Top Gun: Maverick is one of the most successful legacy sequels ever, grossing a huge $1.5 billion at the box office when it was released in May 2022.
The sequel has had streaming runs since its cinema release on the likes of Paramount+ and Netflix (where it can still be watched in the UK and Ireland). However, it is now finally making its terrestrial debut.
If you haven’t seen it yet, or just feel the need for speed a rewatch, Top Gun: Maverick has its network premiere tonight (March 23) at 9.10pm on Channel 4.
If you’ve got other plans for a Saturday night, the movie will be available to watch for free on Channel 4’s streaming service following its broadcast.
Top Gun: Maverick sees Tom Cruise reprise his classic role as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell as he heads back to Top Gun to train up a new batch of recruits, including Goose’s son Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Miles Teller).
The mission? To destroy an unsanctioned nuclear plant before it becomes operational, and since it’s Top Gun, it’s a mission that could prove deadly to whoever takes part in it.
Top Gun: Maverick also brings back Val Kilmer as Maverick’s nemesis-turned-friend Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, while other newcomers include Jennifer Connelly as Maverick’s ex Penny, Glen Powell as Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin and Jon Hamm as Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson.
The sequel proved such a hit that Paramount was confirmed to be developing a third movie earlier this year, with Top Gun: Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger working on a draft of the script.
Powell appeared to already confirm his return shortly after the news: “There is stuff happening, and it sounds very exciting. I don’t know when I’ll be going back… I’m sure there is a jet waiting for me sometime in the future.”
Top Gun: Maverick airs tonight (March 23) at 9.10pm on Channel 4 and will be available to watch shortly afterwards on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
