It’s crazy to think about, but we are already past the halfway point of the 2020s. As we cast our eyes back over the films that have shaped the last six years, one sequel to an ’80s classic has emerged as a standout favourite.

Top Gun: Maverick proves that certain things never go out of fashion — audiences simply cannot get enough of Tom Cruise in an action film. Despite this, the film was far more than mere fan service, with the sequel’s plot and fresh characters winning audiences over entirely on their own merits.

Indeed, the near-universal acclaim it garnered has seen Top Gun: Maverick crowned as the highest-ranking film of the decade, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Why is Top Gun: Maverick rated the best film of the 2020s so far?

Fans of the original were also treated to the return of Cruise and Val Kilmer in their iconic roles. Sadly, the movie was Kilmer’s final appearance on film before he passed away in 2025.

The summer blockbuster proved to be both a critical triumph and a box office sensation.

Without giving too much away for those yet to see it, it follows Maverick’s return to the Top Gun training school, where he must face his past while preparing a new generation of graduates — including the son of his late best friend — for a perilous mission.

Rotten Tomatoes, the popular review aggregation website, named Top Gun: Maverick the best-rated film of the past six years.

As it stands, the picture is in 20th place in their list of the highest rated movies. It sits a whopping 18 places above Sinners (2025). The list’s top three are The Godfather, Seven Samurai, and Parasite (2019).

This is what film critics generally had to say about the film, noted Rotten Tomatoes: “Top Gun: Maverick pulls off a feat even trickier than a 4G inverted dive, delivering a long-belated sequel that surpasses its predecessor in wildly entertaining style.”

As for regular audience members, their consensus reads: “If you loved the original — or enjoy some good old-school action — you need to speed your way to a screening of Top Gun: Maverick.

“They can still make ’em like they used to,” noted Metro.

Where to watch Top Gun: Maverick

The action-packed blockbuster is two hours of pure entertainment, regardless of whether you’ve seen the eighties classic. And better still, you won’t need to spend a penny to watch it.

It is available to stream for free on Channel 4, and can also be rented or purchased on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV and Sky.