The 'Top Gun' Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
2 min
The 'Top Gun' Quiz
Image: Paramount/Archive Photos/Moviepix/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Tom Cruise in Ray-Ban aviators and dress whites, sweaty and shirtless on the beach volleyball court ... "Top Gun" had it all. How much do you know about one of the most '80s of all '80s movies? Take this quiz to find out.
When did "Top Gun" come out?
1984
1986
1988
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Top Gun" premiered on May 16, 1986, and went on to become the top-grossing movie of the year.

Who directed "Top Gun"?
Ridley Scott
Michael Bay
Tony Scott
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Englishman Tony Scott got a big career boost from "Top Gun."

After "Top Gun," what was Tony Scott's biggest movie?
"The Hunt for Red October"
"Crimson Tide"
"Beverly Hills Cop II"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1987 "Beverly Hills Cop II" made $300 million in the United States.

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What was the budget of "Top Gun"?
$15 million
$55 million
$85 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Top Gun" cost $15 million to make.

How much money did "Top Gun" make worldwide?
$170 million
$350 million
$730 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Top Gun" paid itself back about 23 times, to the tune of $350 million worldwide.

What's Maverick's real name?
Pete Mitchell
Steve Cameron
Rob Williams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pete Mitchell's call sign was certainly not given randomly.

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What is his rank?
officer
naval corporal
lieutenant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maverick is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.

What is Goose's real name?
Dave Jenkins
Nick Bradshaw
Tim Wilson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The loyal and ill-fated Goose was born Nick Bradshaw.

What's Goose's rank?
systems officer
naval flight officer
radar intercept officer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Goose is a radar intercept officer (RIO); he's Maverick's co-pilot.

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On which aircraft carrier are they based?
USS Enterprise
USS Nimitz
USS Ford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Top Gun" was filmed, in part, on the USS Enterprise.

Where is the Enterprise at the opening of the movie?
Persian Gulf
North Sea
Indian Ocean
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Enterprise is patrolling the Persian Gulf.

Who is Maverick's wingman during the opening dogfight?
Tiger
Jaguar
Cougar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cougar, freaked out after a close call during the engagement, immediately turns in his resignation.

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What kind of planes do they fly?
F-15 Eagles
MiGs
F-14 Tomcats
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The F-14 was the primary Navy fighter jet in the 1980s. The jets were retired in 2006.

Where is the Top Gun school?
San Diego
Honolulu
Los Angeles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Navy's Fighter Weapons School is in Miramar, California, near San Diego.

Why does Maverick get into trouble right off the bat at Top Gun?
He gives the finger to an instructor.
He buzzes the control tower.
He gets into a fistfight with Iceman.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maverick, never one to resist grandstanding, buzzes the control tower after a practice mission.

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Who is Maverick's love interest in the movie?
Lisa Stonington
Kathy Delaney
Charlie Blackwood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood is a civilian Top Gun instructor.

What song does Maverick sing to Charlie at the bar?
"Sweet Caroline"
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"
"Unchained Melody"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maverick leads an impromptu sing-along to "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in front of an embarrassed Charlie.

What song do Goose and Maverick sing when Goose's wife is in town?
"Great Balls of Fire"
"Twist and Shout"
"Blueberry Hill"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Goose plays the piano and belts out "Great Balls of Fire" with Maverick.

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Who plays Goose's wife?
Meg Ryan
Elisabeth Shue
Demi Moore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Meg Ryan played Carol Bradshaw.

What is Tom Kazansky's call sign?
Iceman
Hollywood
Jester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just call him Iceman.

What's the call sign of the Top Gun commander?
Eagle
Viper
Renegade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Viper becomes Maverick's mentor.

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Which veteran character actor plays Viper?
Sam Shepard
J.K. Simmons
Tom Skerritt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tom Skerritt's always a top choice for tough old-timers with a soft side.

What is Viper's connection to Maverick?
He was Maverick's first flight instructor.
He's Maverick's stepfather.
He knew Maverick's dad.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Viper, who had served with Maverick's dad, finally gives Maverick closure on his father's death.

After Goose dies, who is Maverick's new RIO?
Merlin
Hollywood
Iceman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Merlin, who had been Cougar's RIO, becomes Maverick's new partner.

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Who is Maverick's wingman?
Iceman
Jester
Renegade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"You can be my wingman anytime," Iceman says to Maverick at the end of the film.

Which actor turned down the role of Maverick because he felt the film glorified the military?
Robert Downey Jr.
Matthew Modine
Matt Dillon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Modine did not agree with the Cold War politics of "Top Gun."

For how many Oscars was "Top Gun" nominated?
none
two
four
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was nominated for four: editing, sound, sound effects editing and original song

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How many Oscars did the movie win?
none
one
two
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It only won one — "Take My Breath Away" won best original song.

True or false: Naval aviator recruitment shot up 200 percent because of "Top Gun."
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That's false. Apparently calls went up 500 percent at some naval aviation recruitment centers.

True or false: A "Top Gun" sequel is in the works.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer told "Entertainment Tonight" in March 2016 that Tom Cruise had signed on to star in a sequel.

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You Got:
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Paramount/Archive Photos/Moviepix/Getty Images