This story about Top Gun Maverick first appeared in the Race Begins issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
When it comes to movies released in 2022 one film has dominated the conversation gripping the cultural zeitgeist with fervor and tenacity. That film of course is Top Gun Maverick. Looking back it seems as if it was always destined to be a breakout smash and a critical and commercial darling not only for its many technical merits but for its artistic triumphs too. But it was not always so clear.
This is, after all a sequel to a Tom Cruise vehicle from a whopping 36 years ago and one that saw its release date constantly shift because of the ongoing pandemic. When it opened in May it became the No. 1 movie in the country. This was expected. What was less expected was the fact that it would stay in the Top 10 for 20 more weeks and become the fifth-highest-grossing domestic release of all time.
While it might be hyperbolic to say that Top Gun: Maverick saved the act of going to a theater, that’s also not far off. As a moviegoing experience it was evangelized, particularly if the discussion turned to large format screens or something like Screen X where the interior walls of the theater included new footage, creating an immersive wraparound image. People saw the movie multiple times and dragged friends and family members who had not seen it. It was a true phenomenon.
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