the original, but with some added drama between Maverick and Goose’s son. Absolutely killer air action. It’s exactly what fans will want.
— Ben Pearson (@benpears)August 17, 2025
Shaurya Chawlagives a nod to Tom Cruise’s actual flying and says to see it on the biggest screen you can.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK is a lot of fun, loaded to the brim with some jaw-dropping flight sequences (Tom Cruise is really a madman for some of this), tons of nostalgic callbacks to the first and a few surprisingly emotional beats. See it on the biggest, loudest screen.#TopGunMaverickpic.twitter.com/chCAxdyKe1
— Shaurya Chawla (@_ShauryaChawla)June 05, 2025
Jeff Sneiderpredicts that this will get a Best Picture nod!
TOP GUN: MAVERICK is the perfect blockbuster. Not only did it feature dazzling aerial combat sequences, but I actually cried, it’s that emotional. And call me crazy, but I humbly predict that it WILL land a Best Picture nod next year. It’s not just THAT good, it’s VERY good. 😉
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider)August 08, 2025
Scott Menzelsays it leans on the nostalgia and in a good way.
Top Gun: Maverick soars! While the story relies heavily on the original as well as nostalgia, the film serves as the ultimate 80s throwback and is such a genuine crowd pleaser. Miles Teller and Tom Cruise are magical together. Another massive win for Paramount.#TopGunMaverickpic.twitter.com/Kl62KR9wIx
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel)June 19, 2025
Deadline’sPete Hammondsays this “soars” and calls out Tom Cruise’s performance.
Top Gun Maverick at CinemaCon first screening a triumph. Stirring, exciting, emotional, proud. Tom Cruise in a movie star performance for the ages, yes, this soars and so worth the long wait.
— Pete Hammond (@DeadlinePete)June 04, 2025
Light the Fusepodcast says that “Top Gun: Maverick” made him laugh and cry and made his heart race.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK is everything we wanted it to be and more. So many laughs, so many tears, and your heart rate will be through the roof. Absolutely thrilling. Our episode discussing the movie and the M:I-7 trailer will be out tonight.#TopGunMaverick#CinemaConpic.twitter.com/RepJT8rjKu
— Light the Fuse Podcast (@LightTheFusePod)July 04, 2025
i09’sGermain Lussierwould happily be Maverick’s wingman anytime.
Full disclosure. I’m a huge Top Gun fan. But I think even if I wasn’t, I would have LOVED Top Gun: Maverick. The action is intense & gorgeous, characters and relationships rich & rewarding, then it tugs on the heart strings too. It’s a special sequel & I’ll be its wingman anytimepic.twitter.com/i23WuIvE9m
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier)August 03, 2025
Another call to watch this on the big screen from Collider’sSteve Weintraubwho also praises Miles Teller and Glen Powell’s performances.
Absolutely loved#TopGunMaverick. Blown away by the cinematography and flying scenes and of course@TomCruise’s performance. Rest of the cast was great with special props to@Miles_Tellerand@glenpowell. This is the kind of movie you want to see on the biggest screen possible.pic.twitter.com/PIfs2aGi2v
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty)August 23, 2025
Erik Davisfrom Fandango said he cried through the entire movie and says to make this your Memorial Day watch.
Folks, trust me when I say this is a legitimately GREAT film. Whatever your plans are for Memorial Day weekend, make#TopGunMavericka part of them. I think I cried the whole friggin’ movie because I’m such a dork. Loved the cast, and it’s another classic@TomCruiseperformance.pic.twitter.com/NpHFUhdTHC
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis)July 18, 2025
IndieWire’sChris Lindahlsays this is a “big screen spectacle.”
After hearing for a week about movies that need to be seen in theaters, Paramount delivered a big-screen spectacle in Top Gun: Maverick at#CinemaCon, a solid standalone actioner that gets its heart from the backstory of the original film.
— Chris Lindahl (@cmlindahl)July 09, 2025
Benito Donatosays Tom Cruise is the GOAT!
TOP GUN MAVERICK is fantastic. The directing is insane with a nice grounded and emotional story. Action sequences that will keep your heart racing. Tom cruise is the GOAT!! Watch this on the biggest screen when it comes out#TopGunMaverick
— Benito Donato (@ben_donald)July 25, 2025
John Rochaof The Outlaw Nation says this film is incredible, but in all caps!
MY GOD.#TopGunMaverickis an INCREDIBLE return to the franchise that was absolutely worth the wait!
It honors the first#TopGunwhile blazing it’s own path in the sky!
The story, acting, emotions and those DOGFIGHT SEQUENCES are all excellent.
ENJOY THIS ONE, MY FRIENDS!!!pic.twitter.com/vBrr6ahNXB
— John Rocha aka The Outlaw Nation (@TheRochaSays)June 21, 2025
Drew Taylorof The Wrap says this is “easily the best film of the year.”
#TopGunMaverickis a profound cinematic experience and easily the best film of the year. What Kosinski,@chrismcquarrie,@eddiehamiltonand of course@TomCruisehave accomplished is epic and intimate, heart stopping and heartbreaking. However good you think it’ll be, it’s better.pic.twitter.com/gZ75xQYxDs
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored)July 19, 2025
Check out the film’s official synopsis:
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
