Tough one to list a top 5 and I'm going to limit it to the jet age, but...
1) No doubt, hands down, number one can't be anything other than the F-15. Still in production almost 50 years after its first flight and still reigning champ in the skies with an 104-0 kill ratio. Plus, it's been adapted from "Not a pound for air to ground" into one of the premier interdiction aircraft of our time. I don't think there will ever be a more successful fighter out there that's been adapted to so many roles. Plus, who needs more than one wing to fly?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxJcEz3h4tU
2) MiG-21 (and foreign produced variants like the J-7/F-7) Giving the Soviets some love here, they came up with a simple fighter that worked extremely well. It was dangerous in a close in dogfight as our pilots learned over Vietnam and was simple enough for even Third World Air Forces to operate with ease. It's pretty much the AK-47 of the jet world as it was heavily exported, easily produced and (from reports) fairly easy to fly. There are various upgrades that actually can make it relevant in today's air battles as well.
3) F-16 (and variants). Again, it has adapted into roles unthought of from its time on the drawing board. From its inception as a simple daytime fighter to where its at today with its CAS, SEAD and interdiction role, its still viable even in the days of stealth and high tech. Still in production along with the F-15, the designers continue adding widgets and new items that keep it in the front of the pack when it comes to fighters.
4) (tie) Mirage III (and derivatives including the Mirage 5, Cheetah, Nesher) and the F-5 Tiger series. Two more fighters that started off life as simple and cheap to operate aircraft. Both of these ended up with impressive records as fighters and as ground attack aircraft. Both enjoyed long production runs (and in the case of the Mirage) had variants that continue to fly today with upgrades. Both of the fighters were pretty much the West's answer to the MiG-21 and served/are serving well around the world.
5) F-86 Saber. I went back and forth with this, but when it comes down to sheer adaptability and longevity, the F-86 has served extremely well and I include the variants of the F-86D, the Candair versions and the FJ-2/3 and FJ-4 in this list. It was one of those designs that they kept tinkering with to keep it relevant. From the skies over Korea to Pakistani pilots that used them very effectively against India, it certainly left a legacy behind.
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