8 Years Ago Today, Tom Cruise Released His Last Non-Franchise Movie (And It’s Still Underrated)

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For decades, Tom Cruise has been one of Hollywood’s most consistently successful actors. He first gained recognition in films like *Risky Business*, *Rain Man*, and *A Few Good Men*, which propelled him to a level of fame few achieve. More recently, as the film industry has evolved, Cruise has become known for consistently starring in major franchise films, maintaining his position as a reliable box office draw even as the landscape of movie releases has changed.

Tom Cruise’s career has taken an unusual turn recently, making this anniversary particularly noteworthy when looking back at the last 15 years. Today marks eight years since he starred in his last film that wasn’t part of a larger franchise, the 2017 movie *American Made*. This film is unique in his recent work because it wasn’t connected to any existing cinematic universe, and it was the last time he truly showcased his leading man charisma.

Tom Cruise’s Last Non-Franchise Movie Is an Underrated Gem

Doug Liman, the director behind Edge of Tomorrow and planning to launch Tom Cruise into space for a future film, brings us the incredible true story of American Made. The film centers on pilot Barry Seal (played by Cruise), who became entangled in a dangerous web involving Pablo Escobar’s drug cartel, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the CIA. Seal started by smuggling drugs for the cartel, but when caught, he surprisingly began working as a secret agent for the US government – and that’s just the beginning of his unbelievable story.

Tom Cruise delivers a charming, humorous, and believable performance in this film-it’s been a while since he’s convincingly used a southern accent! He’s supported by an incredibly talented cast, including Domhnall Gleeson, Jesse Plemons, and Caleb Landry Jones. In a movie landscape dominated by reboots and sequels, *American Made* feels like a refreshing original. Many viewers have lamented the lack of films geared towards adult audiences, and that’s a key reason why *American Made* remains a hidden gem-it truly delivers on that front.

Beyond being a compelling character study, *American Made* also delivers a distinct visual experience. Tom Cruise is known for his love of flying and often performs his own stunts in the air, as seen in films like *Top Gun* and *Mission: Impossible*. However, *American Made* presents planes and Cruise’s flying skills in a completely fresh and exciting way.

Liman’s direction relies heavily on shots of the planes from the outside, combined with shaky, immersive footage of Tom Cruise piloting them. Whether he’s intentionally crashing or dodging bullets, the action feels genuinely tense and frightening. Unlike a typical action movie, these scenes aren’t meant to be exciting or inspiring-they’re meant to feel real and dangerous. This is a stark contrast to *Top Gun: Maverick*, which presented the life of a fighter pilot as exhilarating and visually stunning. Considering this, it’s understandable why *American Made* hasn’t received as much attention.

American Made Proved Tom Cruise Doesn’t Need Blockbuster Movies, They Need Him

Since starring in *American Made*, Tom Cruise has appeared in only four other films: *Mission: Impossible – Fallout*, *Top Gun: Maverick*, *Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning*, and *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning*. While these films have been very successful, they’re all large-scale blockbusters. *American Made* shows that Cruise can also excel in smaller, more character-driven roles, a type of movie that isn’t as common these days.

While *American Made* is inspired by real events, the movie takes significant liberties with the truth. However, this actually benefits the film, and highlights why Tom Cruise excels in smaller, more focused roles. Cruise leverages his established reputation as a convincing actor – built through years of experience – to make an unbelievable story feel somewhat plausible.

As a movie fan, I’ve always thought Tom Cruise is key to making these kinds of true-story-inspired films work. The movie can start with a real event, but then really run with it, even if it gets totally unbelievable. But because Cruise is so good at playing relatable guys, even the craziest stuff feels like it *could* happen. It’s different with something like *Mission: Impossible* – we *expect* over-the-top action, so we don’t need him to ground it. We’re already willing to go along for the ride. But a movie like *American Made*, which is based on a lesser-known true story, doesn’t have that built-in acceptance. It really needs Cruise’s credibility to make the wild parts feel believable from the start.

After watching *American Made*, it’s evident that Tom Cruise’s appeal isn’t just about seeing him on a large screen. His true strength lies in how he enhances the story, adding depth and impact to both the dramatic and action-packed moments. Over the past decade, Cruise has solidified his position as an action movie icon, but it’s worth remembering that just eight years ago, he was still demonstrating his ability to deliver surprising and captivating performances.

If you’re interested in watching it, American Made is currently available on Peacock and Prime Video.

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2025-09-27 16:11