When Top Gun: Maverick first came out, my colleagues and I couldn’t stop arguing about what would make for the best viewing experience. We wondered if we should see it in IMAX 1.43:1 or 4D so the on-screen vibrations could literally rock our seats. But before anything else, we agreed we’d better make sure the theater had Dolby Stereo (god forbid we miss out on bass and volume). In the end, however, it was one colleague’s ever-so-superior pick that put all other suggestions to rest: “Forget about all that, the best way to see this movie is to select it on the in-flight menu. Even better if you’ve got a window seat, looking down at the clouds, or just watching the landscape pass by like a topographic map. Take your best headphones and crank up the volume to the max—asking your seat partner if they mind, of course.” All of us shut up immediately, nodding slowly as we let it sink in. I could totally see it. Unfortunately, I never did get the opportunity. While I did fly after the movie came out, none of the flights were offering Top Gun: Maverick as in-flight entertainment. So of course, I’m jealous of you as I write this.

Not all movies are made the same. I’m not talking about artistic merit here. What I mean is that some movies are made for watching at the theater, preferably without too many people around so nothing distracts from your viewing experience. Some movies, however, are exactly the opposite. These movies don’t demand your undivided concentration from start to finish; instead, you zone in and out, just enjoying some me-time, until tell-tale auditory cues delivered through your headphones (cinema-speak for “something major is about to happen”) jolt you back into awareness. Top Gun: Maverick is optimized for the latter kind of viewing.

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick isn’t really a director’s movie. Nobody, not even movie critics, seems to remember the director’s name. If you really must know, it’s Joseph Kosinski, whose CV skews more toward commercials than filmmaking. Overall, the film’s main dramatic arc and the emotional journey of its main characters could be tighter. But again, this is hardly a movie that benefits from cut-by-cut analysis. If I were that passenger sitting next to you, my tentative advice would be to use those moments to daydream about your plans at your destination, whether pleasure or business; maybe watch a few clouds pass by. The plot is just as predictable as you think, so I don’t feel I need to sum it up for you.

But who cares about plot when you have Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell taking the hypersonic jet Darkstar on an experimental flight in the first moments of the movie? Your neighbor, mesmerized by the scene they happened to catch on your screen, might find themselves watching along until you notice and they apologize, remembering only then to turn on their own screen. Are the visual effects really that good? Hold onto that thought while I digress for a second. As you might guess from the title, Top Gun: Maverick is a sequel. The original Top Gun, also starring Tom Cruise, is brilliantly shot. Tony Scott, the film’s director, instantly grips the audience’s attention by taking them inside the cockpit, shooting from the pilot’s point of view.

The audience is made to feel as if they are flying these fighter jets, pulling off outrageous action sequences. Add some judicious editing, a soundtrack that heightens auditory excitement, and cutting-edge aircraft and you have a full-blown extravaganza unlike anything else ever seen at the time. Not that you have to be a military buff to appreciate the spectacle, either. Shot on the USS Enterprise, the flight scenes use actual U.S. Navy aircraft as well. Although some historical details were omitted for the sake of the film’s progression, the overwhelming realism of the fighter jets used in actual combat situations are quite convincing. Top Gun: Maverick takes this concept to the maximum. Using the latest gear and technology, most of the film’s incredible flight scenes were shot to make it look as real as possible. With CGI (computer-generated imagery) rounding out scenes that would have been realistically impossible to shoot, the results speak for themselves. Those with a need for speed won’t be disappointed, either. The dogfights happen so fast that by the time you realize that something happened, it’s over with only the ongoing explosions and radio calls to cue you in. At this point, it’s safe to say that you don’t just watch Top Gun: Maverick, you react to it.

The parallels with computer games are unavoidable here. When you’re playing games, the second you hesitate, it’s already game over. Top Gun: Maverick takes viewers over familiar terrain. With the mission execution process repeatedly displayed on a simulation monitor, the audience is able to follow the overall progress of the mission. Then the view switches to a wide angle shot so that the screen seems to be hugging you, as if you are Tom Cruise in that cockpit. You might think I’m exaggerating, but when I was watching this film at the theater, the person sitting next to me couldn’t stop gripping at invisible controls and leaning forward as if they were about to dive into the screen. Some reviews that I’ve read compare this movie to an IMAX computer game, and I agree. Even better, it’s a game that I don’t have to play because Tom Cruise does a phenomenal job of delivering a happy ending for audiences. He not only navigates the obstacles and challenges to complete the mission; he also finds success with his love interest. I may have given away a spoiler, but isn’t that the kind of ending you were hoping for when you decided to watch this film?

As the saying goes, there may be some who don’t watch Top Gun: Maverick at all, but it’s impossible to watch it only once. In fact, once you’ve seen this movie, it’s likely you’re going to want to rewatch certain scenes. Luckily for the audience, it’s not all dogfights, all the time; the viewer is given time to recuperate between scenes. By the time you feel that things are getting a little slow, you’re in the cockpit again. This pacing is what Top Gun: Maverick gets really right, in my opinion. So go ahead and pace yourself between the clouds rolling past your window and the realistic fighting on your screen. The next time you talk about Top Gun: Maverick, be sure to ask your conversation partner where they saw it. When it’s your turn to answer, assert, with a certain superiority, that you saw it “on top of the clouds.” Bonus points for soaking in their response with a Cruise-like smile.

• Jung Sungil is a film critic and a director. He played a crucial role in shaping cinephile culture in South Korea in the 1990s by leading Kino, a magazine that transformed the landscape of film criticism.

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Top Gun

(1986, directed by Tony Scott)

Do you have to see Top Gun before Top Gun: Maverick? Not necessarily. The sequel does a more than adequate job of filling you in on the backstory. However, if you want to catch all the references from the original Top Gun, it would be worth your while to go back and watch it.

Mission: Impossible III

(2006, directed by J.J. Abrams)

If you enjoy watching Tom Cruise running around at top speed, watch the Mission: Impossible series. Some consider the running action in Mission: Impossible III to be the best. I don’t recommend seeing the sixth installment if you haven’t seen the others, as it can be confusing for those not already familiar with the franchise.

Born on the Fourth of July

(1989, directed by Oliver Stone)

For those only familiar with Tom Cruise in popcorn films, this one’s a bit of an outlier. It’s based on the true story of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam War veteran who returns home a paraplegic. Tom Cruise gave a Golden Globe-winning performance.

Interview With the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles

(1994, directed by Neil Jordan)

A strange vampire movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt at the peak of their charms, this long, intricate vampire saga is most emphatically not a bromance movie. All joking aside, this dimly lit, moody film based on an Anne Rice novel has shades of Expressionism written all over it.

Moana 2

In this sequel to the popular Disney animated film Moana from 2016, the titular protagonist Moana embarks on a new voyage. In the first film, she becomes a skillful navigator who links her tribe to the ocean. After receiving a mysterious call from her ancestor Tautai Vasa, she sets out on a perilous adventure with the legendary demigod Maui and a new crew, determined to break the curse on an ancient island at the bottom of the ocean. Moana’s newfound maturity is evident as she seeks a way to save both her people and herself.

I, the Executioner

Seo Docheol (Hwang Jungmin), a detective in the violent crimes unit, returns in this sequel to the 2015 film Veteran. Ex-convicts are being knocked off one after the other by a serial killer dubbed “Hachi” by a muckraker on YouTube. As the case gets more public attention, rookie officer Park Sunwoo (Jung Haein) joins the team of investigators, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. Viewers will be captivated not only by the film’s thrilling action scenes but also by the novel questions it poses about justice and morality.

Handsome Guys

Jaepil (Lee Sungmin) and Sang-gu (Lee Heejoon) are often misunderstood because of their intimidating appearance. They try to make an honest living but get mistaken for a pair of kidnappers when they settle down in a European-style dream house. Making things even worse, they stir up a troublesome ghost that haunts the place. Can the handsome-on-the-inside duo come out alive?

Nickel Boys

Set in southern Florida in the early 1960s, when segregation was still practiced in the United States, Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson) are both sent to a reform school called the Nickel Academy for spurious reasons. The two boys suffer all kinds of abuse simply for being Black. Nevertheless, they have each other. Adapted from The Nickel Boys, winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and helmed by photographer-director RaMell Ross, this film adopts a firstperson perspective so that viewers can share in the boys’ experience.

Whales and I

People live on land, and majestic whales inhabit the oceans that cover over half our planet. But there’s an uncanny connection between them. As familiar as whales may be, we humans actually rarely encounter them. Yet this documentary describes the possibility of people becoming friends with whales. SBS’ four-part introspective study of the ocean, the Earth and the places we live received multiple honors, including a gold medal at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in 2024.

Interstellar

It’s the 2060s and humankind is in danger of extinction due to famine and environmental degradation. After stumbling upon a secret NASA program, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) travels to space in search of a new home for humanity, leaving behind his daughter Murph (Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy) and son Tom (Casey Affleck, Timothée Chalamet).

Tenet

What connections exist between the past, present and future? The film Tenet is famous for having a plot as complicated as its subject: the relativity of time. A former CIA operative only known as the Protagonist (John David Washington) must stop a secret society called Tenet that’s attempting to destroy the world through “inversions” that reverse the flow of time.

Oppenheimer

This film depicts the life and achievements of J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–1967), inventor of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) plays a key role in the Manhattan Project during World War II, changing the course of history through the development of the atom bomb. But afterward, Oppenheimer wrestles with the ethical impact of his discovery and the human toll of war.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

For Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), an immigrant to the U.S., life is a constant struggle: Her daughter is out of line, her husband wants a divorce and her laundromat is being audited by the IRS. Then she encounters the multiverse where living different lives in different worlds helps her find her true identity and make a difficult choice. The plot is built on a mashup of genres from action and sci-fi to comedy and drama.

Aftersun

One day, Sophie (Celia Rowlson-Hall) has an unexpected dream about her father (Paul Mescal). She thinks back to their trip to Turkey and plays a home video she shot at the time. Through her recollections and imagination, memories of time spent with her father when she was 11 flood back more than 20 years later. The younger version of Sophie is played convincingly by Frankie Corio. Aftersun, which is Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut, is based on her actual experience with her father. This memorable narrative of love and loss is enhanced by beautiful scenery and directed deftly.

Showing Up

Sculptor Lizzy (Michelle Williams) has a big show coming up, but she’s running low on inspiration and constantly relying on friends for help. Another source of constant annoyance is an artist buddy who has stolen the limelight. Showing Up chronicles Lizzy’s week of frantic efforts to throw something together for the show. All bets are off about whether she can finish in time. This film is for everyone striving to shape their daily life into a thing of beauty.

The Lion King

This unforgettable classic is Disney’s first original screenplay with memorable songs by Elton John and Hans Zimmer. The protagonist Simba goes on a journey of self-discovery along which he makes new friends, battles hyenas, and reclaims the throne from his uncle, Scar.

Coco Chanel: Unbuttoned

Who could be more classic than Coco Chanel, the original influencer? Today, she remains synonymous with luxury and style along with the brand she founded. This documentary shines a light on some dark corners while reflecting on her legacy in the worlds ofart and fashion.

West Side Story

This film is the second cinematic adaptation of the 1957 musical West Side Story. Notably, this is the first musical to be directed by Steven Spielberg. The story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet unfolds against the backdrop of the West Side neighborhood of New York in the 1950s

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

After a long hiatus, the series resumes with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Set in the Cold War, the film introduces an ancient artifact that could change the course of history. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) must battle evil forces determined to seize the artifact for themselves

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