1988 Classic Film Ranked Among the ‘Most Fun Westerns of All Time’ Incorporates a Secret Tom Cruise Cameo

In 1988, a film starring several of the biggest stars of the era was released and became so beloved that it was just ranked as one of the “Most Fun Westerns of All Time.” The amazing thing is that many Young Guns fans who find it a joy to watch are unaware of one of the most fun things about it. Unbeknownst to most viewers, the ’80s classic features a secret Tom Cruise cameo.

Who Just Ranked ‘Young Guns’ Among the ‘Most Fun Westerns of All Time’?

On September 20, 2026, Collider published its ranking of the “Most Fun Westerns of All Time,” which featured Young Guns at No. 8. The film featured a cast stacked with popular young actors from the era: Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, and Casey Siemaszko.

The movie became a big enough success to spawn a sequel that was released in 1990. More notably, the franchise attracted a passionate fan following that loves it enough to follow reports about a potential third Young Guns film that have been surfacing for years now.

One of the reasons why Young Guns remains so popular with viewers after nearly four decades is how remarkably fun it is, especially for a Western. The film focuses on the Lincoln County Regulators, a group of young men in the Old West whose bonds grow as they seek to avenge the man who mentored them all.

The movie showcases Emilio Estevez reveling in the mayhem as “Billy the Kid,” a character who makes virtually every scene he is in immensely entertaining. While some of his pals are much more sullen, like Kiefer Sutherland’s “Doc” Scurlock, the movie never forgets to have fun along the way. Between scenes like a shootout that starts with one man in an outhouse and a sequence where the Regulators are under the influence, Young Guns puts a smile on viewers’ faces.

The film’s infectious energy has helped it earn such a hallowed place in pop culture history that dialogue was sampled and used in Warren G and Nate Dogg’s 1994 hit song “Regulate.” The track’s opening seconds feature Casey Siemaszko from early in the film saying the following words: “Regulators. Regulate any stealing of his property. And we’re damn good, too. But you can’t be any geek off the street. Gotta be handy with the steel, if you know what I mean. Earn your keep.”

The Truth About Tom Cruise’s Secret ‘Young Guns’ Cameo

Before Young Guns brought together a slew of famous young male ’80s actors, 1982’s The Outsiders did it first. Two of the notable actors who appeared in that adaptation of the classic coming-of-age novel were Tom Cruise and Emilio Estevez. According to an October 2023 Screen Rant article about the cameo notes, the belief is that the two men became friends, which led to Cruise visiting Estevez on the set of Young Guns.

No matter why he was there, Cruise agreed to film a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Young Guns cameo after donning a fake mustache, sideburns, and cowboy hat. As the film reaches its crescendo, the Regulators shoot their way out of a surrounded and burning building. At that point, Cruise appears as one of the henchmen of the film’s villain, Lawrence Murphy. Only onscreen for a fleeting moment, Cruise shows up long enough to be killed and fall backward after being shot by Casey Siemaszko’s character, Charlie Bowdre.

Next: 1969 Robert Redford Classic He Called His ‘Favorite’ Film Ranked the ‘Best Western of All Time’

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was initially revealed September 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM.