9 Years Later, Tom Cruise’s ‘Narcos’ Meets ‘Top Gun’ Movie Soars to Streaming on HBO Max

Tom Cruise has flown plenty of planes on screen, but few of his flying roles are as wild as the one he played in American Made. Directed by Doug Liman, the 2017 film follows Barry Seal, a bored TWA pilot who gets pulled into a secret CIA operation in Central America.

Before long, he is also flying cocaine for the Medellín Cartel, raking in millions while trying to keep the CIA, the cartel, and eventually the DEA happy at the same time. That is exactly why the film feels like Narcos meets Top Gun.

It has the cartel chaos, Pablo Escobar, and drug-fueled excess that made Netflix’s Narcos a hit. At the same time, it puts Cruise back in the pilot’s seat, pulling off risky flights with the same cocky charm he brought to Maverick. Now, nine years after its release, American Made has found a fresh audience and is climbing HBO Max’s streaming charts.

Tom Cruise’s American Made Is Now No. 6 on HBO Max

American Made is currently the No. 6 movie on HBO Max in the U.S. as of September 21, 2026, according to FlixPatrol. The movie is in the top 10 alongside other hits like Supergirl and The Revenant. Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai is also in the top 10, at the eighth position.

The biggest reason behind the film’s sudden comeback is simple. American Made arrived on HBO Max on September 1, 2026, making it easy for subscribers to stumble upon it while scrolling for something new to watch. For many viewers, this is their first time checking it out, since the movie never got the same attention as Cruise’s big franchise hits.

Cruise’s star power is also doing a lot of heavy lifting. He is one of the few actors whose name alone can pull people in, and it says a lot that The Last Samurai is also sitting in the top 10. On top of that, the movie hits a sweet spot.

It is a true crime story, but it never feels heavy. The mix of humor, fast-paced storytelling, and thrilling flight scenes makes it a perfect weekend watch for anyone who loves crime dramas and action movies alike.

American Made Remains Tom Cruise’s Most Underrated Film

Tom Cruise as Barry Seal in American Made | Credits: Universal Pictures

When American Made hit theaters in 2017, it was far from a massive blockbuster. It earned $134.9 million worldwide against a $50 million budget (via Box Office Mojo) and picked up strong reviews, but it quickly got lost among Tom Cruise’s bigger franchise films.

However, over the years, the movie has slowly built a reputation as one of the most underrated entries in his career. A big part of its legacy is how it showed a different side of Cruise. Instead of playing a flawless hero like Ethan Hunt, he played a charming rule-breaker who makes one bad choice after another.

He was praised for having fun with a morally gray character, reminding everyone that he is more than just an action star. The film also marked Cruise’s reunion with director Doug Liman after Edge of Tomorrow, another movie that became a fan favorite long after its release.

Now, with its HBO Max success, American Made is finally getting the attention it always deserved.

Are you planning to catch the movie on HBO Max? Did you watch it in theaters the first time? Let us know in the comments below!