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Movie · Action, Drama · 2022 · PG-13

Top Gun: Maverick: parents' guide

13+our pick

Best for ages 13 and up. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some strong language.

A thrilling, old-fashioned action movie that works well for families with young teens. Maverick returns to train a team of young Navy pilots, including the son of his late best friend, for a near-impossible mission. Aerial combat brings missile strikes, explosions and crashes, but almost no blood, and a flashback revisits the friend's death. Language includes one f-word and about 20 s-words by one count. A romance implies a night together without showing anything. Grief and the fear of losing someone run through the story. Fine for most kids about 13 and up, and some mature 12-year-olds.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

Jets and helicopters are blown up by missiles and enemy fighters, a downed pilot is shot at on the ground, and a nuclear site is bombed. A flashback shows a bleeding man after a crash at sea. Deaths are mostly bloodless.

Language

Moderate

Plugged In counted one f-word and 20 s-words, and Common Sense quotes the f-word as 'what the f--k.' There is also 'dickhead,' 'bitch,' 'hell,' 'ass,' misuse of God's and Jesus' names and an obscene gesture.

Sex and nudity

Moderate

Shirtless pilots play football on the beach. Maverick and Penny kiss, the scene cuts away, and they are next seen in bed, him shirtless and her in a robe, implying they slept together. No nudity.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Mild

Pilots and locals drink beer at a bar run by Maverick's love interest, and drinking is treated as part of team bonding. No smoking, drunkenness or drug use.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

Constant life-or-death flying: near-crashes, a pilot blacking out from G-forces, a bird strike that sets a jet on fire, and missiles chasing planes. An old friend's illness and funeral bring real sadness.

Sensitive topics

  • Death of a parent

Worth talking about

Years ago Maverick quietly held Rooster back to keep him safe, and Rooster resents it. Ask your teen when protecting someone turns into holding them back.

Where to stream →

On our lists

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, movieguide.org. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.