Love him or loathe him, Tom Cruise has been one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars for decades. From flashy ’80s rom-coms to prestige dramas and death-defying action spectacles, his filmography is stacked with massive hits that shaped pop culture. Below, we’re counting down 15 of Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing and most influential movies, a mix of classics, surprises, and franchise-defining blockbusters.
15. Cocktail (1988)
Few films scream late-’80s excess quite like Cocktail. With neon lights, flying liquor bottles, and a very confident Tom Cruise behind the bar, this romantic drama became a cultural moment, critics be damned.
Despite brutal reviews and later earning a spot on “most enjoyably bad” movie lists, Cocktail was a financial monster. It pulled in $171 million worldwide, which balloons to roughly $465 million today. Cruise’s flair-bartending Brian Flanagan became iconic, and the soundtrack, especially The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo,” kept the movie alive in pop culture long after its theatrical run ended.
14. Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Cruise shocked audiences by trading his all-American image for fangs, curls, and dangerous charisma as the vampire Lestat. Based on Anne Rice’s novel, the gothic epic also starred Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas.
The film earned $223 million globally (about $484 million today) and became a lasting cult favorite. Even Rice herself, initially skeptical of Cruise’s casting, later praised his performance. Lavish visuals and Cruise’s unpredictable energy helped cement the movie’s legacy and influenced vampire pop culture for years to come.
13. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
This sci-fi action hit proved Cruise still had tricks up his sleeve decades into his career. Playing a cowardly military officer stuck in a brutal time loop, Cruise delivers one of his most entertaining performances alongside Emily Blunt.
The movie earned $370 million worldwide (roughly $502 million today) and gained even more appreciation after its release. With sharp humor, inventive action, and a surprisingly emotional arc, Edge of Tomorrow has aged into a modern sci-fi favorite.
12. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Yes, this one counts even as a cameo. Cruise’s brief but hilarious appearance as a movie within a movie version of Austin Powers showed he was more than willing to poke fun at his own superstar image.
Goldmember raked in $296 million globally (around $529 million today), and Cruise’s self-aware performance was one of the film’s most memorable moments. It was a reminder that even minimal Cruise screen time could generate major buzz.
11. The Mummy (2017)
Universal hoped The Mummy would kick off a shared “Dark Universe.” Instead, it became a cautionary tale about ambitious franchise plans. Still, calling it a failure requires context.
The film earned $410 million worldwide, about $535 million today, which is hardly a disaster by normal standards. While the reboot didn’t spawn a franchise, Cruise’s relentless stunt work and intensity kept the movie watchable, even if the universe-building plans were quickly buried.
10. A Few Good Men (1992)
“You can’t handle the truth!” remains one of cinema’s most famous lines, and A Few Good Men remains one of Cruise’s strongest dramatic outings. Starring opposite Jack Nicholson, Cruise plays a young Navy lawyer forced into a courtroom showdown.
The film earned $243 million globally (around $556 million today) and scored four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Aaron Sorkin’s sharp dialogue and Cruise’s confident performance make this one a timeless classic.
9. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Few films have delivered as many quotable moments as Jerry Maguire. Cruise’s portrayal of a sports agent having a moral awakening earned him an Oscar nomination and cemented his rom-com legacy.
The film brought in $273 million worldwide (about $559 million today) and won Cuba Gooding Jr. an Academy Award. Equal parts romance, comedy, and character study, Jerry Maguire showed Cruise’s emotional range at its peak.
8. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
The penultimate chapter in the Mission: Impossible saga continued Cruise’s tradition of jaw-dropping practical stunts. Released during a competitive box office year, the film still earned $571 million globally.
Though it ranks lower within the franchise financially, it’s packed with standout sequences and globe-trotting spectacle. Cruise’s commitment to practical action remains unmatched, even as the series approaches its conclusion.
7. The Firm (1993)
Adapted from John Grisham’s bestselling novel, The Firm was a legal thriller that dominated the early ’90s box office. Cruise stars as a young lawyer who uncovers dark secrets behind his dream job.
The film earned $270 million worldwide (roughly $600 million today), making it the highest-grossing Grisham adaptation ever. Tense, stylish, and anchored by Cruise’s intensity, it remains a standout in his early career.
6. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
This third installment revitalized the franchise, thanks in part to J.J. Abrams and an unforgettable villain played by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Earning $398 million globally (about $634 million today), the film raised the emotional stakes and pushed Cruise further into his now-famous stunt obsession. It laid the groundwork for the franchise’s later, even bigger successes.
5. Minority Report (2002)
Cruise and Steven Spielberg teamed up for this futuristic thriller that asked tough questions about free will, surveillance, and justice. Cruise plays a cop accused of a crime he hasn’t committed yet.
The film earned $358 million worldwide (around $639 million today) and left a lasting cultural imprint. From gesture-based tech to predictive policing debates, Minority Report proved blockbuster sci-fi could be both thrilling and thoughtful.
4. The Last Samurai (2003)
In this sweeping historical epic, Cruise stars as a broken soldier who finds purpose among Japan’s samurai warriors. The film earned $454 million globally (about $792 million today) and earned multiple Oscar nominations.
While discussions about perspective continue, audiences embraced its emotional storytelling, stunning visuals, and powerful performances, particularly Ken Watanabe’s. Cruise’s dedication to the role added weight to the film’s themes of honor and redemption.
3. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
By Rogue Nation, the franchise had hit full stride. Cruise’s Ethan Hunt battles a shadowy organization known as the Syndicate, while Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust instantly became a fan favorite.
The film earned $682 million worldwide (around $924 million today) and delivered some of the series’ most iconic sequences, including the infamous airplane stunt. It’s often cited as one of the franchise’s strongest entries.
2. Mission: Impossible (1996)
The movie that started it all. Adapting the classic TV series into a sleek modern spy thriller was a gamble that paid off spectacularly.
The original Mission: Impossible earned $457 million globally (about $936 million today) and redefined Cruise’s career. From the wire-drop heist to the high-speed finale, it established Ethan Hunt as an action icon.
1. Rain Man (1988)
At the top of the list sits Rain Man, the film that proved Cruise could anchor a prestige drama. Starring alongside Dustin Hoffman, Cruise plays a selfish businessman forced to reconnect with his autistic savant brother.
The film earned $354 million worldwide, nearly $962 million today, and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. While Hoffman’s performance is legendary, Cruise’s emotional transformation gives the story its heart and lasting power.
From flashy blockbusters to deeply human dramas, Tom Cruise’s career is defined by range, risk-taking, and relentless star power. Whether he’s sprinting across rooftops or holding his own in Oscar-winning dramas, his box office legacy speaks for itself, and judging by recent releases, he’s nowhere near done.