Ah, Tom Cruise. The man, the myth, the eternal leading man of Hollywood. With a career spanning over four decades and an extensive list of iconic roles under his belt, it’s no wonder Cruise is such a beloved figure in cinema today. But with so many Tom Cruise movies out there to choose from, it can be tough to decide which ones are worth your time and money. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top 21 favorites.
Starting with the very best and ending with those that didn’t quite make the cut, this article will take you through some of Tom Cruise’s greatest performances – all delivered with his signature charm and energy. Get ready to see which films come out on top (and which don’t) as we delve into what makes each one unique in its own right – showcasing not only Cruise’s impressive range but also his incredible talent as an actor overall. So sit back, relax, and get ready for a journey through one of Hollywood’s biggest stars’ most beloved works.
Tom Cruise Movies in Order
When it comes to ranking Tom Cruise movies in order, there are many factors to consider. However, for the purposes of this article, we’ll be primarily focusing on two key metrics: critics’ reviews and audience ratings. We believe that these two factors provide a well-rounded and fair representation of the quality of each Tom Cruise movie.
To determine the critics’ rating for each Tom Cruise movie, we’ll be using the average score on review aggregator websites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. These scores give us a sense of how well the film was received by professional film critics.
In addition to the critics’ ratings, we’ll also be considering the audience ratings from sites like IMDb and Google. These ratings provide a good indication of how much regular moviegoers enjoyed the Tom Cruise movie and can give us a more general sense of its overall appeal.
While we’ll be giving the most weight to these two factors, we’ll also be considering other elements such as box office success and personal preference to help us finalize our rankings of Tom Cruise movies in order.
1. “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)
Based on award nominations (169 as of date) and critical acclaim alone, it’s hard to argue with this pick. “Top Gun: Maverick” took the cinema world by storm grossing over a billion dollars, making it the 2nd highest-grossing film last year. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn’t love this perfectly filmed action movie with the right amount of drama.
“Top Gun: Maverick” received an almost perfect score from critics (96% on RT) and viewers (99% on RT) alike. Some might say it’s even better than the original, which is difficult to refute.
Tom Cruise reprises his “Top Gun” role as the longtime Navy pilot, Maverick. Jennifer Connelly (as Penny Benjamin) and Miles Teller (plays Goose’s son) join him with amazing performances of their own in this smash hit.
2. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018)
This high-octane action flick, the sixth in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and one of the top Tom Cruise movies in order, received rave reviews for its heart-pumping stunts and Cruise’s committed performance as Ethan Hunt. With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.5/10 on IMDb, it’s no wonder this film is one of our top picks on our list of ranked Tom Cruise movies.
3. “Rain Man” (1988)
In this classic road trip movie, which is a must-see for any fan of Tom Cruise movies in order, Cruise plays a selfish yuppie who discovers he has an autistic older brother (played by Dustin Hoffman). The film won four Academy Awards and helped establish Cruise as a leading man. It has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.0/10 on IMDb, making it a highly-ranked Tom Cruise movie.
4. “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989)
In this biographical drama, Cruise gives a powerful performance as Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic, who becomes an anti-war activist after being paralyzed from the waist down. The film earned eight Academy Award nominations and has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 on IMDb.
5. “The Last Samurai” (2003)
Tom Cruise stars as a Civil War veteran in this epic historical drama. He is hired to train the Japanese army and ends up fighting alongside the samurai. The film, which received mostly positive reviews, has a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7/10 on IMDb, making it a strong contender among Tom Cruise’s movies.
6. “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)
In this underrated sci-fi action film, Cruise plays a public affairs officer who is forced to relive the same day over and over again as he fights in a war against aliens. The film received positive reviews and has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.9/10 on IMDb.
7. “Jerry Maguire” (1996)
In this romantic comedy-drama, Cruise plays a sports agent who has a crisis of conscience and starts his own company. The film received widespread critical acclaim and has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3/10 on IMDb.
8. “Top Gun” (1986)
This iconic action movie, in which Cruise plays a hotshot navy pilot, is a classic of 1980s cinema. With a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.8/10 on IMDb, it’s not one of Cruise’s best-reviewed films, but it has a special place in many people’s hearts.
9. “Mission: Impossible” (1996)
In the first film of the highly popular action franchise, Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt takes on a group of rogue spies. While the Tom Cruise movie received mostly positive reviews, it has a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.1/10 on IMDb, earning it a decent spot among the middle-ranked Tom Cruise movies in order.
10. “Minority Report” (2002)
In this sci-fi thriller set in the future, Cruise plays a cop who is falsely accused of a murder he has not yet committed. The film received mostly positive reviews and has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 on IMDb.
11. “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999)
In this psychological drama directed by Stanley Kubrick, Cruise plays a doctor who becomes embroiled in a mysterious sexual underworld. The film received mixed reviews and has a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.7/10 on IMDb.
12. “Collateral” (2004)
In this crime thriller, Cruise plays a hitman who forces a taxi driver (played by Jamie Foxx) to drive him around Los Angeles on a killing spree. The film received mostly positive reviews and has a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3/10 on IMDb.
13. “Cocktail” (1988)
Tom Cruise stars as a charming bartender who falls for a wealthy customer (played by Elisabeth Shue) in this romantic drama. The film received mixed reviews and has a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.8/10 on IMDb which still earns it a spot among the middle-ranked Tom Cruise movies in order.
14. “Interview with the Vampire” (1994)
In this horror drama based on the novel by Anne Rice, Cruise plays the vampire Lestat. The film received mixed reviews and has a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.5/10 on IMDb.
15. “Days of Thunder” (1990)
In this racing drama, Cruise plays a hotshot NASCAR driver trying to make it to the top. The film received mixed reviews and has a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.9/10 on IMDb.
16. “Lions for Lambs” (2007)
In this political drama, Cruise plays a senator who tries to sway a journalist (played by Meryl Streep) to write a story about a failed military mission. The film received mostly negative reviews and has a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.1/10 on IMDb.
17. “The Mummy” (2017)
In this poorly-received reboot of the classic monster movie, Cruise plays a soldier who becomes the target of an ancient curse. The film has a 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.5/10 on IMDb, making it our first movie in the category of the lowest-rated Tom Cruise movies in order.
18. “Knight and Day” (2010)
In this action-comedy, Cruise plays a secret agent who drags a civilian (played by Cameron Diaz) on a globe-trotting adventure. The film received mostly negative reviews and has a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.1/10 on IMDb.
19. “Jack Reacher” (2012)
In this action thriller based on the novel series, Cruise plays a former military investigator who gets caught up in a conspiracy. The film received mixed reviews and has a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.8/10 on IMDb. The follow-up movie, “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” in 2016 didn’t rank as well, but it is still worth a watch for hardcore fans.
20. “Mission: Impossible II” (2000)
The second film in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, “Mission: Impossible II” sees Cruise’s Ethan Hunt battling a rogue agent (played by Dougray Scott). The film received mixed reviews and has a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.1/10 on IMDb.
21. “Oblivion” (2013)
In this sci-fi action film, Tom Cruise plays a drone repairman on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The Tom Cruise movie received mixed reviews and has a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.0/10 on IMDb, making it one of the lower-ranked Tom Cruise movies in order.
Bonus: Honorable Mentions — Tom Cruise movies that almost made the list
- “Risky Business” (1983)
- “All the Right Moves” (1983)
- “Losin’ It” (1983)
- “The Color of Money” (1986)
- “Far and Away” (1992)
- “A Few Good Men” (1992)
- “The Firm” (1993)
- “Vanilla Sky” (2001)
- “War of the Worlds” (2005)
- “Mission: Impossible III” (2006)
- “Valkyrie” (2008)
- “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” (2011)
- “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015)
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Tom Cruise has had a successful run in Hollywood, starring in numerous popular films. It’s made him one of the richest actors in the world.
From playing iconic characters such as Ethan Hunt in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise to delivering powerful performances in movies like “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Jerry Maguire,” Cruise has demonstrated his versatility as an actor.
If you’re looking for more articles on Tom Cruise and other top actors like Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, and Chuck Norris, visit BuddyTV!
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