Tom Cruise’s beloved movie, Top Gun, is heading back to the big screen in 2026, Paramount has announced. This will be the fourth time Top Gun has been shown in theaters in four decades, following its initial release in 1986, a 3-D version in 2013, and a special re-release before Top Gun: Maverick in 2021.
Paramount is planning a re-release of Top Gun in theaters on May 13, 2026, to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary. This date is very close to the movie’s original release in 1986, and it originally earned $357 million at the box office.
With the exception of one film, all major releases in the Top Gun series have come out in May. The original movie premiered on May 16, 1986, followed by the 2021 re-release on May 14, the blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick on May 27, 2022, and the upcoming 2026 re-release on May 13. The only exception was the 3D re-release in 2013, which was released in February.
| Top Gun Theatrical Releases | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Top Gun | May 16, 1986 |
| Top Gun 3D Re-Release | February 8, 2013 |
| Top Gun 2021 Re-Release | May 14, 2021 |
| Top Gun: Maverick | May 27, 2022 |
| Top Gun 40th Anniversary Re-Release | May 13, 2026 |
This will be the first Top Gun movie released in theaters without Val Kilmer, who famously played Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in both films. Kilmer sadly passed away on April 1, 2025, at age 65, and his Top Gun colleagues – including Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Jennifer Connelly – shared heartfelt tributes after the news.
As a big movie fan, I noticed something interesting about when Top Gun is coming back to theaters. While it’s common for these kinds of films to premiere in May, this particular re-release is sandwiched right between two huge franchise releases in 2026! It’s hitting theaters on May 13th, just after Mortal Kombat II on May 8th, and then leading right into the release of Disney’s The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22nd. It’s going to be a busy month for fans!
With the re-release of the first Top Gun in cinemas, many are hoping to see Tom Cruise return as Maverick in a third film. Reports suggest Top Gun 3 is already being planned at Paramount Pictures. Although details about the plot, cast, and release date are still scarce, Paramount confirmed in August 2025 that the project remains a high priority.
If the 40th anniversary re-release of Top Gun does well in theaters, it could encourage Paramount to start working on another sequel sooner. The wait shouldn’t be as long as the 36 years between the original and Maverick. This re-release is the first Top Gun film since Maverick earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide, and it’s bringing renewed attention to the franchise and building excitement for what comes next.
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2025-12-02 00:18