History Heartwarming / TopGunMaverick

* Cyclone turning out to be a JerkWithAHeartOfGold and AFatherToHisMen. He's about to read Mav the riot act for having the pilots skip out on training to play beach football, but then Mav explains that he's trying to foster team spirit, and apparently succeeding, and Cyclone gives an approving nod and walks off. And then, after Mav runs the simulated course himself 15 seconds faster than the plan stipulates, he appoints Mav the strike team leader (rather than one of the other pilots as originally planned) because he's changed his mind and believes that he's the best chance they've got to get everyone home alive.

* While absolutely heartbreaking in context, Maverick and Penny's wordless goodbye on the beach as they hold each other makes it abundantly clear that not only do they truly love each other, they ''understand'' each other. She doesn't ask him not to go despite his earlier promise to never leave her again, and he knows she never could ask him to walk away -- but he's still going to make sure his girl knows just how much she means to him before he goes, and she's going to make sure he knows that ''she'' knows he's left his heart behind with her. And they don't have to say one single word to say any of it.

* The beach "dogfight" football scene is an incredibly competitive, but also very heartwarming scene. Maverick immediately noted to Cyclone the lack of cohesion between the pilots which was affecting their ability, so he created a whole new game, that the pilots enjoyed so much they "stopped keeping score about an hour ago." As it turns out, nerdy Bob becomes the MVP, and is carried around like its his Bar Mitzvah. Even Hangman celebrates him.

* While his career is most likely over, Maverick has found some peace at the end, having gotten together with Penny, repaired his relationship with Rooster, and finally being able to put his past to rest... The fact that he managed to become a literal flying ace, against a pair of 5th Gen fighters using a stolen fighter that is 2 Gens behind during his final mission is just the icing on the cake. Even if Maverick gets kicked out of the Navy, due to his historical feats (there has been no "ace" pilot in the US Navy, in the traditional sense of scoring five air-to-air kills during a career, since 1972) he will have enough options, such as aeronautics or private military companies, or even just writing books or going on lectures that he won't have worry about retirement. He'll also likely get bumped a grade on retirement, meaning he gets a Rear Admiral's pension (about 175k/yr, from a quick read of the appropriate pages, for an O-7 with 40+ years) as well.

* While his career is most likely over, Maverick has found some peace at the end, having gotten together with Penny, repaired his relationship with Rooster, and finally being able to put his past to rest... The fact that he managed to become a literal flying ace, against a pair of 5th Gen fighters using a stolen fighter that is 2 Gens behind during his final mission is just the icing on the cake. Even if Maverick gets kicked out of the Navy, due to his historical feats (there has been no traditional sense of ace pilot in US Navy for well over decades) he will have enough options, such as aeronautics or private military companies, or even just writing books or going on lectures that he won't have worry about retirement. He'll also likely get bumped a grade on retirement, meaning he gets a Rear Admiral's pension as well.

** When announcing the mission roster, Maverick made it clear that 'This is a very specific mission. My choices are a reflection of that and nothing more.' Meaning that getting put on reserve didn't mean you were worth any less than the pilots on the active list. It turns out Maverick really meant that. Ultimately, Hangman was exactly where Maverick and Rooster needed him to be in their most critical moment.

** After Hangman pulls a BigDamnHeroes moment and saves both Maverick and Rooster in their hijacked F-14, he goes on in a spiel about himself being a saviour and also being "very good". But he's clearly doing it as a lighthearted jab after a tense moment. Maverick and Rooster know it too: Maverick gives a fist bump as a clear "thank you" while Rooster just chuckles. Both pilots would rather hear Hangman brag about this moment than being blown up in a plane.

** And when Iceman asks Maverick "who is the better pilot", it's clear that it is a lighthearted jab at their earlier rivalry. Maverick can only tell Iceman to "not ruin the moment" before breaking out into a chuckle himself and embracing Iceman in a hug.

* Maverick's entire relationship with Penny. Every loaded look, every soft touch, and every tender moment speaks to just how deeply they love each other.

** And when Iceman asks Maverick "who is the better pilot", it's clear that it is a lighthearted jab and their earlier rivalry. Maverick can only tell Iceman to "not ruin the moment" before breaking out into a chuckle himself.

* While his career is most likely over, Maverick has found some peace at the end, having gotten together with Penny, repaired his relationship with Rooster, and finally being able to put his past to rest... The fact that he managed to become a literal flying ace, against a pair of 5th Gen fighters using a stolen fighter that is 2 Gens behind during his final mission is just the icing on the cake. Even if Maverick gets kicked out of the Navy, due to his historical feats (there has been no traditional sense of ace pilot in US Navy for well over decades) he will have enough options, such as aeronautics or private military companies, or even just writing books or going on lectures that he won't have worry about retirement.

* Before even the opening credits, there is a short scene with Creator/TomCruise speaking to the audience, hoping they enjoy the movie. The fact that the entire film was more or less a [[DoingItForTheArt passion project]] and a "love letter to aviation" (as also described by Cruise), and that it was [[InMemoriam dedicated]] to Creator/TonyScott (the director of ''Film/TopGun'', who took his own life in 2012) makes it clear how much effort and passion was put into it to bring it to life.

** According to Bruckheimer, ''everyone'' wanted Kilmer back, but Cruise himself was especially insistent. They used AI to reproduce Kilmer's voice, and Kilmer said he was "overwhelmed" after the premiere. He also thanked his ex Cher for helping him through his illness.

* Trailer-only scene revealed, that Maverick' old Tomcat with victory markings was preserved as gate guardian.
* In Japan, the film collaborated with ''[[Anime/UmaMusume Uma Musume]]'', which has a character named Mayano Top Gun. Named after the racehorse of the same name, she is an aspring AcePilot and has a bomber jacket similar to Maverick's. In an AscendedFanboy instance, she was chosen as a Japanese advertising pilot for the movie, and as part of the collaboration, she replaced Maverick in an alternate version of one of the movie posters in Japan. Four ''Uma Musume'' voice actresses attended the movie's Japanese premiere, which included Tom Cruise prompting her voice actress Mio Hoshitani by asking, "You copy?" to salute and say one of Mayano Top Gun's trademark lines: "I copy!"