Top Gun is a blockbuster classic, but the sequel was even more of a success – and not just at the box office.

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun Maverick, which was four decades in the making, made a whopping $1.496 billion – the biggest haul of the star’s career to date.

Not only was the film critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated, but it has had an incredible impact in real life, just as its predecessor did.

The popularity of both movies has seen the US Navy’s recruitment numbers…