Days of Thunder

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2:13

Days of Thunder

PG-13

Released Jun 27, 1990

1h 47m

Action

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Popcornmeter

38%

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66 Reviews

60%

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100,000+ Ratings

In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, a rivalry brews between rookie hotshot Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) and veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). When both of them are seriously injured in competition, the former bitter rivals become close friends. With Cole's spirits restored by a romance with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), and Rowdy still sidelined by injuries, Cole decides to race Rowdy's car in the Daytona 500 against underhanded newcomer Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes).

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Critics Consensus

Days of Thunder has Tom Cruise and plenty of flash going for it, but they aren't enough to compensate for the stock plot, two-dimensional characters, and poorly written dialogue.

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The most daring thing about his cat-and-mouse game with Kidman is how erotic Noyce makes it.

Oct 24, 2018

Full Review

Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

Dispensing with all notions that Days of Thunder is a critical work of any sort reveals its hollow and misogynistic underpinnings.

Jun 25, 2015

Full Review

Terrence Rafferty

New Yorker

Like the previous Simpson-Bruckheimer pictures, it's designed to give audiences an overdose of the thrill of victory; it wants us to jump out of our seats, pumping our fists in the air and roaring for the hero to pulverize his opponents.

May 20, 2014

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Some members of the audience I attended for Days of Thunder snickered at the mythologizing of the young actor on the screen. Tom Cruise would be wise to pay heed to such derision.

Rated: 0.5/4

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

There is some interest to be mined from Days of Thunder as an auteur piece--the auteur being Cruise, not Scott.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 3, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A vanity piece for Tom Cruise, who makes sure that he looks even prettier than co-star Nicole Kidman.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 23, 2020

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Alan g

Good racing scenes but Nicole Kidman as a neurosurgeon? That is beyond belief.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

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Paul D

One of the greatest films in history, FACT. Up there with Rocky for sports films

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Narciso R

Crazy awesome movie, great cast. Great chemistry. Love it. NRJ.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

Dan R

First Nascar movie I watched, lack luster performance from Tom Cruise, the plot was very dry, but other than that, it's not the worst movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

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Christian K

This has absolutely everything going for it with the cast, director, and setting. Maybe one of Cruise's more completely uninteresting characters, the story and pacing is all so bland.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

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Val M

It was great!!! I love speed and motor sports!! The sound track was awesome too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

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Tony Scott

Director

Tom Cruise

Cole Trickle

Robert Duvall

Harry Hogge

Nicole Kidman

Dr. Claire Lewicki

Randy Quaid

Tim Daland

Michael Rooker

Rowdy Burns

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Days of Thunder: Official Clip - This Guy's Going Down

2:09

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Wheeler's Lowdown Racing

2:13

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Drive Through It

2:13

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Dropping the Hammer

2:08

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - A Very Thorough Physical

2:13

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Go to the Outside

2:05

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Cole's Crash

2:12

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Not My Specialty

1:04

Days of Thunder: Official Clip - Concealed Weapon

1:46

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Days of Thunder: Trailer 1

2:13

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Synopsis

In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, a rivalry brews between rookie hotshot Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) and veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). When both of them are seriously injured in competition, the former bitter rivals become close friends. With Cole's spirits restored by a romance with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), and Rowdy still sidelined by injuries, Cole decides to race Rowdy's car in the Daytona 500 against underhanded newcomer Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes).

Director: Tony Scott
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson
Screenwriter: Robert Towne, Tom Cruise
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $80.6M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, CDS, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 70mm

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