Movies

Why You Need to Rewatch Tom Cruise’s ‘Days of Thunder’ Right Now!

BBG News

Following their collaboration on the iconic ’80s film Top Gun, actors Tom Cruise and director Tony Scott teamed up once again to create more cinematic wonders in the 1990 sports action drama Days of Thunder. This movie takes viewers into the thrilling, intense world of NASCAR and follows a newcomer racing to establish his reputation amidst fierce competition. Cruise shares the screen with well-known figures like Robert Duvall, Michael Rooker, and Nicole Kidman, with the actor playing a significant role in shaping the film’s narrative.

Despite earning over $157 million globally and being financially successful, Days of Thunder received mixed reviews from critics who found it predictable and unoriginal compared to Top Gun. However, this didn’t deter audiences or NASCAR enthusiasts, who made the movie a hit. Now, as we celebrate its 35th anniversary, it’s an excellent opportunity to rewatch this underrated film and enjoy Tom Cruise at his racing best.

Tony Scott’s Rip-Roaring Sports Drama

Following his meteoric rise to fame in the ’80s with memorable performances in blockbuster movies such as “The Outsiders”, “Risky Business”, and “Top Gun”, Tom Cruise aimed to replicate his past cinematic triumphs. To do so, he launched the new decade by appearing in the 1990 sports action drama “Days of Thunder”. In this film, Cruise portrays Cole Trickle, a determined and hot-headed USAC racer who aspires to be among NASCAR’s elite drivers. After being signed by a wealthy automotive tycoon (Randy Quaid) to race for his team in the NASCAR Cup Series, Trickle sets his sights on greatness.

In the story, Cole seeks assistance from his former team leader and vehicle architect, Harry Hogge (portrayed by Robert Duvall), to endure intense NASCAR tutoring and gear up for the competition, where he faces off against seasoned racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). Following a severe accident at Daytona, both competitors form a bond and subsequently find themselves at odds with Cole’s provisional replacement, Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes). Determined to outsmart the corrupt Russ, Cole competes in the Daytona 500 for his own sake and his ally Rowdy.

‘Days of Thunder’ Becomes an Underrated ’90s Gem

The character of Cole Trickle in the movie Cruise portrayed, to some extent, resembles the racing careers of Tim Richmond and Geoff Bodine. Various scenes in the film echo real-life incidents from NASCAR history, like when Cole and Rowdy wreck rental cars to form a bond, a behavior reminiscent of 1950s stock car racers Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly. Robert Towne, known for his work on Chinatown and Mission: Impossible, wrote the screenplay for this film, but production faced challenges including budget constraints, delays, and creative disagreements between Scott, Towne, and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Regardless of the challenges faced during its production, the movie “Days of Thunder” was unveiled to the public on June 27, 1990. It quickly captivated audiences, earning $157.9 million globally against a budget of $60 million and receiving an “A” from viewers in CinemaScore polls. Though the sports drama ignited enthusiasm among fans with its intense action, it was met with mixed reviews by critics. Many felt that the script and concept were not particularly impressive, and the characters seemed shallow. However, they praised the powerful performances of Cruise and Duvall, as well as the heart-pounding action sequences.

35 years after its initial release, Days of Thunder has gained increased recognition within the film industry. Quentin Tarantino, a renowned filmmaker, considers it his preferred big-budget racing film and appreciates its lightheartedness, stating that “it doesn’t work if you take the whole thing too seriously.” Additionally, following director Tony Scott’s demise in 2012, Stephen Metcalf of Slate deemed it as one of Scott’s most significant works.

Although it’s undisputed that Days of Thunder isn‘t Tom Cruise’s most outstanding work or character, he still gave an intense performance and shared captivating chemistry with his co-stars, such as Rooker, Duvall, and Kidman (who he later married following the film’s premiere). Despite not reaching the success of their ’80s blockbuster hit Top Gun, Days of Thunder did contribute to the continued rise of both Cruise and Scott as prominent figures in Hollywood. Additionally, movie enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that a follow-up film is underway, with Cruise reprising his role.

How To Watch ‘Days of Thunder’

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the movie, enthusiasts of Tom Cruise and adrenaline-pumping sports films have the opportunity to watch Days of Thunder on Paramount+. Additionally, they can rent or buy it from various platforms such as Apple TV+ and Google Play.

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2025-05-24 20:33

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