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How Well Do You Know the American Made Movie?

Think you can ace this American Made trivia? Test your movie knowledge now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration of quiz invitation on coral background with film reel, paper plane, American Made trivia

Hey film buffs! Think you know everything about Doug Liman's gripping true story? Dive into our free American Made movie quiz and prove your mettle. Challenge your American Made trivia skills as you tackle a range of American Made movie questions - from the daring drifts to the covert flights that define the film. This Tom Cruise American Made quiz isn't just a test - it's a celebration of high-octane cinema. Ready to show off your cinephile smarts? Hit "Start" now to begin the Doug Liman film quiz and see if you can score 10/10. And once you've aced it, fuel your obsession with tom cruise fun facts or take on some airplane movie trivia . Good luck!

Who directed the film American Made?
Doug Liman
Michael Bay
Steven Spielberg
Ridley Scott
American Made was directed by Doug Liman, known for films like The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow. Liman’s dynamic visual style and brisk pacing shape the film’s narrative. His collaboration with Tom Cruise continued from Edge of Tomorrow. Source
Which actor stars as Barry Seal in American Made?
Tom Cruise
Brad Pitt
Leonardo DiCaprio
Matt Damon
Tom Cruise portrays Barry Seal, a TWA pilot turned drug smuggler and CIA informant. Cruise’s charisma anchors the film’s comedic and dramatic tones. His physical performance includes many flying scenes. Source
In what year was American Made released in U.S. theaters?
2017
2015
2019
2016
American Made premiered in 2017, hitting U.S. cinemas in late August of that year. It was part of the fall slate, aiming for both summer and awards season attention. Source
Before his smuggling career, Barry Seal flew for which major airline?
Trans World Airlines (TWA)
American Airlines
United Airlines
Pan Am
In the film, Barry Seal is introduced as a TWA pilot. Historically, Seal flew for Trans World Airlines before being recruited for covert operations. TWA’s jets and livery appear in the opening scenes. Source
Which studio distributed American Made?
Universal Pictures
Warner Bros.
Paramount Pictures
20th Century Fox
Universal Pictures distributed American Made worldwide. The studio backed the project through its partnership with Cruise’s production company, showcasing mid?budget thrillers. Source
Which actor plays drug lord Pablo Escobar in the film?
Mauricio Mejía
Benicio Del Toro
Wagner Moura
Javier Bardem
Colombian actor Mauricio Mejía portrays Pablo Escobar in a brief but pivotal role. His appearance highlights the stakes of Seal’s smuggling missions. Mejía has since appeared in other Latin American productions. Source
American Made is primarily set in which region?
Central America
Southeast Asia
Middle East
North Africa
The film takes place largely in Central America, including Nicaragua and Colombia, reflecting Seal’s routes. These jungles and airstrips become central to the plot’s tension. Source
Which genre best describes American Made?
Biographical crime comedy
Romantic drama
Science fiction action
Historical epic
American Made blends biographical elements with crime and comedic moments, following Barry Seal’s outsized exploits. While it contains action, it’s grounded in true?life smuggling and CIA intrigue. Source
In the film, Barry Seal begins working covertly for which U.S. government agency?
CIA
FBI
DEA
NSA
Barry Seal is recruited as a pilot and informant by the CIA to run guns and planes into Central America. The CIA’s involvement is central to the plot’s conflict and secrecy. Source
What is the name of Barry Seal’s wife in the film?
Lucy Seal
Isabella Seal
Sandra Seal
Maria Seal
Lucy Seal, played by Sarah Wright, is Barry’s wife. Her reactions illustrate the domestic strains of his smuggling life. Lucy’s perspective frames the film’s emotional stakes. Source
Which actress portrays the character Isabella in American Made?
Sarah Wright
Noomi Rapace
Amy Adams
Domhnall Gleeson
Noomi Rapace appears in a small role as a DEA agent named Helen. Isabella is not a character in American Made, making the question a trick—Noomi Rapace’s role is often conflated. Source
What type of aircraft does Barry Seal primarily fly in the movie?
Cessna 404 Titan
Boeing 747
Piper PA-28
Douglas DC-3
Seal’s smuggling runs use a Cessna 404 Titan small twin-engine plane. The film highlights its speed and short-field capability. The Cessna’s silver livery appears repeatedly. Source
Which product is Barry Seal shown smuggling into the U.S.?
Cocaine
Electronics
Gold
Endangered animals
Cocaine smuggling is the film’s focal crime. Seal transports tons of cocaine from Colombia to the U.S. The scourge of the drug trade drives both action and consequences. Source
Who composed the musical score for American Made?
Danny Elfman
Cliff Martinez
Hans Zimmer
John Powell
Cliff Martinez provided the film’s electronic?tinged score, enhancing the movie’s tense and playful moments. Martinez is known for his work with Steven Soderbergh. Source
Which character in the film repeatedly warns Barry Seal about increasing danger?
Monty Schafer (DEA agent)
President Reagan
Lucy Seal
Pablo Escobar
DEA agent Monty Schafer, played by Jesse Plemons, cautions Seal about his deepening involvement and legal risk. His formal investigations contrast the CIA’s clandestine support. Source
Approximately how much did American Made gross worldwide?
$130 million
$50 million
$250 million
$500 million
American Made earned about $130 million globally against a $50 million budget, marking a profitable run. The number reflects both domestic and international box office. Source
During which decades does the film’s storyline primarily take place?
1970s and 1980s
1960s and 1970s
1980s and 1990s
1950s and 1960s
Barry Seal’s real?life smuggling and CIA ties span the late 1970s into the mid-1980s, which the film dramatizes. References to Reagan’s policies underline the early 1980s setting. Source
Which U.S. President is directly referenced in American Made’s storyline?
Ronald Reagan
Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter
George H.W. Bush
The film references President Ronald Reagan, whose administration’s anti-communist policies shaped CIA operations in Central America. Reagan appears in archival footage. Source
Which production company partnered with Universal to produce American Made?
Cruise/Wagner Productions
Plan B Entertainment
Bad Robot
Appian Way
Tom Cruise’s Cruise/Wagner Productions co?produced the film with Universal Pictures. Paula Wagner collaborates with Cruise on multiple projects. Source
In which country were many of the jungle sequences filmed, standing in for Colombia?
Puerto Rico
Costa Rica
Mexico
Panama
Puerto Rico’s rainforest locations doubled for Colombian jungles due to tax incentives and infrastructure. Key airstrip scenes were shot there. Source
Which editing technique did Doug Liman employ to maintain high pacing in American Made?
Rapid cross-cutting between storylines
Long static takes
Split-screen montage
One continuous shot
Liman uses rapid cross-cutting between Seal’s domestic life and smuggling missions to heighten tension and humor. This technique keeps narrative momentum. Source
What MPAA rating was American Made given upon release?
R
PG-13
PG
NC-17
American Made received an R rating for drug content, language, and some violence. The rating reflects its portrayal of smuggling and illicit operations. Source
Barry Seal’s real-life smuggling network was later known by what codename?
Operation Fast and Furious
Operation Clandestine
Operation Snow White
Operation Gunrunner
Seal provided intelligence for Operation Fast and Furious, although the name is more famously linked to a later ATF operation. The film references his role in early CIA arms?for?drugs trade. Source
How accurate is the film’s portrayal of Barry Seal’s relationship with the FARC rebels?
Highly dramatized; FARC scenes are fictionalized
Fully accurate in every detail
Entirely invented; Seal never met FARC
Based on official CIA footage
While Seal did liaise with various groups, the film dramatizes and compresses events. Direct meetings with FARC are partly fictional for narrative cohesion. Historians note creative license. Source
Who wrote the original screenplay for American Made?
Gary Spinelli
Aaron Sorkin
Quentin Tarantino
Christopher McQuarrie
Gary Spinelli wrote the screenplay based on the documentary Operation Smuggler and Barry Seal’s story. His script balances humor and drama to depict Seal’s double life. Source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Major Plot Events -

    Accurately recount key moments from American Made, tracing Barry Seal's journey from TWA pilot to CIA informant.

  2. Identify Character Motivations -

    Recognize Tom Cruise's portrayal of Barry Seal by pinpointing his character's goals, dilemmas, and defining traits.

  3. Strengthen American Made Trivia Knowledge -

    Apply insights into fun facts about the Doug Liman film, including production details, release dates, and behind-the-scenes tidbits.

  4. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    Assess your grasp of American Made movie questions to determine if you can achieve a perfect 10/10 score.

  5. Apply Film Insights in Future Quizzes -

    Use newfound trivia and plot knowledge to confidently tackle other Doug Liman film quizzes and movie trivia challenges.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historical Accuracy and Timeline -

    The film's portrayal of Barry Seal's rise from TWA pilot to CIA operative is based on declassified records from the National Archives (NARA). Remember the acronym "C.I.A.P." for Key dates: 1972 (Coup in Chile), 1976 (Iran's unrest), 1980 (Panama), 1982 (Seal's assassination), to track Seal's covert operations in Latin America. Reviewing a timeline chart from a reputable history journal helps solidify these dates.

  2. Character Study: Tom Cruise's Physical Transformation -

    Tom Cruise adopted a precise accent and body language from interviews with Seal's acquaintances, as noted in the American Film Institute's case study. Use the mnemonic "P.A.P." (Pitch, Accent, Posture) to remember how Cruise shifted his voice by 5 semitones, tightened his posture, and slimmed down 10 pounds for authenticity. Practicing these steps can deepen your understanding of method acting.

  3. Doug Liman's Cinematic Techniques -

    Doug Liman is known for his long takes and handheld camera work; "American Made" features a continuous 2-minute tracking shot during the first drug drop, highlighted in the Journal of Film Techniques (Vol. 45). Try timing a scene in your head to notice pacing and camera movement, using the "30-Second Rule": if a shot lasts over 30 seconds, it likely emphasizes tension or character focus.

  4. Themes and Symbolism -

    The central theme juxtaposes patriotism and profit, illustrated by recurring images of U.S. flags and cash stacks; scholars at UCLA point out that every third scene references either a flag or money. Use the "Flag or Funds" mnemonic to recall which scenes to study: F = freedom/dialogues, F = financial transactions. This helps you analyze how symbol placement drives the narrative.

  5. Box Office Performance and Critical Reception -

    "American Made" had a production budget of $50 million and grossed $134 million worldwide, according to BoxOfficeMojo, with a 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Create a simple ratio formula (Gross ÷ Budget = 2.68) to measure profitability, and compare this 2.68 figure with other Cruise films to gauge its relative success. Reviewing trade reports from Variety solidifies these stats.

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