Before Brad Pitt's F1 revs up audiences, Tom Cruise's 1990 NASCAR drama Days of Thunder is being revisited as a racing fan favorite that failed to impress critics upon release. As Brad Pitt gears up to bring high-speed racing drama to the big screen with F1, moviegoers are once again being reminded of Hollywood’s long fascination with motorsports. The upcoming film has generated significant buzz thanks to its realistic racing sequences and star-powered cast.

But long before Pitt stepped into the driver’s seat, another Hollywood superstar took a similar route. Decades ago, Tom Cruise headlined a racing movie that promised adrenaline, speed, and spectacle yet critics were far less enthusiastic about the final result.

Years before F1 became one of Hollywood’s most anticipated racing films, Tom Cruise starred in Days of Thunder (1990), a NASCAR drama directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson. The film followed hotshot rookie driver Cole Trickle as he navigated the dangers and rivalries of professional stock-car racing.

Packed with roaring engines, spectacular crashes, and intense on-track action, Days of Thunder was designed to appeal directly to racing enthusiasts. The movie also featured an impressive cast that included Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, and Cary Elwes. While audiences appreciated the racing spectacle, many critics dismissed it as a formula-driven sports drama that borrowed heavily from the successful blueprint of Top Gun.

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The renewed interest in racing movies has also brought attention to another fascinating connection between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

There has been plenty of chatter surrounding Brad Pitt’s upcoming movie Heart of the Beast, which is set to arrive in theaters on September 25, 2026. Just one week later, Tom Cruise’s Digger is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, setting up a potentially interesting battle at the box office.

This will not be the first time the two stars have faced off. Back in 2008, Brad Pitt’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie both opened on Christmas Day. While both films found audiences, Pitt’s movie earned a stronger early box-office haul. More than a decade later, the two actors are preparing for another closely watched race, this time with entirely different projects but the same level of star power.

While Days of Thunder never earned widespread critical acclaim, it has developed a loyal following among racing fans who appreciate its practical stunt work, high-energy action, and unmistakable ’90s charm. As F1 introduces a new generation of viewers to Hollywood racing dramas, Cruise’s earlier attempt remains an important stop in the genre’s history.

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Do you think F1 can surpass the legacy of Days of Thunder and become the definitive modern racing movie? Let us know in the comments!