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(Photo by DreamWorks/courtesy Everett Collection. Collateral.)

All Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked By Tomatometer

Collateral celebrates its 20th anniversary!

From his teen idol days in the early ’80s to his status as a marquee-lighting leading man today, Tom Cruise has consistently done it all for decades — he’s completed impossible missions, learned about Wapner time in Rain Man , driven the highway to the danger zone in Top Gun , and done wonders for Bob Seger’s royalty statements in Risky Business , to offer just a few examples. Mr. Cruise is one of the few honest-to-goodness film stars left in the Hollywood firmament, so whether you’re a hardcore fan or just interested in a refresher course on his filmography, we’re here to take a fond look back at a truly impressive career and rank all Tom Cruise movies.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) 97%

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 96%

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) 96%

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015) 94%

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) 93%

Risky Business (1983) 93%

Edge of Tomorrow (2014) 91%

Minority Report (2002) 89%

Rain Man (1988) 88%

The Color of Money (1986) 88%

Collateral (2004) 86%

Born on the Fourth of July (1989) 84%

American Made (2017) 85%

A Few Good Men (1992) 84%

Jerry Maguire (1996) 84%

Magnolia (1999) 82%

Tropic Thunder (2008) 82%

The Firm (1993) 76%

War of the Worlds (2005) 76%

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) 76%

Mission: Impossible III (2006) 71%

The Outsiders (1983) 70%

Taps (1981) 68%

Mission: Impossible (1996) 65%

The Last Samurai (2003) 66%

Jack Reacher (2012) 64%

Interview With the Vampire (1994) 63%

All the Right Moves (1983) 61%

Valkyrie (2008) 62%

Top Gun (1986) 58%

Mission: Impossible II (2000) 56%

Oblivion (2013) 54%

Knight and Day (2010) 52%

Far and Away (1992) 50%

Vanilla Sky (2001) 43%

Rock of Ages (2012) 42%

Legend (1985) 41%

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) 38%

Days of Thunder (1990) 38%

Lions for Lambs (2007) 27%

Losin' It (1982) 18%

The Mummy (2017) 15%

Cocktail (1988) 9%

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All 44 Tom Cruise movies, ranked from worst to best

• Tom Cruise has done every type of movie you can think of over his nearly 40-year career.
• Here we rank every one from worst to best.
• See where his latest, "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One," ranks in his career filmography.

43. "Rock of Ages" (2012)

Somehow Cruise got roped into being part of this feature-film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. But leave it to him to lay it all out there.

Though the movie is unwatchable, Cruise provides its only memorable moments when his rock-star character belts out classic songs like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Wanted Dead or Alive."

42. "Endless Love" (1981)

Cruise's first appearance in a movie is this 1980s teen romance drama starring Brooke Shields that's best known for giving us the Diana Ross/Lionel Richie title song.

Cruise gets a brief bit of screen time as one of the male lead's friends. It's quite forgettable, but it's still better than "Rock of Ages."

41. "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" (2016)

Between "Mission: Impossible" movies, Cruise tried to kick off another action franchise by bringing the main character of the Lee Child novel series to the big screen.

Though the first movie just got over the $200 million mark at the worldwide box office, the performance (or lack thereof) by the sequel indicated no one wanted any more Mr. Reacher. It barely made $162 million worldwide.

40. "The Mummy" (2017)

Cruise was all set to be the Robert Downey Jr. of Universal's Dark Universe with the release of this movie and promises of more creature pictures to come. But playing a soldier of fortune who tries to stop an ancient Egyptian princess from taking over the world didn't grab audiences. It was another franchise not meant to be.

39. "Losin' It" (1983)

Still getting his legs under him in the movie biz, Cruise signed onto this teen comedy in which he's one of four friends who go on a hard-partying road trip to Tijuana in hopes of losing their virginity. Yes, even Cruise couldn't hide from the teen-sex-comedy genre when he started his career.

38. "Mission: Impossible II" (2000)

Man, John Woo deserved better than this. The legendary Hong Kong director took over the "Mission: Impossible" reins after Brian De Palma kicked things off with the first movie, but Woo didn't find the same success.

"Mission: Impossible II" did go on to become one of the highest-grossing movies of 2000, with over $546 million earned worldwide, but with its weak plot and character development, it has not aged anywhere near as well as the first movie (or the other movies in the franchise).

37. "Jack Reacher" (2012)

Though "Jack Reacher" was the first time Cruise worked with his longtime "Mission: Impossible" director, Christopher McQuarrie, and it features the legendary director Werner Herzog as the movie's villain, Cruise as Jack Reacher is a seen-it-before character who isn't exciting.

36. "Oblivion" (2013)

Here, Cruise attempted to go the sci-fi route in hopes of having a breakthrough "Minority Report"-like experience for the audience. But the story was nowhere as sharp, and its postapocalyptic vibe left us all feeling uninterested.

35. "Lions for Lambs" (2007)

Marking the first movie released by United Artists after Cruise and his producing partner Paula Wagner took over (the two left UA after a couple of years) was "Lions for Lambs," a tense drama set around the war in Afghanistan and directed by Robert Redford.

Cruise gave his all playing an agenda-pushing senator and has some strong scenes opposite Meryl Streep. But the movie is just dull.

34. "Far and Away" (1992)

Cruise and his wife at the time, Nicole Kidman, paired together in this 1890s-set epic directed by Ron Howard. The two play Irish immigrants seeking a fortune in America. Outside the lush photography, there isn't much to enjoy about this movie. And don't get me started on Cruise's awful Irish accent.

33. "Vanilla Sky" (2001)

At the tail end of Cruise's heartthrob phase, the director Cameron Crowe teamed with him again after their hugely successful collaboration on "Jerry Maguire" to make a very different love story.

Based on the Spanish movie "Open Your Eyes," Cruise plays a vain New York City media playboy who has a different outlook on life after being in a horrific car crash. Though Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penélope Cruz (who also starred in "Open Your Eyes") all give top performances, Crowe goes too weird with the story, leaving viewers out in the void by the time the movie gets into the home stretch.

32. "American Made" (2017)

Mixing action and dark comedy in telling the real-life story of the drug runner Barry Seal seemed like a nice pivot for Cruise, but at the end of the day, the director Doug Liman's movie is just too glossy to be taken seriously. (Accent update: Cruise delivers a tolerable Southern drawl.)

31. "The Last Samurai" (2003)

Cruise stars as an American soldier in 19th-century Japan who embraces the samurai culture. The movie went on to receive four Oscar nominations, but it's the kind of title in which one viewing is enough.

And on a side note: Wow, would this movie get hammered on social media if it came out today.

30. "Valkyrie" (2008)

Another release from the time Cruise was calling the shots at UA, "Valkyrie" sees him playing one of the rogue Nazi officers who attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

(Accent update: Cruise — and basically most of the other Nazi officers — decided to not even bother with a German accent. Good choice; the audience didn't even notice [ holds back giggles ].)

29. "Cocktail" (1988)

It's one of the movies in Cruise's career that ride fully on his good looks. Honestly, this movie should have just been titled "Sex." Cruise plays a hot New York City bartender who has dreams of making it big, and it's his hotness that's going to get him to the top. It's classic Hot Guy Cruise — who cares that the story is garbage.

28. "War of the Worlds" (2005)

Steven Spielberg teamed up with Cruise after "Minority Report" for this blockbuster remake of the classic sci-fi movie. Though it made a lot of money, it was dark in tone — maybe a little too dark. Be honest: Have you wanted to see this movie again?

27. "Knight and Day" (2010)

This is one of those movies that don't get enough credit. The director James Mangold cleverly takes all the common action-hero traits and has Cruise make fun of them. You might want to give this one another viewing.

26. "Taps" (1981)

Unlike in "Endless Love," Cruise really capitalized on this small role. As a military cadet who takes his responsibilities way too seriously, Cruise is a standout in the movie and showed audiences (and Hollywood executives) that he had leading-man potential.

25. "Mission: Impossible III" (2006)

J.J. Abrams takes over the franchise for this one and does an impressive job. It also helps that you have the talents of Philip Seymour Hoffman playing the villain. It's better than "Mission: Impossible II," so we're going in the right direction.

24. "The Outsiders" (1983)

Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of the classic novel brought all the biggest names from young Hollywood together, and Cruise was right there in the mix. With Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Emilio Estevez, and Rob Lowe, the movie is pretty heavy-handed with the drama, but it's fun to watch all these amazing talents on the screen together.

23. "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation" (2015)

Rebounding from the so-so performance of "Jack Reacher," McQuarrie jumps on the "Mission: Impossible" franchise and ups the action stakes. Yep, this is the one where Cruise hangs from the side of a giant plane taking off. The movie also got an extra jolt with the inclusion of Rebecca Ferguson in the supporting cast.

22. "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" (2018)

This "Mission: Impossible" could go down as one of the best action movies ever — its stunts and action sequences are that amazing. This time, McQuarrie gives us a deeper look at what makes Ethan Hunt tick and the values he lives by. But it's really the action that stays with you.

21. "Minority Report" (2002)

With its breakthroughs in CGI and tech, the first teaming of Spielberg and Cruise lived up to the hype. This movie was so advanced in its execution and what it showcased that it had a "Jurassic Park"-style ripple effect, in the sense that it has influenced countless action and sci-fi movies since.

20. "Tropic Thunder" (2008)

Though Cruise doesn't have a lot of screen time, his presence in this movie cannot be ignored. Playing a despicable movie executive named Les Grossman, he brings that patented intensity to a role that for most actors would have been a mail-it-in cameo role. In Cruise's hands, it's one of the best comedic performances of the early 2000s.

19. "All the Right Moves" (1983)

Two months after Cruise hit theaters with his first lead movie, "Risky Business," he was back again with this very different movie about a Pennsylvania high-school football player who clashes with his coach.

"Risky Business" showed that Cruise had no problem being the face of a movie, but "All the Right Moves" proved he could be more than the charming lead with good looks. This one showed he could be a serious actor.

18. "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" (2011)

It's the movie that breathed life back into the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. It came five years after "Mission: Impossible III," and in that time Cruise struggled with an image problem and a string of underperforming movies. He had a lot to prove with this one. And with the casting of Jeremy Renner, Cruise probably sensed he could lose his beloved franchise if the movie didn't work.

However, Brad Bird's direction and Cruise's disregard for common sense — in this one he climbs the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai — put him back on top, as the movie became a global hit.

17. "Top Gun" (1986)

Before "Days of Thunder," Cruise and Tony Scott teamed up for what would become one of the actor's most iconic roles: the fighter pilot Maverick. What Cruise doesn't pull off acting-wise he makes up for with brooding looks and shirtless volleyball skills.

16. "The Firm" (1993)

In "The Firm," based on the best-selling John Grisham novel, Cruise gives a fantastic performance as a hotshot lawyer who signs on with one of the most prestigious US law firms only to find it has quite a dark side. The era of "Tom Cruise runs" really launched with this movie.

15. "Legend" (1985)

Ridley Scott's beautiful fantasy movie is still a marvel of moviemaking. The practical effects and production design put into this movie, made back when CGI was scarce, are a treasure. And at the center is a fresh-faced Cruise who tries to get his girl back from the villain who gave me the most nightmares as a kid, Darkness (played perfectly by Tim Curry).

14. "Collateral" (2004)

We really don't talk enough about this one enough. Michael Mann's slow-burn crime movie stars Cruise as a hitman who forces a cab driver (Jamie Foxx) to drive him around Los Angeles as he goes on his "jobs." The acting by both Cruise and Foxx in this movie is some of their best work.

13. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" (2023)

There are many things to love about the "Mission: Impossible" franchise: Its James Bond-like gadgets. Cruise's disregard for his life and safety when it comes to pulling off amazing stunts . But the biggest thing to love is that the films just seem to get better and better.

The first "M:I," directed by Brian De Palma, set the bar very high. However, since McQuarrie took the reins in 2015 with "Rogue Nation," the franchise has gotten a jolt in the arm. It seems to always outdo itself, and "Dead Reckoning" makes good on that promise.

The high stakes, the timely villain being AI, and, of course, Tom Cruise in the middle of some amazing thrills makes this film one of the best in the franchise.

13. "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999)

Cruise and Kidman teamed up again, this time under the watch of Stanley Kubrick in what would be his final movie. Both actors are pushed to the limits as the movie explores a marriage at a crossroads. Though "Eyes Wide Shut" is not close to Kubrick's best work, Cruise and Kidman are riveting.

12. "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022)

Thirty-six years after playing Pete "Maverick" Mitchell he returns to the role in the rare legacy sequel that's better than the original movie.

Though Tony Scott's landmark "Top Gun" made Cruise a superstar and became an instant 1980s classic, the director Joseph Kosinski has elevated the story with more death-defying dogfight jet stunts and a more compelling story.

This time Maverick returns to the Top Gun school to be a teacher of the new hot-shot pilots. But he must deal with his own demons as one of the students is the son of his best friend, Goose, who died in his arms in the first movie.

Cruise delivers one of his best performances in years.

11. "Days of Thunder" (1990)

It's pretty much everything you would think would be in a Tony Scott movie: lots of fast cars and big egos. Cruise is in his glory in every scene playing the hot-shot Nascar driver Cole Trickle (and Kidman appears as his love interest).

10. "Risky Business" (1983)

It's the movie that made Cruise a star. The coming-of-age story doesn't shy away from its mature storyline, and Cruise delivers a playful performance but also shows sparks of his dramatic chops that he'll showcase in the decade to come.

9. "Mission: Impossible" (1996)

Boy have things changed since the first "Mission: Impossible." With De Palma at the helm, the movie had its action, but it was encased in a tense whodunit thriller. Since then the action has only gotten bigger (and the story, well, less of a concern), but Cruise has always been fantastic as Hunt.

The first movie is his best acting work of the franchise. (Accent update: Cruise delivers another Southern accent while disguised at the beginning of the movie — one of those classic face-rip-off disguises. It's brief but effective in the scene.)

8. "Interview with the Vampire" (1994)

Cruise gives one of his best performances as Lestat, a vampire from the 1700s who finds a lot of drama in his undead life once he recruits Louis (Brad Pitt). (Accent update: His little hint of a French accent to stay true to the character's portrayal in the classic Anne Rice book is perfectly subtle.)

7. "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014)

Whether you want to call it "Edge of Tomorrow" or "Live. Die. Repeat.," it's just a really great action movie. With Liman directing and McQuarrie as a screenwriter, Cruise is surrounded by people he trusts to make a risky project: a soldier who relives the same day. But the MVP of the movie is Emily Blunt, who delivers a performance that makes Cruise kick it up a few notches.

6. "Rain Man" (1988)

Always at his best when he's playing a character with major conflict, Cruise plays a guy always looking to capitalize on the angles until he's finally in a situation in which he has to be on the level: building a relationship with his autistic savant brother (Dustin Hoffman).

5. "Jerry Maguire" (1996)

Receiving a best-actor nomination for his performance as a slick sports agent whose life turns upside down after having a moment of clarity, Cruise was, thanks to this movie, at his height of stardom and power in Hollywood.

4. "A Few Good Men" (1992)

Rob Reiner's courtroom drama has Cruise going up against Jack Nicholson, and it's pure magic. Yes, there's the "can't handle the truth" scene, but for us, it starts earlier in the movie when the two characters meet for the first time.

Thanks to the incredible dialogue by Aaron Sorkin, both actors subtly trade off with each other, but it's the fire being held back that makes the ending when they are face-to-face again so memorable.

3. "Magnolia" (1999)

No matter what you think of Paul Thomas Anderson's epic look at family, love, and forgiveness, it's hard to dispute that it has the most powerful performance of Cruise's career.

Playing a pickup artist who uses his talents to build a public-speaking career, Cruise appears as we've never seen him before. Anderson and Cruise connected over dealing with the loss of their fathers and use that darkness to create the character of Frank T. J. Mackey.

2. "The Color of Money" (1986)

Paul Newman won only one Oscar in his iconic career, and it was for this movie. But you have to give a big assist to Cruise.

Playing the protégé to the pool player "Fast Eddie" Felson — the role Newman first played in 1961's "The Hustler" — Cruise is a cocky player, and you can never tell whether he's on the level with Felson. Cruise proved once again that he's more than just a pretty face.

1. "Born on the Fourth of July" (1989)

Cruise got an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the veteran and activist Ron Kovic, who was paralyzed fighting in Vietnam. Oliver Stone traces Kovic's journey from being a wide-eyed soldier thinking he's doing what's right for America to coming home from the war to find everything has changed. Including the way he views his own country.

Cruise has never been better as he delivers a tour de force performance that still gives us chills.

• Main content

Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best

He's more than a guy who looks good in Ray-Bans and runs a lot.

In 1981, Tom Cruise, who may be the last real movie star , made his first on-screen appearance shirtless, wearing a pair of cut-off shorts. Since then, he's led an illustrious career, remaining one of Hollywood's last bankable action stars (in 2012, he was the highest-paid man in the business). He has a work ethic like no other, refusing to hire stuntmen in his movies, instead, Cruise trains for years to learn his own stunts, so they look real on the big screen for the audience. Now, at 60 years old, the guy is still hanging onto to the side of airplanes , climbing the world's tallest building, flying navy airplanes, running (oh, so much running), and leading one of the best action franchises of all time, Mission Impossible . With the latest MI film — Dead Reckoning Part One —in theaters, these are the best Tom Cruise roles of all time, ranked from worst to best.

A movie so bad, it was the first and last entry in Universal’s planned monster movie cinematic universe.

Rock of Ages

Amazon Hulu

In this extremely unfortunate musical about ‘80s hair metal, Tom Cruise plays a karaoke version of a rock and roll god named Stacee Jaxx.

Amazon Tubi

Released the same year as Risky Business , Tom Cruise plays the hunk in this high school sex comedy that time forgot. Get it? They’re "losin’ it"—as in their virginity.

Endless Love

In his first on-screen appearance, Tom Cruise is some random shirtless kid in Daisy Dukes bragging about being a pyromaniac.

Lions for Lambs

Nearly a decade before Trump coined the term “Fake News,” Tom Cruise plays a morally corrupt senator making a presidential bid by planting a story through a journalist played by Meryl Streep. In the end, this pretentious and convoluted plot says very little about its moving parts.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

Though the tagline warns to never go back, Cruise unfortunately did go back to play the titular Jack Reacher, in a sequel that plays out like dumb, less tech-savvy Mission: Impossible.

Tom Cruise and Mia Sara try to protect the last of the unicorns from Tim Curry, who is some sort of awesome devil muppet. It’s also the only straight-up fantasy movie Cruise has ever done—and it’s pretty obvious why.

Far and Away

Seven years before they co-starred in Eyes Wide Shut (and two years after their wedding), Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman played star-crossed lovers and Irish immigrants trying to make it in America.

In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, Cruise is a drone repairman who’s also into American sports. When he finds a group of survivors (led by Morgan Freeman), he begins to question the nature of his entire reality. As always, Cruise holds down what is otherwise a pretty clunky plot.

YouTube Pluto TV

Tom Cruise plays a German officer with an American accent who leads a group of German soldiers with British accents in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during WWII. It’s based on an actual military plot that could have entered some intriguing territory, had it not settled for being average historical escapism.

Knight and Day

In this action comedy, Cruise is once again a secret agent who accidentally ropes Cameron Diaz into an international conspiracy. For all his macho spy stuff, Cruise proves in Knight and Day that he can take this hero stuff lightly too.

Mission: Impossible II

Paramount+ Netflix

The worst of Cruise’s six Mission: Impossible movies, this one sees Ethan Hunt trying to stop a deadly weaponized virus that’s going to be released by terrorists. Unfortunately, director John Woo’s style didn’t quite fit with the international espionage of this franchise.

Jack Reacher

In his first of two movies playing the titular former military police-officer-turned-vigilante-drifter, Cruise’s character tries to stop a military sniper on a killing spree. Of course, Cruise also did all his own driving stunts.

The Outsiders

Coming down from the golden phase of his career, Francis Ford Coppola assembled an incredible upcoming cast for The Outsiders that included Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane.

In his second-ever onscreen role, Cruise plays David Shawn, one of the military cadets who attempt to protect their academy from being torn down for local condo developers. Pretty low stakes as far as military dramas go.

War of the Worlds

In this Steven Spielberg re-imagining of the H.G. Wells novel, Cruise plays a father attempting to keep his children safe throughout an alien invasion. Though it has all the highlights of a Spielbergian sci-fi, it wasn’t quite enough to cause riots like Orson Welles’s infamous radio broadcast.

The Last Samurai

Amazon Netflix

A white savior complex brings down what is otherwise a well-acted period period piece about an American Civil War veteran sent to train a 19th century Japanese army.

Mission: Impossible III

Before he was put in charge of both Star Wars and Star Trek , J.J. Abrams’s big Hollywood blockbuster movie directorial debut was at the helm of Mission: Impossible III , which saw a retired Ethan Hunt brought back in the game to stop an excellent Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Vanilla Sky

Cruise stars in this philosophical thriller as a man haunted by the specter of a former flame after becoming disfigured in a car crash. (Fun fact: Penelope Cruz plays the same character in this remake of her Spanish film, Abre los Ojos .)

Days of Thunder

NASCAR moved into the mainstream thanks to this movie in which Cruise plays a promising driver hoping to making it in the big leagues.

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Personal Info

Known For Acting

Known Credits 116

Gender Male

Birthday July 3, 1962 (62 years old)

Place of Birth Syracuse, New York, USA

Also Known As

• Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
• Thomas 'Tom' Cruise
• Thomas Cruise
• Thomas Mapother
• Thomas C. Mapother IV

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Tom Cruise (born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV; July 3, 1962) is an American actor and producer. One of the world's highest-paid actors, he has received various accolades, including an Honorary Palme d'Or and three Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards. His films have grossed over $4 billion in North America and over $11.1 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box office stars of all time.

He began acting in the early 1980s and made his breakthrough with leading roles in the comedy film Risky Business (1983) and action film Top Gun (1986). Critical acclaim came with his roles in the dramas The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988), and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). For his portrayal of Ron Kovic in the latter, he won a Golden Globe Award and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

As a leading Hollywood star in the 1990s, he starred in several commercially successful films, including the drama A Few Good Men (1992), the thriller The Firm (1993), the horror film Interview with the Vampire (1994), and the romance Jerry Maguire (1996). For the latter, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and received his second Academy Award nomination. His performance as a motivational speaker in the drama Magnolia (1999) earned him another Golden Globe Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Since then, he has largely starred in science fiction and action films, establishing himself as an action star, often performing his own risky stunts. He has played Ethan Hunt in all six of the Mission: Impossible films from 1996 to 2018. His other notable roles in the genre include Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Collateral (2004), War of the Worlds (2005), Knight and Day (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), Oblivion (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), and Top Gun: Maverick (2022), with Maverick being his highest-grossing film to date.

Edge of Tomorrow

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Top Gun: Maverick

Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

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Tom Cruise’s 16 Best Performances: From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to ‘Magnolia’

By Clayton Davis

Clayton Davis

Senior Awards Editor

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With six decades around the sun, Tom Cruise still feels the need for speed and has crafted himself into one of the most successful and undeniably talented movie stars of his generation.

Variety is ranking his 15 best film performances to celebrate the actor’s 60th birthday.

With a breakthrough that started in the coming-of-age film “Risky Business” (1983), the Syracuse, N.Y.-born actor became a darling of Hollywood and consumer audiences around the world. As Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick” still goes strong, making more than half a billion dollars domestically, Cruise has continued to etch himself into the cultural zeitgeist, crossing multiple generations.

Also a producer, Cruise has continued to elevate the entertainment medium with the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which began in 1995. With five very successful sequels and two more on the way, he continues to push the boundaries for himself as a fearless stuntman and an advocate for the silver screen.

A career that only the most daring actors and creatives can dream of, Cruise has worked alongside two best actor winners — Paul Newman (“The Color of Money”) and Dustin Hoffman (“Rain Man”) — and has earned himself three Oscar nominations in “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), “Jerry Maguire” (1996) and “Magnolia” (1999). But it hasn’t been about the accolades for Cruise. In May 2021, he returned his three Golden Globe Awards after the expose on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of diversity, specifically no Black members.

Cruise’s films have grossed over $10 billion dollars worldwide and there are no signs of slowing down. Will he ever win a coveted Oscar? That remains to be seen, but the narrative is there if the Academy rewards an upcoming project.

Read Variety’s list of Tom Cruise’s best performances below:

Honorable mentions : “Far and Away” (1992); “The Last Samurai” (2003); “Rock of Ages” (2012)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Role: Major William Cage

Director: Doug Liman Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Getting the device from Brigham

Kicking ass, taking names, then rinse and repeat. A military major goes through a “Groundhog Day” loop but it’s Cruise that ensures it’s not a gimmick, slithering into each scene with charm, raw magnetism and wonderful chemistry with an awards-worthy Emily Blunt. The science-fiction drama has been all too undervalued. Doug Liman’s thriller shows more than special effects and explosions. It also presents capable and talented stars at the helm, which makes all the difference.

Risky Business (1983)

Role: Joel Goodson

Director: Paul Brickman Writer: Paul Brickman Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Dancing to “Old Time Rock & Roll”

All it took was a button-down shirt, briefs and a Bob Seger track to make Tom Cruise one of the defining movie stars of his generation. In Paul Brickman’s directorial debut, Cruise’s turn in the teen comedy was as culturally massive as it was monetarily successful. With lots of praise also going to his co-star Rebecca DeMornay, this is just as enjoyable as any film that ranks in the listing.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Role : Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell

Director : Joseph Kosinski

Writers : Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie (based on characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.)

Distributor : Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it : “Maverick’s Test Run”

Cruise’s 80s high-flying sequel feels like it saved the movies. His return to “Maverick,” his beloved character has showmanship, charisma and the ability to shoot down planes with the enemy’s plane. Having great chemistry with his co-stars, particularly Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly, Cruise is only getting better as he gets older.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Role: Lestat de Lioncourt

Director: Neil Jordan Writer: Anne Rice (based on “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice) Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: “Claudia, you’ve been a very, naughty little girl.”

As the sinister and entrancing Lestat, Cruise hypnotized the audience with his soft-spoken flirtations with the living while persuading them to join the undead. Alongside memorable turns from Brad Pitt and a young Kirsten Dunst, Neil Jordan’s horror adaptation of the Anne Rice novel is still a popular selection.

The Firm (1993)

Role: Mitch McDeere

Director: Sydney Pollack Writers: David Rabe, Robert Towne, David Rayfiel (based on “The Firm” by John Grisham) Distributor: Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Did you ever think I would make a six-figure salary?”

Sydney Pollack’s invigorating legal thriller boasts an all-star cast and a dynamic Cruise as lawyer Mitch McDeere. While also featuring my personal favorite Tom Cruise signature run as he chases down his movie wife Jeanne Tripplehorn, the adaptation of the John Grisham novel was a box office success and even pulled in an acting nom for his co-star Holly Hunter.

Mission: Impossible (1995)

Role: Ethan Hunt

Director: Brian De Palma Writers: David Koepp, Robert Towne, Steven Zaillian (based on “Mission: Impossible” by Bruce Geller) Distributor: Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it: “You’ve never seen me upset.”

The spy thriller from Brian De Palma still holds up almost 30 years later. Likewise, the action franchise that’s still going (with two more films on the way) keeps on delivering, thanks to Tom Cruise.

The cinematic remake of the classic television series has spawned multiple territories, generating massive revenue and showing Cruise’s defining action star beats, jaw-dropping stunts and magical smiles that have a way with the ladies as Ethan Hunt.

Keep dropping from those ceilings, Tom.

Rain Man (1988)

Role: Charlie Babbitt

Director: Barry Levinson Writers: Barry Morrow, Ronald Bass Distributor: MGM/UA

The scene that proves it: “You’re the Rain Man?”

The best picture winner of his arsenal, alongside an Oscar-winning turn from Dustin Hoffman, the film stands as one that hindsight has allowed us to rediscover as one of the bright spots of his filmography. If only Oscar were willing to recognize two leading actors as they did earlier that decade with “Amadeus.” Cruise would have made a fine addition.

Collateral (2004)

Role: Vincent

Director: Michael Mann Writer: Stuart Beattie Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures

The scene that proves it: Searching in the club.

At best a co-lead to Jamie Foxx (who was nominated for best supporting actor in one of the most recent cases of category fraud), Cruise’s silver fox Vincent in Michael Mann’s thriller is an underrated delivery. He sends chills down the spine, moving like a shark through a club and listening to his prey with a mischievous grin. He keeps us at the edge of our seats, before finally allowing us to exhale by the end of the credits.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Role: Bill Harford

Director: Stanley Kubrick Writers: Stanley Kubrick, Frederic Raphael (based on “Traumnovelle” by Arthur Schnitzler) Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Listening to the story about Cape Cod.

Under the thumb of Stanley Kubrick and his final outing with his then-wife, Nicole Kidman, Cruise dives into the erotic drama that feels among the actor’s bravest character outings. Marking the last directorial outing of Kubrick, you can feel the ripple of his legacy hanging on the words of each of Cruise and Kidman’s interactions or in the defined stare as one pours their heart out to another.

Top Gun (1986)

Director : Tony Scott

Writers : Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr. (based on “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay

The scene that proves it : Tossing Goose’s dog tags.

Cruise feels the need… the need for speed in Tony Scott’s pulse-pounding action flick — a cemented classic in the 1980s. His undeniable charisma led to the following post-release and now has the global cinematic world taking in its sequel “Maverick” to more than half a billion dollars. There’s always been something about Maverick tossing Goose’s (Anthony Edwards) dog tags overboard following his death that always struck a chord.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Role: Les Grossman

Director: Ben Stiller Writers: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Etan Cohen Distributor: Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures

The scene that proves it: “G5”

It’s a transformation of epic proportions in Ben Stiller’s classic comedy. While Robert Downey Jr. received the lion’s share of praise, earning an Oscar nom for supporting actor, Cruise could only muster a Golden Globe nom for his turn as Hollywood producer Les Grossman. Screaming one-liners and a dance finale that still makes the world chuckle, it stands as his single best comedic outing.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Role: Jerry Maguire

Director: Cameron Crowe Writer: Cameron Crowe Distributor: Sony Pictures

The scene that proves it: “You complete me.”

Writer and director Cameron Crowe pulled a movie star performance out of Tom Cruise for his sports agent dramedy. As the titular character, he lights up the screen with his Oscar-winning co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. and the Oscar-snubbed Renée Zellweger in a finale that had people quoting it for decades. And let’s not forget “Show me the money” and its stapled place in movie history.

A Few Good Men (1992)

Role: Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee

Director: Rob Reiner Writer: Aaron Sorkin (based on “A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin) Distributor: Columbia Pictures

The scene that proves it: “I want the truth…”

Cruise is entitled to answers in Rob Reiner’s courtroom drama, maneuvering prominent personalities and moments alongside Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Kevin Pollack. Although nominated for best picture, Cruise’s work was passed over in lead actor. His defender of marines standing trial, under the words of Aaron Sorkin and one of his finest writing efforts, Cruise soars to new heights.

Minority Report (2002)

Role: John Anderton

Director: Steven Spielberg Writers: Scott Frank, Jon Cohen (based on “The Minority Report” by Philip K. Dick) Distributor: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)

The scene that proves it: Listening to Abigail about Sean’s life.

It’s a quiet and commanding standout in Cruise’s filmography when looking back on Cruise’s work in Steven Spielberg’s futuristic drama. However, as John Anderton, a police officer trying to clear his name for a murder he has yet to commit, it’s Cruise’s precise choice of listening to Abigail (played by a magnificent Samantha Morton) that breaks the heart in two.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Role: Ron Kovic

Director: Oliver Stone Writers: Oliver Stone, Ron Kovic (based on “Born on the Fourth of July” by Kovic) Distributor: Universal Pictures

The scene that proves it: “I love America.”

Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone introduced what Cruise could achieve beyond sliding floors and jet planes. His Vietnam veteran spans years, with each chapter feeling authentic and layered. The film was nominated for best picture and earned Cruise his first Oscar nom for best actor.

Magnolia (1999)

Role: Frank T.J. Mackey

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson Distributor: New Line Cinema

The scene that proves it: “I hate you.”

Pouring in every ounce of himself, Cruise’s Oscar-nominated performance is (currently) the last time he’s been recognized by the Academy, and it stands as his finest hour in Paul Thomas Anderson’s mosaic drama. Full of life, energy and heartache, he invites the viewer on the journey, fearless in his interpretation and perfect in his execution.

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• All His Movies, Ranked
• What He's Like to Work With
• Crazy Stunts He's Actually Done
• Favorite Characters
• Over-the-Top Performances
• Wild Facts All Fans Should Know
• Moments That Are So Tom
• Stunts That Could Have Ended Him
• Scientology Rumors

The 40+ Best Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked By Fans

Vote up the films starring Tom Cruise that complete you.

When it comes to Hollywood royalty, few can hold a candle to Tom Cruise. Over the years, this megastar has delivered one jaw-dropping performance after another, solidifying his place as a cinematic legend. It's a formidable task to narrow down the best Tom Cruise movies of all time, but hey, someone's got to do it. From high-octane action flicks to soul-stirring dramas, Cruise's filmography is as versatile as it is impressive.

Take, for instance, Top Gun , the adrenaline-pumping story of competitive fighter pilots that catapulted Cruise to international stardom. Or A Few Good Men , where he delivered one of his most powerful performances, proving that he could handle weighty dialogues with the same ease as he does action-packed sequences. These films are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to top Tom Cruise films that have left an indelible mark on cinema.

But how did we curate such a coveted list? Well, it started with movie experts who have an eye for performances that define careers, creating a shortlist of films that truly showcase Tom Cruise at his best. Then, we turned it over to the fans, whose votes have shaped this definitive ranking. Whether you're a die-hard Cruise fan or just a movie buff looking to revisit some cinematic gold, this list has got you covered.

As an adrenaline-pumping display of aerial combat and rivalry, this movie takes viewers into the world of elite fighter pilots, with the lead actor embodying the brash, fearless pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The audience follows Maverick's journey through the prestigious Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School as he battles his own ego, engages in astonishing dogfights, and learns the true meaning of teamwork. The sizzling on-screen chemistry with Kelly McGillis, the thrilling action sequences, and the beloved rendition of " Take My Breath Away " make it an unforgettable 80s classic.

• Released : 1986
• Directed by : Tony Scott

A Few Good Men

In this tense courtroom drama, audiences are captivated by the exceptional performance as a young military lawyer assigned to defend two Marines accused of killing a fellow comrade. Alongside powerful performances from Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore, the film flawlessly showcases the protagonist's gradual transformation from a cocky, fresh-faced attorney into a fierce, skilled advocate determined to uncover the truth. The iconic line "You can't handle the truth!" immortalizes the film's memorable climax and solidifies the protagonist's status as one of Hollywood's most dynamic actors.

• Released : 1992
• Directed by : Rob Reiner

Top Gun: Maverick

Returning to the iconic role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell after decades, the anticipation for this sequel has been immense, and it promises to deliver the same captivating thrills and aerial combat sequences of the original. As a mentor to the next generation of fighter pilots, including the son of his late best friend Goose, the protagonist guides these young talents while still facing his own personal demons and unresolved past. The combination of a compelling storyline, breathtaking stunts, and a nostalgic return to the character that made him a household name ensures this will be another hit.

• Released : 2022
• Directed by : Joseph Kosinski

The lead character delivers a heart-wrenching performance as Charlie Babbitt, a hustler who discovers he has an autistic savant brother named Raymond after their father's death. Through their cross-country road trip, Charlie learns to appreciate the gentle genius of his older brother while he evolves from a selfish, money-driven man to a compassionate and loving brother. This emotional journey resulted in a Best Actor nomination, and the film itself won numerous awards, including Best Picture, highlighting the powerful and touching bond between the two main characters.

• Released : 1988
• Directed by : Barry Levinson

Mission: Impossible

In the role of super-spy Ethan Hunt, the leading man had audiences on the edge of their seats with the thrilling action and elaborate plots of this espionage thriller series. As Hunt, he displays an unrivaled level of physicality and commitment to his craft, performing most of his own stunts, resulting in a rollercoaster ride of adventure and suspense for moviegoers. The franchise has become synonymous with jaw-dropping stunts, twisty plots, and an evolving ensemble cast that perfectly complements the main character's charisma and determination.

• Released : 1996
• Directed by : Brian De Palma

Edge of Tomorrow

Featuring a mix of action-packed sequences, science fiction elements, and dark humor, this film showcases the protagonist as a reluctant hero, forced to live the same day repeatedly while fighting alien invaders. The compelling story of survival and personal growth, alongside the intriguing concept of time loops, make this an unforgettable cinematic experience. Supported by a strong performance from Emily Blunt, this thrilling, fast-paced adventure cements its status as a modern sci-fi classic.

• Released : 2014
• Directed by : Doug Liman

Jerry Maguire

In this romantic dramedy, the audience witnesses a sports agent's fall from grace and subsequent redemption through his relationship with his sole client and love interest. Audiences are charmed by the stunning performances, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry between the characters, as well as the classic line, "You complete me." The film earned the lead actor an Academy Award nomination and remains an enduring favorite for its heartwarming relationships, brilliant dialogue, and bittersweet exploration of ambition and love.

• Directed by : Cameron Crowe

Risky Business

As the high school senior who turns his family's home into a brothel after getting involved with a call girl, the lead actor delivers a charming and iconic performance that launched his career as a Hollywood heartthrob. The famous scene of the character dancing in his underwear to " Old Time Rock and Roll " has become a pop-culture staple, and the film itself remains a beloved 80s classic. With its unique blend of teen angst, dark comedy, and romance, this coming-of-age story showcases the beginnings of a truly remarkable talent.

• Released : 1983
• Directed by : Paul Brickman

Minority Report

Set in a dystopian future where crime is predicted and prevented by a specialized police force, this Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi thriller sees the lead actor as a detective accused of a crime he has yet to commit. With its unique premise, thought-provoking themes, and stunning visuals, the film became an instant classic and served as a showcase for the protagonist's range and versatility as an actor. The combination of gripping storytelling, groundbreaking special effects, and a strong ensemble cast cement its status as one of the best sci-fi films of the 21st century.

• Released : 2002
• Directed by : Steven Spielberg

The Last Samurai

Set in 19th-century Japan, this epic historical drama follows the journey of Capt. Nathan Algren, an American military officer who becomes deeply immersed in the samurai culture. The protagonist brilliantly portrays a tortured soul seeking redemption and finding it through his connection with the titular warriors, resulting in a soulful and emotional performance. Aesthetically stunning and emotionally engaging, this film is impressively crafted and features outstanding performances from Ken Watanabe and the rest of the cast.

• Released : 2003
• Directed by : Edward Zwick

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

The fourth installment in the adrenaline-fueled franchise sees the protagonist perform even more heart-stopping stunts, including scaling the world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, further solidifying his reputation as a fearless action star. With a fresh team of dynamic actors, including Simon Pegg and Paula Patton, this film raises the stakes and balances its thrilling action with lighter moments of humor. Picking up where its predecessors left off, the film delivers an exhilarating, globetrotting adventure that leaves audiences eager for more.

• Released : 2011
• Directed by : Brad Bird

In this gripping adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel, the protagonist plays an ambitious young lawyer who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and corruption at his prestigious law firm. The intense plot and stellar performances from the ensemble cast, including Gene Hackman, Holly Hunter, and David Strathairn, keep the audience absorbed and guessing until the very end. The smart script, thrilling twists, and central performance make it a must-watch for legal thriller enthusiasts and fans of the leading man alike.

• Released : 1993
• Directed by : Sydney Pollack

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

In his sixth turn as super-spy Ethan Hunt, the main character's commitment to performing his own stunts reaches new heights with a harrowing high-altitude-low-opening (HALO) jump. Additionally, the film's electric helicopter chase and intense fight sequences showcase the actor's relentless dedication to delivering pulse-pounding action. With a gripping storyline that delves deeper into the personal life of Hunt and an exhilarating finale, this entry is widely regarded as one of the best in the long-running series.

• Released : 2018
• Directed by : Christopher McQuarrie

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

The fifth installment of the popular action franchise sees the protagonist reprise his role as Ethan Hunt, this time facing a powerful, clandestine organization known as the Syndicate. With incredible stunts, including a breathtaking underwater sequence and a thrilling motorcycle chase, the lead actor continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in action cinema. Alongside new additions to the cast such as Rebecca Ferguson and Sean Harris, this thrilling adventure offers non-stop excitement and intrigue that maintains the high standards of the series.

• Released : July 31, 2015

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Portraying the tormented vampire Lestat in this adaptation of Anne Rice's novel, the protagonist delivers a mesmerizing and seductive performance that captivated audiences worldwide. Sharing the screen with Brad Pitt and a young Kirsten Dunst, the actor's portrayal of an immortal craving companionship and grappling with the morality of his actions is both chilling and heartbreaking. Though controversial at the time for its dark themes and explicit content, the film has since become a cult classic, showcasing a different side of the leading man's abilities.

• Released : 1994
• Directed by : Neil Jordan

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

The upcoming seventh installment in the blockbuster franchise promises to deliver even more breathtaking stunts, explosive action, and intriguing espionage as the lead character reprises his iconic role of Ethan Hunt. As the first part of a two-part cinematic event, the film will undoubtedly raise the stakes and further solidify the protagonist's status as an unstoppable action hero. With returning and new cast members, fans are eagerly anticipating the next thrilling chapter in the ever-evolving series.

• Released : 2023

In a rare turn as the villain, the lead actor plays a cold and calculating contract killer in this crime thriller directed by Michael Mann. Sharing the screen with Jamie Foxx's unsuspecting taxi driver, the actor's menacing performance offers a fascinating look into the psyche of his character and contrasts sharply with the vulnerable, heroic roles that have defined his career. With its gritty atmosphere, taut pacing, and unforgettable performances, the film stands as a testament to the versatility and range of the protagonist.

• Released : 2004
• Directed by : Michael Mann

Jack Reacher

Adapted from Lee Child's bestselling novels, the movie features the leading man as the tough-as-nails former Army investigator and drifter who finds himself entangled in a complex conspiracy. Showcasing his impressive range as an actor, the protagonist delivers a gritty and physical performance that captivates audiences and brings the beloved literary character to life. The film's thrilling action sequences, unexpected twists, and solid supporting cast make it a standout in the action-thriller genre.

• Released : 2012

Days of Thunder

Reuniting with the Top Gun director, the protagonist stars as hotshot NASCAR driver Cole Trickle in this high-octane racing drama. With thrilling race sequences and an exploration of the competitive world of stock car racing, the movie allows the lead character to demonstrate his undeniable screen presence and physical prowess. The electrifying on-screen chemistry between the actor and his future wife, Nicole Kidman, adds to the allure of this compelling sports drama.

• Released : 1990

The Outsiders

Based on the classic novel by S.E. Hinton, this coming-of-age drama set in the 1960s features the lead actor as part of an ensemble cast that includes Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, and Rob Lowe, among others. As the youngest member of the "Greasers" gang and the brother of Ralph Macchio's Johnny, the actor delivers a tender performance that showcases his talent at an early age. The film has since become a cult classic, with its heartfelt portrayal of friendship, loyalty, and the trials of growing up.

• Directed by : Francis Ford Coppola

The Color of Money

In this sequel to the 1961 classic The Hustler, the lead character plays pool protegé Vincent Lauria, who is mentored by Paul Newman's "Fast" Eddie Felson. A dynamic on-screen duo, they brilliantly convey the tension and rivalry between their characters, making for a compelling examination of ambition, redemption, and the cost of success. The film stands as a worthy follow-up to its predecessor, with a superb performance that further cemented the protagonist's status as a versatile leading man.

• Directed by : Martin Scorsese

In this 80s drama, the leading man portrays an ambitious bartender who dreams of success and navigates the trials and tribulations of love and friendship. The role allows the protagonist to showcase his charm, charisma, and signature smile, resulting in a captivating performance that further establishes him as a Hollywood heartthrob. With memorable scenes and quotable dialogue, the film has earned a special place in pop culture nostalgia.

• Directed by : Roger Donaldson

Born on the Fourth of July

In a powerful and transformative performance, the lead actor takes on the real-life story of Ron Kovic, a disillusioned Vietnam War veteran who becomes an anti-war activist. Earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, the protagonist impeccably portrays the emotional turmoil, physical pain, and ultimate redemption of his character. The film's unflinching depiction of the war's aftermath and its impact on soldiers makes it a poignant and unforgettable viewing experience.

• Released : 1989
• Directed by : Oliver Stone

Mission: Impossible III

With J.J. Abrams at the helm, the third installment of the blockbuster franchise brings a personal and emotional depth to the series, as protagonist Ethan Hunt faces a ruthless villain with ties to his personal life. The leading man's captivating performance, along with an incredible supporting cast and intense action sequences, make this entry a standout in the spy thriller genre. Fans of the series appreciate the balance of character development, emotional stakes, and adrenaline-pumping action that this installment delivers.

• Released : 2006
• Directed by : J.J. Abrams

Tropic Thunder

In a surprising and hilarious turn, the protagonist takes on the role of an over-the-top Hollywood producer in this satirical war comedy. Sporting a bald cap and thick prosthetic makeup, he is nearly unrecognizable as he lampoons the movie industry with biting humor and infectious dance moves. His comedic prowess and willingness to poke fun at himself contribute to the film's status as a modern classic in the comedy genre.

• Released : 2008
• Directed by : Ben Stiller

In this visually stunning sci-fi thriller, the protagonist plays a drone repairman tasked with maintaining Earth's defense system after an alien invasion. Unraveling a twisted web of secrets and lies surrounding his mission, the lead actor delivers a gripping and emotional performance that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. With its breathtaking cinematography, thought-provoking themes, and memorable score, the film solidifies its place as a captivating entry in the science fiction genre.

• Released : 2013

War of the Worlds

In this modern adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel, the protagonist portrays a divorced father who must protect his children during a sudden alien invasion. Under the direction of Steven Spielberg, the lead actor excels in conveying the terror, desperation, and determination of his character while navigating a world on the brink of destruction. The film's riveting storyline, impressive special effects, and powerful performances create a thrilling and suspenseful ride for viewers.

• Released : 2005

In this gripping historical thriller, the lead actor portrays German army officer Claus von Stauffenberg, who leads a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II. With a strong supporting cast and a suspenseful narrative, the protagonist delivers a compelling performance that highlights his versatility as an actor. The film is a riveting exploration of moral courage and determination in the face of insurmountable odds.

• Directed by : Bryan Singer

Far and Away

Starring alongside Nicole Kidman, the protagonist takes on the role of an Irish immigrant seeking his fortune in America in this sweeping romantic epic. The film's lush landscapes and stirring score provide an exquisite backdrop for the passionate love story between the main characters. Despite some mixed critical reception, the undeniable chemistry between the lead actors and the film's grand scope make it a memorable viewing experience.

• Directed by : Ron Howard

American Made

Based on a true story, the protagonist plays a commercial airline pilot turned drug smuggler and CIA informant in this fast-paced crime drama. The lead actor's charismatic performance, combined with a fascinating real-life plot and a vibrant 80s aesthetic, makes for an entertaining and thrilling ride. The film showcases the protagonist's ability to tackle complex characters and deliver engaging performances in diverse roles.

• Released : 2017

Mission: Impossible II

The second installment in the blockbuster franchise features the protagonist returning as super-spy Ethan Hunt, this time facing off against a rogue former agent with a deadly virus at his disposal. Directed by action maestro John Woo, the film amps up the thrills and jaw-dropping stunts, including a gravity-defying rock climbing sequence performed by the lead actor himself. Although met with mixed reviews, the film remains a notable entry in the series for its memorable action sequences and its continued exploration of the character's personal life.

• Released : 2000
• Directed by : John Woo

All the Right Moves

In this high school football drama, the lead actor stars as a promising young athlete from a struggling Pennsylvania steel town, determined to earn a college scholarship and escape his bleak surroundings. The film allows the protagonist to showcase his talent for embodying relatable and ambitious characters, earning him praise for his performance as a driven, passionate teenager. Capturing the spirit of blue-collar America, this coming-of-age story resonates with its themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the pursuit of a better life.

• Directed by : Michael Chapman

Knight and Day

In this action-comedy, the protagonist partners with Cameron Diaz as a mysterious secret agent and an unwitting civilian who become entangled in a perilous mission. The lead actor's charm and charisma shine through in this lighthearted adventure, making it a fun and enjoyable romp for audiences. The film's blend of humor, romance, and thrilling action showcases the main character's ability to balance different genres with ease.

• Released : 2010
• Directed by : James Mangold

In one of his earliest roles, the protagonist plays a military cadet who takes part in a student-led revolt against the closing of their school in this gripping drama. The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn, and allows the young actor to display his burgeoning talent and screen presence. The movie's exploration of loyalty, authority, and camaraderie remains a powerful and thought-provoking examination of human nature.

• Released : 1981
• Directed by : Harold Becker

In this ambitious and sprawling ensemble drama from director Paul Thomas Anderson, the protagonist delivers a memorable performance as a morally conflicted self-help guru. With a complex narrative structure and an immense ensemble cast, the film delves into the interconnected lives of characters who are all experiencing their own personal crises. The movie's bold storytelling and the lead actor's nuanced performance contribute to its status as a modern classic in American cinema.

• Released : 1999
• Directed by : Paul Thomas Anderson

Eyes Wide Shut

In this final film from legendary director Stanley Kubrick, the protagonist stars alongside then-wife Nicole Kidman as a couple experiencing a crisis of sexual desire and jealousy. With its atmospheric cinematography, haunting score, and daring erotic scenes, the movie pushes the boundaries of traditional Hollywood storytelling. The lead actor's immersive performance and the film's controversial exploration of human sexuality make it a provocative and unforgettable entry in his filmography.

• Directed by : Stanley Kubrick

Vanilla Sky

Reuniting with Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe, the protagonist stars in this mind-bending psychological thriller that explores themes of love, loss, and the blurred boundaries of reality. The film's enigmatic plot, paired with the lead actor's intense and emotional performance, makes for an immersive and captivating viewing experience. Despite its polarizing reception, the movie remains an intriguing example of the protagonist's willingness to take on challenging and unconventional roles.

• Released : 2001

In this visually stunning fantasy-adventure, the main character takes on the role of Jack, a pure-hearted hero who must save a magical land from eternal darkness. Directed by Ridley Scott , the film features lush landscapes, elaborate costumes, and a memorable performance from Tim Curry as the sinister Lord of Darkness. Though considered a commercial failure at the time of its release, the movie has since developed a cult following thanks to its fantastical world-building and the protagonist's earnest performance.

• Released : 1985
• Directed by : Ridley Scott

Rock of Ages

In this star-studded musical adaptation, the lead actor portrays an aging rock star amidst the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles. Embracing the era's iconic style, music, and larger-than-life personalities, the protagonist delivers an entertaining and energetic performance that showcases his singing abilities. The film may not have been a commercial success, but it offered audiences a chance to see the actor in a new light, embracing a fun and campy departure from his action hero roles.

• Directed by : Adam Shankman

Austin Powers: Goldmember

In a brief but memorable cameo, the protagonist hilariously lampoons his own action-star persona by portraying the titular character in a film within the film. The self-referential and irreverent nature of the cameo makes it a delightful surprise for fans and demonstrates the actor's willingness to engage in self-deprecating humor. The scene remains a standout moment in the popular comedy franchise.

• Directed by : Jay Roach

In this reboot of the classic horror-adventure series, the protagonist takes on the role of a soldier-turned-treasure hunter who accidentally unleashes an ancient evil upon the world. Though the film received mixed reviews, the lead actor's charisma and commitment to performing his own stunts add an undeniable appeal for fans of action-packed adventure films. The movie offers an entertaining and thrilling ride that showcases the main character's enduring appeal as an action hero.

• Directed by : Alex Kurtzman

Lions for Lambs

This thought-provoking political drama features an ensemble cast, including the lead actor as a Republican senator advocating for a new military strategy in Afghanistan. The film delves into complex themes of ethics, politics, and the human cost of war, showcasing the protagonist's versatility as an actor. While it may not have drawn major box-office success, the movie's timely subject matter and strong performances make it a compelling watch.

• Released : 2007
• Directed by : Robert Redford

Losin' It

In this early 80s teen comedy, the protagonist plays one of a group of high school friends heading to Mexico for a weekend of debauchery. The film, while not critically acclaimed, offers a glimpse into the early days of the lead actor's career and his natural talent for comedy. With its raucous humor and nostalgic setting, the movie remains an interesting snapshot of the protagonist's beginnings in Hollywood.

• Directed by : Curtis Hanson

Endless Love

In this romantic drama loosely based on Scott Spencer's novel, the protagonist makes his feature film debut in a supporting role as the brother of the female lead. Though the film received mixed reviews, it offers a unique opportunity to witness the early days of the lead actor's career. With its passionate love story and memorable soundtrack, the movie has become a cult classic over time.

• Directed by : Franco Zeffirelli
• Entertainment
• Watchworthy

All about the life and career of the ageless actor Tom Cruise.

The Best Tom Cruise Movies Ranked: Where to Stream the Actor's 30 Greatest Films

Ghezal Amiri

Official JustWatch writer

Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most successful actors, known for his daredevil commitment to performing his own stunts in some of the top action movies of all time. He has worked continuously in films since the early 80s, earning his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Risky Business . If you want to stream the best Tom Cruise movies online, you can check out this complete streaming guide.

Tom Cruise's best movies: From Top Gun to Mission Impossible

Cruise’s most iconic role is arguably Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in Top Gun , which was the highest grossing film of 1986 and took Cruise's fame to new heights. The movie was followed up with a sequel, Top Gun: Maverick,  nearly forty years later – which became Tom Cruise's highest grossing film with $1.4 billion at the box office.

Aside from his role as Maverick, Tom Cruise also stars as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series. The first film,  Mission: Impossible , premiered in 1996 and the franchise is still ongoing with the Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One. Released in 2023, the movie was the first part of a two-act finale which will come to an end with Mission Impossible 8 .

Tom Cruise may be world-famous for his action movie franchises, but he also has plenty of dramatic roles in his filmography – having worked with directors such as Stanley Kubrick, Paul Thomas Anderson and Cameron Crowe. He is a four time Academy Award nominee, twice for Best Actor in Born on the Fourth of July and Jerry Maguire ; once for Best Supporting Actor in Magnolia ; and once for Best Picture for Top Gun: Maverick . He also has an Honorary Palme d’Or, the highest honor at Cannes Film Festival, and was awarded three Golden Globe Awards which he later returned to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in May 2021 due to their lack of diversity and various other controversies.

Where can I watch Tom Cruise's best movies online?

You can use JustWatch's streaming guide to find out where all of Tom Cruise's best movies are available in the United States. From his iconic franchises like Top Gun and Mission Impossible to his performances in dramas like Jerry Maguire, you'll find all the streaming details below.

For Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete's dreams of becoming an ace pilot.

Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he's really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell, an egomaniacal football player.

On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

A Few Good Men

When cocky military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee and his co-counsel, Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway, are assigned to a murder case, they uncover a hazing ritual that could implicate high-ranking officials such as shady Col. Nathan Jessep.

Top Gun: Maverick

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

When an IMF mission ends badly, the world is faced with dire consequences. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill his original briefing, the CIA begin to question his loyalty and his motives. The IMF team find themselves in a race against time, hunted by assassins while trying to prevent a global catastrophe.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet—eradicating 'The Syndicate', an International and highly-skilled rogue organization committed to destroying the IMF.

Born on the Fourth of July

Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

Risky Business

Meet Joel Goodson, an industrious, college-bound 17-year-old and a responsible, trustworthy son. However, when his parents go away and leave him home alone in the wealthy Chicago suburbs with the Porsche at his disposal he quickly decides he has been good for too long and it is time to enjoy himself. After an unfortunate incident with the Porsche Joel must raise some cash, in a risky way.

When car dealer Charlie Babbitt learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has a savant older brother named Raymond and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.

The Last Samurai

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt to stop him ends in an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF to be implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to disavow them. No longer being aided by the government, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks around the globe, although they might still be too late to stop a disaster.

Jack Reacher

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interrogation yields one written note: 'Get Jack Reacher!'. Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney. However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep.

Mission: Impossible

When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

Minority Report

John Anderton is a top 'Precrime' cop in the late-21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a murder charge.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

Jack Reacher returns to the headquarters of his old unit, only to find out he's now accused of a 16-year-old homicide.

The Color of Money

Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria and proposes a partnership. As they tour pool halls, Eddie teaches Vincent the tricks of scamming, but he eventually grows frustrated with Vincent's showboat antics, leading to an argument and a falling-out. Eddie takes up playing again and soon crosses paths with Vincent as an opponent.

Mission: Impossible III

Retired from active duty, and training recruits for the Impossible Mission Force, agent Ethan Hunt faces the toughest foe of his career: Owen Davian, an international broker of arms and information, who's as cunning as he is ruthless. Davian emerges to threaten Hunt and all that he holds dear – including the woman Hunt loves.

Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. His existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands.

War of the Worlds

An alien invasion threatens the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.

Fifteen of the best Tom Cruise movies — from Risky Business to Top Gun 2

We pick the best Tom Cruise movies from the star who's as underrated as he is prolific.

Say what you want about Tom Cruise — it's probably true. The best Tom Cruise movies also happen to be some of the best movies, period . He's one of the greatest living actors. He's overrated. He's underrated. He's way too old to be doing his own stunts. Scientology. Motorcycles. He's an anachronism. He's immortal.

You can argue for and against any and all of those things — and that's just for starters. But it's hard to argue that Tom Malpother Cruise IV hasn't been one of the most fascinating actors of a generation. Maybe not as prolific as, say, Kevin Bacon (the two are just four years apart in age) — but right up there in terms of range.

From the sweaty adrenaline cliché that is Top Gun (and the equally sweaty sequel, Top Gun: Maverick ) to the likes of the nearly indescribable Vanilla Sky or Eyes Wide Shut , the dude has range — even if it seems like in many ways he's merely playing different versions of himself. But that's what makes a good actor. We know that it's Tom Cruise in a fighter jet, or as a Vietnam War veteran. Or as an oversexed doctor. Or as a Pre-Crime cop. Or as a hotshot lawyer, backed by one hell of a lawyer.

Maybe you can argue that Tom Cruise is even better at choosing roles than he is as an actor. Maybe that's what distinguishes our list of the best Tom Cruise movies.

In any case, it's one hell of a list. Let's go through it. We've chosen date order — because we've got no hope of actually choosing between these babies.

Taps (1981)

The cadets of Bunker Hill Academy love their school, and when condo developers plan to bulldoze it, the cadets become the ultimate NIMBYs. They occupy the school, ending in a real-live war game these young men might not have bargained for.

This is not a "Tom Cruise" movie in the sense that his name is not above the fold. It's a George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton (with a little Sean Penn thrown in for added spice) movie on that score. But the hotheaded, gung-ho David Shawn that Cruise delivers is one of his rare bad guys, a hint that there is more behind those eyes than endless variations on Joel from Risky Business. With the exception of Magnolia, no one since has really had Cruise dig into the wound-too-tight, jagged edges he shows here.

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The Outsiders (1983)

Francis Ford Coppola's coming-of-age teen drama, The Outsiders is a hidden gem with a call sheet featuring the prime of 1980s acting talent including Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe and Diane Lane. The film, adapted from S.E. Hinton's novel, focuses on the class rivalry between groups from a small town in Oklahoma — the working-class Greasers and the wealthy Socs (short for socials). Tom Cruise only has a small role but, as scrappy greaser Steve Randle, he showcases his ability to switch off his megawatt movie star smile and sink into a character part.

The Outsiders made stars of its young " Brat Pack " talent, including one Tom Cruise — who despite his fleeting appearance in the film would go on to become arguably the biggest movie star in the world.

Risky Business (1983)

What's your first memory of Tom Cruise? Is it of the young man in an Oxford shirt and briefs, falling for (and falling under the spell of) the one and only Rebecca De Mornay? If so, you're absolutely not alone.

But it's also easy to forget that Risky Business isn't Tom Cruise's first movie. Even if it's a standout in a sea of memorable roles.

All the Right Moves (1983)

Released the same year as Risky Business , All the Right Moves , is often overshadowed by its slicker, sexier cousin. It shouldn't be.

For teens who grew up in coal and steel towns like this — or in any one-company, one-industry town — this movie was the celluloid version of the struggle to find a different path in a place that only offers so many choices. This Tom Cruise hero has flaws and he doesn't just skate by on that big smile. Plus he has a great foil in the criminally underrated Craig T. Nelson.

Top Gun (1986)

I feel the need ... the need ... to quote this movie within an inch of its life. There's just something about the swagger that actors like Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt have playing fighter pilots, that's ridiculously badass.

And let us not forget the late, great Goose — Anthony Edwards with hair! And James Tolkan and his threat to have Maverick flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong. And Michael Ironside reminding us that you never — ever — leave your wingman.

Cocktail (1988)

Cocktail is what you get if you combine Risky Business with Top Gun . Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) is just a guy looking to make his way in the world, but intent on doing it his own way. That's right, bartender man. He is... dangerous.

Don't let anyone tell you Cocktail isn't a good movie. It's got great Aussie actor, Bryan Brown, as Brian's grizzled mentor, Elisabeth Shue as Brian's long-suffering girlfriend, a tropical island for a backdrop and a cracking soundtrack that includes The Beach Boys "Kokomo". Enjoy.

Rain Man (1988)

The last thing Charlie Babbitt wants is a brother — let alone one with autism. But that's what he discovers he has. In Rain Man, Tom Cruise is slick, charming and awful and yet strangely empathetic. It was a revelation. Not least because he manages to give that masterful performance alongside Dustin Hoffman. The Dustin Hoffman.

Rain Man is a rare example of a box office smash hit that also hits the right note with critics, winning four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Sadly the Best Actor role went to Tom Cruise's acting partner, Hoffman. Good try though.

Days of Thunder (1990)

It's Top Gun on four wheels. Cole Trickle may just be the most NASCAR name ever. And this may well be the most Tom Cruise movie of them all. Speed. Danger. Silly names. Nicole Kidman. (As in the future ex-Mrs. Tom Cruise.)

Plus Robert Duvall. Randy Quaid. Carey Elwes, just a couple of years out from The Princess Bride and sandwiched between Glory and Hot Shots!. And the ageless Michael Rooker. It's also probably the best use of the Spencer Davis Group in a film — right when Steve Winwood was getting big as a solo act.

A Few Good Men (1992)

One of the most memorable movie scenes ever comes from this flick — and it wasn't even Tom Cruise's line that capped it. That's OK — if you've got to play second fiddle to someone, let it be Jack Nicholson.

The military courtroom drama is a little tough for anyone who knows anything about courtrooms to watch — there's absolutely no way a lawyer anywhere would be allowed to behave that way. But art doesn't always imitate life and so a little deus ex machina and dialog by one of the best in the business — Aaron Sorkin — gave Tom Cruise yet another notch on his dramatic acting belt.

Plus an insolent (is there any other kind?) Kiefer Sutherland, the always awesome J.T. Walsh, Kevins Bacon and Pollak, Demi Moore and a baby Noah Wyle.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

This is the epitome of mid-1990s movies. Tom Cruise stars as Tom Cruise in love. Renee Zellweger does her schtick. Cameron Crowe does his thing with the script and behind the camera.

And it has that Sorkin-esque speech that feels like it was made for Tom Cruise. Plus Cuba Gooding Jr. in a role that makes you wonder where the rest of his career went.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

There's something about the first movie in this franchise reboot that maybe doesn't hold up so well 25 years later. But that's OK. Tom Cruise holds his own as Ethan Hunt alongside (and against) the likes of Jon Voight, Jean Reno and Ving Rhames. And it paved the way for something like 17 sequels, with casts that have morphed over two decades.

But it still manages to keep the soul of the original movie — and of the original M:I series.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

What the hell is this movie about? Is it about Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman? (Very much so.) Is it about some weird secret sex party society in New York? (Most definitely.) Is it about the fallout between those two things? (Yep.)

It's also about this being Stanley Kubrick's final film before he died. And it's about Chris Isaak's baby doing a bad, bad thing.

Vanilla Sky (2001)

This is one of those trailers that absolutely does not do the movie — or Tom Cruise — justice. (Same goes for Cameron Crowe, who wrote it.) Sure it captures the Tom Cruise who can do no wrong, get any woman he wants, drive the coolest car — you know, standard Tom Cruise stuff. And, sure, it captures the broken and confused Tom Cruise. And it captures the nexus between those things.

But damned if I can make sense of it two decades later. Still, it's an excellent Tom Cruise movie.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

There's just something about this movie that makes it watchable every time it's on. Maybe it's Tom Cruise as a PR flak in the military as it's combating a crazy alien invasion. Maybe it's Emily Blunt and her badass triceps. Maybe it's the late Bill Paxton's drawl. "Edge of the knaaaaaaf."

You know how this movie is going to turn out. You know Tom Cruise will be OK and save the day and everything will work itself out. And you know that look he gives at the very end of the movie means something — you just don't know what.

Or maybe it's just the mere idea of Tom Cruise ending up in a situation in which he's not in total control and doesn't know what's going to happen.

Top Gun Maverick (2022)

A whopping 36 years after the first Top Gun film , Tom Cruise is back with more death-defying aerial action and he hasn't let the fact that he's approaching his 60th birthday slow him down. We've got all the stunts, quips, bonding and spectacle of the first film with added anticipation and nostalgia. In fact, our (spoiler-free) review of Top Gun: Maverick described it as "a stratospheric sequel" where the only negative point was how long we've had to wait for it. 

In a crazy world, where not much seems to make sense, watching Tom Cruise back in the saddle as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is comfortingly familiar yet excitingly entertaining. See it on the biggest screen you can.

More Tom Cruise

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• Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning guide
• Edge of Tomorrow review

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The 27 best tom cruise movies of all-time, ranked, we're looking at some of his best.

Tom Cruise’s official film debut was in 1981. It is now 2023. Over forty years later, and the man is still on top; He closed out 2022 with the second highest grossing movie of the year, and the new Mission Impossible flick is poised to be a hit. There’s been an on-going debate about the topic of star power when it comes to today’s current movie scene. Sure you have franchises (Marvel for example) that are sure to get people to come out to the theater, but it appears as though the days of movie stars being the sole reason for tickets being sold and butts being put in seats are long gone compared to the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s for example. Only a handful of stars still have that power, and Tom Cruise is one of them. And with one of the best Tom Cruise movies of all time released recently, it's clear the power he still holds.

You shouldn’t need any proof of what we’re saying, but for extra measure, the box office revenue for Top Gun: Maverick was $1.454 billion (yes billion), making it the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career on June 17th, 2022 (his previous high was $800 million). This, ladies and gentlemen, is with the movie actually being the follow-up to the original film that came out in 1986. That means Tom Cruise was able to take the sequel to a movie that was made 36 years ago, and not only outperform that film, but every single film he has ever made up to this point… bruh.

RELATED: The 13 Best Morgan Freeman Movies, Ranked

When it comes to the topic of which Tom Cruise movie is the best, well, what do you do? Do you include every single movie he has ever made? What about the Mission Impossible franchise? Should every Mission Impossible be included? That, our friends, has left us with an incredibly tough task, but we’re going to try. Below is a list of the best Tom Cruise movies according to ONE37pm.

Here. We. Go.

The Best Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked

27. mission: impossible – dead reckoning part one, year released: 2023.

• Director: Christopher McQuarrie
• Writer: Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson

While Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is still on the new side (literally) we feel confident putting it as in all-time Tom Cruise film, and we'll probably be bumping it up in the weeks and months to come. Just saying.

26. The Mummy

Year released: 2017.

• Director: Alex Kurtzman
• Writer: Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet, Jon Spaihts
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis

Okay, we know The Mummy didn't perform well at the box office and received poor reviews from critics. However, we ask that you reconsider because the approach to streaming has changed significantly since 2017. Had this movie gone straight to streaming, we think the reaction would have been different. This is a weekend movie that you put on while you're chilling at the house, so we think you should give it another shot.

25. The Outsiders

Year released: 1983.

• Director: Francis Ford Coppola
• Writer: Francis Ford Coppola and S.E. Hinton
• Stars: Matt Dillion, Tom Cruise, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe

It’s always interesting going back in time and seeing an actor’s journey before hitting it big. While not officially a household name yet, Cruise’s role as a nonchalant cool youngster named Steve Randle was the blueprint attitude wise for the types of characters that we would see him portray in the earlier part of his career. Paving the way for Risky Business so to speak.

24. Risky Business

• Director: Paul Brickman
• Writer: Paul Brickman
• Stars: Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay

Speaking of Risky Business , this is the movie that would officially launch Tom Cruise into Hollywood superstardom. The movie centers around high school senior Joel Goodsen (Cruise) who makes the decision to hire the services of a call girl. Upon receiving the bill the next morning, the teenager goes into a state of panic, which only gets worse after he crashes his father’s Porsche. You’ll have to watch the movie to see what happens next.

23. Top Gun

Year released: 1986.

• Director: Tony Scott
• Writer: Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.
• Stars: Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis

The movie that got it all started. The original 1986 version featured a young Tom Cruise as a cocky fire pilot named Maverick, who is sent to the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School where he is determined to be the top fighter, all while rubbing everybody the wrong way with his nasty attitude while in the process. Oh, and he’s trying to get a hot girl too. Lots to unpack here.

22. Mission Impossible

Year released: 1996.

• Director: Brian De Palma
• Writer: David Koepp and Robert Towne
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Jean Reno

Alright, here we go with the Mission Impossible franchise. First released in 1996, the story is about U.S. government agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) who along with his mentor Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), embarks on an assignment that in turn results in Jim being killed. Now a murder suspect, Ethan recruits both a hacker (Ving Rhames) and a maverick pilot (Jean Reno) to help him sneak into the CIA to retrieve a file that will prove his innocence.

21. Mission Impossible 2

Year released: 2000.

• Director: John Woo
• Writer: Robert Towne
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Thandie Newton, Dougray Scott, Ving Rhames

Many thought that Mission Impossible was a one-off movie because it ended with him proving his innocence. Many were wrong. Four years later, a sequel was released, this time with Ethan Hunt leading his IMF team on a basically mission to capture a deadly German virus before being released by terrorists. This was also the beginning of the “Tom Cruise haircut” phase that was heavily talked about in the early 2000s.

20. Jack Reacher

Year released: 2012.

• Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Lee Child, Rosamund Pike

When in doubt, go get Jack Reacher to handle your business for you. Released in 2012, Jack Reacher tells the tale of Jack Reacher having to take on a tough assignment when a town is hit by a vicious shooting attack that leaves five people dead. As Reacher digs deeper into the investigation, he realizes that there is much more to the story then he initially thought.

19. Interview With The Vampire

Year released: 1994.

• Director: Neil Jordan
• Writer: Anne Rice
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater

Going back to 1994, Interview With The Vampire chronicles an 18th century lord, Louis, who is now a bicentennial vampire with an urge to tell his story to a biographer (hence Interview With The Vampire). Louis’ recent years have been filled with tragedy after the loss of his entire family, and with Louis struggling to find the motivation to go on, he just so happens to meet another Vampire named Lestat who becomes his friend and helps him out.

18. The Last Samurai

Year released: 2003.

• Director: Edward Zwick
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanbe, Hiroyuki Sanada

When you have a film catalog as deep as Tom Cruise, it sparks a debate as to which should be included in your “best movies” list. For some, The Last Samurai doesn’t make the cut. For us, it does. The film focuses on the story of an American Military officer (Cruise) who’s caught in the middle of two completely different worlds when he is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country’s first army in modern warfare.

This is actually one of our favorite Tom Cruise movies of all-time. It’s also very reflective of 2003 movie culture in terms of the films that came out during that era.

17. The Firm

Year released: 1993.

• Director: Sydney Pollack
• Writer: David Rabe, Robert Towne, David Rayfield
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Hal Holbrook, David Straitharn, Gary Busey

Going back ten years earlier to 1993, The Firm really highlighted Cruise’s acting chops as he portrayed a young lawyer joining an established law firm, only to discover that there is quite a bit of illegal activity going on behind closed doors. Soon enough the FBI is involved, and with his life threatened, he basically has to make a decision on whether or not he is going to snitch. Does he end up snitching? Watch and find out.

16. Mission Impossible III

Year released: 2006.

• Director: J.J. Abrams
• Writer: J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan

It’s looking like we are indeed going to end up including every single Mission Impossible film on this list. Next up in the series is the third installment, in which Ethan Hunt is now a retiree focusing on training the next Mission Impossible recruits. As you probably guessed, the retirement doesn’t last for long as Hunt has to get back out there ASAP when he and the love of his life become the target of a new villain in the mix.

15. A Few Good Men

Year released: 1992.

• Director: Rob Reiner
• Writer: Aaron Sorkin
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore

Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore all being together in one movie is the epitome of early 1990s Hollywood, and boy is it good. Really good. You’ll definitely want to check this classic out for sure. That’s all we’re going to say.

14. Tropic Thunder

• Director: Ben Stiller
• Writer: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.

2008 was a pretty good year for movies when you look at everything that came out that year, and Tropic Thunder is one of them. Starring Tom Cruise, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downing Jr. (talk about an A-List cast), Tropic Thunder is about a war movie that is in the process of being filmed. With the actors lacking motivation, the director decides to liven things up a bit by moving them to a real jungle. The situation goes awry when the actors realize after some bad luck that they are actually caught in the middle of a real-time war happening.

13. Magnolia

Year released: 1999.

• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour

Backing it to 1999, Cruise starred in the drama film Magnolia alongside Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour, which was a multiple-plot story about a dying father, young wife, a police officer falling head over heels in love, a genius, an ex-boy genius, a gameshow host, and an estranged daughter who all end up together on a random day in San Fernando Valley. This is definitely a movie where you have to be paying attention at all times because you will be confused if you don’t. Trust us.

12. Jerry Maguire

• Director: Cameron Crowe
• Writer: Cameron Crowe
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston

When sports agent Jerry Maguire (Cruise) has a bad moment of judgment that leads to him getting fired, he is left with no other option but to start his own management firm. In the process of trying to launch his business, Jerry also ends up falling in love. Sports and love stories are always a good watch.

11. War of the Worlds

Year released: 2005.

• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Writer: Josh Friedman, David Koepp
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin

Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise joined forces on 2005’s War of the Worlds which was about a dockworker (Cruise) struggling to maintain a relationship with his two children. When the kids are dropped off by his ex-wife (Miranda Otto), the weekend takes an unexpected turn when an alien invasion happens. Classic Spielberg. War of the Worlds wound up grossing over $600 million at the box office. Not bad for a movie that originally had a $132 million budget.

10. Collateral

Year released: 2004.

• Director: Michael Mann
• Writer: Stuart Beattie
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardham

The year prior, Cruise also experienced box office success with the film Collateral , which also starred Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Mark Ruffalo, and Javier Bardham. The film is about an LA taxi driver named Max (Foxx) ready to call it a day, when he receives $600 from a sniper in disguise as a businessman (Cruise) to make six extra stops. As it turns out, those six extra stops are actually designated hit checkpoints that Max is now caught in the middle of. It’s not often that we get to see Tom Cruise as the bad guy, so this is a fun one.

9. Rain Man

Year released: 1988.

• Director: Barry Levinson
• Writer: Barry Morrow
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman

Rain Man is another Tom Cruise movie that sparks debates over how high it should be ranked, but you can’t deny its emotional heart-tugging effect. Cruise and Dustin Hoffman also made for a pretty good team if you ask us. Grab your tissues because this is definitely one of those films that make you tear up a bit.

8. Born on the Fourth of July

Year released: 1989.

• Director: Oliver Stone
• Writer: Ron Kovic
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Oliver Stone, Willem Dafoe

Another 1980s Tom Cruise classic, Born on the Fourth of July is about a suburban NY teenager who decides to enlist in the marines to honor his patriotism. In his second year of active duty, the teen encounters some difficult challenges when he accidentally kills a fellow soldier and later ends up paralyzed during a battle. 

7. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Year released: 2011.

• Director: Brad Bird
• Writer: Jon Applebaum, André Nemec, Christopher McQuarrie
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner

Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt for the fourth installment of the Mission Impossible series, this time around having to deal with the blame for the terrorist attack on Kremlin. This marks the second time in his career where Hunt has received the blame for something completely out of his control, and once again he is forced to clear his name.

6. Minority Report

Year released: 2002.

• Writer: Scott Frank, Jon Cohen
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Samantha Morton, Colin Ferrell, Kathryn Morris

A thriller set in the year 2054, Minority Report is based on the story “Minority Report” by science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, which is about a police station in Washington D.C. that utilizes psychic technology to help arrest and convict murders before they commit their crimes. Looking back, Minority Report was actually ahead of the game as many films since have mirrored its approach. 

5. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Year released: 2015.

• Stars: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner

Rogue Nation is actually considered the most exciting Mission Impossible film to date (although that can be subjective). Now we’re at the point where the IMF is disbanded, and not only is it dead and gone completely with Hunt being kind of assed out, there’s also a new threat called the Syndicate that is now an immediate problem. It never ends for Ethan Hunt. It just never does.

4. Mission Impossible: Fallout

Year released: 2018.

• Stars: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Henry Cavill

And since it never ends for Ethan Hunt, the sixth film in the series, Fallout , is about the newly rebranded IMF coming together with a CIA assassin to prevent yet another catastrophic event in the making that involves nuclear attacks on the Vatican, Jerusalem, and Saudi Arabia. How we got here from where we started in 1996, we don’t know. What we do know, however, is that Mission Impossible 7 , Dead Reckoning Part One is due out July 14th, 2023.

And apparently it doesn’t end there because Part Two is due out June 2024. Like we said earlier, it never ends for Ethan Hunt. Now would be the time to catch up if you haven’t already.

3. The Color of Money

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Writer: Richard Price
• Stars: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise

We’re going to take one final trip back to the 80s. The same year Top Gun was released, Cruise also starred in the film The Color of Money alongside Paul Newman, which was about a former pool hustler named Fast Eddie (Newman) who decides to make a return to the game with new young protege Vincent Lauria (Cruise). 

2. Edge of Tomorrow

Year released: 2014.

• Director: Doug Limon
• Writer: Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton

Whether you have Edge of Tomorrow in your personal Tom Cruise top three or not, we can all agree that it is a heck of a film. Just about any movie that has the word “edge” in it is, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint.

1. Top Gun: Maverick

Year released: 2022.

• Director: Joseph Kosinski
• Writer: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Glen Powell

We had to save the best for last. The highest grossing movie of Tom Cruise’s career which is sitting pretty at $1.4 billion, Cruise proved that he once again is that dude. Not bad for somebody who just turned 60. 

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Tom Cruise Movies List

3. The Outsiders

4. Losin' It

5. Risky Business

6. All the Right Moves

8. The Color of Money

9. Cocktail

10. Rain Man

11. Born on the Fourth of July

12. Days of Thunder

13. Far and Away

14. A Few Good Men

15. The Firm

16. Interview with the Vampire

17. Mission: Impossible

18. Jerry Maguire

19. Eyes Wide Shut

20. Magnolia

21. Mission: Impossible II

22. Vanilla Sky

23. Minority Report

24. The Last Samurai

25. Collateral

More to explore, recently viewed.

7 best Tom Cruise movies to stream on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Where to stream these iconic movies starring Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. For good reason, too. With jaw-dropping stunts, a gleaming smile and an intense gaze unmatched by many, Tom Cruise is a household name in Hollywood. He's had the lead actor role in at least 39 films and counting and has a box office total that has grossed over 10 billion. He has also produced some of his own films, including the hit Mission: Impossible franchise.

While Cruise may be known as an invincible action star, he has also played numerous characters with incredible depth and range. He has been the charming yet competitive romantic lead, the cold, calculating killer, and the greedy but misguided younger brother. Cruise has worked alongside some of the most famous actors and directors of our time. While it's hard to narrow down his greatest roles in such a short list, we've put together a few of the best Tom Cruise movies. 

In the Oscar award-winning film, Rain Main, Cruise plays Charlie Babbitt, the selfish brother of Raymond as played by Dustin Hoffman. Charlie finds out that his brother Raymond has inherited a great deal of money. Determined to get hold of what he believes is rightfully his, Charlie absconds Ray away from his residential home, sending the two on a memorable road trip neither will forget.

Hoffman took home an Academy Award for his role. So did the director, the screenwriter, and the picture as a whole. While Tom Cruise may not have received an Oscar nomination for his role in the film, he is the perfect actor to play alongside Hoffman. You have the reward of watching him shed his character's shallow, flashy demeanor and embrace a subtle maturity as he learns why his brother was sent away. A must-watch film that is one of Tom Cruise's best.

Watch on Prime Video

No one but Cruise could have played the part of Mitch McDeere in The Firm, an adaptation of the book by John Grisham. It could be why the 2012 television series of the book was canceled after only a single season. In the film, Cruise's McDeere is hired by a "small" firm from Memphis right out of law school. Although everything seems on the up-and-up, it isn't long before he realizes that he is surrounded by crooks.

It's the transformation of McDeere's smugness over landing such a top-notch job into an intensity over uncovering the truth and protecting his career — and life — that makes this such a powerful Tom Cruise film. However, what may surprise many is that Holly Hunter took home the Oscar for her role as Tammy Hemphill, the secretary of the private detective that McDeere hires. Despite Cruise's lack of Oscar recognition, this is one of his best movies.

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Watch on Netflix , Prime Video or Paramount Plus

A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men is a movie best known by many for its famous line spoken by Jack Nicholson who retorts, "You can't handle the truth!" However, it wouldn't be the same without Cruise playing the cocky Military lawyer Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee. 

When defense lawyer Kaffee gets to defend two Marines accused of killing one of their colleagues, many expect him to simply settle the case out of court. Cruise's natural overconfidence as portrayed in his character, Kaffee, becomes a quality that people plan to manipulate to keep the truth a secret. When he realizes this raw reality, Cruise's stone-cold determination to take the case to court shocks many. Nicholson, who plays Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, was nominated for the Oscar. However, Cruise wows the audience when he plays opposite Nicholson in the famous court scene that prompted the line we all know so well.

Watch on AMC Plus

Going against his typical role, Tom Cruise plays a ruthless killer in the movie, Collateral. Vincent, as played by Cruise, is visiting Los Angeles to finish off a few people who are supposed to testify in court against a drug lord as well as a couple of other lawyers involved in the case. When he gets into the cab of Max, played by Jamie Foxx, not everything goes according to plan.

Cruise takes out all the charm in his personality to depict a heartless killer — although what remains is a certain reasonableness to his personality as he almost convinces Foxx's Max to stick with him for the long haul. However, Foxx's Max becomes braver by the moment. In yet another film where another actor was Oscar-nominated over Cruise — this time it was Jamie Foxx — it still remains one of Cruise's most complex characters, making it one of his best movies.

Watch on Paramount Plus

Jerry Maguire

This time an Oscar nominee, Cruise plays the part of Jerry Maguire, a sports agent at the top of his game. However, Cruise's Maguire gets a crisis of conscience when one of his clients gets seriously hurt. Confronted by the client's son, Cruise realizes he has no heart for those he is supposed to represent. 

When Cruise's Maguire writes a mission statement, encouraging his agency to change their ways, he loses it all. However, despite the falling out, he connects with potential love interest, Dorothy Boyd, played by Renee Zellweger. He also manages to keep a single client, Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. It's a perfect blend of excellent acting, a strong script, and superb directing that makes this one of the most memorable romantic comedies. It also happens to include the famous Tom Cruise line that gives us all the feels, "You complete me."

Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple  

Top Gun: Maverick

Timing is everything, as the old adage says. That is possibly why the movie Top Gun: Maverick was such a success. Cruise starred in and produced the film, a sequel to his career-making film, Top Gun. While it was ready to go in 2020, he delayed its release for when people could actually see it in theaters. And for good reason. With incredible stunts and minimal usage of CGI, the movie is an experience as much as it is entertainment.

Playing a character many became familiar with in the '80s, Cruise adds a level of maturity to his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Cruise's Maverick returns to the school that molded him to train younger pilots, one of whom is the son of his now-deceased best friend. The emotional depth Cruise brings to the film makes it almost better than the original, a feat that's near impossible for sequels. 

Watch on Prime Video or Paramount Plus

Risky Business

How can any of us forget that famous scene when Cruise dances in his underwear to the Bob Seger song, "Old Time Rock & Roll"? One of the movies that made him who he is today, Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, a college-bound high school senior who itches to cut loose from his parents' ties. Finally having the opportunity to live a little when his parents go on vacation, things for Goodsen go from bad to worse as each rule is broken.

Acting alongside Rebecca De Mornay who plays the elusive and appealing call girl, Cruise's Goodsen learns about life, love, and consequences in this iconic film. Coupled with a strong script and excellent music from the 80s, this is one of Tom Cruise's best and most memorable movies.

Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple

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Nicole Pyles is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She loves movies, especially Lifetime movies, obscure TV movies, and disaster flicks. Her writing has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Mental Floss, WOW! Women on Writing, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and more. When she isn't watching movies, she's spending time with family, reading, and writing short stories. Say hi on Twitter @BeingTheWriter.

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Tom Cruise's Best Sci-Fi Action Movie Is Finding A New Audience On Netflix

Tom Cruise's sci-fi run (so far) has been an interesting mix of blockbuster entries and high-concept food for thought. Genre blends like Cameron Crowe's "Vanilla Sky" meld sci-fi elements with romantic drama, while Joseph Kosinski's "Oblivion" infuse standard genre tropes with a twist. Of course, there's the unforgettable "Minority Report" — loosely based on Philip K. Dick's novella of the same name — which saw Cruise slip into the shoes of a Precrime officer racing against time to preemptively prove his innocence, all the while grappling with the concept of predeterminism. Although every Cruise sci-fi film has something interesting to offer (including the incredibly effective "War of the Worlds"), Doug Liman's "Edge of Tomorrow" promises an adventure truly novel and exciting, with Cruise embodying a character who has to earn the mantle of a hero the hard way.

Well, great news: "Edge of Tomorrow" is now sitting at number two on the Netflix Top 10 list in the U.S., just behind the newly-released thriller, "Rebel Ridge" (via FlixPatrol ). Such a high ranking for this thoroughly entertaining film warrants little justification, as it is a treat for first-time viewers and an even more improved experience for those watching it a second (or third) time. The Netflix sci-fi formula usually works really well, with several under-the-radar or overlooked films often climbing up the ranks pretty quickly, and the blockbuster status of "Edge of Tomorrow" solidifies its pull and current ranking among the charts. So, what is "Edge of Tomorrow" about?

Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka's sci-fi light novel "All You Need Is Kill," which follows a soldier named Keiji Kiriya, "Edge of Tomorrow" sees Cruise play Major William Cage, whose heroism is revealed to be a sham due to his utter lack of field experience. An alien race known as the Mimics is waging war on Earth, and these never-ending battles emerge as the focal point of the film, where Cage has to prove himself worthy despite impossible odds. At the opposing end of the heroism scale is the formidable Angel of Verdun, Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), who begrudgingly trains Cage while the two must piece together the inner workings of a complicated time loop that might be the key to saving the world.

Edge of Tomorrow will have you at the edge of your seats

S poilers for "Edge of Tomorrow" to follow.

Sakurazaka's light novel posits Kiriya as a new recruit, shaping his inexperience as a factor outside of his control, where he is somewhat competent in fighting despite dying a couple of times after killing an unusual Mimic. Kiriya's lack of battle experience is quickly overcome by his ingenuity, as he finds a way to constantly better himself and replace his bolt gun with a more efficient weapon to take down the Mimics faster. In contrast, Cruise's Cage is an experienced PR official who has never set foot on the battlefield, injecting a strain of cowardice in his personality that he needs to overcome with increasingly dangerous trial-and-error sortie runs. The first few time loops are played for comedic effect, allowing Cruise to shine as an officer who must rely on his wits to compensate for his lack of training while enduring ridicule from fellow soldiers and getting killed even before the battle rounds commence.

Blunt's Vrataski is clearly a standout, as her direct, no-nonsense approach clashes with Cage's exasperated attempts to survive her vigorous training, and later, deal with the unalterable truth of her death during their most important mission. Their relationship, which starts as contentious and gradually blooms into respectful companionship, is only fully realized during the film's climax, where this fleeting moment of vulnerability defines who they are, and what they could have been. The whole Omega superorganism narrative device might feel a bit cliche at first, but the script allows these aspects to flow as naturally as possible, with Blunt and Cruise grounding the elusive time travel mechanisms with effective depth and panache.

The rest makes for a really enjoyable time:  the battle sequences look fluid , the powered-exoskeleton suits are cool, and the dynamic within the J-Squad keeps the third act from falling flat, contributing to a well-rounded blockbuster. The emotional ramifications of the time travel shenanigans are reined in at the end, leaving us to ponder about the what-ifs and could-have-beens that float between the sands of time.

"Edge of Tomorrow" is currently streaming on Netflix.

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Edge of tomorrow: how many times tom cruise's cage dies in the movie.

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Edge Of Tomorrow's Alternate Ending Explained

Why general brigham sent tom cruise's cage to the frontlines in edge of tomorrow, dakota fanning's pregnancy in the perfect couple & why it's so important explained.

2014's Edge of Tomorrow proved a hit with audiences and critics upon release, but just how many times does Tom Cruise's protagonist Major William Cage die in the sci-fi action spectacular? Bring its own unique spin to the Groundhog Day time-travel trope, Edge of Tomorrow almost unfolds like a live-action video game where its main character keeps respawning at a checkpoint every time he dies. Like every character stuck in a time loop, he takes time to figure out what is happening. However, when he finally does, the stakes of his mission skyrocket, leaving him with the responsibility of saving humanity.

Directed by Doug Liman, the Tom Cruise movie never leaves a dull moment with its loopy storyline. Every time it seems like the main character and his allies have figured out how they can defeat the overarching alien threat and end the time looping, the film introduces another twist that sends them back to level one, triggering another series of deaths and re-spawns. Since Tom Cruise's character's deaths are the primary drivers of Edge of Tomorrow 's story, it is hard not to wonder how many times he dies in the film.

Tom Cruise's Cage Dies 26 Times In Edge Of Tomorrow

Only on camera.

Much of the film's action and humor comes from Cruise's reluctant soldier being forced to train up and start utilizing this ability to fight the alien foes. Soon, Cruise is in a Groundhog Day- style loop , getting closer to his goal of defeating the invaders with each death. However, how many times does the film kill him off altogether? According to most estimates, Tom Cruise's Cage dies a disturbing twenty-six times (on camera) before Edge of Tomorrow ends its runtime.

Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise had to wear heavy metal suits that weighed around 85 pounds (39 kg) for the battle scenes in Edge of Tomorrow .

It is important to note that Cruise's character is killed ten times in quick succession during one training montage, which is played for some grim laughs. Even in the opening arc of the film, where Tom Cruise's character finds himself on the battleground without any war experience, his death count rises to five in a matter of minutes. His deaths during these initial moments are not even surprising, given how he previously worked in PR and never experienced a full-blown battle up front.

Various attempts to reach the dam account for the next six deaths after training. These are the last five deaths, taking place in the pub, inside the chopper, at the dam, at the General's office, and, finally, during Cage's heroic self-sacrifice at the Louvre. Therefore, Major William Cage experiences a total of twenty-six deaths before he finally comes out on top (provided Edge of Tomorrow 2 , if it happens, doesn't undo all his hard work).

Cage's Death Count In Edge Of Tomorrow's Book Is Much Higher

The movie also hints at a higher off-screen death count.

The film's source material, a light novel entitled All You Need Is Kill , mentions that the character dies over three hundred times during the course of his mission. However, the movie seems different because it never explicitly mentions the character's death count. In terms of on-screen offings, viewers are only privy to ten of love interest Rita's deaths and twenty-six of Cage's, with five taking place on the beach, sixteen in various stages of training, and the final five in Cage's successful attempt at defeating the Mimics.

Considering the cycles of life and death in the movie, Doug Liman wanted to name it Live Die Repeat . However, a Warner Bros executive came up with Edge of Tomorrow as the film's title, which was ultimately finalized as the film's official name.

However, it must be noted that the film hints that Cage dies more than 26 times. It features a scene in which Sergeant Rita Vrataski is surprised by all the details Cage knows about her personal life because she does not recall telling him about them. This highlights that Cage might have gone through the time loops hundreds of times , if not thousands, before falling in love with Rita.

Tom Cruise's Worst Death As Cage In Edge Of Tomorrow

Getting run over by a military truck has to be the worst way to die.

Although all the deaths in Edge of Tomorrow are hilariously painful, the one that somehow seems worse than all the others is when the Tom Cruise character gets crushed under a military truck. Throughout the movie's runtime, Cage gets shot, burnt by alien blood, and even drowns. However, for some reason, getting crushed under a truck seems like the most painful way for him to die in Edge of Tomorrow because it starkly underscores the futility and helplessness of his repeated attempts to change his fate and become a hero , even though he initially lacks the brain and the brawn to do either.

Edge of Tomorrow

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Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka's novel All You Need is Kill, Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), who finds himself drafted into humanity's ongoing war against a seemingly unstoppable race of hostile aliens called Mimics. Cage is killed in combat, but wakes in a time loop, reliving the same battle day after day. Gradually, he realizes that if he teams up with the decorated war hero Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), he can exploit the time loop to defeat the Mimic army and save the human race. 

Tom Cruise’s most underrated action movie is shooting up the Netflix charts

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

If you check on Netflix’s top 10 movies chart today, you’ll see that a ten-year-old action movie is currently outperforming almost everything else on the streamer. Edge of Tomorrow was actually one of the movies I was most excited to watch on Netflix in September , and based on the film’s popularity, it looks like I wasn’t the only one.

Edge of Tomorrow is a 2014 sci-fi action film inspired by the Japanese light novel All You Need Is Kill . Directed by Doug Liman ( The Bourne Identity ) and written by Christopher McQuarrie ( Top Gun: Maverick ), the movie stars Tom Cruise as William Cage, a soldier fighting in a war against an invading alien race that has conquered most of Europe.

Sent on a suicide mission after attempting to dodge his military service, Cage wakes up in the aftermath of an explosion that should have killed him, only to discover that he is living the same day over again. He repeats the hopeless mission over and over, gaining knowledge and combat with each loop, until he eventually teams up with the famed Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) during one of the loops. The two begin hatching a plan to save Earth.

There are a ton of great, rewatchable Tom Cruise action movies, but Edge of Tomorrow is at the top of the list for me. It’s smart, fun, and thrilling, and Cruise and Blunt ground what easily could have been an over-the-top and overly complicated story.

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Here’s what Liman told Variety when asked if Edge of Tomorrow 2 was dead this July: “No, we keep talking about it. We love that world. Tom and I just actually rewatched it about two months ago, because I hadn’t seen it in 10 years. I was like, ‘Wow, that is a really good movie.’” 

At the time of writing, the only movie above it on the Netflix charts is Rebel Ridge , a crime action thriller that my colleague Andy Meek described as one of the streamer’s best movies in years. If you’re looking for action, these two would make a great double feature.

This article talks about:

Jacob Siegal is Associate Editor at BGR, having joined the news team in 2013. He has over a decade of professional writing and editing experience, and helps to lead our technology and entertainment product launch and movie release coverage.

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Why Tom Cruise Won't Return as Jack Reacher

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• Tom Cruise's portrayal of Jack Reacher in the movies deviated significantly from the original character described in Lee Child's books.
• The Reacher TV show with Alan Ritchson as the lead has provided a more accurate and compelling interpretation of the character.
• Alan Ritchson's performance proves that he is the ideal choice to play Jack Reacher in any future adaptations, and bringing back Tom Cruise would be a disservice to the character.

Tom Cruise has played some iconic characters over the course of his career. One of these was Jack Reacher . He played the character in two movies, Jack Reacher and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back , and gave him the cool action hero treatment you'd expect. But even though there may have been a third film on the horizon, that ship has sailed.

For many, Cruise was not the best fit for who they thought should play Jack Reacher. But who should play him? How should they act? How should they even look? Regardless of what happens, the main thing to remember is that the franchise can never look back. Here's why Tom Cruise won't return to the character of Jack Reacher.

Updated Jan. 11, 2024: This article has been updated with additional information to keep the discussion fresh and relevant.

Who Is Jack Reacher?

In 1997, author Lee Child created the character of Jack Reacher for his first book, Killing Floor . The character is described with a very distinct build. He is said to have "a six-pack like a cobbled city street, a chest like a suit of NFL armor , biceps like basketballs, and subcutaneous fat like a Kleenex tissue." Reacher is also a former military officer, which makes him a dangerous fighter, marksman, and strategist. However, when he left the military, it was not to fight more battles on his own, although that ended up happening to him.

Part of what makes him so interesting is his personality. His stoic nature does not mean that he is without humor. However, he is completely self-sufficient, ensuring he does not need to rely on anyone to survive. Often, Child describes him as someone who gives respect when it is earned and is only concerned with justice being served. This does not always mean he needs to be in the driver's seat, but it does mean he will see a plan through to the end .

One of the major aspects of Reacher's life is that he is a drifter. He has no identification, no bank accounts, and nothing that can be traced without an overwhelming amount of research. His military records do exist, and they are often referenced, but he goes to great lengths to keep himself anonymous. He is said to travel with cash, a single toothbrush, and nothing else. In fact, when his clothing becomes old or soiled, he trashes his old clothing and buys new replacements. There is nothing to hold him down and nothing to hold him back.

Tom Cruise vs Alan Ritchson

As previously stated, Reacher was played by Tom Cruise in two movies, Jack Reacher (2012) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016), both directed by Christopher McQuarrie . But the first thing fans of the Lee Child books noticed was that Cruise's portrayal of Reacher was nothing like his book character.

Cruise is known to be a bit on the shorter side, saying he is 5' 7". He is also shown as wearing numerous varied outfits, driving cars, and interacting with quite a few of people, often calling in favors and meeting with former mentors. These movies are obviously an interpretation of the character, but one that seems quite a bit off from the original intentions of the author.

Reacher Season 2 Is Making a Major Change, But How Will It Affect the Series?

Reacher Season 2 has quite a few changes in store. Here's what the new season is set to bring and how it might affect the entire Prime Video series.

In 2022, Prime Video released the first season of their new show, Reacher . The first season followed the plot of the first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor , and saw Alan Ritchson playing the title role. Suffice to say, the differences between the two interpretations were night and day.

Ritchson is immediately recognizable as Jack Reacher. He has a quiet demeanor, but it is offset by his 6' 2" frame. Had Lee Child seen Alan Ritchson before writing his books, nobody would have thought twice about where he found his inspiration. The character is shown stepping off a bus with nothing but a clean t-shirt and pants. He is clean-cut and perfectly shaved, with a look of curious disinterest. When we see him, we are immediately drawn to him and very much intimidated .

How Does Alan Ritchson Feel?

That being said, the comparisons between the two Reachers haven't been lost on the actors playing them. In a recent interview with Jonatan Blomberg Interviews, Alan Ritchson himself chimed in on the nature of his role, and how he personally feels about superseding Tom Cruise as the televised Jack Reacher. Specifically, he commented on the constant comparisons with Tom Cruise , and whether he ever gets tired of them. He stated:

Never. Being compared to the most legendary actor of all time? The last film star? I would never tire of being compared to somebody of his stature.

Ritchson would continue by suggesting that the show's popularity is due in part to Tom Cruise's previous portrayal of the character, specifically because "[Cruise] brought a lot of eyes to this project that wouldn't be here otherwise." There's clearly no animosity from Ritchson. However, we believe that there's more than a clear answer as to who portrayed Reacher more authentically.

Alan Ritchson Is a Better Reacher

The Reacher TV show has proven that there is nothing wrong with a better interpretation of a character. We've seen it over and over again on TV, in movies, and everywhere in between. For instance, take the Joker from the Batman films. Most people loved Jack Nicholson's interpretation of the Joker, but were blown away by Heath Ledger's Joker . When Jared Leto made his attempt at the character years later in Suicide Squad (2016), he was kicked around by audiences because he could never live up to the Ledger hype. Someone just happened to do it better.

Best Shows Like Reacher You Should Watch Next

Reacher proved to be a successful series for Prime Video. If you're a fan, here are some similar TV shows to watch next.

The Reacher TV series has shown that not only is there an actor who looks the part, but one who can play it as well. Alan Ritchson embodies the Jack Reacher character in ways that Tom Cruise never could. Cruise is a bundle of energy. He's set to go off like a time bomb. It's why we love him, and why we love watching him go nuts and do ridiculous stunts. It makes Cruise perfect for projects like the Mission: Impossible franchise, where that excess energy can really be put to use.

Ritchson is a completely different beast. He doesn't need to run or flip out. He needs to be measured, honest, and believable as a guy who can not only hold his own in a fight, but also in a battle of wills. It's a character whose violent skillset is often preceded by subtlety. Reacher knows better than to just dive headfirst into danger.

If there were to be another Jack Reacher movie, Ritchson would be the first choice. Preferably, it would be a Prime Video original movie spun off from the show. Ritchson is Jack Reacher, full stop. To have Tom Cruise return would be an insult, not only to Ritchson, but also to Lee Child and the character himself.

Season 2 of Reacher officially premiered on Dec. 15, 2023, with its finale currently slated for release on Jan. 19, 2024. A third season is currently in development.

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In the mood for more shows like Reacher ? Specifically, more "dad shows" like Reacher ? Check out our video below that chronicles a plethora of shows with a similar atmosphere to Prime Video's hit series.

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Real estate partner, how much did tom cruise charge for his daring paris olympics closing ceremony stunt here's what we know.

Published By : Kashvi Raj Singh

Trending Desk

Last Updated: September 14, 2024, 10:51 IST

Mumbai, India

Tom Cruise handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles. (Photo Credits: X)

Tom Cruise made a dramatic entry at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, rappelling from the roof of the Stade de France.

Remember that jaw-dropping stunt Tom Cruise pulled off at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony? The Mission Impossible star left everyone stunned as he soared through the sky in a thrilling, high-flying act that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Known for his fearless action roles, Cruise showed that even at the age of 62 years, he’s still the king of adrenaline-fueled stunts. But here’s the real shocker – the price tag for this epic stunt? Absolutely nothing! Yes, you read that right. The Hollywood legend didn’t charge a single penny for his heart-pounding act!

Casey Wasserman, President and Chairman of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, recently opened up about Tom Cruise’s attention-grabbing stunt, revealing that the actor did it all for free.

Speaking at the CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel, Wasserman recalled how Cruise immediately got on the plane for the scene after finishing the shooting of his film. “It’s amazing how fast he got to LA, isn’t it? He finished filming Mission: Impossible at 6 p.m. in London and got right on a plane. He landed in LA at 4 a.m. and filmed the scene where he pulls onto a military plane,” he said as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Delving into further backstory, he added, “We realised we were producing a 15-minute live TV show, and so I hired who I think is the best person in the world to do that,” mentioning producer and live TV guru Ben Winston. Once Cruise was finalised, they understood that he wanted to do all his stunts, just like he does in the films.

While Winston went on to praise the actor and said, “I don’t think there’s anybody like him in the world. There is no better collaborator,” Wasserman revealed how everyone, including Cruise, did the project for free.

The original idea for the stunt was with a stunt double, but it was Tom Cruise who really wanted to be a part of the performance, they shared.

The moment when Tom Cruise flew through the Stade de France. 🤩What was your favourite part of the Paris 2024 #ClosingCeremony ? Rewatch the best moments of the Games here ➡️ https://t.co/nyCSlAtUVZ #Paris2024 #Olympics #LA28 pic.twitter.com/wOO0Vx4M95 — The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 13, 2024

At the Paris Olympics closing ceremony last month, Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance to the event, rappelling from the roof of the Stade de France, before he sped off to hand over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles. He even rode on a motorcycle, exiting the stadium in style. The live event was later transitioned to a pre-recorded video, showing him skydiving down to the iconic Hollywood sign with the Olympic rings.

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Here’s how much tom cruise got paid for his epic stunt at the 2024 paris olympics.

Tom Cruise pulled off his epic Hollywood stunt at the 2024 Paris Olympics for free.

The president and chairman of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Casey Wasserman, raved about the “Top Gun” star’s participation during the CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel at the Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday.

“He finished filming ‘Mission: Impossible’ at 6 p.m. in London, got right on a plane. He landed in LA at 4 a.m. and filmed the scene where he pulls onto a military plane,” the entertainment executive said, per the Hollywood Reporter .

Wasserman raved that “every step of the way, [Cruise] got more involved and more engaged” and ultimately did the pretaped stunt for free.

“We’re like, ‘Well, there’s no way we’re getting this. We’re going to get four hours of filming time. We’ll do the thing … with the Hollywood sign, he’ll hand the thing off and he’s done. Maybe we’ll get the other stuff, and the rest will be just a stunt double.’ About five minutes into the presentation, [Cruise] goes, ‘I’m in. But I’m only doing it if I get to do everything,'” he recalled.

The actor, 62, stunned viewers on Aug. 11 when he closed out the Paris Olympics and handed the torch to LA, where the next Summer Games will be held.

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Cruise launched himself from the top of Stade de France and landed on the field, where he grabbed the Olympic flag.

He then took the flag from LA Mayor Karen Bass and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and rode off into the streets of Paris before getting on a plane near the Eiffel Tower.

The video later showed the movie star flying the symbolic flag to California and skydiving to the iconic Hollywood sign before adding the famous five colored Olympic rings to it.

“Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA,” he posted on X at the time.

Cruise has yet to publicly discuss his preparations for the death-defying stunt.

However, TMZ reported that he was the one who had approached the committee and expressed interest in getting involved in the closing ceremony.

The Oscar nominee was previously seen attending one of the women’s gymnastics matches in July.

“It’s awesome,” he  told Reuters at the time. “Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”

Cruise was among several A-listers — including Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga — who flew to the City of Love to watch America take home the most medals.

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Casey wasserman reveals tom cruise’s payday for death-defying olympics stunt: nothing.

The mogul, who serves as LA28 president and chairperson, dished behind-the-scenes secrets at a CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel in Santa Monica about landing Cruise for the show-stopping turn.

By Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner

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It’s been a month since Tom Cruise stole the show during the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, and people are still talking about it. By people, at least one person (today), and it’s precisely the guy you still want to hear from right about now: Casey Wasserman .

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“It’s amazing how fast he got to L.A., isn’t it?” Wasserman joked during a CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel at Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica. The session, titled We Got Next: LA 2028, featured Wasserman seated alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LA28 board of directors member Jessica Alba, Team USA managing director Grant Hill and moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin of CNBC’s Squawk Box . Sorkin then asked Wasserman to give the audience the backstory of how it all came together.

“The backstory is that we realized we were producing a 15-minute live TV show, and so I hired who I think is the best person in the world to do that,” explained Wasserman, heaping praise on super producer and live TV guru Ben Winston. Wasserman continued by saying that Winston had two ideas after he was hired, one of which was Cruise while the other was making the Olympic rings appear out of the ocean “like a David Blaine kind of thing.”

“The best part of the story is we pitched on a Zoom, and the original idea was a person in the stadium as a stunt double,” Wasserman explained. “We’re like, ‘Well, there’s no way we’re getting this. We’re going to get four hours of filming time. We’ll do the thing that the L.A. with the Hollywood sign, he’ll hand the thing off and he’s done. Maybe we’ll get the other stuff and the rest will be just a stunt double.’ About five minutes into the presentation [Tom Cruise] goes, ‘I’m in. But I’m only doing it if I get to do everything.'”

After the Zoom ended, Winston then called Wasserman. “He says, ‘Don’t get too excited. He loves doing this stuff, but when his team realizes how many shooting days it’s going to be and rehearsals, this is never happening. I’m telling you I got it, but it’s never happening.’ Sure enough, every step of the way, he got more involved and more engaged.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Winston said the original plan called for a balaclava-clad stuntperson to the heavy lifting, but Cruise again brushed that aside. “I don’t think there’s anybody like him in the world,” said Winston, who heads up Fulwell 73 Productions. “There is no better collaborator.”

Another fun moment from today’s panel came when Wasserman said that they were able to pull off the Hollywood sign filming in secret thanks to a “one of those weird, lucky L.A. things.” He was referencing how the cameras that are always streaming the scene around the Hollywood sign just so happened to not be on when Cruise was in the vicinity. “I don’t know what happened, Andrew,” Wasserman quipped. “The cameras didn’t work that day and we were able to pull it off.”

For the record, Hollywood Sign Trust chairman Jeff Zarrinnam confirmed that they were in on the security camera outage. “Even our own cameras, our security cameras were turned off and not recording during this stunt,” Zarrinnam previously told NBC Los Angeles .

During the lively panel discussion, Wasserman also saved some praise for Paris and the people of France. “The French team deserves a lot of credit,” he noted. “They reminded people why people fall in love with the Olympics. … It’s been a long time since you had a really beautiful, high-engaged global city that had the resources and the time and the opportunity to take advantage of what the Olympics can be, and they did it spectacularly. To me, the greatest thing they did was they energized the people of France and those stadiums were full and excited, and you saw the results for the French teams being remarkable.”

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