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Tom Cruise isn’t just a movie star; he’s in a league of his own. With four decades in the spotlight and countless hits, he’s continued to make his mark at the ripe old age of 61. His latest hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, prove Cruise remains at the top of his game.
From deep drama to high-octane action, Cruise is undeniably one of Hollywood’s best. Whether you’ve always been a diehard fan or are a recent convert, here are some of his best films to date – which is no easy feat, there are over 40 of them!
Best Tom Cruise Movies at a Glance
- Best Overall: Mission Impossible (series)
- Best Action: Top Gun Maverick (2022)
- Best Comedy: Jerry Maguire (1996)
- Best for Families: Risky Business (1983)
- Best Performance: Magnolia (1999)
1. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Todd Field
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Run Time: 2 hours and 39 minutes
In Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise steps into the shoes of Dr. Bill Harford, who’s thrown into a secretive, high-society world after a surprising confession from his wife (Nicole Kidman). It’s a Stanley Kubrick film, so expect a complex, visually stunning ride that really gets you thinking about love and trust.
2. Magnolia (1999)
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Run Time: 3 hours and 8 minutes
Loved by many Tom Cruise fans as one of his best drama performances to date, Magnolia is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Directed again by the talented Stanley Kubrick, Cruise is part of a huge cast of A-List talent, where multiple stories in San Fernando Valley intersect over one rainy day. It’s all about connections and the surprises life throws at us. Have your tissues ready.
3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Glenn Powell
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Run Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
The sequel is better than the original, trust us. In this 2022 rehashing of the 1986 Navy aviation classic, Tom Cruise’s Maverick reaches new heights, exercising some personal demons in the process. The film revisits pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, several years out of service and now working as a mentor for emerging fighter pilots, as he attempts to get his illustrious career back on track. When Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late partner joins the ranks, a flood of memories returns, thrusting the ageing pilot into uncharted emotional territory. The film managed to snag an incredible USD$1.49 billion in box office revenue worldwide, making it the most commercially successful film of Cruise’s remarkable career.
4. A Few Good Men (1992)
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Writer: Aaron Sorkin
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, J. T. Walsh, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kiefer Sutherland
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Run Time: 2h 18m
A Few Good Men is a highlight among Tom Cruise’s ’90s films. He plays Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a Naval lawyer who transforms from indifferent to deeply committed to uncovering the truth. Facing military corruption and Jack Nicholson’s powerful Colonel Jessop, Cruise’s performance shines, matching the intensity of Aaron Sorkin’s writing and Rob Reiner’s strong direction.
5. The Last Samurai (2003)
- Director: Edward Zwick
- Writers: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Run Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
In The Last Samurai, Cruise stars as Capt. Nathan Algren, an American military advisor is caught in the midst of a samurai uprising in Japan. As he trains the Imperial Army, Algren is drawn into the samurai’s fight to preserve their way of life. It’s definitely a thought-provoking film, centring on honour, courage and respect.
6. Minority Report (2002)
- Director: Joseph Kosinski
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Run Time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Anyone else remember studying Minority Report in school? Well, in case you missed it, Cruise stars a cop in a future where crimes can be predicted and stopped before they happen. Things take a wild turn when he’s accused of a future crime. It’s a serious thrill-ride with some big questions about free will and destiny.
7. The Color of Money (1986)
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
- Run Time: 1 hour and 59 minutes
If you’re after some ’80s nostalgia and love yourself a Martin Scorsese film, The Color of Money will definitely tickle ya fancy. In this film, Eddie Felson (played by Paul Newman) a seasoned pool pro, mentors a gifted yet overconfident newcomer in the art of pool hustling (Cruise). This mentorship rekindles Eddie’s own passion, leading him on an unexpected path to a comeback. It’s a movie about mentorship, ambition, and the world of high-stakes pool.
8. War of the Worlds (2005)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Writers: Josh Friedman, David Koepp
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin
- IMDb Rating: 6.5
- Run Time: 1 hour and 56 minutes
Adapted from the classic story by H.G. Wells, War of the Worlds is a thrilling sci-fi adventure where Cruise battles to protect his family during an alien invasion. It’s intense, action-packed, and has some seriously cool special effects (for 2005 times, at least).
9. Tropic Thunder (2008)
- Director: Ben Stiller
- Writers: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Etan Cohen
- Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Tom Cruise
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
- Run Time: 1 hour and 57 minutes
Didn’t know Cruise is in Tropic Thunder? Well, that’s because Cruise is pretty much unrecognisable in a hilarious role in this action-comedy. The comedy centres on a group of actors who find themselves in a real conflict while shooting a war movie. Expect lots of laughs from the likes of Ben Still, Jack Black and Cruise, as well as some unexpected moments.
10. The Firm (1993)
- Director: Sydney Pollack
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Run Time: 2 hours and 34 minutes
A severely underrated Cruise film, The Firm features Cruise as a young lawyer caught in a web of danger and moral dilemmas in a high-powered law firm. An adaptation of John Grisham’s classic novel of the same name, the film follows Cruise’s Mitch, a lawyer who is quickly seduced by the perks that come with his job. Unfortunately, the deeper Mitch goes into the web of deceit, the more he becomes ingrained in the fabric of corruption. It isn’t long before he finds himself trapped into staying quiet about their illegal financial dealings, including those of a Chicago mafia family. With an all-star cast that includes Gene Hackman and Ed Harris, The Frim is a gripping thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
11. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
- Director: Doug Liman
- Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Run Time: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Sci-fi action is somewhat of Tom Cruise’s speciality, and Edge of Tomorrow is no exception. Alongside an all-star cast of Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton, Cruise finds himself reliving the same day over and over in a battle against aliens. It’s as much fun as it sounds, with cool time-loop twists and some epic action scenes.
12. Mission: Impossible (1996)
- Director: Brian De Palma
- Writers: Bruce Geller, David Koepp, Steven Zaillian
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Run Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
The first of a series that will go on to spwan seven (with the eighth set to hit cinemas in 2025), Mission: Impossible stars Tom Cruise a secret agent Ethan Hunt who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous web of espionage. After his team is betrayed and eliminated, Hunt becomes the prime suspect. Now, he must uncover the real mole and clear his name in this high-stakes world of covert operations. It’s Tom Cruise at his high-octane finest.
13. Valkyrie (2008)
- Director: Bryan Singer
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
- Run Time: 2 hours
Set in WWII Nazi Germany, Valkyrie follows a group of German army officers plotting to assassinate Hitler. It’s a gripping historical drama, portraying the daring attempt to overthrow the Nazi regime from within. With a killer cast including Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy and Carice van Houten, Valkyrie is a must-watch for true Cruise fans.
14. Top Gun (1986)
- Director: Tony Scott
- Writers: Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr., Ehud Yonay
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGillis
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Run Time: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Even if you’ve never seen Top Gun (shame on you, honestly), you’ll no doubt have heard about Maverick and Goose (right? RIGHT?) Maverick (Cruise), is a hotshot F-14 pilot, competing against fellow pilots at the Navy’s elite fighter pilot school, alongside best friend Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. It’s a high-flying action film (with a side of romance, of course) that defies gravity. It’s one of Cruise’s most memorable roles.
15. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Writers: Ron Kovic, Oliver Stone
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Bryan Larkin, Raymond J. Barry
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Run Time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Based on a book of the same name, this biographical film tells the story of Ron Kovic (Cruise), a Vietnam War veteran turned anti-war activist. Paralysed in the war, Kovic’s journey is a powerful, heart-wrenching exploration of patriotism, sacrifice, and the search for identity and purpose.
16. Rain Man (1988)
- Director: Barry Levinson
- Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Run Time: 2 hours and 13 minutes
Rain Main is another of Cruise’s claim-to-fame films, proving he can pull off more than a good stunt. Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a self-centred car dealer who discovers his estranged father has left a fortune to his autistic brother, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman). What follows is an emotional road trip that changes Charlie’s understanding of family, responsibility, and love.
17. Vanilla Sky (2001)
- Director: Cameron Crowe
- Writers: Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil, Cameron Crowe
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Run Time: 2 hours and 14 minutes
Another underrated Cruise film, Vanilla Sky follows David Aames (Cruise), a publishing magnate whose life spirals into a fever dream state following a car accident (caused by a scorned lover, as you do). As he recounts his story, the lines between reality and dreams blur in this intriguing tale of romance, mystery, and self-discovery. Make sure you pay close attention with this one, it can get a bit confusing if you lose focus!
18. Jerry Maguire (1996)
- Director: Cameron Crowe
- Writer: Cameron Crowe
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Run Time: 2h 19m
Jerry Maguire is full of unforgettable scenes and lines, but it’s more than just catchy phrases. Tom Cruise shines as a sports agent searching for his soul in this heartfelt, romantic, and slightly biting story. His journey, including falling for Dorothy (Renée Zellweger in a breakthrough role), is layered with complexity, making it one of Cruise’s most emotionally rich films.
19. Risky Business (1983)
- Director: Paul Brickman
- Writer: Paul Brickman
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay, Joe Pantoliano
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
- Run Time: 1h 39m
In Risky Business, a coming of age story, Tom Cruise plays a high-achieving student whose parents’ getaway leads to some unforgettable – if not risky – adventures. The film, known for Cruise’s iconic dance to “Old Time Rock and Roll” in tighty whities, cemented his Hollywood star status. Directed and written by Paul Brickman, it certainly showcases Cruise’s early talent as an actor.
20. Days of Thunder (1990)
- Director: Tony Scott
- Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, John C. Reilly
- IMDb Rating: 6.1
- Run Time: 1h 47m
The movie that brought Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman together, Days of Thunder gets a little lost in the action legend’s amazing portfolio, but it’s well worth a watch. The flick follows Cole Trickle, a talented racer who inadvertently befriends Rowdy after they both land up in a hospital due to an on-track accident. Throw in a romantic relationship with a beautiful neurosurgeon and Cruise’s steely intensity and you got a bonafide hit. Watching the film, it’s obvious that Days of Thunder served as the inspiration for Will Ferrell hit Talladega Nights, both of which coincidentally star John C. Reilly.
Why Trust Our List of the Best Tom Cruise Movies
Think of us as your own personal IMDB/Rotten Tomato/data crunching assistants who’ve scoured the internet to find the best Tom Cruise movies of all time. We’ve checked out heaps of reviews – both from critics and movie-goers – to really understand which of his movies are a must-watch.
These aren’t just any films; they’re the ones that have impressed audiences and critics alike, generally scoring around 7 or higher on IMDB. We’re talking about a mix of genres here, showcasing Tom’s range as an actor. So, you’re in for some solid entertainment with this list, featuring everything from edge-of-your-seat action to thought-provoking drama.
Alternatives to Best Tom Cruise Movies
Made your way through the best of Tom Cruise’s movies and looking for more movies to add to your watch list? We’ve got ya sorted with the below:
- What’s New on Netflix This Month
- Best Movies on Netflix Australia
- Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix
- Best Australian Shows on Netflix
Best Tom Cruise Movies FAQs
There are actually several underrated Tom Cruise films, but if we had to pick one, it’d be Valkyrie. Cruise delivers a standout performance in this gripping WWII movie, starring as a complex anti-hero involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. His performance is truly outstanding.
Risky Business (1983) is undeniably the film that skyrocketed Tom Cruise to fame. We all know the scene: a young, charismatic star, sliding across the floor in those legendary sunglasses and socks. It’s this role that transformed him from an up-and-coming actor to a household name and paved his path to becoming one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men.
You betcha Tom Cruise does his own stunts. Cruise is known for his daredevil approach to stunts. From scaling the Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol to riding a motorcyle off the edge of a cliff (then parachuting down) in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, he does a lot of his own stunt work. It adds a level of authenticity to his action scenes that’s pretty hard to beat.
