Ah, Tom Cruise — the man, the myth, the Maverick. The dude who treats running on screen like it’s an Olympic sport, does his own death-defying stunts like he’s got a side gig as a Marvel hero, and still somehow has perfect hair in zero gravity.
If you’re diving into Cruise Control™ for a movie marathon, buckle up. Here are the Top 10 Tom Cruise Movies to Watch, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious why he’s still Hollywood’s most committed madman.
1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Why it rocks:
This isn’t just nostalgia porn — it’s legacy fuel. “Maverick” returns nearly four decades after the original, and somehow, it rules even harder. Cruise trained in real jets, pushed for practical effects, and carried this sequel on his leather-jacket-clad shoulders.
Peak Cruise moment: That “talk to me, Goose” scene? Tears. Mach 10 entry? Goosebumps. It’s everything you want from a modern blockbuster with ‘80s soul.
Watch for: One of the rare sequels that surpasses the original.
2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Why it rocks:
This is the Mission: Impossible that said, “What if we went full Bourne but kept the spy gadgets?” Cruise literally broke his ankle jumping between buildings and just kept going. Fallout is peak Ethan Hunt: brutal fights, flawless pacing, and Henry Cavill’s mustache of doom.
Peak Cruise moment: The HALO jump. That’s not CGI, folks. That’s your boy Cruise skydiving at 25,000 feet.
Watch for: Cruise running through London like he’s late for an Apple keynote.
3. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Why it rocks:
Think Groundhog Day meets Halo, with a sprinkle of “holy crap, Emily Blunt is jacked.” This is smart sci-fi with heart, humor, and gnarly aliens. Cruise plays against type — a coward turned badass — and it works so well.
Peak Cruise moment: Every time he dies. Darkly hilarious.
Watch for: The training montage where Emily Blunt just keeps shooting him in the face. Over and over.
4. Collateral (2004)
Why it rocks:
Cruise as a villain? Yes, and he’s terrifyingly good. Dressed in gray, eyes dead like the T-1000, Vincent is a hitman who drags Jamie Foxx’s cabbie on a night-long nightmare ride through L.A. Gritty, tense, and stylish as hell.
Peak Cruise moment: That briefcase shootout. Clinical. Efficient. Pure assassin energy.
Watch for: Michael Mann’s digital cinematography before it was trendy.
5. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Why it rocks:
The rom-com that launched 10,000 quotes. Cruise’s fast-talking, emotionally unravelling sports agent gave us “You complete me” and “Show me the money!” Renee Zellweger and Cuba Gooding Jr. round out this emotional touchdown of a movie.
Peak Cruise moment: His meltdown in the office. It’s like watching your friend quit their job on Instagram Live.
Watch for: Cruise actually being vulnerable — and not strapped to a plane.
Honorable Mentions (aka Cruise Missiles That Still Hit)
- Vanilla Sky – Trippy, underrated, and oh-so-2001.
- A Few Good Men – “You can’t handle the truth!” You know the line.
- Risky Business – Sliding into cinematic history in socks and boxers.
- Oblivion – Sleek sci-fi vibes, if a bit cold.
- American Made – Chaotic good Cruise energy.
Tom Cruise isn’t just an actor — he’s a genre unto himself. From fighter jets to courtroom drama, sci-fi dystopias to ancient Japan, he gives 110% every time. Whether he’s running full-tilt or baring his soul, you’re watching a man possessed by cinema.
