Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. He has drawn attention to himself due to his action-packed roles and interest in doing his own stunts, no matter how absurd and dangerous they might get—from hanging from a flying plane, jumping a bike off a cliff, and taking a huge leap from one building to another, which even broke his foot.
Despite the dangers, he has not backed away from adding authenticity to his films. Due to this quality, he has become the symbol of great cinema. If he is acting in a movie, viewers consider it a must-watch, expecting top-tier performances and thrilling stories.
He gained a lot of fame after his role in Tony Scott’s film Top Gun (1986), and since then, he has gained a reputation for acting in action-packed movies. However, there are a lot of great underrated movies that have flown under the audience’s radar, and today, we are going to take a look at those films that deserve more recognition.
10. Collateral
A thrilling movie by the legend Michael Mann that will have you on the edge of your seat until the end. It is a violent film that throws Tom Cruise into a role unlike anything he has done before. The movie revolves around a cold hitman named Vincent, who is on a mission to kill a list of people and a cab driver whom he forces to join him.
This movie features some of Tom Cruise’s best acting, paired with Mann’s amazing cinematography, making it an amazing movie to watch, with tensions running high. The movie also has an amazing cast, with actors like Jamie Foxx, Jason Statham, and Javier Bardem adding to the quality of the film. The movie is a must-watch if you want to see the amazing range of the actor.
9. Born on the Fourth of July
Directed by Oliver Stone, Born on the Fourth of July is a biographical war drama about Ron Kovic (played by Tom Cruise), a real-life Vietnam War veteran who went from patriotic soldier to anti-war activist after he was betrayed by his country when he became paralyzed during his service in the war.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best performances in the film, showing his journey from a patriotic young man to a wounded veteran who struggles with anger, guilt, and the harsh realities of war. The movie was quite popular during its release, as it was around the time his film Top Gun came out, but it did not stick around like the action movie due to his more nuanced performance.
The film is intense, with emotional scenes that make you think about the price of war and the challenges soldiers face when they return home. It was Cruise’s transformation into doing something that was not just an action film that proved his range and showed he could do much more.
8. Oblivion
Oblivion is another one of Cruise’s movies that surprisingly flew under the radar. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth where Cruise plays Jack Harper, one of the last drone repairmen left to maintain the planet after a disastrous war with aliens. But things start to take a gripping turn after he learns something about his mission that changes the way he feels about his work.
The movie is a mix of stunning visuals and a slow-burning story that will keep you guessing until the end. Cruise’s acting is brilliant, as he delivers a strong performance by balancing his classic action with moments of depth as Jack finds answers about his line of work. The movie also has an amazing score by M83 that just elevates the experience.
While Oblivion wasn’t a huge box office hit and didn’t receive as much attention as other sci-fi films, it’s an underrated gem by the Mission: Impossible actor.
7. Magnolia
Magnolia is one of the most unique and emotional films Tom Cruise has ever been a part of. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this drama follows several characters whose lives connect over one intense day in Los Angeles.
Tom Cruise steps into the role of Frank T.J. Mackey, a cocky and aggressive motivational speaker who teaches men how to dominate women. At first, he has a lot of swagger and control, but as the film progresses, the sides of his haunted past creep in, showing a man drowning in pain beneath his toxic personality.
This is the film that helped to cement Tom Cruise as an actor with amazing versatility. His emotional breakdown when confronting his dying father features some of the most vulnerable acting Cruise has ever done, which even led him to get nominated for an Oscar. It is surprising to see how this movie flew under the radar.
6. The Color of Money
The Color of Money is the kind of movie that oozes style and swagger. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this sports drama brings Paul Newman back as Fast Eddie Felson, the legendary pool player from The Hustler.
This time, he’s older and wiser and is ready to pass on his skills to the next generation. This is where young Cruise comes in, playing a cocky pool prodigy with amazing talent but still a lot to learn. Cruise is brilliant in this role, bringing his signature charm and energy to Vincent, a hotshot who loves the game. Whether it’s spinning the ball into the pocket with amazing shots or dancing around the pool table to some great songs, he is clearly having fun.
Beyond all the swag and style, the movie also explores themes of mentorship and ambition, giving viewers a Cruise performance that is not a common occurrence.
5. Knight and Day
Directed by James Mangold, Knight and Day is an action-comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers a fun, fast-paced film. The film pairs Cruise and Cameron Diaz in an adventure filled with car chases, shootouts, and stunning stunts.
Cruise plays Roy Miller, a mysterious and highly skilled spy on the run, while Diaz’s character, June, gets caught in the middle of it all by accident. The film is a nice blend of humor and action, and while Cruise delivers one of his typical roles, he embraces it completely and gives the audience something to enjoy.
As long as you go into the film knowing that it’s supposed to be a comedy over action, it is quite enjoyable, with a funny quarrel scene during a car chase and June waking up in a different location each time she passes out. While Knight and Day didn’t make waves at the box office, it’s an underrated gem that delivers.
4. American Made
American Made is the kind of movie that feels too wild to be true, but it is the real story of Adler Berriman “Barry” Seal. However, remember it’s not completely factual—it’s heavily exaggerated to make it more Hollywood and keep the audience engaged.
Directed by Doug Liman, this fast-paced crime drama tells the real-life story of Barry Seal getting mixed up in the dangerous world of drug smuggling, the CIA, and other operations that took place in the 1980s. Cruise easily pulls off the role of the charismatic pilot but still remains reckless with his flying style while dealing with drugs and money.
This is another one of his films where he is seen ditching his usual action-hero personality for something looser and more notorious. The film is a great addition to the list of underrated Tom Cruise movies—a perfect blend of high-speed action with humor and suspense.
3. Risky Business
Other than Top Gun, another movie that rose Cruise to prominence is Risky Business, but unfortunately, it got lost in the bundle of his other entertaining works. Directed by Paul Brickman, this 1983 comedy is a wild ride filled with teenage rebellion, hustling, and the iconic dance scene from the film.
Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, a rebellious high school student who, when left home alone, makes one bad decision after another, including wrecking his dad’s car—giving both the viewers and Joel a weekend to remember.
It was a great film to see the actor’s versatility in a role that requires him to ooze a lot of confidence with a bit of nervous energy. The movie is perfect entertainment from start to finish, and one should add it to their watchlist if they haven’t seen it already.
2. Vanilla Sky
A remake of the Spanish film Abre los ojos (Open Your Eyes), this film is guaranteed to mess with your head. Directed by Cameron Crowe, this mind-bending psychological drama revolves around the life of David Aames (Tom Cruise), a wealthy and charming owner of a publishing house whose perfect life takes a dark turn after a tragic accident.
Cruise delivers an amazing performance by giving a face to a complex man. His performance is layered and adds perfectly to the whole theme of the film. Its dreamlike atmosphere, eerie soundtrack, and shocking twists will make you question what is real and what is not. While Vanilla Sky is a brilliant movie with a fantastic cast that includes Cameron Diaz, it was not a box office favorite.
The movie did not gain much attention during its release but has since developed a cult following.
1. Jerry Maguire
It’s a rare Tom Cruise movie that gives you everything—from drama to romance, comedy, and some of the most quotable lines. Directed by Cameron Crowe, this 1996 classic follows Tom Cruise as the main character, a high-energy sports agent dedicated to serving just one client after starting his own sports agency.
If you want to see the reason that cemented the actor as someone with amazing range, this is the film to watch. He is at his absolute best for the role, delivering a performance that balances charm, vulnerability, and raw emotion. This was the film that had the iconic scene with Cruise shouting, “Show me the money!” The amazing story and natural chemistry with Renée Zellweger add more reasons to watch the film.
While Jerry Maguire was a hit, Cruise’s performance still doesn’t get enough credit—it’s one of his most nuanced and underrated roles.
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