How Tom Cruise and Top Gun Helped Make Ray-Ban Iconic
In 2022, Top Gun: Maverick broke several box office records during its release and quickly became the best summer movie of the year. It grossed $248 million worldwide on its opening weekend and is still the highest-earning movie during a Memorial Day run. This comes as no shock since it saw Tom Cruise return 36 years after the first movie to reprise his role as the highly skilled fighter pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.
The film's success goes beyond the silver screen, as it has left its mark on pop culture in more ways than one. Case in point, Top Gun propelled eyewear brand Ray-Ban out of impending financial ruin and cemented the image of a young Tom Cruise in aviator glasses as one of cinema's most influential characters. For a more in-depth look at how Top Gun and Tom Cruise helped Ray-Ban become one of the biggest eyewear companies today, continue reading below.
Ray-Ban Aviators
Thirty years ago, Ray-Ban was far from being the successful brand we know today. The company reached its lowest point in sales in 1981. At the time, the brand was seen as outdated, as bolder oversized frames were in fashion at the time. Ray-Ban was selling only around 18,000 units per year. It was on the verge of filing for bankruptcy, almost ending a 40-year-old business.
While this was happening, the first Top Gun was in development. When creating the movie, the filmmakers wanted to use a realistic approach, even going as far as letting Tom Cruise fly and film in a real fighter jet. This extended to crafting Maverick's distinct look, which is reminiscent of a young, confident pilot.
Aviators were necessary for the look as these were eyewear specifically designed for flying. These sunglasses were made with advanced light protection to shield the eyes of American pilots in 1937 from being so close to the sun. The lenses also reduce harsh glare, helping pilots see better and enhance their performance. Its unique style has since been viewed as classic and timeless.
When Top Gun first came out in 1986, the unit sales of Ray-Ban aviators increased by 40%. It hasn't been confirmed whether it was Tom Cruise's choice to go with Ray-Ban, but it is now considered one of his trademark accessories.
Tom Cruise and Ray-Ban
Many would be surprised that Top Gun wasn't the first movie where Tom Cruise donned Ray-Ban shades. In 1983, the actor wore Ray-Ban's Wayfarer frames for a sequence in Risky Business where his character dances to Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger. Throughout the years, this iconic scene has been recreated numerous times for movies, shows, and commercials.
By 1988, Tom Cruise was so heavily associated with the brand that the director of the Oscar-winning movie Rain Man refused to let the actor wear Ray-Bans for any of his scenes. However, Tom Cruise has continued to support the brand in the years that followed. In 2013, a reporter asked Tom Cruise if the shades he wore on the red carpet of Star Trek Into Darkness were 3-D glasses for the film. The actor denied it and said, "No, man. These are Ray-Bans."
Top Gun and its lasting legacy
Over the years, many Top Gun fans have been asking for a follow-up movie due to the first film's success. In fact, the Navy's recruitment rates increased by up to 500% after it was released. The fans finally got their wish in 2022.
Unsurprisingly, many of its promotional materials included distinct Ray-Ban aviators. The movie's theme song, performed by Lady Gaga, had a music video in which the singer donned the eyewear. Social media filters were also released in which audiences could wear Maverick's signature sunglasses. Sales for Ray-Ban aviators rose once again, just like they did in 1986.
Just like its predecessor, the sequel was an instant success. It was nominated for six Academy Awards and won Best Sound. It was named the Best Film of the Year by film review company Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time domestically. Top Gun: Maverick supporting actor Miles Teller confirms that discussions of a third Top Gun movie with Tom Cruise are ongoing. Should this push through, Ray-Ban can undoubtedly look forward to another lucrative boost.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of enstarz.com
