So you saw Top Gun: Maverick, decided you couldn’t get enough aerial action, and rewatched the original Top Gun to try to scratch that itch. Or maybe you have a craving for military drama and death-defying stunts and you aren’t sure where to turn next. Sure, there are a million fighter pilot movies that have been churned out over the past few decades, but which ones are actually worth watching? And can you get the same thrills from watching a movie that’s a little lighter on the aerial dog fights, but just as compelling? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
The tricky thing about deciding what to watch after Top Gun is that a) there’s nothing else in the world quite like Top Gun, and b) the military drama genre can be especially susceptible to racism, jingoism, and propaganda. Case in point: military recruiters are running ads in theaters before Top Gun showings and even setting up recruiting booths outside the auditoriums. It’s okay if you want to get that adrenaline rush without feeling like you’re supporting American imperialism. Here are eight movies that are reminiscent of Top Gun and well-made to boot!
The Right Stuff (1983)
This adaptation of the novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the early years of the U.S. space program, focusing on Project Mercury, which consisted of the first crewed suborbital and orbital spaceflights. The movie highlights the daredevil nature of the Mercury astronauts, and the extreme danger they faced as some of the first human beings to travel to space.
Days of Thunder (1990)
Okay, this movie is about stock car racers, not fighter pilots, but it’ll still satisfy your need for speed. Plus, it stars Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle, a cocky driver who’s a bit of a … maverick. Trickle’s a talented racer, but his temper gets him into trouble not just with the competition, but with his own teammates, as well.
Hot Shots! (1991)
Maybe you love Top Gun, but you’re looking for a movie that’s fully aware of how ridiculous its premise is. Look no further than Hot Shots!, one of the great 80’s era farces. Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen) is a fighter pilot aboard the S.S. Essess. He’s on an important mission, but he’s haunted by the ghost of his father, and he has to deal with corrupt weapons manufacturers to boot.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This classic film tells the true story of astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) and his crew, who flew the U.S.’s third manned mission to the surface of the moon. When their ship was damaged by an oxygen tank explosion, the three men had to figure out how to get home safely. Starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon, Apollo 13 contains all the white knuckle flying and frantic problem solving that makes military movies so gripping, plus some beautiful cinematography and first-rate acting.
First Man (2018)
This biopic of astronaut Neil Armstrong, starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, details his life from 1961 to 1969. After a career as a test pilot for the National Committee for Aeronautics High-Speed Flight Station, Armstrong was selected as an astronaut for NASA’s Gemini program and later went on to travel to the moon in Apollo 11. As an astronaut, Armstrong faced a grueling training regimen and dangerous test flights before eventually walking on the moon.
Midway (2019)
This film is based on the true story of the Battle of Midway, a naval battle that was one of the turning points of WWII. Starting with the attack on Pearl Harbor, Midway chronicles the U.S. Armed Forces’ planning and execution of the attack on the Japanese forces at Midway Atoll, culminating in the epic battle itself.
Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Disgruntled navigator Chris Burnett is tired of flying recon missions in his deployment to Bosnia. When he sees a promising target on a Christmas Day mission, he convinces his pilot to check it out, and they get shot down. Burnett finds himself fighting for his life as the enemy tries to track him down and his commanding officer struggles to rescue him.
Captain Marvel (2019)
As a Marvel movie, Captain Marvel is more science fiction than military drama, but there are fighter jets, so it qualifies. Kree warrior Vers (Brie Larson), under interrogation by the Skrull, begins to have flashbacks of her previous life as fighter pilot Carol Danvers. As both of her lives begin to meld together, Carol becomes the high-flying hero Captain Marvel.
(featured image: Paramount)
