Quentin Tarantino Claims Top Gun Has a “Hidden” Gay Storyline
Quentin Tarantino once shared one of his most unusual takes on a classic film. The legendary director, claimed that the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun is secretly a story about homosexuality.
In an interview discussing his 1994 film Sleep With Me, where Tarantino essentially played himself, he explained his view on the Tom Cruise hit.
“It is a story about a man struggling with his own homosexuality. That is what Top Gun is about. You’ve got Maverick: He’s on the edge, man. He’s right on the f**** line, alright?”* Tarantino said.
He continued to discuss the rest of the cast, including Val Kilmer’s Iceman. “And you’ve got Iceman and all his crew. They’re gay; they represent the gay man, alright? And they’re saying: ‘Go! Go the gay way, go the gay way.’ He could go both ways.” He explained.
While his take may seem surprising, it echoes a long-standing fan theory. Many people have speculated that the film’s relationships, competitive tension, and beach volleyball scenes suggest a subtle homoe**** subtext beneath the story of Navy pilots.
Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, tells the story of Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, who trains at the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School alongside his radar intercept officer, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards).
The cast also included Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis, and Tom Skerritt. The film was inspired by an article called “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay and became an instant hit after its May 16, 1986 release.
Despite mixed reviews from critics, Top Gun became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning $357.4 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Over time, it has become a cult classic. The movie was re-released in IMAX 3D in 2013, and its soundtrack, including the Academy Award-winning song Take My Breath Away by Berlin, remains iconic.
Top Gun also had a major impact outside of Hollywood. The U.S. Navy reported a surge in interest in naval aviation after the film, though later analysis suggested the boost in enlistment was more modest than initial claims.
The movie is credited with improving the military’s image in the years following the Vietnam War. In 2024, Tom Cruise received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Navy for his contributions through military-related films.
Whether or not you agree with Tarantino’s interpretation, his take reminds us that even the most straightforward action movies can be read in new and unexpected ways. What do you think, is Top Gun secretly a story about Maverick and Iceman’s relationship? Share your thoughts in the comments.
