Although many actors take on less physically demanding roles as they age, Tom Cruise has done just the opposite. Most people think that the best Tom Cruise movies are his more dramatic roles, but over the years he has taken on more difficult and demanding action adventure movies and less emotional and comedic roles like Risky Business and Rain Man. He has practically shifted into full-blown action superstar.
Lately, Cruise’s name has become synonymous with movie stars who do their own stunts, and his recent films are known for their dangerous and thrilling action sequences. We have come to love him for his intense work ethic and larger than life action heroes. If you are excited for some of his movies coming out later this year, like Top Gun: Maverick, then here is a list of some of Tom Cruise’s best action adventure movies to watch while you wait.
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9 Oblivion
Universal Pictures
In the post-apocalyptic Oblivion, Jack Harper lives on Earth long after an alien invasion destroyed much of the planet and people abandoned it. He works to scavenge and repair old technology, but his memory is often wiped for security purposes. When he finds a mysterious woman from his past, he questions his own identity and reality.
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Many agree that this film’s plot did not live up to its potential. The movie’s premise and special effects are out of this world, but the story relies on long monologues to explain what’s happening. Tom Cruise pulls off the emotional and physical weight this role required, however. Even though at times the audience may be just as confused as the main character, If you buy into the explanations and don’t think too hard, the movie can still be a fun thought experiment to watch and wonder ‘what if,’ and the action scenes have fantastic effects.
8 The Last Samurai
Warner Brothers
In The Last Samurai, Cruise stars as Captain Nathan Algren, an American officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to teach advanced western fighting techniques to the samurai. When the westerners try to wipe out the samurai, Nathan finds himself caught in the middle of a war with allies on both sides. In this role, Cruise brings to life details in the various fighting styles and cultural mannerisms the film portrays. The Last Samura allows him not only to show off his stunt capabilities, but also to showcase his emotional depth in one of the more dramatic performance of his late action career.
7 Knight and Day
20th Century Fox
In the almost satirical action adventure Knight and Day, Tom Cruise plays the larger than life action star we know him for. We would call his character overconfident if he weren’t so good at his job. Roy meets June at an airport when they board the same flight. However, when it becomes obvious that June is the only pedestrian on the airplane (everyone else is there to kill Roy) she becomes involved in a life-changing adventure. Cruise was perfectly cast for this role and brings with him a grandiose energy and commitment. Cruise and Cameron Diaz have great chemistry as well, which helps seal the deal for this hilarious rollercoaster of a story.
6 Jack Reacher
Paramount Pictures
When an ex-military sniper implicates Jack Reacher in the murder of five people, Reacher goes on the run to investigate what really happened. This film had some mixed reviews from critics, with some complaining that the film lacks originality. Although Jack Reacher follows a primarily simple story, Cruise pulls off Reacher’s humorous personality just as well as our other favorite actors did.
5 Collateral
Dream Works and Paramount Entertainment
Cruise stars as a hitman, Vincent, who hires an everyday taxi driver to be his getaway driver in Michael Mann’s stylish Collateral. As the driver (Jamie Foxx) learns more about Vincent’s line of work, he begins to fight back against the assassin’s malicious acts. This is one of the coolest hitman movies, and one of the very few movies where Tom Cruise plays the villain rather than the hero. Even though it isn’t the hero we are accustomed to seeing him play, Cruise knocks this performance out of the park alongside co-star Jamie Foxx. Cruise is just as terrifying as this hitman as he is lovable in his other roles.
4 Top Gun
Top Gun was so good that even after 34 years, its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, is one of the most anticipated movies of 2022. Once again, Cruise plays an overconfident, ego-driven character. He competes with the best of the best to be a great pilot in his division and get the girl of his dreams. Most of the intense sequences are airplane chases rather than hand-to-hand combat, but we still love the energy Cruise brings to the performance, one of his first action roles. And as a special side bonus, we even get to see him sing.
3 Minority Report
20th Century Fox / Dreamworks
In the classic science fiction film Minority Report, Tom Cruise outmaneuvers the most sophisticated AI technology. In a world where crimes are prevented by computer algorithms (through pre-cogs), John Anderton is arrested for a crime he hasn’t committed yet. Minority Report is such an intense film both because of its action and its philosophical questions. We love Tom Cruise in this role for his attention to detail and for his performance in fast-paced and difficult action sequences.
2 Edge of Tomorrow
Warner Brothers
As humans wage war against the invading alien species, Bill Cage stays as far from the front lines as possible in Edge of Tomorrow. However, when he finds himself on the front lines of the alien’s latest massacre, an accident gives him the ability to travel back in time only one day each time he dies.
Some consider this film to be one of the greatest time travel stories since Groundhog Day (which it borrows heavily from). The unique premise with Cruise’s strange but limited power provides a thrilling story, and Cruise is absolutely delightful as a comically clueless solider as well as the kind and brave hero. Emily Blunt matches Cruise’s larger-than life heroism in her role as well, and arguably bests him.
1 Mission Impossible Franchise
The Mission Impossible movies are by far Cruise’s best and most popular action movies. If the fact that there are six movies in the series (with two more on their way) aren’t enough to show their popularity, then their very high scores on Rotten Tomatoes certainly will. It’s rare that even the sixth installment in a franchise will make nearly $800 million, as Mission Impossible: Fallout did.
In this franchise, Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, an American spy sent on the most dangerous and difficult missions. Ethan works with cutting edge technology and a diverse team to stop global threats from literally destroying the world. The movies are filled with some of the best American action sequences of all time, groundbreaking special effects, and brilliantly elaborate set pieces.
Cruise pulls off this iconic character with his own charisma and larger than life personality. The actor’s work ethic comes through as he performs countless dangerous stunts like hanging off of a flying plane, scaling humongous buildings, or riding a motorcycle off of a cliff. His efforts may seem extreme to some, but they make a big difference in the believability of the franchise, which remains arguably the most beloved action movie series outside of Jame Bond.
