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Tom Cruise is one of the most important and dynamic action stars of all time. From jumping off of roofs to playing a pool hustler, Cruise has always found a way to capture the audience. Even when it comes to genre, the Oscar-nominated actor has been all over the map, capable of playing a silly teen or goofy villain. Stand-out performances like his aggressive portrayal of Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder or his dynamic excitement as an agent in Jerry Maguire can be forgotten in the sea of great Tom Cruise movies.

From his start in the 1980s to today, Tom Cruise has always brought audiences new reasons to see his films. He has made audiences laugh, cry, hold their breath and everything in between. But ultimately, even actors with the longest careers have to have some performances and movies that are considered their best. In this case, Cruise’s highest rated films have left a special impact on his career, and have helped him become the star he is today.

10 The Color of Money Explored the World of Pool Hustling

Through his performance, and being able to learn from an actor like Paul Newman (who would win best leading actor for his portrayal of Felson at the Oscars), it was clear Tom Cruise was on his way to a great career. The Color of Money will always have its place in Tom’s lengthy filmography thanks to his charisma (and arrogance) in the role. His ability to sell the cocky and naive nature of an understudy were a credit to his acting abilities.

9 Rain Main Showed the Emotional Range of Tom Cruise

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Rain Man centers around Charlie Babbitt, who is a car dealer grappling with the recent loss of his dad. On learning that his father left millions to his brother Raymond’s mental institution, Charlie sets off on a trip. Dustin Hoffman plays Raymond, an autistic character with great intelligence. Through their journey together, Babbitt discovers a lot about his brother’s unique abilities, leading to an interesting and touching family dynamic.

Cruise’s portrayal of Babbitt delivered a performance that was emotional and meaningful, creating great chemistry with his on-screen brother. It is films like this that show Tom Cruise as more than just an action star, but a truly special performer that can evoke emotion out of an audience. Even decades after its release, Rain Man is a prominent film.

8 Minority Report Combined Big Ideas with Blockbuster Action

With some previous action roles under his belt, Cruise effortlessly played Chief Paul Anderton in 2002’s Minority Report. Anderton is responsible for the “Pre-Crime Unit”, which is used to prevent future crimes through psychic tech. The problem is, Anderton is deemed a future murderer himself, and he must deal with the consequences of that label. This kicks off a plot that forces Cruise’s character to deal with the threats of both his present and future.

Following the first two Mission: Impossible films,Minority Report helped cement Cruiseas the main action star of Hollywood. His ability to sell the action effectively, while also making people root for his character, was an impressive feat. His performance would sell the desperate and sensitive situation that Chief Anderton was in. The blueprint for Cruise’s success was there when it came to action movies, and he would get even better after this big hit.

7 Edge of Tomorrow Showcased a Unique Sci-Fi Romance

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Edge of Tomorrow provided an interesting spin on the time loop story, with Cruise’s character of Major William Cage forced to re-live the same battle over and over. While caught in this vicious cycle, Cage must hone his combat skills and find a way of defeating the invading alien forces. His partner in battle is Rita Vrataski, played by Emily Blunt.

Cage’s dynamic with Rita sells a strange love story, where he knows nearly everything about her, and she knows almost nothing about him. He gives off a sense of desperation to create a bond in a situation where that is nearly impossible. Cruise’s acting in the film helped to sell a new type of tale in the science-fiction genre, and it has proven to have staying power.

6 Risky Business Was Cruise’s Coming of Age Moment

In Risky Business, Joel Goodsen is a high school senior who is lucky enough to have the whole house to himself, and naturally gets into some trouble along the way. He also has a comical, yet somewhat loving, relationship with Rebecca De Mornay’s Lana, a lady of the night. It was Cruise’s opportunity to play a teen who wants to live a life of freedom, and it was very well received after its release in 1983.

Throughout the movie, Cruise comes off as naive, likable, and wide-eyed in his portrayal of Goodsen. The audience knows he is participating in some activities that he certainly should not be involved with, but it is impossible to root against his success anyway. The image of him rocking a blazer and some sunglasses with a huge grin still resonates to this day.

5 Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Tested Ethan Hunt’s Limits

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Many would say Ethan Hunt is perhaps Tom Cruise’s most important character. The Mission: Impossible films have been wildly successful due to their ultra-realism and riveting action, and this version is no different. Ethan Hunt and his team are blamed for a terrorist attack in Russia, leading them to be ostracized by the United States even when taking on a Swedish Nuclear Strategist named Kurt Hendricks.

One scene in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol really stands out, as Hunt scales down a massive glass building in Dubai. It is daring and impossible to look away from. Knowing that Cruise is capable of pulling off amazing stunts without any help of CGI or a body double, makes the action scenes even more impressive. However, this would be far from the last time that Cruise took these sort of risks.

4 Tom Cruise’s Plane Stunt Defined Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation was an important addition to the series, worthy of its predecessors. Cruise is once again playing Ethan Hunt, along with Jeremy Renner’s William Brandt and Simon Pegg’s Benji Dunn. In total, the movie was filmed in four different countries: Morocco, Austria, the UK and Malaysia. Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is a former MI6 agent working with “The Syndicate” to create global destruction.

The stand-out image of this movie is Tom Cruise hanging on to a moving plane. It made audiences ask, “is there anything this man won’t do?” Any action movie star that makes someone ask that question has to be doing a very good job. Cruise mentioned in a featurette for the production that he was incredibly scared to do the stunt, but pulled it off with great success. It’s an iconic setpiece which undoubtedly makes Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation stand out.

3 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Thrived in 2023

In 2023, Ethan Hunt continued to deliver the goods for movie goers. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning features “The Entity,” a self-aware rogue AI being that is capable of hacking into important security systems all over the world. Gabriel, a terrorist with previous links to Ethan Hunt, looks to serve “The Entity” for his own benefit.

Last year’s version of Mission: Impossible delivered in a way where almost nobody was let down. Cruise is now in his 60s, some may expect him to slow down or retire altogether. Instead, he continues to dazzle with action on the big screen. Hunt’s emotional conflict of having to deal with artificial intelligence for the first time adds layers to a character that seemed nearly unbreakable.

2 Top Gun: Maverick Revived a Legendary Tale

In a sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick delivers an entertaining and riveting experience with some of the navy’s best fighters. Cruise reprises his role as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, while Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw. The film earned a nomination for best picture at the Oscars, which is a testament to just how captivating Top Gun: Maverick is.

Despite it being decades since the original movie, neither Cruise nor the Top Gun franchise had lost its luster. People were making the claim that the film was so successful that it may have been a key factor in saving movie theaters across the country. Cruise’s role of Pete Maverick is still as intriguing today as it was in the 80s and Maverick’s testing scene through the mountains is absolutely breathtaking.

1 Mission: Impossible – Fallout is a Tom Cruise Masterpiece

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According to Rotten Tomatoes, Mission: Impossible – Fallout is the greatest Tom Cruise movie ever made. Taking place in locations like the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this thriller is a world tour of action. Ethan Hunt and his team are tasked with taking on a group of terrorists, led by a highly dangerous arms dealer. No one knows where the deadly weapons are, and Hunt’s team is tasked with finding them before it’s too late.

Tom Cruise leads the way of this strong cast, and captivated millions of viewers worldwide as a result. His dedication to the films is unquestioned, as during filming he suffered an actual ankle injury while attempting a stunt. Cruise actually jumped off of a roof, which led to the incident. Cruise’s character also endured intense emotional turmoil, trying to decide how far he can (or should go) to complete such a daunting mission.