tom cruise movies by year

Tom Cruise: His Career Through The Years

Posted: July 3, 2024 | Last updated: July 3, 2024

Tom Cruise's career can only be described as remarkable! In order to understand this Hollywood legend's rise to fame, let's a take further look at some of his most recognizable roles...

Tom Cruise was born in Syracuse, New York on July 3rd, 1962. Cruise grew up in a poor, strictly religious family with his somewhat abusive father. Throughout his educational career, he visited a grand total of 15 different schools in 14 years due to his family moving around a lot. Nevertheless, he did eventually end up graduating Glen Ridge High School in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1980. His mother remarried in 1978 and therefore the young Tom Cruise was given the opportunity to pursue acting in New York City at the age of 18 as a blessing from both his mom and stepfather. 

Tom Cruise's first appearance was in the 1981 movie Endless Love. What followed shortly afterwards were his career-making roles in All The Right Moves and Risky Business. Top Gun was just the icing on the cake for the rising star, but this is still one of the roles that gave him the most Hollywood attention.

Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise

In 1988, Cruise received a supporting role in Rain Man alongside Dustin Hoffman. Due to his stunning performance in the film, the actor was promptly awarded  the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor. Not quite an Oscar, but still something to be proud of! 

Cruise's next two films were Days of Thunder (1990) and Far and Away (1992). Both of the films starred Nicole Kidman as his love interest. Yes, Cruise had a thing for older women at the time... 

In 1996, Tom Cruise took on the leading role in the movie Jerry Maguire. Tom received his second Golden Globe for his stellar performance as well as another Oscar nomination. On top of that, in 1999, he also took on a somewhat unusual role of motivational speaker in Magnolia. The film also granted him his third Golden Globe and another Academy Award nomination. Well deserved, of course... 

Mission Impossible II was another huge box office success upon it's release in 2000! This film ended up grossing over 500 million dollars worldwide, making it one of the highest grossing films of the year. Cruise won MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance for this film.

In the following year, Cruise was given the leading role in the romantic thriller Vanilla Sky alongside Hollywood beauties Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz. Another Cruise classic that doesn't disappoint!

In 2005, Tom Cruise decided to work with Steven Spielberg in War of the Worlds. The film ended up grossing almost 600 million world wide making it the fourth highest grossing film that year. Nine of the ten films he starred in that decade all grossed over 100 million dollars... how about that? Looks like Hollywood couldn't get enough of him! 

From 2006 until 2008, Cruise starred in Mission Impossible III, Lions for Lambs, Tropic Thunder and Valkyrie. His role in Tropic Thunder gained him another gained him yet another Golden Globe nomination. All 4 movies were met with astounding commercial success, as you'd expect... 

Tom Cruise's most successful film to date was in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment of the film series. We can honestly say that this movie made our year back in 2011!

Following Knight and Day, Tom Cruise decided to take another crack at the sci-fi action genre! Nevertheless, his role in Oblivion was met with somewhat mixed reviews, but the film still ended up earning over 200 million at the box office. You can't please everyone... 

Some of Cruise's more recent roles have been in movies like Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation and the 2017 reboot of The Mummy. In 2018, he took on the role of "Ethan Hunt" once again in the 6th Mission Impossible movie, Mission Impossible: Fallout. Cruise has just released the new installment as well as a sequel to his legendary career starter, Top Gun Maverick.   

Connor Cruise and Tom Cruise

Cruise was married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes - and got divorced from all of them. While he has one biological daughter, Suri Cruise, from his most recent marriage to Katie Holmes, he also has two adopted children, Connor Cruise and Isabella Jane Cruise. His first wife, Mimi Rogers, introduced him to the Church of Scientology, in which he still remains an active member to this day.

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All Tom Cruise Movies, Ranked By Tomatometer

Edge of Tomorrow   celebrates its 10th 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) 92%

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%

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) 75%

The Firm (1993) 76%

War of the Worlds (2005) 76%

Mission: Impossible III (2006) 71%

The Outsiders (1983) 70%

Taps (1981) 68%

Mission: Impossible (1996) 66%

The Last Samurai (2003) 66%

Interview With the Vampire (1994) 63%

Jack Reacher (2012) 64%

All the Right Moves (1983) 61%

Valkyrie (2008) 62%

Top Gun (1986) 57%

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%

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A Brief History of Tom Cruise’s Impressive Filmography

Tom Cruise is such a staple in American cinema that it’s easy to take him for granted. Since the early 1980s, he’s been cranking out hit after hit, becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors and consistently making blockbusters that shatter box office records.

In the past five decades, Cruise’s movies have grossed more than $11.5 billion worldwide. Oh, and he also does all his own stunts! The man himself may be an enigma, but there’s no denying the role he’s played in cinematic history.

In 2022, his return to the Top Gun universe even managed to lure pandemic-wary moviegoers back to theaters. Top Gun: Maverick grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and became one of the highest-grossing movies in history. As a result, according to Variety , Steven Spielberg told Cruise he “saved Hollywood’s a** and [ … ] might have saved theatrical distribution.”

Cruise began his career like so many others, journeying to New York City to bus tables while trying to become an actor, eventually moving to the West Coast and signing with a talent agency. He got attention on sets right away, landing small roles in both Endless Love and Taps in 1981. The Hollywood Reporter states that Cruise’s role in Taps was expanded after director Harold Becker noticed the actor was “out-marching the other cadets on the parade field,” which totally fits everything we know about Cruise now!

All of Tom Cruise’s films, in order

Below is a list of all of the movies Cruise has made since he first boarded that Greyhound to NYC back in the early ’80s. Our favorites are in bold.

– Endless Love (1981)

– Taps (1981)

The Outsiders  (1983)

Welcome to the Brat Pack! Cruise’s first big break came when he was selected to join the ensemble of The Outsiders , directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Cruise joined fellow young rising stars C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane, yet he still managed to stand out on screen.

– Losin’ It (1983)

– Risky Business (1983)

This movie was transformative and really put Cruise on the map as a leading man. Who could forget the shirt-no-pants dance scene? Or the train scene with Rebecca De Mornay? Is it hot in here?

– All The Right Moves (1983)

– Legend (1985)

Tim Curry! A very young Mia Sara! David Bowie in a cod piece! This movie has it all.

Top Gun  (1986)

You might have an inkling of how huge this movie was when it came out, but you’re probably underestimating it. Seriously, it was massive ! Money-wise, it grossed $357 million globally and was the highest-grossing domestic film of the year. Anecdotally, everyone was buying Ray-Bans and bomber jackets and rewinding that love scene with Kelly McGinnis until we wore out the VHS tape.

– The Color of Money (1986)

Just when we thought he couldn’t get more popular, he made a movie about shooting pool with Hollywood legend Paul Newman.

– Cocktail (1986)

– Rain Man (1988)

Born on the Fourth of July  (1989)

Cruise won a Best Actor Golden Globe for his portrayal of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who co-wrote the biographical screenplay with director Oliver Stone. Cruise also received the first of four Academy Award nominations. His star was truly rising by now. People magazine named him 1990’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”

– Days of Thunder (1990)

– Far and Away (1992)

– A Few Good Men (1992)

Cruise and Jack Nicholson proved to be a riveting pair to watch on screen. “You can’t handle the truth!”

– The Firm (1993)

– Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Audiences didn’t love him as Lestat, but the film was critically acclaimed nevertheless.

– Mission: Impossible (1996)

The movie that kicked off a billion dollar franchise!

– Jerry Maguire (1996)

“Show me the money!” Cruise received a second Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and a second Academy Award nomination for this romantic comedy, which co-starred Renee Zellweger.

– Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

– Magnolia (1999)

Cruise earned a third Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a motivational speaker, but he missed out on an Academy Award for a third time.

– Mission: Impossible II (2000)

– Vanilla Sky (2001)

– Minority Report (2002)

– Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

– The Last Samurai (2003)

– Collateral (2004)

– War of the Worlds (2005)

– Mission: Impossible III (2006)

– Lions for Lambs (2007)

– Tropic Thunder (2008)

An unrecognizable Cruise plays a ribald studio executive producer who was reportedly modeled after Harvey Weinstein.

– Valkyrie (2008)

– Knight and Day (2010)

– Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2001)

– Rock of Ages (2012)

– Jack Reacher (2012)

– Oblivion (2013)

– Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

– Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

– Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

– The Mummy (2017)

– American Made (2017)

– Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Top Gun: Maverick  (2021)

Maverick is back to fight unnamed U.S. enemies, romance an age-appropriate new love interest (Jennifer Connelly), and oh yeah, save Hollywood! With a cast full of easy-on-the-eyes new fly boys and girls, it’s easy to see why Top Gun: Maverick was such a smash hit .

– Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)

What’s next?

-Untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film (2025)

More Mission: Impossible movies … yay? Oh well, it’s not like we don’t have a ton of other movies in the Tom Cruise catalog to occupy our time. This guy sure has been busy for these past few decades!

(featured image: Paramount Pictures)

Tom Cruise movies in order

Image: ©Universal Pictures/20th Century

When it comes to the careers of Hollywood stars, they don’t come much bigger than Tom Cruise. The actor, who has appeared in a string of blockbuster movies, from sci-fi epics to explosive action films, is one of the most famous figures in the movie business and has fronted many high-profile, extremely profitable motion pictures.

But how many of Tom Cruise’s movies have you watched? A few? A lot? All of them?!

If you’re not quite sure what Tom Cruise movies you have viewed and what movies you still need to check out, then you will probably benefit from reading through this post.

Below you will find a list of all Tom Cruise’s movies, from his huge hits to his lesser-known films. The list also includes pictures in which Cruise has featured in a small role or even just a cameo.

Want to check out Tom Cruise’s movie portfolio? Then you had best keep on reading, as I go decade by decade through his back catalogue.

Tom Cruise began his movie career at the beginning of the 1980s with roles in the movies Endless Love and Taps , both released in 1981. He then appeared in a string of films in 1983, including well-known pictures, Risky Business and All the Right Moves .

It was at this point that Tom Cruise’s movie career really started to blossom, leading to roles in films such as Legend , Cocktail and Rain Man . One of his most notable and enduring roles was that of Maverick in the 1986 movie, Top Gun .

Here is a list of all Tom Cruise’s movies throughout the 1980s:

• Endless Love (1981)
• Taps (1981)
• The Outsiders (1983)
• Losin’ It (1983)
• Risky Business (1983)
• All the Right Moves (1983)
• Legend (1985)
• Top Gun (1986)
• The Color of Money (1986)
• Cocktail (1986)
• Rain Man (1988)
• Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Moving into the 1990s and Tom Cruise’s career continued to go from strength-to-strength, beginning with the release of Days of Thunder in 1990. Other high-profile movies followed, including Interview with the Vampire , Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia .

It was during this decade that Cruise appeared in three movies alongside his then wife, Nicole Kidman, including the aforementioned Days of Thunder , Far and Away , and Eyes Wide Shut . The ‘90s also provided Cruise with the first entry in the Mission: Impossible film series – a collection of films which would prove to be huge for the actor for the next few decades.

Tom Cruise’s ‘90s films include:

• Days of Thunder (1990)
• Far and Away (1992)
• A Few Good Men (1992)
• The Firm (1993)
• Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Jerry Maguire (1996)
• Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
• Magnolia (1999)

Into the 2000s, and Cruise continued to push forward with his career, appearing in critically acclaimed movies Vanilla Sky and Collateral , as well as the popular sci-fi action-blockbuster, War of the Worlds .

Two more entries in the Mission: Impossible followed in the ‘00s, as did a hilarious cameo in the comedy spoof, Austin Powers in Goldmember . The actor also appeared in the comedic Tropic Thunder , then rounded out the decade with the war drama, Valkyrie .

Tom Cruise’s ‘00s movies included:

• Mission: Impossible II (2000)
• Vanilla Sky (2001)
• Minority Report (2002)
• Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
• The Last Samurai (2003)
• Collateral (2004)
• War of the Worlds (2005)
• Mission: Impossible III (2006)
• Lions for Lambs (2007)
• Tropic Thunder (2008)
• Valkyrie (2008)

Although many actors would find their careers flagging this far on from their big break, Tom Cruise continued to remain popular with audiences as he moved into the 2010s. From action-adventures such as Knight and Day to the musical Rock of Ages , Cruise appeared in a run of pictures.

During this decade Cruise starred in three further Mission: Impossible movies, and took on the title role for two Jack Reacher films. Other films during this time included Edge of Tomorrow and American Made .

Tom Cruise’s 2010 movies include:

• Knight and Day (2010)
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
• Rock of Ages (2012)
• Jack Reacher (2012)
• Oblivion (2013)
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
• Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
• The Mummy (2017)
• American Made (2017)
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

And finally, moving into the 2020s, Cruise reprises the role of Maverick for the appropriately titled Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick , before appearing in further Mission: Impossible movies.

Tom Cruise’s 2020s movies include:

• Top Gun: Maverick (2021)
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two (2024)

Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Tom Cruise’s movie portfolio. The actor has had an interesting career and has managed to work with countless high-profile directors, including Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, and Cameron Crowe (amongst others), resulting in a strong run of films!

For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.

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All Tom Cruise movies, in order

It’s difficult to pinpoint what Tom Cruise really means to the history of blockbuster cinema, not just for his astounding body of work, but also for the range he puts on display, whether it be historical epics, action blockbusters, or even sci-fi spectacles.

With four Academy Award nominations, a career spanning five decades, and movies grossing over $11.5 billion worldwide, Tom Cruise is a titan of Hollywood and all it stands for . In fact, one could go so far as to suggest that as far as movie stars go, they don’t make them like this anymore. Cruise has the charisma and looks that would make any actor a commercial darling, but his acting chops and infamously crazy stunts also make him stand out.

The legendary thespian can be an action hero in a Mission: Impossible movie and then follow it up with a heart-wrenching performance like Born on the Fourth of July . He can be the lovable Jerry Maguire and then be as chilling as Vincent is in 2004’s Collateral . You name the role, and the chameleon that he is, Tom Cruise will be there to give his 100% and make it work.

But how many movies has he been in, and how many of them have you seen? Let’s take a look at Tom Cruise’s filmography to get a better understanding of his enviable career.

All the movies Tom Cruise has starred in, broken up by decade

The beloved Hollywood icon began his work with Endless Love and Taps , both released in 1981, but his most significant role from that era undoubtedly goes to Maverick in Top Gun .

• Endless Love (1981)
• Taps (1981)
• The Outsiders (1983)
• Losin’ It (1983)
• Risky Business (1983)
• All the Right Moves (1983)
• Legend (1985)
• Top Gun (1986)
• The Color of Money (1986)
• Cocktail (1986)
• Rain Man (1988)
• Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Now a genuine movie star, Tom Cruise had his pick of projects, which led to possibly the best decade of his career and the main reason he is now a household name all over the world. Outstanding performances from A Few Good Men , Jerry Maguire , and Eyes Wide Shut alongside the start of his Mission: Impossible saga make the Tom Cruise movies from the 1990s the most enjoyable ones to watch.

• Days of Thunder (1990)
• Far and Away (1992)
• A Few Good Men (1992)
• The Firm (1993)
• Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Jerry Maguire (1996)
• Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
• Magnolia (1999)

Tom Cruise continued his 90s success into the 2000s with the critically acclaimed Vanilla Sky , the blockbuster sci-fi hit Minority Report, and the brilliant historical epic The Last Samurai .

• Mission: Impossible II (2000)
• Vanilla Sky (2001)
• Minority Report (2002)
• Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
• The Last Samurai (2003)
• Collateral (2004)
• War of the Worlds (2005)
• Mission: Impossible III (2006)
• Lions for Lambs (2007)
• Tropic Thunder (2008)
• Valkyrie (2008)

As Hollywood moved away from the idea of a global movie star and into the age of franchises like Marvel, actors like Tom Cruise became a rare commodity in the industry. Cruise still had the pull to rope in audiences, which he combined with his vast experience in producing, turning Mission: Impossible into a top-tier action franchise once again. He also starred in the now-cult classic Edge of Tomorrow . Duds like 2017’s The Mummy and two Jack Reacher movies were inevitable, of course, but he still ended the decade on a high note.

• Knight and Day (2010)
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
• Rock of Ages (2012)
• Jack Reacher (2012)
• Oblivion (2013)
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
• Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
• The Mummy (2017)
• American Made (2017)
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Well into his fifth decade as a professional actor, Tom Cruise is still going strong. His one-man mission to make a Top Gun sequel was a massive success, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and garnering a host of new fans, not to mention thawing the industry out of a Covid-induced daze.

These are Tom Cruise’s movies in the ongoing decade so far, discernibly lacking variety as well as multitude:

• Top Gun: Maverick (2021)
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
• Untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film (2025)

That’s going to be it for Tom Cruise’s filmography, but since the star is showing no sign of slowing down, this list is only bound to get longer.

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

All 44 of Tom Cruise’s movies, ranked

This article was published more than 6 months ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (1996). Columbia TriStar via The Associated Press

“He is uniquely trained and highly motivated – a specialist without equal – immune to any countermeasures. ... He is the living manifestation of destiny.”

Those words belong to Alec Baldwin’s CIA honcho in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation , describing the superspy Ethan Hunt played by Tom Cruise. But Baldwin might as well just be describing Cruise himself, a pure force of will who has elevated (almost) every movie he has been involved with. After spending the past half-year diving into the star’s filmography, here is my mission report. Presenting all 44 Tom Cruise movies , ranked from worst to best.

Meet Christopher McQuarrie, wingman to Tom Cruise’s death-defying maverick

The Tao of Tom Cruise, our last action hero

Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). David James/The Associated Press

44. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016): Good advice, someone should’ve heeded it.

43. Rock of Ages (2012): Puke-box musical.

42. The Mummy (2017): Denial ain’t just a franchise in Egypt.

41. Endless Love (1981): Barely a pipsqueak, Cruise’s first role is just plain squeaky.

40. Losin’ It (1983): A charmless thing starring a man of pure charm, fancy that.

39. Interview with the Vampire (1994): Dead, and not loving it.

38. The Last Samurai (2003): The Last White Saviour movie to likely get such a high budget.

37. Lions For Lambs (2007): Faux-political drama operating on slaughter-house rules.

36. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000): To John Woo, thanks for nothing.

35. All the Right Moves (1983): Perhaps Jerry Maguire could help Cruise’s NFL wannabe. Perhaps not.

34. Far and Away (1992): Ron Howard must be, but so far hasn’t been, stopped.

33. Knight and Day (2010): Right repairing with Vanilla Sky ’s Cameron Diaz, but the wrong movie.

32. Oblivion (2013): Sterile sci-fi, but it introduces Cruise to Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski.

31. Legend (1985): Tawdry make-believe that imagines a better movie just beyond its grasp.

30. Cocktail (1988): The martini glass is half-empty. But points for Kokomo – and Toronto.

29. Valkyrie (2008): Once you adapt to his accent-less Nazi turncoat, it sorta clicks.

28. Jack Reacher (2012): Just a few inches short of a tight thriller.

27. Taps (1981): Cruise’s determination codified, if not yet quite personified.

26. The Outsiders (1983): Rare ensemble work that toughs it out.

25. Vanilla Sky (2001): Cameron Crowe and Cruise follow Jerry Maguire with a vision too heavy for even the sturdiest of eight-pound heads.

24. Tropic Thunder (2008): Timeless performance in film otherwise composed of ancient cultural artifacts.

23. The Color of Money (1986): True grit from Cruise, Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese, three of our finest hustlers.

22. Days of Thunder (1990): Inseparable from Top Gun , cementing Cruise as our Golden Boy.

21. Top Gun (1986): Ridiculous beefy silliness that breaks the sound barrier.

20. The Firm (1993): The true origins of Cruise’s running-man shtick.

19. Mission: Impossible (1996): RIP Emilio Estevez’s character, but long live Cruise’s Ethan Hunt.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut (1999). The Canadian Press

18. War of the Worlds (2005): Apocalyptic parenting par excellence.

17. Mission: Impossible III (2006): The resuscitation of a megafranchise, bigger and louder and Alias -er.

16. American Made (2017): All smiles, sweat and sex, delightfully absent any moral centre.

15. Rain Man (1988): No one plays the jerk-who-comes-round better.

14. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015): In Christopher McQuarrie, Cruise finds his kindred collaborator/enabler.

13. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011): Jeremy Renner could never.

12. Edge of Tomorrow (2014): Live, die, repeatedly watch this all-killer-no-filler Groundhog Day riff.

11. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023): No movie is worth dying for, but then again ...

10. Collateral (2004): The rare villainous turn, slicked to the nines with devilish dark-night-of-the-soul fun.

9. Born on the Fourth of July (1989): The war movie no one expected from Cruise, but the war movie he had to make.

8. Magnolia (1999): In this life, it’s not what you hope for, it’s not what you deserve – it’s what you take.

Tom Cruise and Samantha Morton in Minority Report (2002). Supplied

7. A Few Good Men (1992): In which Cruise gives us the god’s honest truth, 100 per cent.

6. Risky Business (1983): Sunglasses at night, old time rock-’n’-roll charm during the day.

5. Eyes Wide Shut (1999): Revelatory work that shatters celebrity perception.

Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Paramount Pictures/Paramount Pictures

4. Minority Report (2002): Steven Spielberg’s finest sci-fi fantasia and Cruise’s top fugitive fantasy.

3. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018): In which Cruise becomes immortal.

2. Jerry Maguire (1996): It’s had us at hello for a quarter-century now.

1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022): The hero American cinema needs, the hero the world deserves.

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Actor Tom Cruise is the star of several box-office hits, including Risky Business , A Few Good Men , The Firm , Jerry Maguire , and the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Who Is Tom Cruise?

Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, better known as Tom Cruise, was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, to Mary and Thomas Mapother. Cruise's mother was an amateur actress and schoolteacher, and his father was an electrical engineer. His family moved around a great deal when Cruise was a child to accommodate his father's career.

Cruise's parents divorced when he was 11, and the children moved with their mother to Louisville, Kentucky, and then to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, after she remarried. Like his mother and three sisters, Cruise suffered from dyslexia, which made academic success difficult for him. He excelled in athletics, however, and considered pursuing a career in professional wrestling until a knee injury sidelined him during high school.

At age 14, Cruise enrolled in a Franciscan seminary with thoughts of becoming a priest, but he left after a year. When he was 16, a teacher encouraged him to participate in the school's production of the musical Guys and Dolls . After Cruise won the lead of Nathan Detroit, he found himself surprisingly at home on the stage, and a career was born.

'Taps,' 'The Outsiders'

Cruise set a 10-year deadline for himself in which to build an acting career. He left school and moved to New York City, struggling through audition after audition before landing an appearance in 1981's Endless Love , starring Brooke Shields. Around this same time, he snagged a small role in the military school drama Taps (1981), co-starring Sean Penn .

His role in Taps was upgraded after director Harold Becker saw Cruise's potential, and his performance caught the attention of a number of critics and filmmakers. In 1983, Cruise appeared in Francis Ford Coppola 's The Outsiders , which also starred Emilio Estevez , Matt Dillon and Rob Lowe —all prominent members of a group of young actors the entertainment press dubbed the "Brat Pack." The film was not well received, but it allowed Cruise to work with an acclaimed director on a high-profile project.

'Risky Business'

His next film, Risky Business (1983), grossed $65 million. It also made Cruise a highly recognizable actor — thanks in no small part to a memorable scene of the young star dancing in his underwear.

In 1986, after a two-year hiatus, the budding actor released the big-budget fantasy film Legend , which did poorly at the box office. That same year, however, Cruise's A-list status was confirmed with the release of Top Gun , which co-starred Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards and Meg Ryan . The testosterone-fueled action-romance, set against the backdrop of an elite naval flight school, became the highest-grossing film of 1986.

'The Color of Money,' 'Rain Man' and 'Born on the Fourth of July'

Cruise followed the tremendous success of Top Gun with a string of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. He first starred in The Color of Money (1986) with co-star Paul Newman , and then went on to work with Dustin Hoffman on Rain Man (1988). Cruise's next role, as Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic in the biopic Born on the Fourth of July (1989), earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

'A Few Good Men,' 'The Firm' and 'Interview with a Vampire'

In 1992, Cruise proved once more that he could hold his own opposite a screen legend when he co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the military courtroom drama A Few Good Men . The film grossed more than $15 million its first weekend and earned Cruise a Golden Globe nomination. He continued to demonstrate his success as a leading man with The Firm (1993) and Interview with a Vampire (1994), which co-starred Brad Pitt.

'Mission: Impossible,' 'Jerry McGuire'

Next, Cruise hit the big screen with two huge hits—the $64 million blockbuster Mission: Impossible (1996), which the star also produced, and the highly acclaimed Jerry McGuire (1996), directed by Cameron Crowe. For the latter, Cruise earned a second Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe for Best Actor.

'Eyes Wide Shut,' 'Magnolia'

Cruise and then-wife Kidman spent much of 1997 and 1998 in England shooting Eyes Wide Shut , an erotic thriller that would be director Stanley Kubrick 's final film. The movie came out in the summer of 1999 to mixed reviews, but that year Cruise enjoyed greater success with the release of Magnolia . His performance as a self-confident sex guru in the ensemble film earned him another Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

'Vanilla Sky,' 'The Last Samurai'

Cruise then starred in the long-awaited smash hit Mission: Impossible 2 in 2000, alongside Anthony Hopkins , Thandie Newton and Ving Rhames. In 2002, he starred in Vanilla Sky , his second collaboration with Crowe, as well as Steven Spielberg 's Minority Report . The following year, Cruise traveled to Australia to shoot the $100 million war epic The Last Samurai, which earned him another Golden Globe nomination.

'War of the Worlds'

Cruise proved he remained a top draw by starring in the Spielberg-directed remake of the science-fiction classic War of the Worlds (2005), which grossed more than $230 million at the box office.

His next effort, Mission: Impossible 3 (2006), also scored well with audiences. However, Cruise was faced with a professional setback in August when Paramount Pictures ended its 14-year relationship with the actor. The company's chairman cited Cruise's erratic behavior and controversial views as the reason for the split, though industry experts noted that Paramount more likely ended the partnership over Cruise's high earnings from the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Cruise quickly rebounded and on November 2, 2006, he announced his new partnership with film executive Paula Wagner and the United Artists film studio. Their first production as a team, the political drama Lions for Lambs (2007), proved a commercial disappointment despite a strong cast that included Meryl Streep and Robert Redford .

'Tropic Thunder'

Taking a break from weighty material, Cruise delighted audiences with his performance in the comedy Tropic Thunder (2008). Despite his relatively small role in a movie that featured Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller , Cruise stood out by obscuring his trademark good looks to play a balding, obese movie studio executive.

'Valkyrie,' 'Rock of Ages'

In December 2008, Cruise released his second project through United Artists. The film, Valkyrie , was a World War II drama about a plot to assassinate German leader Adolf Hitler . Cruise starred as a German army officer who became involved in the conspiracy.

Cruise returned to one of his most popular franchises in 2011 with Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol . Breaking into new territory, he then starred in the 2012 musical Rock of Ages . Although Cruise received some positive reviews for his performance as a rock star, the movie failed to attract much of an audience.

'Jack Reacher,' 'Edge of Tomorrow'

Returning to his mainstream action roots, Cruise starred in the 2012 crime drama Jack Reacher , based on a book by Lee Child. He then headlined a pair of science-fiction adventures, Oblivion (2013) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014). Showing no signs of slowing down, the veteran actor in 2015 delivered his usual high-energy performance for the fifth installment of his blockbuster franchise, Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation .

Latest Movies and Familiar Franchises

In 2016, Cruise reprised the role of Jack Reacher for Never Go Back . He then headlined a reboot of The Mummy (2017), which performed respectably at the box office but was savaged by critics, before earning better reviews later that year for the crime thriller American Made .

2018 brought a return to familiar territory for Cruise, who starred in Mission Impossible —Fallout that summer. Prior to its release, he tweeted a photo to mark day 1 of production on the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick , scheduled for a June 2020 release.

Scientology and Personal Life

Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers in 1987. It was through Rogers that the actor became a student of Scientology, the religion founded by writer L. Ron Hubbard. Cruise credited the church with curing his dyslexia, and he soon became one of its leading proponents. However, while his spiritual life flourished, his marriage to Rogers ended in 1990. That same year, Cruise made the racecar drama Days of Thunder alongside Kidman. Though the movie was unpopular among critics and fans alike, the two lead actors had real chemistry. On Christmas Eve 1990, after a brief courtship, Cruise and Kidman married in Telluride, Colorado.

Divorce from Kidman

For much of the 1990s, Cruise and Kidman found themselves fiercely defending the happiness and legitimacy of their marriage. They filed two different lawsuits against tabloid publications for stories they considered libelous. In each case, the couple received a published retraction and apology, along with a large monetary settlement which they donated to charity. The couple has two children, Isabella and Connor.

On February 5, 2001, Cruise and Kidman announced their separation after 11 years of marriage. The couple cited the difficulties involved with two acting careers and the amount of time spent apart while working. Following the divorce, Cruise briefly dated his Vanilla Sky co-star Penelope Cruz , followed by a much-publicized relationship with actress Katie Holmes. A month after his ties to Holmes became public, Cruise professed his love for the actress in a now-famous appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, during which he jumped on Winfrey's sofa, shouting "Yes!"

Marriage to Katie Holmes

In June 2005, after a two-month courtship, Cruise proposed to Holmes in a restaurant at the top of the Eiffel tower. In October, they announced that they were expecting their first child together. The hasty proposal and surprise pregnancy quickly became tabloid gossip. But Cruise made even bigger headlines that year as an outspoken advocate for Scientology. He openly criticized former co-star Brooke Shields for using anti-depressants during her recovery from postpartum depression. He also denounced psychiatry and modern medicine, claiming Scientology held the key to true healing. Cruise's statements led to a heated argument with news anchor Matt Lauer on The Today Show in June 2005, for which Cruise later apologized.

In 2006, Cruise and Holmes welcomed daughter Suri into the world. That year, they were married in an Italian castle, with celebrities Will Smith , Jada Pinkett Smith , Jennifer Lopez and Victoria and David Beckham among those in attendance. However, the storybook romance wouldn't last, and in June 2012, the couple announced their separation.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1962
• Birth date: July 3, 1962
• Birth State: New York
• Birth City: Syracuse
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Actor Tom Cruise is the star of several box-office hits, including 'Risky Business,' 'A Few Good Men,' 'The Firm,' 'Jerry Maguire' and the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise.
• Astrological Sign: Cancer

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Tom Cruise Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/tom-cruise
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: March 26, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 3, 2014

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Why These Tom Cruise Movies Flopped

After more than four decades in Hollywood, Tom Cruise remains one of the town's biggest names. Getting his start in the early 1980s, Cruise became an A-lister thanks to "Top Gun" in 1986 and has never looked back. He's the rare megastar to remain at the top of his industry for over 40 years, and with a reputation for delivering hits: Whether it's an over-the-top action blockbuster or a heartfelt drama, movie-goers know they'll get something good when Cruise is headlining a film. And most of his movies have found big box office success as a result.

A deeper dive, however, reveals a surprising amount of Tom Cruise flicks that failed, if not outright flopped. Not all of them necessarily fit most people's idea of a box office bomb, though. As a general rule of thumb, a movie needs to earn roughly double its production budget — to account for the theater owners' portion of the ticket sales as well as promotions and marketing — to be a hit. So some of Cruise's movies sold a lot of tickets, but still lost money due to an outsized budget. Still others were able to break even but didn't come close to delivering a decent profit for the studio. So why did these movies fail? We've looked behind the numbers to find out.

It might not have been his debut film, but the 1982 comedy "Losin' It" was Tom Cruise's first time leading a movie. Directed by Curtis Hanson — who later helmed such classics as "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," "L.A. Confidential," and "8 Mile" — this mostly-forgotten teen sex romp didn't have any big names that audiences could latch onto. It also happens to be among Cruise's absolute worst films — one of the few, in fact, that he probably wants you to forget about.

A story about a group of unlucky teens out to lose their virginity, "Losin' It" sees Cruise in the role of an inept, socially awkward teenager named Woody (do you get it? It's a sex comedy!). While on a road trip to Mexico to find some lovin', Woody and his friends run into a frustrated older woman (Shelley Long) who's become jaded by marriage and is headed south for a divorce. Madcap sex silliness ensues, and while it's tempting to think that it flopped because it was a lowbrow laugher, plenty of similar movies at the time turned a solid profit or at least earned some decent money, whether it was "Zapped!," "Revenge of the Nerds," or "Casual Sex?"

No, the real reason that "Losin' It" flopped is that even among '80s teen sex comedies it stands out among the worst . And it seems that the studio knew it had a dud on its hands because they only gave the film a limited release in 180 theaters, where it only gathered about a million dollars in ticket sales.

Tom Cruise was an A-list action star during the late '80s, while in the '90s he branched out into more mature, serious dramas like "The Firm" and "A Few Good Men." Around the turn of the millennium, though, Cruise entered his experimental phase, starring in films that you might not have expected from him prior, like Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut" and the mind-bending thriller "Vanilla Sky." Right in the middle of this era came "Magnolia," from director Paul Thomas Anderson, the 11-time Oscar nominee widely recognized as one of the best directors of his day.

A masterclass in filmmaking, "Magnolia" received glowing reviews from both critics and audiences  who praised its stylish direction, fine cast, and sheer ambition. Unfortunately, it couldn't muster up enough at the box office to make it a hit, and there are a few reasons audiences didn't lap it up like they did "Mission: Impossible" a few years earlier.

For starters, audiences had grown accustomed to Tom Cruise as a bold, powerful superstar, but his performance in "Magnolia" is more nuanced and understated. It totally works, and it may be one of his most underrated roles, even earning Cruise his third Oscar nomination as an actor. But movie-goers may have been thrown off, seeking something with a bit more action and excitement. Toss in the more arthouse marketing, and it's no wonder that fans of Tom Cruise weren't exactly flocking to theaters. Ultimately, it couldn't break even despite its relatively small budget, earning just $48 million at the ticket counter against a $37 million expenditure.

When talking Tom Cruise flops, "The Mummy" might be the first movie that jumps to mind — not just because it was a huge disappointment financially, but because its failure killed off an entire franchise in the making. One of many infamous cinematic universes to fail miserably , the so-called "Dark Universe" planned to unite new versions of Universal's classic movie monsters, with Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Cruise, and Javier Bardem leading their respective films. 

In the 2017 reboot "The Mummy," Cruise stars as a mercenary relic hunter who stumbles across an ancient evil that has returned after thousands of years. The total financial outlay for the project came in well north of $300 million, including production and marketing, which made it impossible for the film to make money after it stalled with box office earnings of $410 million. So what went wrong? 

In addition to a bungled promotional campaign, the film tried to become a Tom Cruise action thriller rather than a classic monster movie and just didn't work. The movie was deemed downright awful — it sits at a dreadful 15% on Rotten Tomatoes — which led to poor word of mouth. Then there's its poorly-timed release, opening after the fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Wonder Woman" in the weeks prior, followed by a "Transformers" film two weeks later. All together, it's no surprise that the studio scrapped every spin-off and sequel, squashing the "Dark Universe" in favor of smaller-scale, lower-budget relaunches, starting with "The Invisible Man" starring Elisabeth Moss and the upcoming "Dracula" reboot.

Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part One

It's difficult to imagine a "Mission: Impossible" film flopping at the box office, or even with critics. The first film in the series was a massive blockbuster, particularly for the mid-'90s, and almost each film that followed saw better ticket sales than the last, either globally or domestically. "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" hit the franchise high mark with a $786 million global cume. "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" followed, so it's safe to say that the studio probably had billion-dollar hopes.

Those hopes were dashed, however, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was still raging in 2021 when filming on "Dead Reckoning" got underway. The production saw numerous starts and stops, with the frequent delays and added safety protocols helping to balloon the budget to an eye-popping $291 million. At that level, it would have needed over $600 million just to break even. To make matter worse, "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" came along one week after the movie's mid-July release. Those two films combined for a mind-blowing $244 million on their shared opening weekend, kicking "Dead Reckoning" to a distant third.

Make no mistake, "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" is a great film that lives up to its predecessors, and reviews reflected that. Word of mouth was strong, audiences ate the movie up, but its budget and its poorly-timed release date doomed the film's chances of cracking that elusive billion-dollar mark. Worse still, industry analysts believe that the seventh  "Mission: Impossible" film ended up losing nearly $100 million at the box office.

Knight and Day

Almost a decade after "Vanilla Sky," Tom Cruise reunited with co-star Cameron Diaz for another thriller — this time the 2010 box office bust "Knight and Day." Alright, maybe this isn't Cruise's biggest loser: It did manage to scrape past the break-even point towards the end of its run, and reviews weren't that bad. But no studio is looking to just barely make a profit on a movie with a $117 million budget starring two of Hollywood's biggest stars.

"Knight and Day" follows June (Diaz), who stumbles into the world of international espionage when she meets a charming rogue named Roy (Cruise) who claims he's an intelligence operative on the run. Filled with fast-paced, bullet-whizzing action and a great cast — which also included Peter Sarsgaard and Viola Davis — the movie might be one of Cruise's most under-appreciated, thanks to director James Mangold's slick work behind the camera. Unfortunately, audiences didn't respond the way that the studio and Cruise probably hoped, and it's now a mostly forgotten entry in his filmography. 

20th Century Fox knew something was wrong because they dropped a series of special sneak preview screenings, which industry analysts saw as a way to gin up some much-needed excitement. Early tracking had the movie pegged as a huge commercial disaster, but the late marketing push may have helped, because the box office wasn't as bad as many feared. Still, it wasn't much of a hit, probably due to that lackluster early promotion — as well as the movie's middling reviews.  

Rock of Ages

There may be no higher-profile flop in Tom Cruise's career than "Rock of Ages." In his defense, the 2012 rock 'n' roll comedy isn't really his movie — it's an ensemble piece where he plays a key role — but he shares billing and screen-time with major stars like Alec Baldwin, Julianne Moore, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Åkerman, Mary J. Blige, and Bryan Cranston, none of whom could salvage the film from crashing on the box office rocks.

Based on a hit Broadway jukebox musical of the same name, "Rock of Ages" centers on a young starry-eyed couple who follow their dreams of becoming rock stars. Along the way they cross paths with legendary heavy metal frontman Stacee Jaxx (Cruise), who is embarking on a farewell tour with his band, Arsenal. Their journey is punctuated by performances of songs from the likes of Pat Benatar, Journey, and Twisted Sister, among many others.

The stage version was first performed in 2005 in Los Angeles, later having lengthy runs on Broadway as well as in London's West End. The show collected five Tony Award Nominations — but the film adaptation couldn't compete. Woeful reviews agreed with the few moviegoers who did see it, declaring it a disaster of a comedy that failed to deliver many laughs at all. That the studio pumped some $75 million into the project for its production alone (primarily for the cast) pretty much guaranteed that it wouldn't be a hit: it wound up a big loser instead, barely pulling in $60 million.

Edge of Tomorrow

Wait, "Edge of Tomorrow" was a flop? Says who? Well, you may not remember because the movie was so good and has maintained a healthy cult following, but Tom Cruise's 2014 sci-fi action movie wasn't a huge financial success. Like "Knight and Day," the movie did double its budget, but only cleared profitability by a small margin, far from the franchise starter many were probably hoping for. In fact, the film's box office struggle is just one reason a sequel will likely never happen.

The fact that "Edge of Tomorrow" wasn't a huge hit isn't an indictment of the film itself; A time-loop story about a wartime journalist forced into combat after an alien invasion, "Edge of Tomorrow" sends Cruise's character to his death repeatedly, after which he's sent back in time to relive his final days. Audiences loved the movie, and critics agreed — the film has a  91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Coming off the heels of the disappointing "Oblivion," it had a chance to be a major rebound, but stumbled in part due to the confusing promotion surrounding the film, which ran the movie through three separate titles: "Live. Die. Repeat" and "All You Need Is Kill" were both used in early press and media marketing.

Audiences may not have gotten a good idea what they were walking into, which probably didn't help, but it wasn't the biggest problem. The real issue was the movie's gargantuan budget, which came in at an eye-popping $178 million, making it one of the priciest movies Cruise had made to that point in his career. 

Tom Cruise had a few hits in the early '80s like "Risky Business," "All the Right Moves," and "The Outsiders." But somehow, one of his most memorable projects from that decade was also one of his biggest bombs: the 1985 fantasy movie "Legend." In it, Cruise plays a handsome man of the forest who allies himself with a princess named Lili (Mia Sara) to battle The Lord of Darkness — a powerful being who wants Lili for himself.

Famous for more than just Cruise, "Legend" was directed by Ridley Scott — his first movie following "Blade Runner" — and was notable for Tim Curry's legendary performance as the Lord of Darkness. Fans of the film laud its breathtaking cinematography and wide-eyed imagination, not to mention Cruise himself, even if he gives something of an uneven performance. But despite how we may look back today at the film and appreciate all its charms, the movie wasn't a hit in its own time. Quite the contrary, actually: it's one of the few films Cruise has made that didn't even make back enough to cover its risky production budget.

The truth is, fantasy movies weren't big blockbusters in the '80s, even if the decade is remembered for the likes of "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal." Plenty of great fantasy flicks from that era that are beloved today disappointed at the ticket counter, only to find later success on home video. That's the case here too: Critics at the time didn't give "Legend" good reviews, and thus a film in a struggling genre was left to wither in theaters.

Lions for Lambs

"Lions for Lambs" is a mostly-forgotten 2007 political thriller in which Tom Cruise plays a U.S. Senator. The film had plenty of ingredients a movie needs to succeed, starting with not just Cruise, but co-stars Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Michael Peña, and Andrew Garfield. It was also helmed by Redford, who was twice nominated for an Academy Award for best director for his work on "Quiz Show" and "Ordinary People."

Cruise plays Senator Jasper Irving, who hopes to use the media to get the public on his side regarding a new initiative for the war in Afghanistan. The movie had a relatively small budget at just $35 million, but even at that small number, the movie couldn't hit the break-even mark: It ended its run with just $64 million, including one of the worst opening weekends of Cruise's career. It wasn't a limited release either, but instead fell victim to the perfect storm of Hollywood flops: a boring story, poor promotion, and in the end, a total lack of awareness.

The reality is that "Lions for Lambs" was more of a prestige drama — the kind released for awards consideration — so it may never really have been intended as a big moneymaker. Nevertheless, it says a lot that the film didn't even make back the studio's investment. Adding insult to injury, it landed to abysmal reviews , resulting in exactly zero consideration for the industry's top awards (though Streep did get a nomination from the AARP Movies for Grownup Awards).

5 top Tom Cruise films to watch on his birthday

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has turned a year older today, on July 3. On the happy occasion, we have curated a special watchlist for you, the fans.

One of the biggest hits of Tom Cruise's career, the film also starred Emily Blunt. In the movie, we see the actors go through an endless loop of time amidst a dystopian war.

Edge of Tomorrow

This rom-com starring Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger is an all-time classic with immense rewatch value. Revolving around a sports agent, the movie will appeal to everyone who is looking for something cute and charming to watch.

Jerry Maguire

When a marine is killed in Guantanamo Bay, Cruise's naval officer decides to take up the case in order to prove the truth. The legal drama also stars Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson.

A Few Good Men

Of course, there are a bunch of Mission Impossible films, but MI: Fallout is one of the best out there. It is pacy, thrilling and offers the kind of ride you would expect from a big-ticket film.

Mission Impossible: Fallout

This high-flying sequel takes audiences on an adrenaline-pumping journey through the daring world of naval aviation. Packed with thrilling aerial stunts and a nostalgic nod to its predecessor, this was a blockbuster hit.

Top Gun: Maverick

So, which one of these are you watching today?

Tom Cruise and Sean Penn Teased Their Star Power in This Thrilling Military Drama

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The Big Picture

• Taps , a 1981 drama starring George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton, marked the arrival of two future Hollywood heavyweights in Tom Cruise and Sean Penn.
• The story of rebellious cadets fighting to save their military academy from closing, the film features Cruise and Penn in supporting roles.
• Working on Taps was a formative experience for the young actors, particularly Cruise, who took advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as he could about filmmaking.

When Taps hit theaters on December 18, 1981, audiences likely had little or no idea that they were witnessing the arrival of two future stars. The military-themed drama stars George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton , the latter of whom had recently won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Ordinary People . Starring alongside Scott and Hutton, however, were Tom Cruise and Sean Penn . For Cruise, Taps marked the actor's second big screen credit, while Penn was making his debut in the military drama. Though they played supporting roles, their work on the film would ultimately prove fateful and fruitful, landing them on the radar of major Hollywood players and paving the way for two of the most prolific and acclaimed careers of a generation .

Taps (1981)

What is the military drama 'taps' about.

Based on the 1979 novel Father Sky by Devery Freeman , Taps tells the story of rebellious cadets enrolled at Bunker Hill Military Academy who, upon discovering their school will close the following year and fall into the hands of real estate developers , forcibly overtake the institution in an attempt to preserve it. When a fatal accident leads to the academy's General Harlan Bache's arrest and subsequent heart attack, the decision to immediately close the school is made. Having recently been promoted to the rank of Major, Brian Moreland (Hutton) rallies his troops, including Captain David Shawn (Cruise) and Captain Alex Dwyer (Penn), and leads a campus-wide mutiny after taking up arms in defiance of the academy's dean and local authorities.

As the situation escalates, police and the National Guard descend on Bunker Hill, but the cadets initially show no signs of surrendering. The mounting pressure ultimately causes some of the young men to give up on their mission and flee the grounds, while the most staunch cadets remain and become even more determined to defend their beloved academy. For his part, Moreland eventually considers standing down if an order comes directly from General Bache, but news of the commander's tragic death lowers morale among the young men . The final straw, however, is the accidental killing of a cadet at the hands of the National Guard, leading to a showdown resulting in multiple deaths.

Tom Cruise's 'Taps' Character Is Wildly Unpredictable

Though Taps was only Tom Cruise's second film role, hot on the heels of his appearance in 1981's Endless Love , the military drama served as a masterclass in cinematic education, as he explained to People in 2018 . At 19-years-old, he landed the role of fanatical cadet David Shawn after moving to New York City and booking various auditions, and was beside himself with excitement over the prospect of acting in a film. Taking full advantage of the experience, Cruise devoted himself to learning as much as he could about the performative, logistical, and technical efforts required to bring a story to the big screen . "I remember even back then, saying, 'Just do the best I can,'" adding, "All I can do every day is do the best I can. And learn."

10 Actors Who Skyrocketed to Fame From Small Supporting Roles

From sidelines to stars, these actors came a long way.

Curious, diligent, and persistent, each of which were qualities that would serve him well for decades after Taps , Cruise wasted no time in amassing valuable knowledge about the filmmaking process. "I couldn’t believe I was making a movie," he'd later admit. "I went to every single department and asked questions. I drove everyone crazy. The director Harold Becker was so lovely to me because he knew I was so passionate." According to Cruise, Becker even allowed the young actor to view rushes, footage shot on the previous day's work, to gain insight into what makes the final cut and what hits the cutting room floor. All things considered, working on Taps provided Cruise with not only the pure thrill of acting in a film, but an overall experience that proved essential in establishing the ardent work ethic he'd become known for as an actor and hands-on producer.

Aside from learning as much as he could about filmmaking, Cruise delivers a memorable performance as David Shawn in Taps . In playing the unpredictable loose canon, whose fervor and dedication to his mission solidifies as the film barrels toward its violent conclusion , the actor brings a level of intensity and hardened focus to the character that would become commonplace in his varied profile of performances . Donning an often furrowed brow and intense gaze, he steals scenes left and right despite having limited screen time, particularly in Taps ' final moments when his character takes impulsive, reckless action that proves tragically consequential for him and his fellow cadets. Just 19-years-old when the film hit theaters, Cruise made the absolute most of his appearance in his second feature, giving unsuspecting audiences a brief but promising glimpse of things to come.

'Taps' Foreshadows Sean Penn and Tom Cruise's Hollywood Success

According to The Hollywood Reporter in its original review of Taps , the film's young supporting players displayed "potential for future assignments." With hindsight clear as day, such a statement is laughable on its face, but it nevertheless provided an undeniably fair and accurate assessment of the film's rising stars. Though Timothy Hutton was already established , having just won an Academy Award at the age of 20, Taps marked his first lead role in a feature film, and what followed was a slew of credits for years to come alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars and most renowned filmmakers.

Similarly, Sean Penn's appearance in the 1981 drama marked a pivotal moment in the beginning of a decades-long career chock-full of stellar performances. In Taps , which was " the first big movie " of Penn's career, he, like Cruise, made the most of his screen time as Alex Dwyer, elevating a supporting player to the fore in an emotionally-charged yet measured performance that culminates with the actor chewing the scenery in the film's final moments. While Penn would ultimately be renowned as one of his generation's powerhouse performers, famous for brushing subtlety to the side in favor of theatrics, his turn in Taps displayed a more restrained — albeit affecting — sensibility.

Within just two years of playing the unhinged David Shawn in Taps, Tom Cruise's star also ascended with his supporting role in 1983's The Outsiders and, in the same year, with his memorable turn as Joel Goodson in Risky Business . While 1983 was a big year for the actor, it paled in comparison to 1986, which saw the release of the iconic blockbuster Top Gun , solidifying Cruise's star power, and The Color of Money alongside legends Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese . Similarly, Sean Penn became a household name on the heels of Taps thanks to a star-making performance as the surfing stoner Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High , catapulting him into the limelight for years to come via largely dramatic work. They may have been fresh faces in 1981, but Cruise and Penn's commanding presence in Harold Becker's military drama swiftly transported the pair of young actors into Hollywood's upper echelon , marking the last time their names would be relegated to obscurity.

Taps is available to watch on Hulu in the U.S.

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Tom cruise flies helicopter with son connor after missing daughter suri’s graduation.

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It’s not “mission impossible” for him to see at least one of his kids.

Tom Cruise was seen deplaning a helicopter alongside his son, Connor Cruise, in central London Friday — a week after skipping his youngest child Suri Cruise’s high school graduation .

Paparazzi snapped the action movie star, 61, wearing a short-sleeved, gray shirt that showcased his muscular arms and a pair of jeans as he grinned from ear to ear while leaving the heliport.

Connor, 29, meanwhile, was dressed comfortably in a black hoodie, gray slacks, sneakers, a matching cap and a pair of shades. The expression on his face, unlike his dad, was serious and calm.

Per eyewitnesses, the father-son duo were joined by a few other unnamed guests during the aerial outing.

Tom’s sighting with Connor comes as he faces backlash for missing a milestone celebration in Suri’s life.

A day after missing the 18-year-old’s graduation from LaGuardia High School, the “Mission Impossible” star chose to party with Swifties and celebs at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in London last Saturday.

Tom was spotted laughing and schmoozing with the pop superstar’s boyfriend , Travis Kelce, in the VIP tent and exchanging friendship bracelets across the pond.

Meanwhile, Suri rang in her commencement ceremony with mom Katie Holmes and fellow students.

It’s not surprising Tom didn’t make it to his daughter’s big day, though, as they’ve been estranged for years .

In March 2023, a source exclusively confirmed to Page Six that the “Top Gun” star has “no part” in the teen’s life, which he previously admitted in a deposition lawsuit was due to his  ties to Scientology .

When Holmes, 45, called it quits with Tom in 2011, she and Suri no longer had any part in the controversial church, which reportedly does not allow its members to associate with nonbelievers.

However, because Connor — who is Tom’s adopted son with ex-wife Nicole Kidman — is still a Scientologist, he is still able to spend quality time with his famous father.

In November 2018, Kidman, 57, opened up about Connor and his sister Bella Cruise’s decision to remain part of the Church of Scientology.

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“They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions,” the “Moulin Rouge” star told Australian magazine Who at the time.

“They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them. And I am an example of that tolerance and that’s what I believe – that no matter what your child does, the child has love and the child has to know there is available love and I’m open here.”

Kidman — who is now married to Keith Urban — divorced Tom in 2001.

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How much tom cruise runs in each mission impossible movie (official answer).

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Here is how much Tom Cruise runs in each Mission: Impossible movie. The action movie franchise began as a spy thriller series focused on IMF agent Ethan Hunt, but the series has evolved over the years to become a true vehicle for practical action sequences and stunts performed by Tom Cruise. The franchise star has repeatedly put his body on the line and gone to extreme lengths to deliver jaw-dropping and thrilling moments of spectacle. The Mission: Impossible movie stunts continue to get bigger and more death-defying, becoming an even more core part of the franchise's appeal.

Viewers have so far watched Tom Cruise scale the tallest building in the world, rock climb, skydive, jump a motorcycle off a cliff, and more. These action sequences represent ways that the Mission: Impossible movie stunts attempt to be different from what came before and beat audience expectations for what can be done practically. However, the physical demand of playing Ethan Hunt also has meant lots of running scenes for Tom Cruise in the movies. The trend has become a fan-favorite element of the series, and now it is known how much Tom Cruise runs in the Mission: Impossible movies.

Tom Cruise Runs for Over 8 Minutes In The Mission: Impossible Movies

Ahead of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One 's theatrical release, Paramount released an official video that only contains footage of Tom Cruise running in Mission: Impossible movies. The video confirms that Tom Cruise runs for over 8 minutes in the Mission: Impossible movies. This includes everything from slight jogs to full-on sprints to slow-motion action scenes, regardless of if Hunt is running from someone or running to go save the world. Every movie from the first Mission: Impossible to moments of Tom Cruise running in Mission: Impossible 7 are included in the nearly 10 minutes of footage.

Which Mission: Impossible Movie Does Tom Cruise Run In The Most

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is officially the Mission: Impossible movie Tom Cruise runs in the most. Using the video and deducting any moments where Ethan Hunt is not moving, a full compilation of how much Tom Cruise runs in each Mission: Impossible movie can be determined. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol holds the record for the most running scenes thanks to how often Cruise is on the move, especially in Dubai. The least amount of running comes in Mission: Impossible II , where the time is even aided by plenty of slow-motion. Below is a full list of how much Tom Cruise runs in the Mission: Impossible movies.

Why Does Tom Cruise Run So Much In The Mission: Impossible Movies

Tom Cruise has never addressed exactly why he runs so much in the Mission: Impossible movies, but his desire to run fast on-screen transcends this particular franchise. Most of Cruise's action movies include sequences where he runs, and he has been very particular in the past about even allowing co-stars to run with him in scenes. The most likely explanation is that Tom Cruise's running scenes are another example of his incredible shape, while they also double as action sequences that are less dangerous. Now that he is getting a bit older, how much Tom Cruise runs in the Mission: Impossible movies decreasing dramatically is understandable.

Key Release Date

Mission: impossible - dead reckoning part one.

• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

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Johnny depp beat tom hanks, tom cruise and michael jackson for ‘edward scissorhands’ role.

The actor's breakout role in Tim Burton's 1990 film launched a years-long collaboration between the actor and filmmaker.

By Carly Thomas

Carly Thomas

Associate Editor

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Johnny Depp has revealed which A-listers he beat out for his big screen breakout role in Tim Burton ‘s Edward Scissorhands .

During an interview in Tara Wood’s still-untitled Burton docuseries, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Monday, the actor looked back at the 1990 film that ignited a years-long screen collaboration between Depp and the filmmaker.

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The Pirates of the Caribbean actor said when he first read the Edward Scissorhands script from Burton and screenwriter Caroline Thompson, it “passed through everything, anything, solid and went to the very core of whatever I am. The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful. What I suppose [attracted] me emotionally was that Edward was me. It’s exactly what I should be doing.” 

However, Depp admitted he felt like he was becoming “pigeonholed” as a teen star at the time with his role in 21 Jump Street  from 1987 to 1990. And he saw John Waters’ 1990 film Cry-Baby as “the first solid step in the direction” for him.

“In all honesty, I was probably doing my best for probably the last two years to get fired,” he said of 21 Jump Street . “I knew how important the choice to make  Cry-Baby  with John Waters was, which gave me the opportunity to make fun of this arena I’d been placed in.”

As Depp continued to move in the direction he had dreamt about, his agent finally booked him a meeting with Burton for Edward Scissorhands . But it led to a moment of self-sabotage upon learning about all the A-list stars also fighting for the role of Edward.

“He’s never going to cast me when everyone in Hollywood is after the part,” Depp recalled thinking. “Tim’s really juggling because he’s getting hit by his agent, the studio, everybody. So I called my agent after reading the script and said, ‘Please cancel the meeting, I’m not going.’ She said, ‘Are you fucking nuts?’”

But Depp “finally gave in,” ultimately leading him to become one of Burton’s onscreen muses for years to come. The duo collaborated on numerous projects, including 1994’s  Ed Wood , 2005’s  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and 2010’s Alice in Wonderland .

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Tom Cruise Film List

2. Endless Love

3. The Outsiders

4. Risky Business

5. Losin' It

6. All the Right Moves

9. The Color of Money

10. Rain Man

11. Cocktail

12. Born on the Fourth of July

13. Days of Thunder

14. Far and Away

15. A Few Good Men

16. The Firm

17. Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles

18. Mission: Impossible

19. Jerry Maguire

20. Magnolia

21. Eyes Wide Shut

22. Mission: Impossible II

23. Vanilla Sky

24. Minority Report

25. Austin Powers in Goldmember

More to explore, recently viewed.