TOP GUN (1986) Movie Poster, Original Daybill, Tom Cruise, ICONIC
Size AU Daybill Post 80's (33 x 66 cm)
TOP GUN (1986) Movie Poster Original Daybill, Starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis & Val Kilmer, is Directed by Tony Scott and presents in Near Mint Condition. Movie Poster and Condition....
TOP GUN (1986) Movie Poster Original Daybill, Starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis & Val Kilmer, is Directed by Tony Scott and presents in Near Mint Condition.
Movie Poster and Condition.
Condition: This original, unrestored Australian Daybill Movie Poster presents as Near Mint condition, with 2 Daybill folds as issued, there are no faults or wear. This highly collectible original Australian Daybill captures the unmistakable energy and style of Top Gun (1986), one of the most iconic films of the 1980s. Printed for local theatrical release, this format is prized by collectors for its unique dimensions and regional design variations. The artwork reflects the film’s sleek aviation aesthetic, combining bold typography with dramatic imagery that helped define the movie’s enduring visual identity.
Movie Synopsis
Released in 1986 and directed by Tony Scott, Top Gun is a high-octane action drama that follows the journey of elite United States Navy fighter pilots as they train at the prestigious Naval Fighter Weapons School, known simply as “Top Gun.” The story centres on the talented yet reckless pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, whose exceptional flying skills are matched only by his defiant attitude and need for speed.
Maverick is sent to Top Gun alongside his loyal Radar Intercept Officer, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards). There, they compete against the best of the best, including the cool and disciplined Iceman (Val Kilmer). As rivalries intensify in the air and on the ground, Maverick must confront not only his competition but also his own inner conflicts, including the legacy of his father, a pilot whose mysterious past continues to haunt him.
Amid the adrenaline-fuelled aerial sequences, Maverick develops a romantic relationship with civilian instructor Charlie (Kelly McGillis), adding emotional depth to the narrative. The film balances thrilling dogfights with themes of camaraderie, loss, redemption, and personal growth. A pivotal moment in the story forces Maverick to reassess his approach to flying and life, ultimately shaping his path toward maturity and leadership.
Top Gun became a cultural phenomenon upon release, renowned for its groundbreaking aerial cinematography, much of which was filmed using real fighter aircraft and cooperation from the U.S. Navy. The film’s soundtrack, featuring hits like “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins and the Academy Award-winning “Take My Breath Away,” further cemented its legacy in pop culture.
With its blend of action, drama, and romance, as well as standout performances and stylised direction, Top Gun (1986) remains a defining film of its era. Its influence continues to resonate decades later, inspiring sequels, homages, and a lasting appreciation for aviation cinema.
To find out more about Top Gun (1986) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes.
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.