Each Single Tom Cruise Film, Ranked From Worst to Greatest

By some means Cruise bought roped into being a part of this feature-film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. However depart it to him to put all of it on the market.

Although the film is unwatchable, Cruise gives its solely memorable moments when his rock-star character belts out traditional songs like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Wished Lifeless or Alive.”

Cruise’s first look in a film is that this Nineteen Eighties teen romance drama starring Brooke Shields that is greatest identified for giving us the Diana Ross/Lionel Richie title track.

Cruise will get a short little bit of display time as one of many male lead’s pals. It is fairly forgettable, however it’s nonetheless higher than “Rock of Ages.”

Between “Mission: Inconceivable” films, Cruise tried to kick off one other motion franchise by bringing the principle character of the Lee Baby novel sequence to the large display.

Although the primary film simply bought over the $200 million mark on the worldwide field workplace, the efficiency (or lack thereof) by the sequel indicated nobody needed any extra Mr. Reacher. It barely made $162 million worldwide.

Cruise was all set to be the Robert Downey Jr. of Common’s Darkish Universe with the discharge of this film and guarantees of extra creature footage to come back. However enjoying a soldier of fortune who tries to cease an historical Egyptian princess from taking on the world did not seize audiences. It was one other franchise not meant to be.

Nonetheless getting his legs beneath him within the film biz, Cruise signed onto this teen comedy wherein he is certainly one of 4 pals who go on a hard-partying highway journey to Tijuana in hopes of dropping their virginity. Sure, even Cruise could not cover from the teen-sex-comedy style when he began his profession.

Man, John Woo deserved higher than this. The legendary Hong Kong director took over the “Mission: Inconceivable” reins after Brian De Palma kicked issues off with the primary film, however Woo did not discover the identical success.

“Mission: Inconceivable II” did go on to grow to be one of many highest-grossing films of 2000, with over $546 million earned worldwide, however with its weak plot and character improvement, it has not aged wherever close to in addition to the primary film (or the opposite films within the franchise).

Although “Jack Reacher” was the primary time Cruise labored along with his longtime “Mission: Inconceivable” director, Christopher McQuarrie, and it options the legendary director Werner Herzog because the film’s villain, Cruise as Jack Reacher is a seen-it-before character who is not thrilling.

Right here, Cruise tried to go the sci-fi route in hopes of getting a breakthrough “Minority Report”-like expertise for the viewers. However the story was nowhere as sharp, and its postapocalyptic vibe left us all feeling uninterested.

Marking the primary film launched by United Artists after Cruise and his producing companion Paula Wagner took over (the 2 left UA after a few years) was “Lions for Lambs,” a tense drama set across the struggle in Afghanistan and directed by Robert Redford.

Cruise gave his all enjoying an agenda-pushing senator and has some sturdy scenes reverse Meryl Streep. However the film is simply uninteresting.

Cruise and his spouse on the time, Nicole Kidman, paired collectively on this Eighteen Nineties-set epic directed by Ron Howard. The 2 play Irish immigrants looking for a fortune in America. Exterior the plush pictures, there is not a lot to get pleasure from about this film. And do not get me began on Cruise’s terrible Irish accent.

On the tail finish of Cruise’s heartthrob part, the director Cameron Crowe teamed with him once more after their vastly profitable collaboration on “Jerry Maguire” to make a really completely different love story.

Primarily based on the Spanish film “Open Your Eyes,” Cruise performs a useless New York Metropolis media playboy who has a unique outlook on life after being in a horrific automobile crash. Although Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penélope Cruz (who additionally starred in “Open Your Eyes”) all give prime performances, Crowe goes too bizarre with the story, leaving viewers out within the void by the point the film will get into the house stretch.

Mixing motion and darkish comedy in telling the real-life story of the drug runner Barry Seal appeared like a pleasant pivot for Cruise, however on the finish of the day, the director Doug Liman’s film is simply too shiny to be taken critically. (Accent replace: Cruise delivers a tolerable Southern drawl.)

Cruise stars as an American soldier in Nineteenth-century Japan who embraces the samurai tradition. The film went on to obtain 4 Oscar nominations, however it’s the type of title wherein one viewing is sufficient.

And on a aspect notice: Wow, would this film get hammered on social media if it got here out in the present day.

One other launch from the time Cruise was calling the pictures at UA, “Valkyrie” sees him enjoying one of many rogue Nazi officers who try to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

(Accent replace: Cruise — and mainly many of the different Nazi officers — determined to not even hassle with a German accent. Sensible choice; the viewers did not even discover [holds back giggles].)

Steven Spielberg teamed up with Cruise after “Minority Report” for this blockbuster remake of the traditional sci-fi film. Although it made some huge cash, it was darkish in tone — possibly somewhat too darkish. Be sincere: Have you ever needed to see this film once more?

That is a type of films that do not get sufficient credit score. The director James Mangold cleverly takes all of the frequent action-hero traits and has Cruise make enjoyable of them. You may wish to give this each other viewing.

Not like in “Infinite Love,” Cruise actually capitalized on this small function. As a army cadet who takes his obligations approach too critically, Cruise is a standout within the film and confirmed audiences (and Hollywood executives) that he had leading-man potential.

It is one of many films in Cruise’s profession that trip totally on his beauty. Truthfully, this film ought to have simply been titled “Intercourse.” Cruise performs a sizzling New York Metropolis bartender who has goals of creating it huge, and it is his hotness that is going to get him to the highest. It is traditional Scorching Man Cruise — who cares that the story is rubbish.

J.J. Abrams takes over the franchise for this one and does a formidable job. It additionally helps that you’ve got the abilities of Philip Seymour Hoffman enjoying the villain. It is higher than “Mission: Inconceivable II,” so we’re getting into the suitable course.

Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of the traditional novel introduced all the largest names from younger Hollywood collectively, and Cruise was proper there within the combine. With Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Emilio Estevez, and Rob Lowe, the film is fairly heavy-handed with the drama, however it’s enjoyable to observe all these superb skills on the display collectively.

Rebounding from the so-so efficiency of “Jack Reacher,” McQuarrie jumps on the “Mission: Inconceivable” franchise and ups the motion stakes. Yep, that is the one the place Cruise hangs from the aspect of an enormous aircraft taking off. The film additionally bought an additional jolt with the inclusion of Rebecca Ferguson within the supporting forged.

With its breakthroughs in CGI and tech, the primary teaming of Spielberg and Cruise lived as much as the hype. This film was so superior in its execution and what it showcased that it had a “Jurassic Park”-style ripple impact, within the sense that it has influenced numerous motion and sci-fi films since.

This “Mission: Inconceivable” might go down as the most effective motion films ever — its stunts and motion sequences are that superb. This time, McQuarrie offers us a deeper have a look at what makes Ethan Hunt tick and the values he lives by. However it’s actually the motion that stays with you.

Although Cruise does not have a whole lot of display time, his presence on this film can’t be ignored. Taking part in a despicable film govt named Les Grossman, he brings that patented depth to a job that for many actors would have been a mail-it-in cameo function. In Cruise’s arms, it is the most effective comedic performances of the early 2000s.

Two months after Cruise hit theaters along with his first lead film, “Dangerous Enterprise,” he was again once more with this very completely different film a few Pennsylvania high-school soccer participant who clashes along with his coach.

“Dangerous Enterprise” confirmed that Cruise had no downside being the face of a film, however “All of the Proper Strikes” proved he might be greater than the charming lead with beauty. This one confirmed he might be a critical actor.

It is the film that breathed life again into the “Mission: Inconceivable” franchise. It got here 5 years after “Mission: Inconceivable III,” and in that point Cruise struggled with a picture downside and a string of underperforming films. He had lots to show with this one. And with the casting of Jeremy Renner, Cruise most likely sensed he might lose his beloved franchise if the film did not work.

Nonetheless, Brad Chook’s course and Cruise’s disregard for frequent sense — on this one he climbs the world’s tallest constructing, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai — put him again on prime, because the film grew to become a world hit.

In “The Agency,” based mostly on the best-selling John Grisham novel, Cruise offers a improbable efficiency as a hotshot lawyer who indicators on with some of the prestigious US regulation companies solely to search out it has fairly a darkish aspect. The period of “Tom Cruise runs” actually launched with this film.

There are various issues to like concerning the “Mission: Inconceivable” franchise: Its James Bond-like devices. Cruise’s disregard for his life and security relating to pulling off superb stunts. However the largest factor to like is that the movies simply appear to get higher and higher.

The primary “M:I,” directed by Brian De Palma, set the bar very excessive. Nonetheless, since McQuarrie took the reins in 2015 with “Rogue Nation,” the franchise has gotten a jolt within the arm. It appears to all the time outdo itself, and “Lifeless Reckoning” makes good on that promise.

The excessive stakes, the well timed villain being AI, and, after all, Tom Cruise in the midst of some superb thrills makes this movie the most effective within the franchise.

Earlier than “Days of Thunder,” Cruise and Tony Scott teamed up for what would grow to be one of many actor’s most iconic roles: the fighter pilot Maverick. What Cruise does not pull off acting-wise he makes up for with brooding seems and shirtless volleyball abilities.

Ridley Scott’s lovely fantasy film continues to be a marvel of moviemaking. The sensible results and manufacturing design put into this film, made again when CGI was scarce, are a treasure. And on the middle is a fresh-faced Cruise who tries to get his lady again from the villain who gave me probably the most nightmares as a child, Darkness (performed completely by Tim Curry).

Within the eighth film in Cruise’s epic adventures as Ethan Hunt, he prevents the AI villain often known as “The Entity” from destroying the world due to a whole lot of complicated motion sequences, together with going to the depths of the ocean and getting spun round a prop aircraft.

Although the film’s practically three-hour runtime drags, the thrills make up for it. If that is Cruise’s last “M:I,” he ended on a excessive notice.

We actually do not discuss sufficient about this one sufficient. Michael Mann’s slow-burn crime film stars Cruise as a hitman who forces a cab driver (Jamie Foxx) to drive him round Los Angeles as he goes on his “jobs.” The appearing by each Cruise and Foxx on this film is a few of their greatest work.

Cruise and Kidman teamed up once more, this time beneath the watch of Stanley Kubrick in what can be his last film. Each actors are pushed to the boundaries because the film explores a wedding at a crossroads. Although “Eyes Broad Shut” will not be near Kubrick’s greatest work, Cruise and Kidman are riveting.

Thirty-six years after enjoying Pete “Maverick” Mitchell he returns to the function within the uncommon legacy sequel that is higher than the unique film.

Although Tony Scott’s landmark “Prime Gun” made Cruise a celebrity and have become an prompt Nineteen Eighties traditional, the director Joseph Kosinski has elevated the story with extra death-defying dogfight jet stunts and a extra compelling story.

This time Maverick returns to the Prime Gun college to be a trainer of the brand new hot-shot pilots. However he should cope with his personal demons as one of many college students is the son of his greatest buddy, Goose, who died in his arms within the first film.

Cruise delivers certainly one of his greatest performances in years.

It is just about every little thing you’ll assume can be in a Tony Scott film: numerous quick vehicles and large egos. Cruise is in his glory in each scene enjoying the hot-shot Nascar driver Cole Trickle (and Kidman seems as his love curiosity).

It is the film that made Cruise a star. The approaching-of-age story does not shrink back from its mature storyline, and Cruise delivers a playful efficiency but additionally reveals sparks of his dramatic chops that he’ll showcase within the decade to come back.

Boy have issues modified because the first “Mission: Inconceivable.” With De Palma on the helm, the film had its motion, however it was encased in a tense whodunit thriller. Since then the motion has solely gotten larger (and the story, nicely, much less of a priority), however Cruise has all the time been improbable as Hunt.

The primary film is his greatest appearing work of the franchise. (Accent replace: Cruise delivers one other Southern accent whereas disguised originally of the film — a type of traditional face-rip-off disguises. It is temporary however efficient within the scene.)

Cruise offers certainly one of his greatest performances as Lestat, a vampire from the 1700s who finds a whole lot of drama in his undead life as soon as he recruits Louis (Brad Pitt). (Accent replace: His little trace of a French accent to remain true to the character’s portrayal within the traditional Anne Rice guide is completely refined.)

Whether or not you wish to name it “Fringe of Tomorrow” or “Dwell. Die. Repeat.,” it is only a actually nice motion film. With Liman directing and McQuarrie as a screenwriter, Cruise is surrounded by folks he trusts to make a dangerous venture: a soldier who relives the identical day. However the MVP of the film is Emily Blunt, who delivers a efficiency that makes Cruise kick it up a number of notches.

At all times at his greatest when he is enjoying a personality with main battle, Cruise performs a man all the time seeking to capitalize on the angles till he is lastly in a state of affairs wherein he needs to be on the extent: constructing a relationship along with his autistic savant brother (Dustin Hoffman).

Receiving a best-actor nomination for his efficiency as a slick sports activities agent whose life turns the wrong way up after having a second of readability, Cruise was, due to this film, at his top of stardom and energy in Hollywood.

Rob Reiner’s courtroom drama has Cruise going up towards Jack Nicholson, and it is pure magic. Sure, there’s the “cannot deal with the reality” scene, however for us, it begins earlier within the film when the 2 characters meet for the primary time.

Due to the unbelievable dialogue by Aaron Sorkin, each actors subtly commerce off with one another, however it’s the fireplace being held again that makes the ending when they’re face-to-face once more so memorable.

It doesn’t matter what you consider Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic have a look at household, love, and forgiveness, it is onerous to dispute that it has probably the most highly effective efficiency of Cruise’s profession.

Taking part in a pickup artist who makes use of his skills to construct a public-speaking profession, Cruise seems as we have by no means seen him earlier than. Anderson and Cruise linked over coping with the lack of their fathers and use that darkness to create the character of Frank T. J. Mackey.

Paul Newman received just one Oscar in his iconic profession, and it was for this film. However it’s important to give a giant help to Cruise.

Taking part in the protégé to the pool participant “Quick Eddie” Felson — the function Newman first performed in 1961’s “The Hustler” — Cruise is a cocky participant, and you may by no means inform whether or not he is on the extent with Felson. Cruise proved as soon as once more that he is greater than only a fairly face.

Cruise bought an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the veteran and activist Ron Kovic, who was paralyzed preventing in Vietnam. Oliver Stone traces Kovic’s journey from being a wide-eyed soldier pondering he is doing what’s proper for America to coming dwelling from the struggle to search out every little thing has modified. Together with the best way he views his personal nation.

Cruise has by no means been higher as he delivers a tour de pressure efficiency that also offers us chills.