My Favourite Tom Cruise Films of All-Time

Few actors in Hollywood whose movies make headline news are as beloved as Tom Cruise. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1980’s, Cruise has appeared in unforgettable movies. Whether its spies achieving an impossible mission, dedicated lawyers or troubled war veterans, Cruise has proven he can play a wide range of roles. Cruise’s greatest strength as an actor is his dedication to performing his own stunts in entertainment. Given the number of classic films Cruise has appeared in, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my personal picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Rain Man

Autism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has struggled to tell realistic stories of individuals with disabilities. As someone with Autism, I find movies about the condition are rarely ever true to reality. However, “Rain Man” is an exception. Released in 1988, Barry Levinson’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of depicting the disability. Made in the 1980’s, “Rain Man” was one of the first movies to depict Autism on the big-screen. In arguably the greatest role of his career, Tom Cruise embodies a salesman tasked to take care of his brother with Autism who is a burden to bear. It’s a challenging role requiring the actor to strike a fine balance between being sympathetic and unlikeable but he pulls it off tremendously. Ultimately, what makes it Cruise’s greatest movie is its meaningful message. The film’s message that would resonate with everyone bonding with brothers at an early age. As someone sharing a bond with my brother, I identify with the film’s message. Nearly 20 years following the release of a terrific film about Autistic savants bonding with brothers on road trips that are frantic, its fantastic reminder about an actor that thrives when given dramatic roles whose movies are iconic.

2. Magnolia

It’s easier said than done to cope with the loss of a loved one. Grief is a process that’s rarely depicted in movies with success. Due to its depressing nature, loss is rarely depicted in movies from a realistic point-of-view. Few films that I’ve ever seen have captured the trauma of losing a loved one as powerfully as “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece captured the interconnected lives of individuals impacted by the loss in America. In a star-studded cast filled with several actors, it’s Tom Cruise that stands out the most. In the most emotional performance of his entire career, Cruise captures the despair of a man losing a father about whom he has grown to care. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most meaningful role to date. The scene where he breaks down crying watching his father dying in a hospital is the most emotional acting that Cruise has ever done. A powerful portrait of individuals affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor that thrives playing complex characters facing a dilemma whose timeless movies have become iconic classics in Cinema.

3. Born On the Fourth of July

When it comes to the most heroic war veterans in American history, it’s worth discussing Ron Kovic. A dedicated veteran, Kovic fought in the Vietnam War. Despite his dedication to serving his country, Kovic’s life was threatened when he suffered a paralyzing injury. Forced to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, Kovic promoted anti-war beliefs about which he came to deeply care. In 1989, Kovic’s life was beautifully brought to the big-screen in Tom Cruise’s award-winning movie “Born on the Fourth of July”. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Cruise does an extraordinary job of capturing a veteran recovering from a war that’s traumatizing. It’s not easy to portray a real-life war veteran that witnessed atrocities, but Cruise pulls it off tremendously. Ultimately, Cruise’s heartbreaking performance is a soul-stirring tribute to a real-life war veteran whose story of survival is worth celebrating. Nearly 50 years after a veteran was wounded in a war with consequences that were conflicted, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that thrives playing complicated characters whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated.

4. Jerry Maguire

Few characters that Tom Cruise has played throughout his career are as admired as Jerry Maguire. Released in 1996, Cameron Crowe’s Oscar-winning movie found the actor taking on the role of a charismatic sports agent people admire. In the most iconic role of his career, Cruise is given an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing characters that are charismatic. Out of all the movies that Cruise has appeared in that audiences appreciate, “Jerry Maguire” may be his most quotable role to date. Whether he’s yelling at a client over the phone to show him the money or swooning over a woman he loves dearly, Cruise uses his charisma to create one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” stand out in the actor’s career is its strong message about career. The film emphasizes that it’s possible to achieve one’s dreams no matter how unattainable they may seem. Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic film about sports agents assisting athletes in financial situations that are dire, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences will forever admire.

5. Collateral

Tom Cruise has built a reputation for playing action heroes that rarely lose. Since his career began several years ago, Cruise has always fit into the role of an action hero. The actor has built a heroic image by playing strong characters saving the world with courage. In a career filled with heroic characters viewers care about, “Collateral” is a film that stands out. Released in 2004, Michael Mann’s thriller found the actor playing a villainous character. In the first villainous role of his career, Cruise transforms into a dangerous hitman without a shred of humanity committing crimes that are outrageous. It’s a role that marks a huge departure for an actor that has spent the majority of his career playing heroic characters. It’s refreshing to see an actor known for his heroic roles stepping out of his comfort zone to create a villain that’s terrifying. Ultimately, what makes “Collateral” stand out is its message about criminals. The film paints a compelling portrait of a complex criminal that viewers can sympathize with. Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic film about criminals causing collateral damage, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives given opportunities to play villainous characters that don’t always align with his heroic image.

6. A Few Good Men

It isn’t easy to make an effective courtroom drama. Making a courtroom drama about lawyers often poses certain challenges for actors. Actors are often required to deliver challenging monologues without much preparation that can be exhausting. Despite the challenges involved in making a courtroom drama, Tom Cruise pulled it off successfully in “A Few Good Men”. Released in 1992, Rob Reiner’s movie found the actor playing a dedicated lawyer fighting a courtroom case with intensity. In his first ever legal role, Cruise excels at portraying a lawyer with a strong drive to achieve his goal. Whether he’s engaging in a courtroom argument or investigating shocking evidence of internment, Cruise uses his powerful voice to create a strong lawyer in entertainment. The scene where Kaffee learns he can’t handle the truth is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Nearly 30 years following the release of a powerful legal drama about lawyers seeking the truth they can’t handle, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor that thrives playing lawyers with a strong presence whose movies have left behind a legacy that’s indelible.

7. Edge of Tomorrow

Tom Cruise has built an image of being an actor with courage. However, in 2014 the actor took a big risk by playing a character that wasn’t an action hero in “Edge of Tomorrow”. Doug Liman’s movie finds the actor playing a cowardly army officer stuck in a time loop reliving the same day repeatedly. It’s the first time in his career where Cruise played a character with a strong sense of fear. Cruise takes a step out of his comfort zone by playing a character that’s afraid of entering the danger zone. Unlike the heroic characters he has played, Cage is a character that’s afraid. Its hilarious seeing Cruise relive the same day over and over again in a hopeless scenario. Like the time loop in which Cage relives the same day over and over again, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to entertain given opportunities to play characters facing pain.

8. Top Gun: Maverick

When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about aviation, it’s worth discussing “Top Gun”. Released in the 1980’s, “Top Gun” became one of Tom Cruise’s most iconic movies. With its breathtaking aviation, compelling characters and strong entertainment, the film became a captivating classic. In 2022, Tom Cruise did an extraordinary job of bringing the classic film soaring back to the big-screen in the sequel “Top Gun: Maverick”. Returning to the iconic role of Maverick, Cruise gives one of his greatest performances as an aviator that’s heroic. Not only does Cruise throw himself into dangerous stunts with intensity, but he showcases rare emotion that was missing from the original 1986 movie. Nearly 40 years after the release of an iconic film that took audiences’ breath away, it’s a terrific tribute to a movie-star the top gun of his game thriving when given chances to play aviators that aren’t afraid of entering the danger zone today.

9. Tropic Thunder

One criticism levelled against Tom Cruise is he rarely takes risks as an actor. Cruise’s movies follow a safe formula to attract audiences toward the Cinema. While this formula has led to box-office success, it’s left little room for surprises. However, in 2008 the actor took a massive risk when he made the film “Tropic Thunder”. In the most comical role of his career, Cruise captures the hilarious personality of a foul-mouthed Hollywood producer that loves to swear. Cruise only has a couple of scenes in Ben Stiller’s comedy but he leaves an impression. With his shaved head, powerful vocal control and sharp sense of humour, the actor created an iconic comical character. As thunderous as movies made by filmmakers, it’s a powerful reminder of an adventurous movie-star that thrives when he’s given opportunities to play courageous characters that aren’t afraid of outrageous behaviours whose movies audiences regard precious.

10. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Few film franchises about impossible missions are as beloved as “Mission: Impossible”. Whether he’s dangling from the world’s tallest building, riding motorcycles off cliffs or breathing underwater, Cruise has performed stunts that are awe-inspiring. I’m a huge fan of the franchise and adore all the movies. However, my favourite film without any doubt is “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. In the sixth instalment of the series, Cruise broke his ankle jumping across rooftops of buildings. A career-ending injury, the stunt put the actor’s future in uncertainty. Nevertheless, nothing could stop Cruise from pursuing his passion for filmmaking. As powerful as mission that Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to astonish audiences whose timeless movies I will forever cherish.