Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- flashy
- heightened
- race day
- action movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film glossy and entertaining in its racing spectacle and star power, but broadly faulted its familiar plot, thin characters, and weak dialogue.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cole Trickle's hot temper and aggressive driving repeatedly create conflict with teammates, rivals, and team leadership.
Veteran crew chief Harry Hogge must manage and guide Cole while their contrasting personalities produce friction.
NASCAR stock cars, Daytona competition, collisions, and high-speed track sequences dominate the film's action identity.
Cole enters the high-pressure NASCAR world as a gifted but undisciplined driver seeking legitimacy and success.
Films like Days of Thunder, and why
Top Gun
Shared high-arousal sports drama, charismatic hotshot protagonist, competitive rivalry, and glossy 1990s blockbuster energy.
Days of Thunder
Shared racing-centered action, underdog ambition, mechanical spectacle, and emotionally heightened competition.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Shared stock car racing setting, driver rivalries, crash-focused spectacle, and working-class sports drama.
Driven
Shared motorsport competition, mentor-protégé dynamics, romantic subplot, and polished action-drama storytelling.
Movie Details
- Director
- Tony Scott
- Release Date
- 1990-06-27
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (1805)
Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Robert Duvall
- Nicole Kidman
- Randy Quaid
- Cary Elwes
- Michael Rooker
- Fred Thompson
- John C. Reilly
- J.C. Quinn
- Don Simpson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Days of Thunder about?
- A reckless young NASCAR driver must master his temper, survive dangerous rivalries, and earn his place among professional stock car racers.
- What is Days of Thunder like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Days of Thunder as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Days of Thunder violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Days of Thunder as moderate.
- What did critics think of Days of Thunder?
- Critics found the film glossy and entertaining in its racing spectacle and star power, but broadly faulted its familiar plot, thin characters, and weak dialogue.
- Which films are like Days of Thunder?
- Films with a similar feel include Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Driven.
- How long is Days of Thunder?
- Days of Thunder runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Days of Thunder?
- In United States, Days of Thunder streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
