Top Gun Day is celebrated on May 13 each year to honor the iconic movie "Top Gun," which features Tom Cruise as naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. The film, released in 1986, became a cultural phenomenon and the highest-grossing movie of its time, earning $356 million worldwide. The date of May 13 was chosen as the official Top Gun Day due to an error in the movie's promotional materials, as the original release date of May 16 coincided with Iron Eagle Day. Celebrations often include discussions about the film and its impact, as well as activities that engage fans of the movie. The U.S. Navy historically used the film as a recruiting tool, setting up booths outside theaters to attract moviegoers, with 90% of Navy applicants reporting they had seen the film. The day serves as a reminder of the film's legacy and its connection to the real U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as TOPGUN.