Tom Cruise might be best known for playing action heroes like Ethan Hunt, but his career proves that he can nail any genre he wants to.

Tom Cruise has been in the industry for decades now and he has successfully climbed to the top of the ranks, establishing himself as a true superstar. Whether it’s films like Top Gun: Maverick or the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise has always been a treat to watch on screen. However, not everyone is a fan of the actor’s work.

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One | Paramount Pictures

Many might complain that Tom Cruise usually plays roles that are similar in nature to his Mission: Impossible character, Ethan Hunt. The quintessential action hero, Tom Cruise is often pigeonholed as one. But an actor who has been in the industry since even before most of us were born must have a wide array of roles under his belt by now and Tom Cruise is no exception.

Tom Cruise Gets Critiqued for Playing the Same Roles

Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick | Paramount Pictures

Many critics have had this problem with Tom Cruise when he chooses the movies that he wants to star in. We often see him scaling the tallest building, driving the fastest bike, jumping off cliffs, and what not. While these larger-than-life stunts are incredibly entertaining and goosebumps-inducing, some may complain that this is all that Cruise does.

For example, a user on Reddit who wrote “I don’t like Tom Cruise” made a post on the subreddit ‘r/unpopularopinion’ blasting the actor for following the same formula when it comes to making films.

Check out the post below:

Harsh criticism, we know. However, as many fans pointed out the problem with OP’s statement, Cruise has done much more in his vast career as an actor and has played a ton of different characters throughout, showing off his skills and talent at full brightness.

Five of them are mentioned below:

1. Rain Man (1988)

Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man | United Artists

Rain Man sees Cruise playing the role of Charlie Babbit, a self-centered car dealer whose life turns upside down when he comes across his autistic savant brother – Raymond, played by Dustin Hoffman. In the film, Cruise goes from being self-absorbed to becoming a caring and concerned brother. The actor’s ability to convey such deep emotional complexity proves that Cruise is much more than just an action hero.

The film received a total of eight nominations at the Academy Awards, out of which it won four.

Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

Rent/buy Rain Man on Prime Video.

2. Jerry Maguire (1996)

Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire | Sony Pictures Releasing

Coming to the comedy-drama where Cruise plays the titular sports agent, Jerry Maguire was a treat to the eyes and the heart. After gaining an epiphany, the slick sports agent turns his life around, making it his mission to become an honest man and have better connections with his clients.

Critics praised the film for its style, which perfectly blends romance with sports, and also commented on Jerry Maguire’s being the perfect heartwarming film. For his portrayal, Cruise was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards and while he didn’t win, he sure did win our hearts with this one.

Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Stream Jerry Maguire on AMC+ via Prime Video.

3. Collateral (2004)

A still from Collateral | DreamWorks Pictures

Now, while Collateral is an action-thriller, we see Cruise playing a character that is quite unlike Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt and Top Gun’s Maverick. Here, Cruise plays the role of a cold and brooding hitman who takes an unsuspecting cab driver (Jamie Foxx). Cruise’s Vincent forces the driver to drive him around the city as he completes a series of assassinations.

This film is worlds apart from the ones where Cruise plays your typical hero who saves the day with his quick thinking, strength, and agility and once again proves that Cruise can do any role that comes his way. While he didn’t get an Oscar nomination for Collateral, the film was nominated in two categories.

Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

Stream Collateral on Paramount+.

4. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

A still from Born on The Fourth of July | Universal Pictures

The biographical anti-war film is based on the life of anti-war activist Rob Kovic who served as the United States Marine Corps sergeant and was wounded in the Vietnam War. Cruise plays Kovic as the film presents twenty years of the activist’s life, including his paralysis during the war.

This has been one of the most transformative roles in Cruise’s portfolio and puts the actor’s dramatic abilities on full display as he presented Kovic’s physical and emotional scars with utmost perfection. Cruise spent a year preparing for the role during which he visited veterans’ hospitals, read up on the Vietnam War, and even paid a visit to the real Kovic himself. You can’t say the man takes his job lightly. The film got Cruise his first Oscar nomination.

Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Stream Born on the Fourth of July on Prime Video.

5. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tom Cruise as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder | DreamWorks Pictures

You cannot mention Cruise’s most impressive roles without mentioning Tropic Thunder. The satirical comedy sees Cruise in one of the most unexpected get-ups as he plays a ruthless, foul-mouthed Hollywood producer, Les Grossman. Once again, this is not your typical Cruise role with the actor’s comedic timing making the film a highlight of his career.

His hilarious dance moves and explosive anger have been loved by the audience ever since it was released and the film shows that Cruise can nail a comedy role just as well as he does action roles.

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

Stream Tropic Thunder on Paramount+.

So, while there is nothing wrong with playing Ethan Hunt and Maverick-like characters, which we love, this list proves that Cruise is not a one-trick pony. He can pull off any genre he sets his mind on and that’s why he’s Hollywood’s superstar!