Top Gun 40th Anniversary 2026 Advent Calendar

The box captures the opening of the film in one frame: an F-14 Tomcat leaving the deck of an aircraft carrier, steam rising, the sky orange and purple behind it, another jet already climbing. Above, the silver-and-red Top Gun wings carry the words “40th Anniversary, 1986–2026, Advent Calendar”.

The box beside the full set of pilots, jets, helmets and flight gear.

Forty Years Since Top Gun

Top Gun opened in US cinemas on 16 May 1986 and became the biggest film of the year, turning Tom Cruise into a star and putting aviator sunglasses, bomber jackets and a beach volleyball game into pop culture for good. Its soundtrack gave us Danger Zone and Take My Breath Away.

The story did not end there. Top Gun: Maverick arrived in 2022, thirty-six years later, and grossed nearly $1.5 billion worldwide, bringing a new generation into the cockpit. The 40th anniversary in 2026 lands with both films loved by fans who first watched them decades apart.

What the Designs Cover

• The pilots: aviators in flight suits with helmets, a call-sign team in olive green, an instructor in a leather jacket and a commanding officer in khaki.
• The jets and ship: a grey F-14 Tomcat, a black enemy fighter and an aircraft carrier.
• Flight gear: the Maverick and Iceman helmets, aviator sunglasses, a patched leather bomber jacket, dog tags and a flight watch.
• Off duty: a green sports motorcycle, a beach volleyball, a deck handler and the Top Gun wings in two versions.

Each window holds a flat acrylic ornament printed on both sides, shown in the photos with their clear acrylic edge. The numbered layout presents the set and is not the window order.

The box on a desk with the F-14, enemy jet, carrier, helmets and Top Gun wings.

Ornament Details

• Ornaments: about 3.2 cm across, printed on both faces, one matte and one gloss.
• Box: a paper countdown box with perforated numbered windows and a moulded tray inside.
• Hanging: each piece has a small hole for a hook or ribbon.
• First use: peel the clear film from both sides before hanging.

The Maverick helmet, F-14, a pilot, a bomber jacket and the Top Gun wings on a tree.

For Pilots and Fans Alike

Give it to a parent who saw the original in cinemas, a son or daughter who discovered Maverick first, or a friend who serves or flies. It also makes a fun office gift for a team that never stops quoting the film.

More Top Gun Gifts

Browse more countdowns in our Advent Calendars collection. Doesign has a Top Gun 1986 40th Anniversary Funko Pop 4-Pack, Hoop Swag House carries a Top Gun 40th Anniversary Building Block Set, and Fulfill Next offers a Top Gun 40th Anniversary Maverick Baseball Cap.

Questions From Top Gun Fans

Does it cover both films?

The designs mix characters and gear in the style of the original and Maverick.

Are the jets 3D models?

No. Each is a flat acrylic ornament printed on both sides.

Is it a good gift for a pilot?

Yes. Aviation fans and service members tend to enjoy it as much as movie fans.