Top Gun: Maverick vs F1: Why One Film Leaves the Other in Its Wake

When it comes to blockbuster sequels, few have managed to surprise punters quite like Top Gun: Maverick. While F1 was tipped to be one of 2025’s biggest releases, Maverick has managed to pip it at the post in more ways than one. Both films feature international stars—Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt—and share the same director, Joseph Kosinski. But what sets Maverick apart as the more memorable action flick?

Storytelling and Character Depth

Top Gun: Maverick isn’t just about impressive stunts and technical wizardry. The film makes sure you’re invested in the people behind the helmets. Every training run and dogfight brings you closer to the characters, with Maverick’s emotional baggage and Rooster’s lingering resentment adding real weight. The legacy of Goose hangs over the story, giving it a sense of history and consequence. F1, on the other hand, leans heavily into the thrill and realism of motorsport, but only reveals Sonny Hayes’ backstory in dribs and drabs. It’s not quite enough to get you truly attached to the bloke.

Maverick nails the balance between spectacle and substance. The action is always driven by the characters’ journeys, not just a string of set pieces. It’s a film that recognises the audience wants more than just a visual feast—they want to care about what’s at stake.

Nostalgia, Humour, and Fan Service

One thing Maverick does well is not taking itself too seriously. The beach football scene is a nod to the original’s volleyball match, but it’s more than just a throwback. It builds camaraderie among the pilots and gives the audience a breather from the high-stakes action. There’s a bit of cheek and warmth, which helps the film feel grounded and fun.

Nostalgia is a tricky beast, but Maverick handles it with a light touch. The return of Iceman isn’t just a cameo—it’s a meaningful moment that adds depth to the story. The film manages to pay tribute to its roots without getting bogged down in the past. F1, lacking a legacy to draw on, tries to bring in real-life Formula 1 drivers for cameos, but they don’t have the same impact or relevance to the plot.

Character Dynamics and Accessibility

The relationships in Maverick feel genuine and lived-in. There’s a real sense of history between the characters, especially between Maverick and Rooster. Their strained bond is given time to develop, with no easy fixes or forced resolutions. The cast bounces off each other naturally, making the team dynamics believable. F1’s mentor-mentee setup, by contrast, feels a bit by-the-numbers, with the rivalry between the veteran and the rookie coming off as predictable.

Another area where Maverick pulls ahead is accessibility. You don’t need to know the ins and outs of aviation to follow what’s going on. The stakes are clear, and the film communicates tension and danger in a way anyone can grasp. F1, meanwhile, gets bogged down in technical details, which can leave casual viewers scratching their heads. For those not already fans of motorsport, it can feel a bit overwhelming.

Emotional Payoff and Stakes

Maverick delivers on emotional payoffs, whether it’s personal growth, generational conflict, or narrative closure. The film takes its time building tension, so when the big moments land, they hit hard. Maverick facing his guilt, Rooster learning to trust, and the sacrifices made along the way all feel earned. F1 has its own emotional beats, particularly in the final lap with Sonny Hayes, but it doesn’t quite reach the same dramatic heights.

Finally, Maverick benefits from having a clear, formidable challenge. The faceless enemy and the seemingly impossible mission give the story a real sense of danger. In F1, the main conflict is between teammates, with no real external rival to push them. For a sport built on fierce competition, the lack of a true opponent feels like a missed opportunity. Maverick’s team, by contrast, is up against odds that keep you on the edge of your seat.