Summary
Director Doug Liman's American Made ranks as the number nine most popular movie on Netflix for the week of Oct. 2-8.
American Made received mostly positive reviews from critics and had a decent performance at the box office. Tom Cruise's charismatic performance as American pilot Barry Seal, who smuggled drugs for the Medellín Cartel while working as a DEA informant, was especially praised.
American Made, an action comedy featuring an impressive Tom Cruise performance, has recently secured a spot on Netflix's esteemed top 10 movies list. This 2017 film showcases the gripping true story of American pilot Barry Seal, who becomes a DEA informant while engaging in drug smuggling activities for the notorious Medellín Cartel. American Made marks a reunion for Cruise and director Doug Liman, who previously collaborated on the successful 2014 movie Edge of Tomorrow.
According to the latest Netflix Top 10 rankings, American Made claimed the ninth position among the most popular movies in the United States during the week of October 2 to 8. While triumphing over Megamind, which stands at number 10, it falls just short of outdoing Colombiana, Dune, Casper, Fair Play, Identity Thief, Last Vegas, Nowhere, and the reigning champion at number one, Reptile.
How Was American Made Received?
Cruise has become best recognized for his role in and production of the Mission: Impossible franchise. His most recent appearance was in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. However, he has also been involved in other intriguing projects in between his missions as superspy Ethan Hunt. American Made received mostly positive reviews from critics, with an impressive 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, the audience score of 79% indicates that the majority of moviegoers who watched it also enjoyed the film.
In terms of box office performance, American Made grossed nearly $135 million worldwide. Although not exceptional, considering the film's genre, this is still a respectable amount given its $50 million budget. The movie's narrative and subject matter were not the primary selling points; instead, Cruise himself was the main attraction. Therefore, American Made's box office success implies that Cruise remains a popular movie star capable of attracting audiences to theaters.
Cruise's performance in American Made stands out for its positivity, offering a refreshing departure from his serious Mission: Impossible role. While his current focus lies in death-defying stunts and physical prowess, American Made showcases a return to Cruise's classic acting style. In this film, he doesn't depict Seal as an action hero but instead allows his natural charisma to shine through in a carefree, comedic, and cheeky manner.