Tom Cruise is such a staple in American cinema that it’s easy to take him for granted. Since the early 1980s, he’s been cranking out hit after hit, becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors and consistently making blockbusters that shatter box office records.
In the past five decades, Cruise’s movies have grossed more than $11.5 billion worldwide. Oh, and he also does all his own stunts! The man himself may be an enigma, but there’s no denying the role he’s played in cinematic history.
In 2022, his return to the Top Gun universe even managed to lure pandemic-wary moviegoers back to theaters. Top Gun: Maverick grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and became one of the highest-grossing movies in history. As a result, according to Variety, Steven Spielberg told Cruise he “saved Hollywood’s a** and [ … ] might have saved theatrical distribution.”
Cruise began his career like so many others, journeying to New York City to bus tables while trying to become an actor, eventually moving to the West Coast and signing with a talent agency. He got attention on sets right away, landing small roles in both Endless Love and Taps in 1981. The Hollywood Reporter states that Cruise’s role in Taps was expanded after director Harold Becker noticed the actor was “out-marching the other cadets on the parade field,” which totally fits everything we know about Cruise now!
All of Tom Cruise’s films, in order
Below is a list of all of the movies Cruise has made since he first boarded that Greyhound to NYC back in the early ’80s. Our favorites are in bold.
–Endless Love (1981)
–Taps (1981)
The Outsiders (1983)
Welcome to the Brat Pack! Cruise’s first big break came when he was selected to join the ensemble of The Outsiders, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Cruise joined fellow young rising stars C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane, yet he still managed to stand out on screen.
–Losin’ It (1983)
–Risky Business (1983)
This movie was transformative and really put Cruise on the map as a leading man. Who could forget the shirt-no-pants dance scene? Or the train scene with Rebecca De Mornay? Is it hot in here?
–All The Right Moves (1983)
–Legend (1985)
Tim Curry! A very young Mia Sara! David Bowie in a cod piece! This movie has it all.
Top Gun (1986)
You might have an inkling of how huge this movie was when it came out, but you’re probably underestimating it. Seriously, it was massive! Money-wise, it grossed $357 million globally and was the highest-grossing domestic film of the year. Anecdotally, everyone was buying Ray-Bans and bomber jackets and rewinding that love scene with Kelly McGinnis until we wore out the VHS tape.
–The Color of Money (1986)
Just when we thought he couldn’t get more popular, he made a movie about shooting pool with Hollywood legend Paul Newman.
–Cocktail (1986)
–Rain Man (1988)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Cruise won a Best Actor Golden Globe for his portrayal of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who co-wrote the biographical screenplay with director Oliver Stone. Cruise also received the first of four Academy Award nominations. His star was truly rising by now. People magazine named him 1990’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”
–Days of Thunder (1990)
–Far and Away (1992)
–A Few Good Men (1992)
Cruise and Jack Nicholson proved to be a riveting pair to watch on screen. “You can’t handle the truth!”
–The Firm (1993)
–Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Audiences didn’t love him as Lestat, but the film was critically acclaimed nevertheless.
–Mission: Impossible (1996)
The movie that kicked off a billion dollar franchise!
–Jerry Maguire (1996)
“Show me the money!” Cruise received a second Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and a second Academy Award nomination for this romantic comedy, which co-starred Renee Zellweger.
–Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
–Magnolia (1999)
Cruise earned a third Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a motivational speaker, but he missed out on an Academy Award for a third time.
–Mission: Impossible II (2000)
–Vanilla Sky (2001)
–Minority Report (2002)
–Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
–The Last Samurai (2003)
–Collateral (2004)
–War of the Worlds (2005)
–Mission: Impossible III (2006)
–Lions for Lambs (2007)
–Tropic Thunder (2008)
An unrecognizable Cruise plays a ribald studio executive producer who was reportedly modeled after Harvey Weinstein.
–Valkyrie (2008)
–Knight and Day (2010)
–Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2001)
–Rock of Ages (2012)
–Jack Reacher (2012)
–Oblivion (2013)
–Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
–Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
–Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
–The Mummy (2017)
–American Made (2017)
–Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Top Gun: Maverick (2021)
Maverick is back to fight unnamed U.S. enemies, romance an age-appropriate new love interest (Jennifer Connelly), and oh yeah, save Hollywood! With a cast full of easy-on-the-eyes new fly boys and girls, it’s easy to see why Top Gun: Maverick was such a smash hit.
–Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
What’s next?
-Untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film (2025)
More Mission: Impossible movies … yay? Oh well, it’s not like we don’t have a ton of other movies in the Tom Cruise catalog to occupy our time. This guy sure has been busy for these past few decades!
(featured image: Paramount Pictures)
