'Top Gun' returns to theaters for 40th anniversary run. How to watch

High-speed jets, aviator sunglasses and a need for speed are back on the big screen.

"Top Gun" and its blockbuster sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" are set to return to AMC Theatres locations nationwide for a limited one-week run beginning May 13, marking 40 years since the original film first took flight in 1986.

The anniversary re-release offers audiences the chance to experience both films on the big screen again, from the original’s iconic fighter jet sequences to the sequel’s modern, high-intensity aerial cinematography.

The franchise's popularity spans generations of moviegoers and remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action properties. Here's how to watch it again in theaters.

A franchise that defined – and revived – the box office

When Tom Cruise first appeared as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in 1986, "Top Gun" became a cultural phenomenon, boosting Navy recruitment and cementing Cruise as a global star.

More than three decades later, "Top Gun: Maverick" delivered an even bigger impact. Released in 2022, the sequel grossed roughly $1.5 billion worldwide and played a key role in revitalizing theaters following pandemic shutdowns. The film earned six Academy Award nominations, including best picture, and won for best sound.

‘Top Gun 3’ officially in development

The anniversary celebration comes as momentum builds for a third installment.

At CinemaCon in April, Paramount Pictures confirmed that "Top Gun 3" is in development, with a script underway and Cruise expected to return alongside longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

While casting details haven't been confirmed, "Maverick" introduced a new generation of fictional pilots played by actors like Miles Teller and Glen Powell, some of whom have hinted they could reprise their roles.

A director has not yet been announced. "Maverick" was helmed by Joseph Kosinski, who took over the franchise after original director Tony Scott died in 2012.

How to get tickets

Tickets for the limited re-release are available through AMC Theatres via its website and mobile app, with showtimes varying by location. Given the popularity of both films and the one-week window, moviegoers may want to book early to secure preferred screening times.

USA TODAY reporter Brendan Morrow contributed to this report.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @athompsonABJ