Here's a look at Iowa and Iowans in the movies from 'The Music Man' to 'Top Gun: Maverick'

"Top Gun: Maverick" does not feel like it would naturally slot in with movies like "Field of Dreams" or "The Music Man." It's no traditional ode to middle America, or filled to the brim with catchy lyrics, but the daredevil, high-intensity sequel to 1986's classic "Top Gun" shares one connecting thread with those films: Iowa.

"Maverick" is directed by Marshalltown native Joseph Kosinski, who was no stranger to revamping beloved franchises in a big way. Kosinski previously directed "Tron: Legacy" in 2011.

"Tron" may have received lukewarm reviews, but "Maverick" enchanted both critics and audiences alike with its groundbreaking cinematography, crisp storytelling and refreshing use of nostalgia to propel a story forward, not hang it back. Kosinski's film has now grossed more than a billion dollars worldwide, a career-best performance for star Tom Cruise, who handpicked Kosinski to helm the film.

More:Meet Iowan Joseph Kosinski, the director of 'Top Gun: Maverick'

"Maverick" is nominated for six awards at the 95th Academy Awards this Sunday, including Best Picture. Ahead of this year's ceremony, here are other movies on the big screen with Hawkeye State connections. Just a note: this is NOT an all inclusive list; it's far from it. Iowa's history as a setting for films, as a filming location and as a home for many of the great artists of American cinema is expansive. For as good as we've got through 2014, click here.

'Field of Dreams' ― 1989

A mandatory inclusion on any list of Iowa movies, "Field of Dreams," set in Dyersville, captured the imaginations of moviegoers so completely that the MLB made the game a reality with the "MLB at Field of Dreams" game in 2021 and 2022.

In "Field of Dreams," an Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) on the whim of the phrase, "If you build it, they will come," builds a baseball diamond at his farm. The rest is engrained in cinema history — a fairytale of family, forgiveness and the eternal magic of baseball. It's the very definition of the genre sports fantasy, and its legacy lives on both in the actual site in Dyersville and in the imaginations of movie lovers everywhere.

Visiting the Field of Dreams? Here are things to do and restaurants to try in Dyersville

'Children of the Corn' — 1984

Apparently, the most cinematic cornfields in the country are here in Iowa. "Children of the Corn," a 1984 film based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, was filmed in Whiting, Hornick, and Sioux City, but set in Nebraska. And it wasn't just director Fritz Kiersch who decided to film his adaptation in Iowa. When Syfy channel remade the movie for television in 2008, it was filmed in Lost Nation.

The most recent adaptation of "Children of the Corn" was released March 3 to negative reviews. It was filmed in Australia.

More:The ultimate list of Iowa movies

'The Music Man' — 1962

This classic Broadway musical turned silver screen darling can probably be credited with teaching a lot of moviegoers about Iowa's geography. At the end of the Act One song "Iowa Stubborn," the ensemble lists off, "Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Marshalltown, Mason City, Keokuk, Ames, Clear Lake" in rapid succession, truly giving "The Song of Iowa" a run for its money as state song.

The original musical by Meredith Willson is a clear and self-aware love letter to his upbringing in Mason City, and to the Iowans who were around him, and the movie, starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones along with a pint-sized Ron Howard, carries that same spirit.

The musical was recently revived on Broadway, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.

More:From the archives: 'Music Man' Meredith Willson known as 'walking commercial for Iowa'

'Bonnie and Clyde' — 1967

Considered in many ways a landmark film in the history of Hollywood, Arthur Penn's "Bonnie and Clyde" stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the film's titular dynamic duo. It received two Oscars for Estelle Parsons' supporting turn as Blanche (Clyde's sister) and for cinematography and is remembered for its groundbreaking portrayal of violence, especially in its bleak and bloody ending.

"Bonnie and Clyde" follows the gang's exploits throughout the United States, from Texas to Missouri. The Iowa connection? A real-life shootout in Dexter, portrayed in the movie. The Register was there for the real thing. Buck and Blanche Barrow were captured by Iowa police, with Buck sustaining a gunshot to the head, while Bonnie and Clyde escaped.

The story of the infamous Barrow Gang remains highly influential in modern entertainment. It has been adapted into a Broadway musical, inspired the song that introduced Jay-Z and Beyonce and has been cited as inspiration for films such as "The Godfather."

More:Do you know these famous Iowans? From Elijah Wood to Ashton Kutcher, there are a quite a few

'Star Trek'

The most famous captain of the starship Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk (sorry, Captain Picard), hails from Riverside, Iowa. Now, he might be more famous for where he's boldly gone (where no one has gone before, and all that jazz) but his Iowa lineage remains a fun aspect of his character. He, as played by William Shatner, proudly announces his heritage in 1986's "Star Trek: The Voyage Home," proclaiming to a baffled character, "No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space."

Kirk appears in the "Star Trek" original series and in various other movies, including 2009's "Star Trek" reboot franchise starring Chris Pine, and 2022's prequel series "Strange New Worlds," where Kirk is played by Paul Wesley.

Riverside has embraced its place in "Star Trek" lore, erecting a plaque proclaiming itself the future birthplace of Captain Kirk. He is set to be born on March 22, 2233, if you want to mark your calendars to celebrate. And sorry, Riverside. It is 2233, not 2228.

More:William Shatner: 'I love Iowa'

'The Avengers' Infinity Saga

It's easy to forget that Clint Barton, better known as Hawkeye in the world of Marvel Comics, is canonically from Waverly.

That, is, of course, until you look at his superhero name and connect the dots.

Hawkeye was first created by Stan Lee and Dan Heck as a villain for the "Tales of Suspence" anthology series in 1964. Since then, he's pretty solidly joined the good guys, most notably as a non-superpowered member of the Avengers. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is played by Jeremy Renner, and appears in several Avengers films as well as the Disney+ original series aptly named "Hawkeye."

Just remember, Iowa, that you have an Avenger to claim. They couldn't have stopped Thanos without him. Promise.

Gabriela Velasquez is a planner and audience engagement specialist based out of Columbia, Missouri. You can find her on Twitter @not_gabriela.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa movies from 'Star Trek' to 'Top Gun' to 'Field of Dreams'