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American Made poster

Film · 2017

American Made

Directed by Doug Liman · starring DeVere Jehl, Tom Cruise and Domhnall Gleeson

  • 1 h 54 min
  • 15
  • Biography · Drama · Thriller
  • USA
  • Released in the UK 24 August 2017
  • 6.8 AverageMovieNCo
  • 6.7 Users19 votes
  • 6.9 Critics9 reviews

Synopsis

Biopic that portrays the life of Barry Seal, a former pilot from TWA (Trans World Airlines, the largest airline company in United States) who went to work for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) after becoming one of the most wanted drug traffickers US security forces. His recruitment into the security forces came by the Iran-Contra scandal, also known as Irangate. This case was about to cost the job to the American president Ronald Reagan, who had already been involved in other political scandals. Seal was part of the Medellin cartel in the 80's, where he demonstrated his exceptional skills as a pilot drug moving to another location, always going unnoticed and unpunished. The life of this peculiar personage finished in 1986, when it was assassinated at the hands of the Colombians in Baton Rouge (Louisiana), the place where he was born, when they found out he was acting like a double agent. The crime thriller film is starring by Tom Cruise ('Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation'), Domhnall Gleeson ('Ex machina'), Jayma Mays ('Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant'), Sarah Wright ('Walk of Shame'), Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, Brandon Stacy and Caleb Landry Jones, among others. Gary Spinelli writes the script of this film directed by Doug Liman ('Mr. and Mrs. Smith ', 'Fair Game'), who worked with Cruise in 'Edge of Tomorrow'. Produced by Cross Creek Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Quadrant Pictures and Vendian Entertainment. The filming was done in different locations around the United States like Atlanta and in Medellin, Colombia. As if that were not enough, this is not the first tape produced on this character. In 1991, HBO released a movie called 'Doublecrossed', which featured Dennis Hopper ('Swing Vote'). A few years later, in 2001, journalist Daniel Hopsicker drew a book that also dealt with the subject and questioned the role of current political leaders: Barry & 'the Boys': The CIA, the Mob and America's Secret History.

Where to watch American Made

All the options

Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
114 min1 hour and 54 minutes
Budget
€80mCross Creek Pictures
Box office
$51.1min US
Rating
15Suitable only for 15 years and over
How long is American Made?
1 hour and 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was American Made released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 24 August 2017.
Who directed American Made?
Doug Liman.
Who is in American Made?
It stars DeVere Jehl, Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson and Sarah Wright.
Where can I watch American Made?
In the UK it is available with a subscription on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
How much did American Made make?
It took $51.1 million in US. It cost €80 million.
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Director
Doug Liman
Writers
Gary Spinelli

Videos and trailers

All 12 videos

Photos and posters

All 25 photos

Reviews

All 9 reviews
6.7 19 votes
  • 100 %
  • 911 %
  • 811 %
  • 726 %
  • 642 %
  • ≤511 %

What the critics say average 6.9 from 9 outlets

  • 8.0 IndiewireMike McCahill 'American Made' isn?t a major breakthrough, but it still feels like a career progression for Cruise simply by handing him an intriguing role: Adler Berriman ?Barry? Seal. Read
  • 8.0 Screen DailySarah Ward There?s no doubt that Cruise is as much a guiding force as the film?s central figure. Read
  • 6.0 The WrapJason Salomons The problem is that Cruise, even when trying to cut loose, is always so tightly controlled that we never truly feel the reptilian survivalism of Barry Seal, nor does it feel like anyone on screen is… Read

Box office

Weekend by weekend
  • Budget €80m
  • US $51.1m
  • UK £5.5m

Soundtrack

All 22 songs
  1. Let Your Love FlowBellamy Brothers Spotify
  2. LA Loves YouGlassband Spotify
  3. You Sexy ThingHot Chocolate Spotify
  4. One Way OutThe Allman Brothers Band Spotify

Trivia

All 10 facts
  • Liman and Cruise together again

    Doug Liman directed Tom Cruise in 'Edge of tomorrow'.

  • Best script?

    Was featured on the 2014 Black List of the most liked un-made film scripts.

  • Novice

    First film together Tom Cruise and Sarah Wright

  • Name's change

    This began shooting under the title 'Mena'.

  • Different dates

    The project was announced on January 14, 2015.

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