Top Gun: Maverick Has Returned to Netflix
The blockbuster sequel is now available to stream for audiences across the United States.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Netflix has added the 2022 hit Top Gun: Maverick back to its streaming platform. The film currently ranks among the most-streamed titles in the United States.
Why it matters
The movie remains a cultural phenomenon following its massive success in theaters. Its availability across multiple platforms allows the film to continue reaching a wide audience as a third installment enters production.
Top Gun: Maverick earned $1.5 billion at the global box office. The film currently holds a 99% audience score based on over 50,000 verified reviews.
The players
Tom Cruise
He is a high-profile actor who has generated $13.3 billion in career earnings and holds the No. 7 spot among Hollywood's highest-paid performers.
Joseph Kosinski
He is the filmmaker who directed Top Gun: Maverick but is not returning to helm the third installment of the franchise.
Christopher McQuarrie
He is a filmmaker and frequent collaborator with Tom Cruise who is a candidate to direct the next film in the Top Gun series.
The details
The movie is currently accessible on both Netflix and Paramount+. This return to the service follows an initial release on the platform in 2023.
Timeline
The Mission: Impossible franchise began generating revenue in 1996.
Top Gun: Maverick was released in theaters in 2022.
The film had an initial stint on Netflix in 2023.
Development for a third Top Gun film was confirmed in April 2026.
The third film is expected to be released in 2027 or 2028.
Industry Dynamics
The film's continued popularity on streaming platforms follows the pattern of success established by the 2022 theatrical release of Top Gun: Maverick. This trajectory reflects a broader trend of major blockbusters maintaining long-term audience engagement through hybrid streaming and theatrical lifecycles.
Viewers can now watch the film on Netflix without needing a separate subscription to other platforms. This addition simplifies access for subscribers looking to view the title as anticipation builds for the third installment.
The takeaway
Top Gun: Maverick continues to perform as a top-tier title well after its initial theatrical run. Fans of the franchise can expect more news regarding the third installment as development progresses toward a potential 2027 or 2028 premiere.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the genre, visit the Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rolling Out.
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