American Made is making a comeback on streaming. Directed by Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow), with a script written by Gary Spinelli, the 2017 action comedy stars Tom Cruise as Barry Seal, an ex-TWA pilot who turned to drug smuggling for the Medellín Cartel in the 1980s before later working as a DEA informant to avoid prison.
Tom Cruise leads the cast alongside Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog), Caleb Landry Jones, Lola Kirke, Jayma Mays, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, E. Roger Mitchell, Jed Rees, Frank Licari, Justice Leak, Fredy Yate, Mauricio Mejía, Connor Trinneer, and Alberto Ospino.
Now, eight years after its release, American Made ranks eighth on Peacock’s Top 10 movies in the United States for today, September 23, where it has been for the past four days. It ranks below Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Mummy, Abigail, Zombieland, Miss Congeniality, Brightburn, 21 Jump Street, and above Home and 2012.
What American Made’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
By appearing on Peacock’s chart, American Made is making a comeback on streaming after creeping into Netflix’s Top 10 movies in the United States in October 2023. Released in theaters in 2017, American Made received mostly positive reviews from critics for its carefree approach to its true story, which reflects the same playful and highly entertaining energy that Tom Cruise brings to the lead role.
American Made ended its theatrical run with just under $135 million globally. While not a standout result considering its $50 million budget, the earnings were solid considering that it’s a non-franchise film. The main selling point was Cruise himself, and the box office outcome reinforced the fact that he remained a star with the ability to attract audiences to theaters.
Our Take On American Made’s Streaming Success
Tom Cruise is most recognized for his work in the Mission: Impossible franchise, where his portrayal of Ethan Hunt has become synonymous with high-octane stunts and larger-than-life spectacle. Yet standalone projects like American Made remind audiences that Cruise has far more range. It’s a movie that showcases his effortless charm and comedic instincts, offering a welcome counterbalance to his intense action persona.
Between Mission: Impossible movies, Cruise has consistently chosen intriguing roles that reveal different sides of his range, and some of those movies haven’t received the appreciation they deserve. American Made is a standout among them – an underrated gem that highlights Cruise’s versatility. As The Final Reckoning cements his legacy as Ethan Hunt, it’s worth remembering the projects that have kept his career dynamic.
