Tom Cruise is having a moment. With the recent announcement of a sequel to Days of Thunder, the superstar is back in the spotlight. But before that hits theaters, fans can revisit one of his most overlooked gems this fall. American Made, the 2017 crime thriller directed by Doug Liman, will begin streaming on HBO Max on September 1, 2026.
The film is a wild, stranger-than-fiction tale set in the 1980s, during the height of the Medellín Cartel's power. Cruise plays Barry Seal, a real-life pilot who gets recruited by the CIA, then ends up flying covert missions for the cartel, and eventually becomes an informant for the DEA. It's a high-flying, morally gray ride that showcases Cruise's charisma and Liman's knack for kinetic storytelling.
Critics were kind to American Made. It holds a Certified Fresh 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "delightfully watchable." The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Jesse Plemons, Domhnall Gleeson, and Sarah Wright, all delivering memorable performances.
At the time of its release, American Made was a bit of an anomaly for Cruise. It was his cheapest film in years, with a reported budget of $50 million, and it grossed $135 million worldwide. It also marked his last non-action role for nearly a decade. After this, he dove headfirst into the Mission: Impossible franchise and Top Gun: Maverick, but he's set to return to dramatic territory with Alejandro G. Iñárritu's upcoming film Digger, due in theaters this October.
For those who missed it in theaters or want to revisit it, American Made is a perfect addition to your September watchlist. It's a gripping, often funny, and surprisingly relevant look at the war on drugs, told from the perspective of a man who was in way over his head.
If you're a fan of Cruise's action work, this is a different side of him, but no less compelling. And if you're looking for more thrillers to stream, check out Robert Pattinson's Good Time, which also hits free streaming in September. Or, if you're in the mood for another Cruise classic, War of the Worlds is also landing on HBO Max this month.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on American Made and all your favorite movies and shows.
