A Spectacular Return After 36 Years... 'Top Gun' Sequel Hits Big in First Weekend

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The sequel to the movie 'Top Gun,' released after 36 years, 'Top Gun: Maverick,' has hit a jackpot during its opening weekend, raising expectations for a revival of the cinema industry.

According to major foreign media on the 30th (local time), 'Top Gun: Maverick' earned $248 million worldwide during its opening weekend. The foreign media commented that this has provided an opportunity for the cinema industry, which had been stagnant for the past two years due to the spread of COVID-19 and the growth of the streaming market, to regain vitality.

Distributor Paramount announced that 'Top Gun: Maverick,' which was released on the 27th, earned $124 million in the U.S. within three days until the 29th, and earned the same amount, $124 million, in overseas markets. The production cost of 'Top Gun: Maverick' was $150 million. Critics praised 'Top Gun: Maverick' as an excellent movie in terms of entertainment value, just like the original film released in 1986, rather than for its artistic merit, according to foreign media.

The lead actor Tom Cruise actively promoted the movie not only in the U.S. but also at the Cannes Film Festival and in the UK, which is evaluated to have contributed significantly to the box office success.

Cruise is known to have insisted that 'Top Gun: Maverick' must be released in theaters. It is interpreted that he judged a large screen was necessary to properly enjoy the spectacular fighter jet scenes of Top Gun. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer shared the same view, and Paramount and production company Skydance postponed the release of 'Top Gun: Maverick' for two years. This was a different approach from Warner Bros., Disney, and others who gave up theatrical releases of anticipated works during the COVID-19 pandemic and released movies through streaming services. Cruise attended the Cannes International Film Festival and said, "'Top Gun: Maverick' will never be released on streaming services."