There are a lot of reasons to like the 1986 movie Top Gun. Directed by Tony Scott, the movie earned a whopping $356 million dollars worldwide. Its soundtrack won awards, the cinematography was outstanding, and the cast was legendary, featuring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards, Michael Ironside, and Kelly McGillis.
And if that collection of accolades isn’t impressive enough, there’s another reason we are all still talking about Top Gun decades later. The script. The film is full of memorable lines and lots of great fighter pilot trash talk. Here’s a list of the best Top Gun quotes from Maverick, Goose, Iceman, and the rest of the Top Gun cast.
The Need For Speed
Out of all of the Top Gun quotes on this list, this quote might be the most famous.
- Maverick: I feel the need…
- Goose: …the need for speed!
Watch The Birdie
When Maverick and Goose encounter aggressive Russian MiG 28 fighters, they need to respond but show restraint and not use their weapons. Instead, both sets of pilots attempt to outmaneuver each other using their flying skills. Maverick clearly wins this encounter for the Americans by turning his F-14 Tomcat upside down over the MiG, so they can give the Russian pilots the middle finger and take a Polaroid picture of the encounter.
- Goose: Watch the birdie!
You Were In A 4G Inverted Dive With A MiG 28?
- Carole: God, he loved flying with you Maverick. But he would’ve done it anyway… without you. He’d have hated it, but he would’ve done it.
- Charlie: So, lieutenant, where exactly were you?
- Maverick: Well, we…
- Goose: Thank you.
- Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
- Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
- Maverick: Because I was inverted.
- Iceman: (Coughs whilst saying) Bullsh*t.
- Goose: No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
- Charlie: You were in a 4g inverted dive with a MiG 28? Maverick: Yes, ma’am.
- Charlie: At what range?
- Maverick: Um, about two meters.
- Goose: It was actually about one and a half, I think. It was one and a half. I’ve got a great Polaroid of it, and he’s right there, must be one and a half. Maverick: Was a nice picture.
- Goose: Thanks.
- Charlie: Eh, lieutenant, what were you doing there?
- Goose: Communicating.
- Maverick: Communicating. Keeping up foreign relations. You know, giving him the bird!
- Goose: (Charlie looks puzzled, so Goose clarifies) You know, the finger.
- Charlie: Yes, I know the finger, Goose.
- Goose: I-I’m sorry, I hate it when it does that, I’m sorry. Excuse me.
Going Mach 2 With Your Hair On Fire
Maverick is a hot head and his love interest/flying instructor, Charlie, tries to get him to find a middle ground between being an amazing pilot and having a death wish.
- Charlie: You’re not going to be happy unless you’re going Mach 2 with your hair on fire.
It’s Time To Buzz The Tower
At the end of a great flight session, Maverick requests permission for a tower flyby. His request is denied but that doesn’t stop him. This Top Gun quote is just another example of Marverik’s reckless attitude that makes everyone both love and hate him at the same time.
- Goose: No. No, Mav, this is not a good idea.
- Maverick: Sorry, Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.
You Can Be My Wingman
Maverick’s rival in the film is Iceman, played by Val Kilmer. Even though they are very competitive, they both know that they are fighting on the same side. After Maverick saves Iceman in combat, the two former enemies have this touching exchange on the ground.
- Iceman: You! You are still dangerous. You can be my wingman any time.
- Maverick: Bulls@*t! You can be mine.
Just A Walk In The Park
- Goose: It’s time for the big one.
- Iceman: You up for this one, Maverick?
- Maverick: Just a walk in the park, Kazansky.
Are You A Good Pilot?
- Charlie: Listen, can I ask you a personal question?
- Maverick: That depends.
- Charlie: Are you a good pilot?
- Maverick: I can hold my own.
- Charlie: Great, then I won’t have to worry about you making your living as a singer.
Great Balls Of Fire
- Goose: Great balls of fire!
She’s Lost That Loving Feeling
- Maverick: (Spots Charlie for the first time) She’s lost that loving feeling.
- Goose: She’s lo… No she hasn’t.
- Maverick: Yes, she has.
- Goose: She’s not lost that lo…
- Maverick: Goose, she’s lost it, man.
- Goose: Come on!
- Goose: (To himself) Aw sh… I hate it when he does that.
I’ll Have What He’s Having
Maverick’s love interest in the film is Charlie, his flight instructor. In this scene, Charlie jokes that Maverick is drinking hemlock, an ingredient commonly used in witchcraft.
- Charlie: I’ll have what he’s having. Hemlock, is it?
- Maverick: Ice water.
I Don’t Like You Because You’re Dangerous
- Iceman: You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.
Let’s Have Some Fun With Him
- Maverick: If I can’t shoot this son of a b*tch, let’s at least have some fun with him.
That Was Some Of The Best Flying… Until You Got Killed
This quote from Jester criticizes Maverick’s recklessness, and the potential jeopardy that it puts the rest of the team in. Making it even more biting, Jester delivers this ego smashing verbal jab in front of the other pilots while they are all in the locker room.
- Jester: That was some of the best flying that I’ve seen to date — right up to the part where you got killed.
Classified Information
This is one of the most famous Top Gun quotes. But did this phrase originate in Top Gun or did they just repurpose it? Let us know in he comments if you know.
- Maverick: It’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.
You Don’t Own That Plane! The Taxpayers Do!
- Stinger: Maverick, you just did an incredibly brave thing. (Pause) What you should have done was land your plane! You don’t own that plane! The taxpayers do! Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash!
If You Think, You’re Dead
- Maverick: You don’t have time to think up there. If you think… you’re dead.
A Target-Rich Environment
- Maverick: (Walks into a bar) “This is what I call a target-rich environment.”
Take Me To Bed Or Lose Me Forever
Meg Ryan was only 25 at the time she was in Top Gun. Just imagine Meg Ryan in her prime asking you to take her to bed. Yes, please!
- Carole: Hey, Goose, you big stud!
- Goose: That’s me, honey.
- Carole: Take me to bed or lose me forever.
- Goose: Show me the way home, honey.
He’s Going Vertical
- Maverick: He’s going vertical, so am I.
- Goose: We’re going ballistic Mav go get him.
- Maverick: No way Jester, you’re mine.
- Goose: Come on Mav, do some of that pilot sh*t.
Tower, This Is Ghost Rider Requesting A Flyby
- Maverick: Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby.
- Air Boss Johnson: Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.
- Viper: Good morning, gentlemen, the temperature is 110 degrees.
- Wolfman: Holy sh*t, it’s Viper!
- Goose: Viper’s up here, great… oh sh*t…
- Maverick: Great, he’s probably saying, “Holy sh*t, it’s Maverick and Goose.”
- Goose: Yeah, I’m sure he’s saying that.
No Points For Second Place
In an attempt to demoralize Maverick and Goose, Iceman’s partner, Slider, makes it clear that their team is aiming for the Top Gun trophy.
- Slider: “Remember, boys, no points for second place.”
The List Is Long But Distinguished
- Slider: “Goose, whose butt did you kiss to get in here anyway?”
- Goose: “The list is long but distinguished.”
- Slider: “Yeah, well so is my Johnson.”
That’s Pretty Arrogant
- Viper: “In case some of you are wondering who the best is, they are up here on this plaque.”
- Viper: “Do you think your name will be on that plaque?”
- Maverick: Yes, sir.
- Viper: “That’s pretty arrogant, considering the company you’re in.”
- Maverick: “Yes, sir.”
- Viper: “I like that in a pilot.”
Your Ego Is Writing Checks Your Body Can’t Cash
Maverick is good as he is bad. After Stinger, his commanding officer, reviews all of Maverick’s flying accomplishments, he follows up with a list all of his mistakes. Stringer then says one of the most classic Top Gun quotes of the film, “Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.”
- Stinger: (To Maverick) “Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash!”
The Plaque For The Alternates
If you had to pick only one Val Kilmer Top Gun quote, then this would probably be it.
- Iceman: The plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies’ room.
You Think I’m Reckless?
- Maverick: Jesus Christ, and you think I’m reckless? When I fly, I’ll have you know that my crew and my plane come first.
- Charlie: Well, I am going to finish my sentence, Lieutenant. My review of your flight performance was right on.
- Maverick: Is that right? Charlie: That is right, but I held something back. I see some real genius in your flying, Maverick, but I can’t say that in there. I was afraid that everyone in the tax trailer would see right through me, and I just don’t want anyone to know that I’ve fallen for you.
You’re Dangerous And Foolish
- Iceman: Maverick, it’s not your flying, it’s your attitude. The enemy is dangerous. But right now, you’re worse than the enemy. You’re dangerous and foolish. You may not like the guys flying with you, they may not like you, but whose side are you on?
- Maverick: That’s right, Iceman. I am dangerous.
Rubber Dog Sh*t
- Stinger: And if you screw up just this much, you’ll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog sh*t out of Hong Kong!
- Maverick: Yes, sir!
Talk To Me Goose – How Maverick Copes With Goose’s Death
Maverick might be an incredible pilot, but it’s clear that Maverick and Goose are a team. Throughout the film, Maverick shows how much he relies on his copilot, Goose, by repeatedly saying “Talk to me Goose.” Even after Goose tragically dies in an accident, Maverick still says the phrase when he needs guidance. While grasping his dead friend’s dog tags, Maverick whispers “Talk to me Goose” even though he knows it’s a request that won’t be answered.
- Maverick: Talk to me Goose.
Top Gun Movie: Success & Legacy
All of these great Top Gun quotes are just a small part of what made this film such an immediate hit with audiences. The Top Gun movie made $356 million dollars worldwide for Paramount Pictures and almost everything it touched turned to gold. Here are some highlights.
- Top Gun Movie Soundtrack: The Top Gun soundtrack was the best-selling soundtrack of 1986 as well as one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time. In addition to making the 1964 Righteous Brothers song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” popular again, the soundtrack includes several major hit songs including Berlin‘s “Take My Breath Away” and Kenny Loggins‘ “Danger Zone.” The soundtrack and several of its songs have been recognized with awards and nominations by the Oscars, Golden Globes, Brit Awards, and Grammys among others.
- Anthony Edwards: Before Top Gun, Anthony Edwards was acting in nerdy comedy films like Revenge Of The Nerds (1983) and Gotcha! (1985). But after Top Gun, he lost the loser typecast and landed charismatic roles in several hit TV shows including Northern Exposure (1990-1995) and E.R. (1994-2009).
- Val Kilmer: Similar to Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer’s early acting opportunities were limited to goofball roles in films like Real Genius (1985) and Top Secret! (1984). But the decade that followed Top Gun included a string of major hits for Kilmer including The Doors (1991), Thunderheart (1992), True Romance (1993), and Tombstone (1993).
- Meg Ryan: Before 1986, no one knew about Meg Ryan except fans of Charles In Charge (1987-1990) and As The World Turns. But after Top Gun, she landed leading roles in Innerspace (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Joe Versus The Volcano (1990), The Doors (1991), and Sleepless In Seattle (1993).
- Tom Cruise: Top Gun is also widely credited with propelling Tom Cruise to A-list status. He’s had one of the most successful Hollywood careers in modern history.
- Tony Scott: Before Top Gun, Tony Scott had only directed a few relatively unknown projects. But the success of Top Gun put him at the helm of a string of Hollywood blockbusters including Beverly Hill Cop II (1987), Days Of Thunder (1990), True Romance (1993), and the Navy submarine drama, Crimson Tide (1995) to name a few.
Your Favorite Top Gun Quotes
What are some of your favorite Top Gun quotes? Which member of the Top Gun cast is the best pilot or gave you that loving feeling? How much do you love the opening scene on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise? Please post a comment below.
I’m a dog owner that loves poetry, vampires, mountain biking, and cosplay. I’m open to ideas and still trying to figure my SFO life out one blog post at a time. LF ISO SWF GSOH SI DDF.
That Leprechaun Was Delicious!
Know mention of Kenny Loggins
cheesy but good
wow! laser disc! remember those? you’d have to flip them over in the middle of the movie just like a cassette tape or 8-track.
best opening scene of a movie ever!
And Danger Zone fits the movie too.
take my breath away is one of my favorite songs of all time
love this movie. my dad bought a laserdisc player just so he could watch the opening scene from top gun over and over again with the speakers cranked up.