Ranking the Best of Tom Cruise: Iconic Roles and Must-See Movies
Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, having graced the big screen in numerous memorable roles. From the danger and thrills of his action roles to the heart and emotion of his more tender performances, it’s impossible to deny his onscreen charisma and star power. This article will delve into some of Cruise’s best movies and explore the reasons why they have been so beloved by audiences.
An Overview of Tom Cruise’s Early Career
Tom Cruise first arrived on the scene with 1981’s “Endless Love”. He soon proved himself to be a versatile actor, making a mark with supporting roles in films such as “Risky Business”, “The Color of Money”, and “Rain Man”. After emerging from these movies as an up-and-coming star, cruise solidified his stardom with a series of blockbuster hits.
Cruise’s Action Roles
Most people associate Tom Cruise with his action-packed roles. His career began with a series of action films, including “Top Gun”, “Days of Thunder”, and “Cocktail”. But it was the “Mission: Impossible” franchise that truly set him apart as a Hollywood action hero. Since their inception in 1996, the “Mission: Impossible” films have become some of the highest-grossing and most beloved in Cruise’s career.
• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Mission: Impossible II (2000)
• Mission: Impossible III (2006)
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
• Mission Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Other Action Favorites
Aside from “Mission: Impossible”, Cruise has lent his talents to a variety of other adrenaline-pumping flicks. These include the science fiction classic “Minority Report”, the post-apocalyptic thriller “Oblivion”, the seafaring adventure “The Mummy”, and the World War II epic “Valkyrie”.
• Minority Report (2002)
• Oblivion (2013)
• The Mummy (2017)
• Valkyrie (2008)
Romantic and Dramatic Roles
Tom Cruise has also made his mark on the romantic and dramatic genres. He and co-star Rebecca De Mornay evoked timeless chemistry in 1983’s sleeper hit “Risky Business”, a coming-of-age comedy-drama. Cruise was then praised for his performance opposite Nicole Kidman in “Far and Away” (1992), as well as with Renee Zellweger in “Jerry Maguire” (1996). Other romantic favorites include “A Few Good Men” (1992), “Lions for Lambs” (2007), and “Rock of Ages” (2012).
• Risky Business (1983)
• Far and Away (1992)
• Jerry Maguire (1996)
• A Few Good Men (1992)
• Lions for Lambs (2007)
• Rock of Ages (2012)
Must-See Tom Cruise Movies
It is difficult to narrow down Tom Cruise’s vast filmography, but these are some of the standouts that are truly a must-see. They are great choices to revisit Cruise’s storied career and gain insight into why he is considered a Hollywood icon.
• Top Gun (1986)
• Rain Man (1988)
• Interview with the Vampire (1994)
• Magnolia (1999)
• The Last Samurai (2003)
• Collateral (2004)
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
• American Made (2017)
• The Mummy (2017)
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Tom Cruise is undeniably one of the most influential and talented actors of all time. His career is marked by an impressive range of genre-spanning roles, from iconic action heroes to star-making romantic leads. Whether you’re a fan of Cruise’s earlier performances or looking for an introduction to his best work, this article has highlighted some of his most unforgettable features. Now, all that is left to do is fire up the popcorn, sit back, and enjoy some of the greatest movies that Hollywood has to offer.
