'Top Gun: Maverick' will hit Paramount Plus on December 22 — here's how to stream the biggest movie of 2022

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• "Top Gun: Maverick" is now available to watch at home.
• The movie costs $13 to buy through digital retailers like Prime Video and Vudu.
• You'll also be able to stream it with a Paramount Plus subscription ($5/month) starting December 22.

"Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to the 1986 movie "Top Gun," is now available to watch at home. You can buy or rent the movie from digital retailers like Amazon and Vudu for a starting price of $5. The box office hit will also be available on Paramount Plus starting December 22.

Tom Cruise returns to the "Top Gun" franchise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a US Navy test pilot who is tasked with training a group of young Top Gun graduates for a high-risk specialized mission. The detachment includes Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick's late best friend Goose.

Check out the trailer for 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Val Kilmer also reprises his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, a longtime rival of Maverick's. New cast members include Jennifer Connolly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, and Ed Harris.

"Top Gun: Maverick" holds a "96% Certified Fresh" rating on review-aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with some critics saying it's better than the first movie. It's also the highest grossing film of 2022 so far, with over $1.4 billion worldwide.

Where to watch 'Top Gun: Maverick'

You can rent or buy "Top Gun: Maverick" to watch at home through streaming retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, and Apple TV. The movie costs $13 to purchase in up to 4K quality. Rentals start at $5 but the price varies depending on the video quality you choose.

After you purchase "Top Gun: Maverick" you'll be able to stream it whenever you like with no restrictions. If you rent the movie, you'll get 30 days to start watching it and then 48 hours to finish it after you hit play.

Digital retailer apps are available on most mobile devices, media players, and smart TVs from major brands. You should check each service's website to ensure your device is supported before making a purchase.

When will 'Top Gun: Maverick' be available on Paramount Plus?

"Top Gun: Maverick" will finally hit Paramount Plus on December 22. It's expected that all subscribers, whether they have an ad-supported or ad-free plan, will be able to stream the movie.

Though other recent Paramount films have arrived on Paramount Plus just 45 days after they premiered in theaters, "Top Gun: Maverick" has been a notable exception to this release strategy. The movie's streaming debut will come more than 200 days since it hit theaters on May 27.

A Paramount Plus Essential plan costs $5/month and includes access to the entire streaming library with limited commercial interruptions. A Premium plan is $10/month and lets you stream on-demand content without ads, plus you can watch your local CBS station live.

Can you watch 'Top Gun: Maverick' for free?

You will be able to watch "Top Gun: Maverick" for free if you sign up for a trial to Paramount Plus when the movie hits the streaming service on December 22. New members can get a one-week free trial to the ad-free or ad-supported plans.

As long as you cancel before your trial is done, you'll be able to stream the movie without committing to a subscription.

Where can I watch 'Top Gun' (1986)?

You can watch the first "Top Gun" movie from 1986 on Paramount Plus. It's also available to rent or buy from digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video.

The first "Top Gun" movie follows Maverick as he and a group of naval aviators are given the chance to train in the Navy's Top Gun program. The movie was released in 1986 and has held cultural relevance since; in 2015, it was added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry for preservation.