Parents' Guide to

Top Gun

By Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Exciting Tom Cruise classic has some intense scenes.

Movie PG 1986 109 minutes
Top Gun Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 31 parent reviews

Anonymous
Written by Anonymous
December 14, 2022
age 12+

My fav movie of all time

This is still my fav movie I saw it when I was 12. Yes, a sex scene (maybe it's just kissing?), but you can skip that part and it would still make a lot of sense. It has a lot of swearing, such as b**ch, *ss, d**khead, p***y, s**t, a****le, d**n, and a "flipping the bird" part, but if your kids know not to use those words and do that, they should be fine. There is some action and a main character dies, but if you think your kids can handle about the same amount of blood and violence that is in Black Panther, then this movie is a great pick for kids about 12+
Ben C.
Ben C. Adult
March 11, 2018
age 18+

Good movie but poor language

It is an interesting movie however the movie takes God's name in vain and has coarse language. My wife and I use TV guardian and filtered out the cuss words otherwise I would not have watched it. Also there is a sexual scene between 2 unmarried people. The movie itself was good however without the cuss word filter I would not have watched it.
See all 31 parent reviews

What's the Story?

TOP GUN centers around Maverick (Tom Cruise), a troubled, overconfident fighter pilot who's one of the United States' best. When another pilot loses his confidence during a standoff with an enemy plane, Maverick and his wingman, Goose (Anthony Edwards), get the chance of a lifetime: to attend the Top Gun Naval Flying School in Miramar, California. There, Maverick meets and tries to woo Charlie (Kelly McGillis); takes on his rival, Iceman (Val Kilmer), in the skies; and comes to terms with the mysterious fate of his father, a naval fighter pilot whose death details have been kept confidential. But can Maverick temper his loose-cannon ways to win the competition and cope with the death of someone close to him?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (31 ):
Kids say (85 ):

Made at the peak of Cruise's career in the 1980s, Top Gun is still exciting to watch. For all of the serious drama in the film, it's also heavy on action and charisma. Adults of a certain age will remember how it spawned a fashion movement of aviator glasses and bomber jackets and what a huge star Cruise was. More than The Color of Money or the Mission: Impossible franchise, this well-directed, well-acted film is the one in which Cruise proved that he could play more than an arrogant jerk with a killer smile. Cruise imbues Maverick with so much warmth and depth that you can't help rooting for him.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether they agree with the idea that "There are no points for second place." Is winning all that matters? What would you risk to win?

  • Who do you think Top Gun is aimed at, audience wise? How do you think it might be different if it were remade today?

  • Do you think it was right for Charlie and Maverick to pursue a romantic relationship?

Movie Details

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