Check out the 12 Tom Cruise’ underrated movies.
Hollywood’s ultimate daredevil and heartthrob, Tom Cruise is someone whose name screams stunts, actions, and box office gold. Whether he’s hanging off in planes in Mission: Impossible or hitting Mach 10 in Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise is the guy who can deliver big-screen adrenaline. But he’s got more than just heart-defying action scenes and billion-dollar franchises. Of course, we know him for his usual stunt game, but hidden in his filmography are some real gems that didn’t get the hype they deserved but honestly, they should have.
Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One (Credits- Paramount)
Yes, we’re talking about the ones that slipped through the cracks. The films where Cruise flexed his acting chops and broke out of his usual action-hero mold, and reminded us that he’s more than just Ethan Hunt. From heartfelt dramas to quirky comedies, Cruise’s overlooked flicks just show us a different side of him that’ll make you go, ‘Wait, he did that?’
Now if you think you’ve seen it all with Cruise, think again, because this list of Cruise’s underrated movies will give you a chance to see something different about Hollywood’s most fearless superstar.
1. Rock of Ages (2012)
Rock of Ages is a kind of movie that screams ‘party’, but somehow it missed its invite to the box-office bash. Directed by Adam Shankman, this jukebox musical is a wild and glittery love letter to the rock anthems of the ‘80s and features an all-A-list cast including Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, and of course, Tom Cruise. Playing Stacee Jaxx, Cruise delivers a hilariously over-the-top performance that’s equal parts swagger and self-parody. Not only this, but his renditions of Pour Some Sugar on Me and Wanted Dead or Alive are worth the watch alone.
The plot is all rock-and-roll chaos with a rebellious bar owner and protestors clashing over love, fame, and the power of music. Sure, the story’s campy, and some moments land harder than others, but let’s not sugarcoat it. While the film was a total flop at the box office, barely scraping $59 million on a $75 million budget at the box office, Rock of Ages is underrated. If you like a cheesy and nostalgic touch, give it a try.
Rock of Ages is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
2. All The Right Moves (1983)
Tom Cruise in All the Right Moves (Credits- 20th Century)
All The Right Moves is another one of Tom Cruise’s movies that will give you a gritty, small-town drama vibe. Playing Stefen Djordjevic, a high school football player with big dreams of escaping his dead-end Pennsylvania steel town, he’s chasing the bigger future.
Though this movie is Cruise’s pre-mega-stardom, he nailed the raw intensity of a kid desperate to break free. And the football scenes and the locker-room drama? Well, it’s juicy. The chemistry between Cruise and Lea Thompson is sweet, and let’s not forget Craig T. Nelson as a tough-as-nails coach whom you’ll love to hate until, maybe you don’t.
Sure, it’s a classic sports drama formula, featuring big games, big stakes, and big fallout, but it hits all the emotional beats perfectly. It’s not just about football, it’s about fighting for a way out when the odds are stacked against you. Plus, that early ’80s vibe? Classic. If you’re into underdog stories with a side of angst, this one’s a touchdown.
You can watch All The Right Moves on Apple TV+.
3. Far And Away (1992)
Tom Cruise in Far and Away (Credits- Universal Pictures)
An ultimate 90s epic mashup of romance, adventure, and Tom Cruise with a very intense Irish accent, Far and Away explores the struggles and dreams of Irish immigrants in 1890s America. Starring opposite his then-wife Nicole Kidman, Cruise plays Joseph, a scrappy dreamer with big plans to escape his tough life while Shannon plays a feisty aristocrat ditching her posh upbringing. And their chemistry? Top-notch, obviously.
This Ron Howard-directed film is a pure cinematic spectacle featuring wagons, horses, chaos, forbidden love, and a sweet flag-planting moment. Sure, it wasn’t a box office success, but not every movie should be judged based on the grossing, right? Far and Away has a heart and a period drama like this is worth a visit.
Far and Awar is available to watch on Apple TV+.
4. Lions For Lambs (2007)
Tom Cruise in Lions for Lambs (Credits- MGM Distributions)
Directed by Robert Redford, Lions For Lambs is a kind of movie that wants to make you think, well, a lot. The movie features three parallel storylines, a super-ambitious senator played by Tom Cruise pitching a war strategy to a skeptical journalist (Meryl Streep), two soldiers caught on a dangerous mission in Afghanistan, and a professional (Redford himself) trying to inspire a disillusioned student (Andrew Garfield in his debut). Too twisting, right? In simple words, it’s like a chess game where everyone’s moves feel heavy with moral dilemmas and a ton of talking.
While the title is a jab at leaders sending brave soldiers into no-win situations, the concept is actually big. However, the execution is a bit eh. Though Cruise brings his trademark intensity, Streep in her usual brilliance, and Redford’s professor vibes are classic, the movie leans hard on dialogue-heavy debates that don’t always land. With a meh 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film struggled to connect, but Lions for Lambs is worth a look if you’re in a reflective mood.
Lions for Lambs is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
5. Valkyrie (2008)
Tom Cruise in Valkyrie (Credits- 20th Century)
Valkyrie is one of those ‘you know how it ends, but it’s still a wild ride’ movies featuring Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, but with an eye patch, who almost pulled off the ultimate mic drop in history, assassinating Hitler. Of course, it didn’t work, but the journey there? A total edge-of-your-seat stuff.
Though the movie is all about tension, sneaky plans, and ‘oh no, that’s not going to end well’ moments, Cruise’s portrayal in full serious mode leading a crew of badass co-stars is epic. Not only this, even behind-the-scenes drama like Germany side-eyeing Cruise’s Scientology adds some spice to the story.
Valkyrie is surprisingly emotional for a war thriller. Plus, it has that Bryan Singer polish. And if you’re a history nerd, it’s a definite watch because it’s gripping, stylish, and leaves the audience with its historical what-ifs.
Valkyrie is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
6. Magnolia (1999)
Tom Cruise in Magnolia (Credits- New Line)
Magnolia is another Tom Cruise’ underrated slasher that makes you go, ‘Wait, what just happened?’ and yet you’ll be glued to every second of its three-hour runtime. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s like a chaotic symphony of life in the San Fernando Valley, where everyone’s either falling apart, looking for redemption, or both. The cast? Absolute legends. Cruise shines as a sleazy motivational speaker and actually makes you cry, how? While Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly bring their A-game.
This film is a whole vibe blending intensity with weirdly poetic vibes, and it’s packed with moments that hit hard. And then, out of nowhere, bam! Frogs falling from the sky. Yep, actual frogs.
Sure, it’s not a popcorn flick, it’s heavy, trippy, and full of emotional gut punches. But if you’re down for an artsy drama that makes you feel all the feelings, Magnolia is a must-watch. Just be ready to sit there after, thinking, ‘Life is…wild.’
Magnolia is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
7. The Outsiders (1983)
Tom Cruise in The Outsiders (Credits- Warner Bros)
A story that’s wrapped up like a vintage Polaroid of teenage angst, class clashes, and brotherhood, all in one. The Outsiders is raw and timeless which is directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, yes, The Godfather guy. Based on the adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders takes us straight to 1960s Tulsa where Greasers and Socs are in a never-ending face-off. It has everything, fistfights, heartbreak, and a group of boys who’ve made leather jackets look iconic.
And the cast is absolute fire. There’s young Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, and Ralph Macchio, all before they became the household names they are today. Now let’s talk about the chemistry, it’s electric and the emotions hit you hard, especially when things get messy with Johnny and Ponyboy.
But what makes The Outsiders a must-watch? It has loyalty, sacrifice, and finding your place in a world that seems determined to box you in. Plus, Coppola’s direction keeps the movie grounded and gritty. It’s like watching it and crying a little.
The Outsiders is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
8. The Color of Money (1986)
Tom Cruise in The Color of Money (Credits- Walt Disney)
Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money is a slick and stylish ode to pool hustling, blended with swagger, sass, and a whole lot of drama. Apparently, it’s a sequel to The Hustler, but you don’t need to have seen the original to vibe with this one. Paul Newman returns as Fast Eddie Felson, a former pool shark turned mentor who’s trying to reignite his love for the game while coaching a cocky upstart, played by none other than a young and magnetic Tom Cruise. Oh, and let’s not forget Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, who brings a sharp edge as Cruise’s girlfriend, Carmen.
This movie isn’t just about pool, it’s about hustling in life and love, and Newman nails it, walking away with a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor (finally!). Moreover, Scorsese’s direction adds a gritty glam to the pool halls, and the chemistry between Newman and Cruise is electric, especially as egos clash and lessons are learned. Sure, some fans of The Hustler might call it a downgrade, but honestly? It’s a total power shot worth sinking into.
The Color of Money is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
9. Vanilla Sky (2001)
Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky (Credits- Paramount)
If you watch Vanilla Sky, it’ll leave you thinking long after the credits roll. Directed by Cameron Crowe, the movie is a mind-bending mix of romance, thriller, and sci-fi. It focuses on Tom Cruise as David Aames, a Playboy publisher who goes through one hell of a ride after a car crash leaves him disfigured. Vanilla Sky dives deep into questions of reality, dreams, and loss, as David wakes up in a bizarre world where nothing is quite what it seems.
Undoubtedly, Cruise is a perfect cast here with a surprisingly vulnerable performance and Penelope Cruz steals the show as his love interest, Sofia. Then there’s Cameron Diaz, whose portrayal of Julie adds a real edge to the film. Despite the movie’s mixed reviews, Vanilla Sky has a cult following, mostly because it’s so damn thought-provoking. The twisty plot and surreal visuals keep you guessing, and the iconic soundtrack only adds to the eerie vibe.
Sure, the film’s heavy on drama and confusion, but that’s what makes it a standout. It’s a movie that dares you to open your eyes and question everything, dream or not.
You can watch Vanilla Sky on Amazon Prime.
10. American Made (2017)
Tom Cruise in American Made (Credits- Universal Pictures)American Made is one of those wild, true-crime stories that feels like it could only happen in real life. Tom Cruise’s portrayal as Barry Seal, a pilot who starts off smuggling cigars, gets roped into CIA missions and ends up flying cocaine for the notorious Medellín Cartel. American Made is a rollercoaster of action, humor, and jaw-dropping moments as Seal juggles his shady dealings with the CIA, the DEA, and his very confused family.
As usual, Cruise is on fire here, playing a guy who’s equal parts charming and completely reckless. While the movie moves fast, with a slick direction from Doug Liman, it is loaded with chaos and it’s hard not to have fun with it. Besides, there’s a mix of laughs and tension as Seal digs himself deeper into his mess. The film hits a bit of a reality check toward the end, showing how the CIA just moves on and leaves Seal to deal with the fallout. It’s a great ride, and you can’t help but think, ‘How is this real?’ But, hey, it is. And that makes it even crazier.
American Made is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
11. Knight and Day (2010)
Tom Cruise in Knight and Day (Credits- 20th Century Studios)
Another one of Tom Cruise’ underrated film is Knight and Day. It is one of those action comedies that takes you on a wild, globe-trotting ride with zero chill. Cruise and Cameron Diaz team up for some serious chemistry as an off-the-wall secret agent and a classic car restorer who gets dragged into a high-stakes mess. The plot is all over the place, featuring flying planes, chasing bad guys, and dodging explosions, but that’s exactly what makes it fun.
Of course, Cruise is at his charming, action-hero best, while Diaz holds her own as the somewhat reluctant sidekick who gets in way over her head. The movie has a mix of goofy humor, intense action, and a few heartwarming moments, but the script feels a little like it’s trying too hard at times. Still, the action scenes are top-notch, and Cruise and Diaz’s banter keeps things light.
It’s not a film that’ll win any deep awards, but if you’re in the mood for a breezy, fun flick with lots of explosions and some lighthearted romance, Knight and Day hits the spot. Plus, who doesn’t love a good car chase?
Knight and Day is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
12. Days of Thunder (1990)
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder (Credits- Paramount)
Days of Thunder is your classic high-octane sports drama, only this time it’s set in the world of NASCAR. Tom Cruise plays Cole Trickle, a cocky rookie driver who’s determined to make a name for himself, but his rough start makes him an underdog we can root for. With a little help from his grizzled crew chief and a hotshot team owner, Cole learns the ropes of the racing world. There’s plenty of speed, tension, and a fierce rivalry with the notorious Rowdy Burns, making this film a wild ride from start to finish.
Moreover, the racing sequences are a blast, and the music by Hans Zimmer amps up the excitement. Sure, the plot feels like a bit of a Top Gun rehash with cars instead of jets, but Cruise’s charm and the on-track drama make it enjoyable. And hey, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Add in the romance with Nicole Kidman’s Dr. Claire, and you’ve got yourself a fun summer flick with fast cars, a few crashes, and a lot of heart.
Days of Thunder is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
