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No other fashion accessory is as associated with “cool” as sunglasses are. Of course, the occasional leather jacket can help polish the image too, but for argument’s sake — it’s really not an accessory as much as it’s outerwear. Today, data from Research and Markets indicate that more and more people are wearing sunglasses, with the sunglasses market expected to grow to $20.63 billion in 2027.
Among the many styles of sunglasses available, Ray-Ban sunglasses have made their mark throughout decades in action flicks. Iconic silhouettes like the Aviator and Wayfarer are often spotted in action scenes and action movie posters. Below, we’ll look at four iconic Ray-Bans featured in action movies:
Ray-Ban Aviator – Top Gun
The iconic Aviator in 1986’s Top Gun is a must-have for any “Ray-Ban in films” list. To this day, the film and its leading man, Tom Cruise, are credited for the revival of Ray-Ban’s brand. Featured heavily in the film and its 2022 sequel, Top Gun Maverick, the Ray-Ban Aviator features oversized tinted lenses and thin metal frames. The popularity and acclaim that Top Gun garnered upon its release helped Ray-Ban Aviator sales rise drastically back in the 80s, and again in 2022 when Tom Cruise returned as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Aptly named, it’s no wonder the Aviator is used in Top Gun and other aviator movies. Designed in 1935, the Aviator was made to be worn under headgear and meet aerodynamical safety requirements set by the US Federal Aviation Administration at the time. Today, of course, the shades are an iconic accessory used in and out of planes.
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Ray-Ban Predator 2 – Men in Black
The Predator 2 sunglasses are heavily featured in sci-fi alien action comedy Men in Black and its sequels. Notably, the Men in Black often pull these out to avoid the effects of the franchise’s iconic neuralyzer. In the films, the neuralyzer functions by flashing a blinding light meant to erase the memories of those exposed to it. It’s only fitting that the Men in Black wear heavily tinted shades to protect themselves from the neuralyzer.
Unlike the Aviator, the Predator 2 features a classic, rectangular lens shape with a modern design, hugged by thick black frames. As indicated by its name, the sunglasses are a sequel to the original Predator shades, designed to boast a more contemporary and sleek look. Another action franchise that features the Predator 2 is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator film series.
Ray-Ban Clubmaster – Reservoir Dogs
The use of the Ray-Ban Clubmaster in Reservoir Dogs may have served as a central plot function other than a mere accessory. Throughout the film, the men wear shades and suits as part of their “uniform” for their planned bank robbery. Interestingly, Mr. Orange, the character wearing the Clubmaster, stands out among others in the robbery crew who wore Wayfarers or wayfarer-style sunglasses. Spoiler alert: Mr. Orange was an undercover cop merely pretending to be a criminal.
The Clubmaster has a similar silhouette to the Wayfarer, but is half-rimmed and features gold accents on its black frames. It also appeared in two other popular films in the 90s: Malcolm X and Falling Down. Today, the Clubmaster is regarded for its retro chic style and has multiple variations like the Clubmaster Doublebridge and the Fleck Clubmaster.
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Ray-Ban Aviator-Caravan – Taxi Driver
Finally, to bring us back full circle, a variation of the Ray-Ban Aviator — the Aviator-Caravan — was worn by a young Robert de Niro in 1976’s Taxi Driver. The film follows a veteran and taxi driver falling down a mental spiral that results in a series of killings. Young de Niro is seen wearing the shades in the film along with an edgy mohawk, highlighting his mental descent into a shady character. At the same time, the Aviator-like silhouette of the shades reminds viewers of the character’s military background.
Compared to the Aviator, the original Caravan features almost squarish angles rather than the classic rounded lenses of the Aviator. Incidentally, the original Caravan also made key appearances in Top Gun and its sequel, notably worn by the character Goose in the 1986 film, and his son Rooster in the sequel.
