The 15 greatest Tom Cruise films ranked, from “Mission: Unimaginable ”to “Magnolia”

"There’ll by no means be one other Tom Cruise."

So declared Glen Powell, who the enduring star mentored on and off-screen for 2022's Top Gun: Maverick. Certainly, the circumstances that produced Cruise — a worldwide monoculture, a more healthy Hollywood ecosystem, a stronger delineation between TV and cinema — are unlikely to recur within the streaming period. It's troublesome to think about any American entertainer ever attaining the same degree of fame and cultural affect.

But Cruise's sheer fame isn't what makes him an amazing film star —it's what he's achieved with the notoriety. On the top of his superstardom, he sought out bold, uncommon tasks from legendary filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg and then-rising skills like Paul Thomas Anderson and Cameron Crowe. He'd already made nice movies in virtually each style — the coming-of-age dramedy, the courtroom thriller, up to date and interval romances — earlier than solidifying himself as his technology's defining motion star.

With a brand new Mission: Impossible movie in theaters, Leisure Weekly has ranked Cruise's greatest performances up to now. Learn on for our checklist of the highest 15 Tom Cruise films.

15. Jack Reacher (2012)

Maybe essentially the most underappreciated entry within the Cruise canon, Jack Reacher sees the titular drifter sucked into investigating a mysterious mass capturing in Pittsburgh.

Followers of Lee Youngster's unique novels decried Cruise's casting as Reacher, a hulking determine akin to Alan Ritchson (who now performs the character on Prime Video's Reacher). However divorced from the supply materials, there's an simple thrill in seeing a person of Cruise's stature (often reported as 5′ 7″) taking up attackers far bigger than him. The actor brings a hard-edged gruffness to a personality whose anti-establishment cynicism feels distinctive within the performer's pantheon of protagonists.

Where to watch Jack Reacher: Paramount+

14. The Coloration of Cash (1986)

Cruise's lone collaboration with Martin Scorsese got here on this pro-pool drama — a sequel to 1961's The Hustler with Paul Newman reprising his position as "Quick Eddie" Felson, the hard-edged mentor to Cruise's cocky nine-ball whiz Vincent.

The Coloration of Cash and Cruise's different 1986 venture, Top Gun, established the star persona that he carries into virtually each future movie: a preternaturally gifted, effortlessly charming golden boy oozing confidence and depth, whose greatest challenges come up not from an absence of talent or competence, however from the thorniness of his ego and his fraught relationships with father figures.

The movie concurrently capabilities as a passing-of-the-torch second between two legendary stars and a celebration of Newman, who gained his solely (and long-overdue) Oscar for his efficiency.

Where to watch The Color of Money: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

13. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

In Oliver Stone's harrowing conflict drama, Cruise performs Ron Kovic, a real-life Marine veteran who, in his autobiography Born on the Fourth of July, documented his worldview's radical shift after enlisting within the Vietnam Warfare and changing into paralyzed on the battlefield.

Within the movie's early scenes, Cruise shows a naive, unwavering patriotism that seamlessly meshed with the actor's army heroics in High Gun three years earlier — which makes Kovic's stark transition to impassioned anti-war advocacy all of the extra shocking within the runtime's second half.

It's right here that the actor first absolutely uncorks the bottled rage that appears to be simmering underneath the floor of most of his performances, channeling it into the righteous fury of a person who feels betrayed by his nation and misled by its values.

Where to watch Born on the Fourth of July: Amazon Prime Video

12. Far and Away (1992)

One among Cruise's solely makes an attempt at a non-American accent got here in Far and Away, an immigrant drama partially impressed by the Irish-American ancestors of director Ron Howard. Of their second of three on-screen collaborations (between Days of Thunder and Eyes Wide Shut), then-real-life spouses Cruise and Nicole Kidman have their strongest romantic chemistry, sharing extra screentime right here than of their different two tasks mixed.

The movie sees tenant farmer Joseph (Cruise) reluctantly flee to america with Shannon (Kidman), the rebellious daughter of his rich landlord. The diametrically opposed companions barely know one another once they traverse the Atlantic and share a scorching, contentious flirtation whereas compelled to adapt to a brand new tradition.

Far and Away's sweeping scale, energetic banter, and beautiful visuals guarantee it's amongst Cruise's most romantic love tales.

Where to watch Far and Away: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

11. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann's tense crime thriller asks a chilling query: What if a Tom Cruise character was simply straight-up evil (and likewise unironically used the phrase "homie")? Because the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his ordinary on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, exact physicality, ruthless persistence — however turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral assassin.

The movie sees Vincent pressure Jamie Foxx's mild-mannered taxi driver Max to chauffeur him round Los Angeles as he performs a string of chilling assassinations. All of the whereas, Cruise maintains an unflinching, steely gaze that means he's always contemplating essentially the most environment friendly methodology of wiping out everybody in his field of regard. He's a chilly, unfeeling killing machine — particularly within the movie's standout nightclub shootout sequence that echoes The Terminator.

Where to watch Collateral: Paramount+

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10. Dangerous Enterprise (1983)

Cruise's star-making flip on this fashionable teen drama sees the his boyish allure at an all-time excessive. As rich highschool scholar Joel, Cruise embraces his character's earnest dorkiness on the movie's begin. Contemplating the machismo and swagger of his future roles, it's virtually jarring to see him play such a naïve sweetie-pie with out an oz of irony or cool issue.

But Cruise's inherent magnetism nonetheless shines by way of in even the corniest moments — the "Outdated Time Rock and Roll" underpants-and-socks dance endures for a purpose. Because the movie progresses and Joel descends right into a darker world of exploitation and cruelty, Cruise regularly chips away at his innocence to disclose a sober, world-weary demeanor. Concluding the film as a surprisingly mature teenager is an enchanting transition right into a decade-plus of Cruise enjoying immature grown-ups.

Where to watch Risky Business: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

9. Warfare of the Worlds (2005)

In one among his solely performances as an ostensibly regular man, Cruise brings magnificent dirtbag power to War of the Worlds' Ray, a working-class deadbeat dad whose one weekend along with his youngsters (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) overlaps with an alien invasion.

Director Steven Spielberg's physique of labor is notoriously filled with divorced dads, however this movie marks a uncommon try at framing the absentee father determine as a sympathetic protagonist, reasonably than an unsupportive aspect character or an unseen agent of disappointment.

Cruise excels at highlighting Ray's complete parental ignorance. Although the character's survival instincts enable him to simply barely navigate the apocalyptic panorama, his utter failure to know kids makes him one among Cruise's most incompetent characters, resulting in quite a few moments of comedic gold and much more cases of alarming patheticness. Right here, the star and director efficiently trip the cultural wave of post-9/11 anxiousness, making the movie one of many darkest tasks in both of their filmographies.

Where to watch War of the Worlds: Paramount+

8. A Few Good Males (1992)

Cruise's most verbose position is available in Rob Reiner's adaptation of the fast-paced play by Aaron Sorkin, who additionally wrote the screenplay. Te actor stars as Daniel Kaffee, the cocky lieutenant junior grade naval legal professional who reluctantly defends two Marines (Wolfgang Bodison and James Marshall) accused of murdering their fellow officer at Guantanamo Bay.

Like most Sorkin ventures, A Few Good Males romanticizes course of and process. Lots of the film's most thrilling moments come from Kaffee working by way of the shoe leather-based of crafting a protection along with his associates (Demi Moore and Kevin Pollak) and arguing their case within the courtroom, making the screenwriter's detail-oriented dialogue sing.

But there's additionally a stirring pressure within the movie's — and Kaffee's — view of order and self-discipline, as strict adherence to the chain of command finally allows cruelty and abuse. Cruise deftly portrays Kaffee's gradual disillusionment with the establishments to which he's devoted his life.

Where to watch A Few Good Men: Pluto TV

7. Vanilla Sky (2001)

Cameron Crowe's audacious genre-bender — a remake of Alejandro Amenábar's 1998 Spanish movie Abre Los Ojos — fuses psychological thrills, romantic craving, and existential sci-fi into an absurd fantasy melodrama.

Vanilla Sky permits Cruise to do just about all the pieces he’s good at, as his character David Aames runs, jumps off a constructing, juggles a number of romantic pursuits (Penélope Cruz and Cameron Diaz), performs up his bro-chemistry along with his greatest buddy (Jason Lee), and questions his actuality alongside an impossibly idealized father determine (Kurt Russell).

The movie can be an introspective interrogation of Cruise's stardom, confronting its essential character with uncomfortable realities: his world is synthetic, insulated, and fleeting, and his multimillion-dollar attractiveness might disappear instantly. Does he really possess any significant energy or management? Does the lifetime of a famous person imply something in any respect? Is any of this actual? It's a deeply paranoid characteristic that asks extra questions than it cares to reply, drawing fascinating parallels to Cruise's singular place in American tradition.

Where to watch Vanilla Sky: Paramount+

6. Minority Report (2002)

In Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Philip Ok. Dick's futuristic sci-fi novella, Cruise portrays Detective John Anderton, a Washington D.C. investigator who heads the town's Precrime division. His job is to arrest would-be criminals earlier than they break the regulation utilizing predictive expertise — till he's prophesied to commit a homicide, and goes on the run to clear his title.

Minority Report is Spielberg's most thrilling motion film exterior the Indiana Jones collection, boasting tightly constructed chase scenes and suspense set items that really feel like Alfred Hitchcock crafted a cyberpunk dystopia. It's additionally as considerate as it’s entertaining, grappling with alternative, destiny, and data whereas contemplating the issues of the justice system. Cruise grounds the movie with quiet pathos, giving Anderton a haunted, remorseful desperation as he reels from the loss of life of his son and tries to outlive an invasive surveillance state.

Where to watch Minority Report: Paramount+

5. Eyes Large Shut (1999)

Stanley Kubrick's ultimate movie stars Cruise as Invoice Hartford, a younger physician in New York Metropolis who stumbles previous the boundaries of well mannered society and into the mysterious underworld of the ruling class, rife with cultish orgies, exploitation, and, seemingly, homicide. The film considerations paranoia and infidelity, each actual and imagined, as Invoice struggles to reconcile potential flaws in his marriage to Alice (Nicole Kidman).

Hartford is one among Cruise's extra empty-headed characters. He's simply good sufficient to know that there are huge worlds — each within the higher crust's shadowy underbelly and inside his spouse's unconscious — that he's essentially incapable of greedy, however not good sufficient to understand he'll by no means determine them out regardless of his persistent curiosity.

It's one of many actor's funniest performances, as his unearned confidence and fragile ego depart him befuddled and offended in each ridiculous and mundane conditions.

Where to watch Eyes Wide Shut: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

4. High Gun (1986) / High Gun: Maverick (2022)

Cruise's highest-grossing venture(s) stay a few of his most interesting work. In his first flip as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 1986, the actor reveals off the best property of his early profession: his inherent hotshot charisma. That swagger helps make clear his character's pure abilities (on this case, aerial fight within the Navy) and his barely-concealed grief.

Within the 2022 follow-up, Cruise returns as a middle-aged, weary Maverick, burdened by duty, guilt, and the problem of passing down his knowledge to the subsequent technology. The movie's somber romanticism grounds the stainless airborne motion with a wealthy emotional core, paving the way in which for overwhelming catharsis on the conclusion.

Very similar to the latter-day Mission: Unimaginable movies, Maverick doubles as a meta meditation on Cruise’s place in Hollywood — the flicks might need moved on from passionate famous person specialists like Cruise, however Cruise hasn't but given up on the flicks, and he's going to indicate everybody the way it's achieved earlier than it's too late.

Where to watch Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick: Paramount+

3. The Mission: Unimaginable franchise (1996-2025)

Cruise has performed fearless IMF agent Ethan Hunt in eight films spanning 30 years — longer than anyone actor has performed James Bond — and the sheer madness of the movies (and the actor's stunts) solely continues to ramp up.

Whereas all of them ship breathless globe-trotting thrills, the franchise's first 4 entries are emblematic of their administrators' distinct strengths: Brian De Palma's paranoid Hitchcockian suspense within the kickstarter (1996); John Woo's goofy maximalist motion in M:I 2 (2000); J.J. Abrams' character-driven gritt in M:I 3 (2006); and Brad Chook's bravura visible storytelling in Ghost Protocol (2011).

The latter 4 entries are all helmed by Cruise's strongest up to date artistic associate, Christopher McQuarrie. They place additional emphasis on the performer's daredevil stunts, together with however not restricted to: clinging to, leaping out of, and balancing atop airplanes; dangling from helicopters and cliffs; high-octane automobile and bike chases; and, after all, sprinting in opposition to a backdrop of world-famous landmarks.

It's maybe essentially the most dependable, fastidiously crafted American franchise of the final 30 years. All of the whereas, Cruise carries the spirit of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Jackie Chan by placing his physique on the road for our leisure.

Where to watch the Mission: Impossible franchise: Paramount+

2. Jerry Maguire (1996)

The actor's strongest lead efficiency arrived in Cameron Crowe's sports-dramedy Jerry Maguire, which is completely calibrated to Cruise's distinctive strengths. As hot-shot agent Jerry, he will get to be charming, unhinged, overly sentimental, and puzzlingly distant, typically concurrently. His uncommon mixture of intense directness and inscrutability is likely one of the movie's key conflicts, as Jerry and Dorothy (Renée Zellweger) wrestle to construct a brand new life collectively.

Jerry Maguire is each down-to-earth and larger-than-life due to Crowe's distinctive sensibilities, permitting snappy dialogue and sweeping romance to coexist with complicated, understated character drama. It's a captivating, meandering portrait of a flawed man attempting to do his job — his vanity upends his profession, his worry of loneliness fosters questionable relationships, and people relationships unspool due to his incapacity to be susceptible. After a number of considerably disconnected scenes by which little or no occurs, you’re immediately left with the impression that all the pieces has occurred.

Where to watch Jerry Maguire: Pluto TV

1. Magnolia (1999)

Although many movies put Cruise's star energy to good use in complicated, cantankerous characters, none match the nuance and uncooked emotion of Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling, melodramatic Magnolia.

As "Seduce and Destroy" mastermind Frank T.J. Mackey, the actor embodies an evasive unknowability, a seemingly bottomless depth, and a piercing glare, spending the vast majority of the movie antagonizing an interviewer and riling up a crowd of insecure incels.

Mackey's aggressive misogyny borders on sociopathy. It looks like a facade concealing one thing else, but there are such a lot of layers of posturing that it's not utterly clear if there's something beneath the floor. Then, in maybe the best scene of his profession, Cruise finds the overwhelming ache at Mackey's core in a disarmingly sincere breakdown at his father's deathbed.

It's Cruise's most beautiful efficiency and most difficult project up to now. Right here, he crafts a profoundly unlikable character — with restricted display time in a movie with eight different equally compelling leads — and manages to generate immense sympathy, each regardless of and as a result of of his surface-level monstrosity.

Where to watch Magnolia: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

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