Is American Made starring Tom Cruise based on a true story?

American Made, the action-packed comedy film from 2017, directed by Doug Liman and featuring Tom Cruise, has landed on Netflix’s extensive roster of movies and shows as of October 6, 2023. Cruise takes on the role of a former professional pilot who embarks on a wild journey with the CIA, shuttling guns and drugs between the Medellin Cartel and the Contras. While relishing the spoils of a luxurious lifestyle, he finds himself entangled with the law and the treacherous world of drug cartels. As the DEA closes in on the renegade pilots, a series of mishaps and high-stakes adventures ensue, making American Made an exhilarating cinematic experience. The official synopsis, as per IMDb, reads:

"“The story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair.”"

If you’re contemplating watching this film or have already done so, you may be wondering whether American Made is grounded in reality or pure fiction. Does the movie draw inspiration from true events, or is it simply a well-crafted work of fiction? Join us as we reveal the answer to this burning question and unravel the backstory behind American Made below!

Let’s clear some things up about the film. The 2017 movie, American Made, starring Tom Cruise, is indeed based on the life of Barry Seal, a TWA pilot who embarked on a high-flying career as a drug smuggler for the notorious Medellín Cartel and later became an informant for the DEA. However, it’s crucial to note that American Made is not a biopic! This movie takes substantial creative liberties to infuse excitement and drama into the storytelling. Names are altered, and fictional characters are introduced to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

So, to answer your question, is American Made based on a true story? – the answer is … kind of! The essence of Barry Seal’s story is captured, but it has been given the good old Hollywood razzle-dazzle, to increase the overall wow factor.

Watch Tom Cruise in the official action-packed trailer for the movie below:

If you’re looking for some other movies, that have a similar vibe to American Made, then you’re in luck! As mentioned, Netflix has an extensive collection of movies, so if you want to carry on the real-life inspired adventures train then make sure to check out these movies currently streaming on Netflix:

• El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
• The Mule
• Lord of War
• Blow
• Catch Me If You Can