Our team compiled the best Tom Cruise movies and here is what they came up with
Tom Cruise is a Hollywood icon who has captivated audiences for decades with his charm, good looks, and impressive acting abilities. From his early days as a leading man to his current status as a seasoned veteran, Cruise has always been able to deliver strong and memorable performances.
Here are 25 of the best Tom Cruise movies, along with a summary of the film, the year of release, and why Cruise was appreciated in it:
1. Top Gun (1986)
In this action-packed film, Cruise plays Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a hotshot pilot who competes against his fellow cadets at the Top Gun naval aviation school. Cruise’s performance as Maverick was praised for his charm, good looks, and ability to portray a confident and cocky character, and the film became a cultural phenomenon.
2. Mission: Impossible (1996)
In this action-packed film, Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, a secret agent who embarks on a mission to clear his name after being falsely accused of treason. Cruise’s performance as Hunt was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
3. Jerry Maguire (1996)
In this romantic comedy-drama, Cruise plays Jerry Maguire, a sports agent who has a crisis of conscience and starts his own firm. Cruise’s performance as Maguire was praised for his ability to bring heart and emotion to the film, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the character.
4. A Few Good Men (1992)
In this legal drama, Cruise plays Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a young and inexperienced lawyer who defends two Marines accused of murder. Cruise’s performance as Kaffee was praised for his ability to portray a determined and intelligent character, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the character.
5. The Color of Money (1986)
In this sports drama, Cruise plays Vincent, a young and ambitious pool player who becomes mentored by an older and more experienced player (Paul Newman). Cruise’s performance as Vincent was praised for his ability to portray a complex and driven character, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the character.
6. Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
In this horror film, Cruise plays Lestat, a vampire who tells his life story to a journalist (Brad Pitt). Cruise’s performance as Lestat was praised for his ability to bring a sense of mystery and danger to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
7. Collateral (2004)
In this crime thriller, Cruise plays Vincent, a ruthless and calculating hitman who hires a taxi driver (Jamie Foxx) to drive him around Los Angeles. Cruise’s performance as Vincent was praised for his ability to bring a sense of menace and intensity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
8. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
In this action-packed sequel, Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, who is tasked with stopping a madman (Dougray Scott) from releasing a deadly virus. Cruise’s performance as Hunt was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
9. The Last Samurai (2003)
In this historical drama, Cruise plays Nathan Algren, a disillusioned Civil War veteran who is hired to train the Japanese army and becomes embroiled in the country’s internal conflict. Cruise’s performance as Algren was praised for his ability to bring depth and emotion to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
10. War of the Worlds (2005)
In this science fiction film, Cruise plays Ray Ferrier, a divorced father who must protect his children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) during an alien invasion. Cruise’s performance as Ferrier was praised for his ability to bring a sense of urgency and emotion to the film, and he helped make the film a box office hit.
11. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
In this action-packed sequel, Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, who must clear the Mission: Impossible team’s name after they are blamed for a terrorist attack. Cruise’s performance as Hunt was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
12. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
In this action-packed sequel, Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, who must stop a dangerous rogue organization from carrying out a global terrorist attack. Cruise’s performance as Hunt was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
13. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
In this action-packed sequel, Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, who must prevent a group of terrorists from obtaining three plutonium cores. Cruise’s performance as Hunt was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
14. The Firm (1993)
In this legal thriller, Cruise plays Mitch McDeere, a young lawyer who is recruited by a prestigious law firm but soon realizes they are involved in illegal activities. Cruise’s performance as McDeere was praised for his ability to portray a complex and determined character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
15. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
In this science fiction film, Cruise plays William Cage, a military officer who is sent on a suicide mission against alien invaders and becomes trapped in a time loop. Cruise’s performance as Cage was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a box office hit.
16. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
In this psychological thriller, Cruise plays Dr. Bill Harford, a successful doctor who becomes embroiled in a mysterious and dangerous underworld after attending a masked ball. Cruise’s performance as Harford was praised for his ability to bring a sense of mystery and complexity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
17. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
In this biographical drama, Cruise plays Ron Kovic, a young man who becomes paralyzed after serving in the Vietnam War and becomes an anti-war activist. Cruise’s performance as Kovic was praised for his ability to bring depth and emotion to the character, and he received an Academy Award for his portrayal of the character.
18. Vanilla Sky (2001)
In this psychological thriller, Cruise plays David Aames, a wealthy and successful young man who becomes involved in a car accident and begins to experience strange and surreal events. Cruise’s performance as Aames was praised for his ability to bring complexity and mystery to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
19. Minority Report (2002)
In this science fiction film, Cruise plays John Anderton, a police officer who is accused of a future crime and must go on the run to prove his innocence. Cruise’s performance as Anderton was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a major hit.
20. All the Right Moves (1983)
In this sports drama, Cruise plays Stefen Djordjevic, a high school football player who dreams of playing college football but faces numerous obstacles. Cruise’s performance as Djordjevic was praised for his ability to bring depth and emotion to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
21. Risky Business (1983)
In this coming-of-age film, Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, a high school student who has a wild and reckless adventure while his parents are away. Cruise’s performance as Goodsen was praised for his charm and ability to bring humor to the film, and he helped make the film a box office hit.
22. Cocktail (1988)
In this romantic drama, Cruise plays Brian Flanagan, a young man who becomes a bartender and falls in love with a wealthy young woman (Elisabeth Shue). Cruise’s performance as Flanagan was praised for his charm and ability to bring a sense of romance to the film, and he helped make the film a box office hit.
23. Legend (1985)
In this fantasy film, Cruise plays Jack, a young man who fights against the forces of darkness to save a princess (Mia Sara) and restore balance to the world. Cruise’s performance as Jack was praised for his ability to bring a sense of adventure and charm to the film, and he helped make the film a box office hit.
24. The Outsiders (1983)
In this drama, Cruise plays Steve Randle, a member of a gang of young boys who are divided by social class and engage in a series of conflicts. Cruise’s performance as Randle was praised for his ability to bring depth and emotion to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
25. Jack Reacher (2012)
In this action-thriller, Cruise plays Jack Reacher, a former military investigator who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving a military sniper. Cruise’s performance as Reacher was praised for his action skills and ability to portray a determined and resourceful character, and the film became a box office hit.