Days of Thunder

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Days of Thunder

PG-13

Released Jun 27, 1990

1h 47m

Action

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Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

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

The 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

Full Review

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Jarrod R

Does he run in this one? I don't remember. This cast is revving on all cylinders and places a perfect "popcorn movie" right in the winner's circle for the summer. It's kind of like the movie Cars blended with the movie Doc Hollywood and a sprinkle of Top Gun just for good measure. I'll have to check my records because I don't remember if THIS is the "vehicle" that made Tom and Nicole Kidman fall in love or if it was another random event or a cool Hollywood party. They were certainly an "it" couple for several years there. Did they have a cute nickname? I don't remember. What's more, she popped on the scene when there weren't a ton of redheaded performers, so for that I'm thankful.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

Full Review

mark g

Wow, you don't generally see movies this simplistic and silly. This movie is geared towards 8 year-olds. Waste of a lot of talent.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

cesar c

I was in a rush to get done with the movie, guess they want a second chance to make it right

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

Full Review

Alan g

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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

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

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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

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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