“You Can’t Fake The G’s” - How Top Gun: Maverick Pulled Off The Practical Flying Scenes

Here's how the Top Gun Maverick flying scenes were made. See how the Top Gun Maverick cast and crew prepared for these Top Gun Maverick scenes and Top Gun Maverick stunts, from filming the exciting Top Gun plane clips fit for an action movie, to some hardcore Tom Cruise flying lessons.

We spoke to Top Gun Maverick director Joe Kosinski and star Miles Teller about how Top Gun: Maverick's astonishing aerial sequences were achieved using unprecedented practical effects, and a rigorous training program designed by Maverick himself, Tom Cruise. Join us for a look at Top Gun Maverick behind the scenes.

This feature was edited by Simon Cardy.

For more tangentially related CineFix - IGN Movies and TV, be sure to subscribe AND check these out!

[TheElvire]

I have to say that I haven’t had this much fun at the movies in ages !!!! Such a blast too see this on a big screen i can’t wait to see it again

[ajtaylor]

I walked out of this film completely shocked yet pleased because this blockbuster delivers some of the best action scenes maybe ever. Cruise and Kosinski could've easily opted for CGI, but if Cruise is crazy enough to hold his breath underwater for 6 minutes he's crazy enough to actually fly a fighter jet and train everyone else to do it.

[bcheslawski]

I saw this on IMAX on Friday and was hands down best film i've seen in probably a decade. I was jolting in my seat as the jets were cutting back and forth. Such a n amazing fun experience and a major breath of fresh air. So tired of CGI. Bravo to this whole team!

[sdmac]

This was, without a doubt, the best movie I have seen in years. It's fun, it's breath-taking, it's nail-biting, it's everything a good action movie should be. It turns out the best way to take an 80s institution like Top Gun into the 21st century is to change very little. They knew what made the original film awesome and boy did they ever run with it.

[NishantGogna]

Producers, pay attention. It's the practical way, or the highway. This movie is a return to the true art of filmmaking.

[senshai]

I was smiling, being serious from the emotional scenes, and by the movie ended, giddy with excitement and the pure joy of seeing everything unfold on screen !. Just pure action movie entertainment!

[kiekeyz]

That scene with the dark star taking the top off the building wasn’t planned and they kept it in! So cool!!!!

[zerocool]

If there’s any film this year that deserves to hit a billion it’s absolutely this one. Not some lazy joke-riddled CGI fest MCU Crap that has infested the film landscape over the last several years. This is the film we need

[adamfanalways]

For anyone who hasn’t seen this movie yet, please get to your local theaters and go enjoy this action packed story with a heart at the center of it! It’s just fantastic all the way thru! Go see it, it’s how a sequel is done right! Tom Cruise the director the editing the action the emotion this film evokes for a audience just delivers! Best movie 🎥 of the year! It needs to be up for multiple awards come Oscar time! 10/10

[tertiusgous]

The movie was way greater than what I could have expected! Go see it on the biggest screen you can!

[romilrh]

7:06 Man, that is an ALL-TIME movie moment right there. Everyone in my theater was doing a mix of cheering or just laughing their asses off in pure awe.

[jonathandlc]

Brought me right back to the 80s. Damn entertaining, and fun to watch. That’s what ACTION movies should be all about. Leave the messages to theater and other genres. Thanks Tom!

[thomaseyob]

It’s very rare that a film gets to give me the kinda cinematic experience like this film did.

[kirbymarchbarcena]

I gotta admire Tom's dedication for physical workout/training to make this movie memorable and enjoyable.

[mrx]

Love the realistic action scenes in this movie! Everyone did a fantastic job!
This movie is definitely one to watch on the big screen!

[davidlindsay]

And 30 years from now:
TOP GUN: ROOSTER

[lightningstorm]

I knew something was off when I watched this in the Cinema. The plane and flight felt too real to be CGI. This movie was truly incredible

[Chuggington_Videos]

I love so much that the same guy who directed Tron: Legacy is doing such amazing work here with this movie.

[multiple_oranges]

It's incredible to see the level of dedication from the cast and crew on this film. Absolutely well deserved success!

[aegresen]

I saw something written that really caught my eye; much is made about method actors like Daniel Day Lewis, but how is Tom Cruise any different, he puts just as much effort to entertain, more so than any other action actor out there. You have to love the dedication he has for his craft. Hopefully I get some free time to see this on the big screen. [Edit: So, I got to see it. Fun film, but the parts outside the planes are boring and cheesy, wish the writers and director had leaned into a wink-wink attitude for it all. Ah well. The final half an hour are well worth the ticket price, some of the best dogfighting action put to film. If I had to rate it, it's be 6.7/10.]