After an eleven-week theatrical run for Top Gun: Maverick, the Tom Cruise starrer blockbuster’s box office earnings have surpassed James Cameron’s Titanic. The follow-up to the 1986 Top Gun film currently holds the 7th spot among the all-time domestic box office record, below Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War. At the moment, Maverick’s worldwide earnings stand at $1.3 billion and Top Gun fans are rejoicing over its massive success.
It’s a special day for Paramount Pictures to celebrate as Top Gun: Maverick officially became the all-time biggest domestic earner in the studio’s 110-year history. Although Cameron’s 11 times Oscar-winning title for Paramount still dominates Top Gun in the worldwide market with earnings of $2.2 billion – Maverick managed to outpace the beloved classic’s domestic sales without releasing in China or Russia. Moreover, the sequel is also a huge success in Cruise’s 41-year career marking it as his first $1B earner globally.
Fans are pouring out their tribute to the veteran star and studio and a few even sparking Oscar buzz, though many weren’t surprised by its success, especially after it earned a tear-jerking reaction at CinemaCon 2022 screening. Readers can check out reactions below.
BREAKING!! “TOP GUN MAVERICK” does it again, this time passing “TITANIC” as the 7TH BIGGEST MOVIE of ALL TIME with $662 MILLION DOMESTICALLY! #TopGunMaverick is also now the BIGGEST DOMESTIC MOVIE in PARAMOUNT’S HISTORY! Worldwide total: $1.3 BILLION! @TomCruise pic.twitter.com/wis2Q17yyv
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) August 7, 2022
Oh, there's a big, new action flick in theaters that's a real diesel, you say? Ok. Sure. Bring it.
Despite direct competition, TOP GUN: MAVERICK slid just -16% in its 11th weekend in theaters –$7M, $662M total. This just doesn't happen, folks.
— Exhibitor Relations Co. (@ERCboxoffice) August 7, 2022
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ has surpassed ‘Titanic’ as the 7th highest-grossing film of all time domestically. pic.twitter.com/UDFX6kH2Mj
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 7, 2022
TOP GUN: MAVERICK continues to soar at the Australian box office, moving up the ranks to become the 3rd highest grossing film of all time in Australia with a phenomenal AU$85.3million ✈️ That's sky high alright 😍 pic.twitter.com/N0vjfjvJBo
— Palace Cinemas (@palacecinemas) August 8, 2022
“Top Gun: Maverick” just surpassed Titanic in rocket sales. “Lightyear” bombed. What does that tell you about the kinds of stories America prefers?
— Merianne Jensen (@MerianneJensen) August 7, 2022
The fact that at one point Top Gun: Maverick was predicted to gross $700m – $800m at the box office but now it’s $50m away from grossing $1.4b
Lady Gaga said she wanted to work on film scores and this has been a great start to her composing career
— My Name Is James (@_JamesGtfo) August 7, 2022
Coming for 5 Oscar’s
— My Name Is James (@_JamesGtfo) August 7, 2022
PEOPLE WANT GOOD HONEST ENTER-FUCKING-TAINMENT HOLLYWOOD.
And Top Gun: Maverick gave it in spades. https://t.co/lIASKXv9Wa
— HvB (@HAWTToys) August 8, 2022
DESERVED 🥰pic.twitter.com/Vglma2NsU9
— jules munson ✵ (@druigbabe) August 7, 2022
TC was so smart to wait to release in theaters!
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) August 7, 2022
#TopGunMaverick is another example of what America wants.https://t.co/gZUckQeDsv
— Cristian PM (@TheCristianPM) August 7, 2022
Here come those guaranteed Oscar nominations, including one for Tom Cruise!
— Simone Cromer 🎥 (@TheatreofZen) August 7, 2022
Tom Cruise's final payday for this is going to be absolutely insane
— Mello (@MelloProto) August 7, 2022
Pour one out for Celine Dion! Top Gun: Maverick ($663m) has overtaken Titanic ($659m) as the seventh highest grossing film of all time.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) August 7, 2022
It’s so crazy that this movie is surpassing a movie like Titanic, with half of the cultural pervasiveness. I love Top Gun: Maverick but it Titanic was a moment in pop culture history. It touched every aspect of pop culture. Top Gun definitely had its moment but not like Titanic. https://t.co/xTiJSlfSUf
— bobbi hosts ✨The Afternoon Special ✨ (@hiimbobbi) August 6, 2022
The biggest win for a film in the year of 2022! Nothing will come close to this W!
— REEL IT IN REACTIONS (@ReelItInMyles) August 7, 2022
Several critics have lauded Hollywood’s ability to survive without a dependency on the Chinese film industry market after Top Gun 2 joined the billion-dollar club. China has been controversial for not just censoring LGBTQ+ references in movies but evening going as far as banning releases like Eternals. Earlier, Warner Bros. released their Harry Potter franchise’s Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore with a complete censor of the film’s gay storyline. But in the case of Top Gun 2, it failed to secure a release in China for including the appearance of Taiwan’s ROC flag.
Top Gun: Maverick was directed by Joseph Kosinski from a script penned by Christopher McQuarrie, Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer. The movie is still in theaters but will be available for VOD purchase from August 23.
