Summary
AlthoughTom Cruise’s recent movie career includes plenty of critically acclaimed hits, I wish the actor would revisit thesci-figenre, one he hasn’t focused on since 2014. Tom Cruise’s career began in the early ‘80s and, since then, the actor has impressed in a broad range of projects. While I enjoyed Cruise’s early crowd-pleasers likeRisky BusinessandTop Gun, I was surprised by his superb turn in 1986’sunderrated Martin Scorsese dramaThe Color of Money. Since then,Tom Cruise’s best movieshave ranged from the propulsive thrillerCollateralto theMission: Impossiblefranchise’s bombastic blockbusters.
It is tough to predict where Cruise will take his career next, as the actor’s taste in projects has evolved over the years. The ‘90s saw Cruise branch out into horror withInterview With A Vampire, whileJerry Maguirecemented his potential as a rom-com leading man. In contrast, Cruise spent the 2010s starring in theunderratedJack Reachermoviesas well as a pair of classic sci-fi thrillers. Both 2013’sOblivionand 2014’sEdge of Tomorrowoffered an inventive new spin on familiar sci-fi genre tropes, but sadly, Cruise hasn’t revisited their shared genre since.
“War Is All About Tragedies”: Tom Cruise’s 1989 Anti-War Movie Gets High Score From Expert
Tom Cruise’s 1989 anti-war movie Born on the Fourth of July gets a high score from expert Bill Allison, who discusses the tragedy of war.
Tom Cruise’s Last Sci-Fi Movie Was Edge Of Tomorrow 10 Years Ago
Edge of Tomorrow Reinforced Cruise’s Sci-Fi Credentials
I thought 2014 would start a sci-fi era for the actor sinceEdge of Tomorrowwas a big hit for Cruise ten years ago. Directed byRoad House 2024helmer Doug Liman,Edge of Tomorrowis a self-aware sci-fi thriller that sees Cruise star as a PR man thrust into a violent battle between aliens and humanity. The twist is that Cruise’s cowardly antihero is repeatedly killed and revived through a time loop, thus allowing Emily Blunt’s sergeant to whip him into shape. It’s hard to keep track of justhow many timesEdge of Tomorrow’s Tom Cruise dies.
However, this is all part ofEdge of Tomorrow’s unique appeal. The veteran blockbuster star plays against type as a slick-talking PR man who has almost no conflict experience and no interest in gaining any. It’s fascinating and fun to see Cruise play against type while also leaning into the sleaziness and moral ambiguity he explored inMagnoliaandEyes Wide Shut.Edge of Tomorrowearned largely positive reviews, with critics responding positively to its playful sense of humor, Blunt and Brendan Gleeson’s supporting roles, and the fast-paced, inventive action. Despite this, I’m still waiting for Cruise’s next sci-fi movie.
Tom Cruise’s Sci-Fi Movies Are Among His Highest-Grossing Films
Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow, And War of the Worlds Were All Huge Hits
AlthoughEdge of Tomorrowwas a box office success, this was hardly the first time that Cruise enjoyed a hit in the sci-fi genre.Tom Cruise’s sci-fi movieswith Steven Spielberg,Minority ReportandWar of the Worlds, earned stellar reviews and a combined $958 million at the box office. While 2013’sOblivionwasn’t as acclaimed, the collaboration between Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski did earn over $280 million upon release. Kosinski and Cruise went on to work to break box office records withTop Gun: Maverick. Unfortunately, my wait forTom Cruise’s nextsci-fimovie continues despite their success.
