Top Gun was released this week back in 1986. The film starred Tom Cruise and was directed by Tony Scott. Despite mixed reviews, the film earned over $353 million at the box office. It was the #1 film of 1986.
The soundtrack was also a huge hit. It went platinum 9 times and was #1 on the charts for five weeks. Three singles from the soundcheck hit the top 40. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins hit #2 and Heaven in Your Eyes by Loverboy went to #12. The biggest hit was Take My Breath Away by Berlin. That song was #1 on the singles chart and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
The film was also a hit in the still somewhat new home video market. Sales went up 40% for Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses after the movie became a blockbuster. The U.S. Navy reported that new recruits who wanted to be aviators jumped up 500% after the movie came out.
A sequel titled Top Gun: Maverick is set to be released in the summer of 2020. Both Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer will reprise their roles from the first film.