Top Gun, the highest grossing film in 1986, featured a story about students in the U.S. Navy's elite fighter weapons school. The film starred Tom Cruise as Maverick, a daring student looking to make a name for himself.
After the release of Top Gun, U.S. Navy recruiters actually visited theaters in hopes of recruiting men who might have been interested in joining the US Navy after viewing the film. Since its release, the movie has become a well-known and widely viewed American film, which may be why the actual United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program has some rules regarding quoting the film: any staff member caught quoting Top Gun can be fined $5. While the fine isn't much, the rule certainly says a lot about the film's popularity.
More about the film Top Gun:
- Top Gun was inspired by an article written in "California" magazine about the U.S. Navy's Top Gun School.
- John Travolta was considered for the role of Maverick.
- Tom Cruise's flight suit from Top Gun is on display at Planet Hollywood.