Tom Cruise Confirmed Top Gun 3 Is in Development

The actor shared plans for the next installment while recounting his early experiences with fighter jet flight sickness.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Science Fiction

Tom Cruise Confirmed Top Gun 3 Is in Development

Live Poll

Would you be interested in seeing a third installment of the Top Gun film franchise?

Tom Cruise has confirmed that a third installment of the Top Gun franchise is currently in development. The announcement came alongside reflections on his initial struggles with air sickness during the filming of the 1986 original.

Why it matters

The confirmation provides a clear signal that the high-flying franchise will continue, building on the commercial and cultural momentum generated by the long-awaited 2022 sequel.

The franchise spanned 36 years between the debut of Top Gun in 1986 and the arrival of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. Fighter jets were central to the production of the original film, which featured flight sequences in F-14 aircraft.

The players

Tom Cruise

He is an American actor and producer known for performing his own stunts in high-budget action films.

The details

Cruise detailed the physical toll of filming, noting that he vomited during his first flight in an A-4 and again on the first day of shooting in an F-14. Despite the initial sickness, he completed multiple flights for the project, and the production team expects Maverick to return for the next film.

California magazine published the Top Guns article in 1983.
The first Top Gun film was released in 1986.
Top Gun: Maverick was released in 2022.
Tom Cruise discussed the project on October 1, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The development of a third film follows the massive box office success established by the 2022 release of Top Gun: Maverick. This move underscores the ongoing studio preference for bankable legacy franchises to anchor theatrical slates.

Fans can anticipate that the upcoming third film will continue the high-octane aerial sequences featured in previous installments. Further updates regarding theatrical release dates and streaming availability will likely follow as production progresses.

The takeaway

Legacy sequels remain a dominant force in modern entertainment as studios capitalize on established fan bases. Viewers looking to prepare for the new installment can revisit the physical demands and aerial cinematography that defined the franchise's history.