From his breakout slide in Risky Business to death-defying stunts in Mission: Impossible, Cruise embodies Hollywood’s enduring action hero. If you’re wondering how many films has Tom Cruise made, curious about what movies have Tom Cruise been in, or diving into specifics like the 2nd Jack Reacher movie, his 1983 Tom Cruise movie Risky Business with Rebecca De Mornay, or even drawing parallels to Spielberg movies with Tom Hanks, this comprehensive 1,200+ word guide is your one-stop resource. Drawing on verified sources like IMDb and Wikipedia
How Many Films Has Tom Cruise Made? A Career Spanning Over 40 Years
Tom Cruise’s journey from a dyslexic kid in Syracuse, New York, to a global icon is the stuff of movie magic. Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, he burst onto screens in 1981 with a bit part in Endless Love. Fast-forward to October 2025, and Cruise has starred in 48 feature films as a lead or major supporting actor, per IMDb’s exhaustive catalog. This tally excludes TV episodes, voice work, or uncredited cameos, focusing on theatrical and streaming releases. His films have grossed over $13.3 billion worldwide, earning him three Golden Globes, four Oscar nods, and a Guinness World Record for seven straight $100M+ earners from 2011-2018.
Cruise’s output averages about one film per year, blending high-stakes action with dramatic depth. Early roles honed his charisma; mid-career blockbusters like Top Gun (1986) cemented his stardom; and recent entries, including Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025), showcase his stuntman ethos. With eight projects in development—like an untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu film and a SpaceX collaboration—expect that number to hit 50+ by 2027. For fans querying what movies have Tom Cruise been in, his versatility—from rom-coms to sci-fi—makes him a benchmark for longevity in Tinseltown.
The Birth of a Star: Tom Cruise’s 1983 Breakthrough in Risky Business
No discussion of Tom Cruise 1983 or 1983 Tom Cruise movie is complete without Risky Business, the 1983 Tom Cruise film that launched him into orbit. Directed by Paul Brickman in his debut, this coming-of-age satire grossed $63 million on a $6 million budget, earning Cruise his first Golden Globe nod. At 21, Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, a straight-A Chicago teen whose parents’ vacation unleashes chaos: a wrecked Porsche, a flooded house, and an impromptu brothel scheme gone awry.
The film’s pulse is Joel’s romance with Lana, a savvy call girl portrayed by Rebecca De Mornay in her breakout role. Their chemistry sizzles—think steamy tub scenes and late-night confessions—capturing 1980s excess with biting wit. De Mornay, then 23, brings nuance to Lana, evolving her from opportunist to unlikely ally, earning praise for humanizing the “hooker with a heart of gold” trope. As Janet Maslin noted in The New York Times, it’s “part satire, part suburban poetry,” with Cruise’s transformation from naive kid to hustler feeling disarmingly real.
Iconic moments? That underwear dance to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll”—sliding across the kitchen floor in socks and a button-down—has been parodied endlessly, from Family Guy to TikTok challenges. For Risky Business Tom Cruise and Risky Business Rebecca De Mornay enthusiasts, it’s a time capsule of Reagan-era materialism, blending humor, sex, and subtle social commentary. Stream it on Netflix or Apple TV for a nostalgic hit; it’s aged like fine wine, proving why 1983 was Cruise’s pivot from ensemble player (The Outsiders, All the Right Moves) to leading man.
Action Unpacked: The 2nd Jack Reacher Movie – Never Go Back
Shifting gears to high-octane thrills, the 2nd Jack Reacher movie, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016), cements Cruise’s action cred. Directed by Edward Zwick and based on Lee Child’s 18th novel, it’s a sequel to 2012’s Jack Reacher, where Cruise embodies the 6’5″ drifter as a compact, intense force of justice. Grossing $162 million, it follows ex-MP Jack Reacher reuniting with ally Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), only to uncover a treason frame-up tied to human trafficking.
Cruise’s Reacher is a one-man army—brutal fights in diners, a pulse-pounding train-top chase, and that signature run—blending brains with brawn. Smulders shines as Turner’s equal, their banter crackling amid conspiracies. Aldis Hodge adds edge as tech whiz Espin, while Danika Yarosh’s teen Samantha injects heart. Critics called it “formulaic” (37% on Rotten Tomatoes), but fans laud its no-frills grit—perfect for Jack Reacher Never Go Back searches craving conspiracy-fueled escapism. No third film materialized, but Prime Video’s Reacher series (with Alan Ritchson) keeps the flame alive. If Risky Business was Cruise’s spark, this sequel is his enduring blaze.
What Movies Have Tom Cruise Been In? A Curated Career Retrospective
Querying what movies have Tom Cruise been in yields a treasure trove across genres. Here’s a narrative rundown of his 48-film arc, grouped by era—no tables, just storytelling flow.
Early Hustle (1981-1985): Cruise’s debut in Endless Love (1981) was a blink-and-miss. Taps (1981) and The Outsiders (1983) showcased his raw energy in Coppola’s teen ensemble. All the Right Moves (1983) added grit as a football hopeful, but Risky Business stole the show.
Breakout Blockbusters (1986-1990): Top Gun (1986) soared to $357M as Maverick, spawning a cultural phenomenon (and 2022’s $1.5B sequel). The Color of Money (1986) paired him with Paul Newman in Scorsese’s pool-hustle drama. Rain Man (1988) humanized him opposite Dustin Hoffman, while Born on the Fourth of July (1989) earned his first Oscar nod as paralyzed vet Ron Kovic.
’90s Power Plays: Days of Thunder (1990) revved up his racing docudrama. A Few Good Men (1992) delivered courtroom fireworks with Jack Nicholson. The Firm (1993), Interview with the Vampire (1994), and Jerry Maguire (1996)—”Show me the money!”—netted another Globe. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) was his Kubrick enigma.
2000s Sci-Fi Surge: Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) kicked off franchise fever (eight films total, ending with 2025’s The Final Reckoning). Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Collateral (2004) as icy hitman Vincent, War of the Worlds (2005), and Valkyrie (2008) blended spectacle with substance.
2010s Reinvention: Knight and Day (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), Oblivion (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Never Go Back (2016), and The Mummy (2017) kept adrenaline pumping.
2020s Legacy: Top Gun: Maverick (2022) reclaimed the skies, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), and The Final Reckoning (2025) bid Ethan Hunt farewell with biplane bravado. From rom-dramas to rogue spies, Cruise’s catalog is a masterclass in reinvention.
Spielberg Movies with Tom Hanks: A Parallel Power Duo
While Cruise dances solo, Tom Hanks Spielberg films highlight another legendary pairing. Hanks and Spielberg have collaborated on five features, echoing Cruise’s precision with broader humanism. Their WWII fixation—mirroring Cruise’s intensity in Valkyrie—shines brightest.
Saving Private Ryan (1998) is the pinnacle: Hanks’ weary Captain Miller storms Normandy in Spielberg’s visceral $482M epic, earning five Oscars. Catch Me If You Can (2002) flips to frothy fraud, with Hanks chasing Leo DiCaprio ($352M). The Terminal (2004) strands Hanks in JFK limbo ($219M), a sentimental detour. Bridge of Spies (2015) reunites for Cold War intrigue ($165M), Hanks as lawyer James Donovan. The Post (2017) tackles press freedom with Meryl Streep ($180M).
Conclusion:
Tom Cruise’s 48 films—from Risky Business‘ cheeky rebellion to Never Go Back‘s raw justice—define resilience. Echoing Hanks-Spielberg’s gravitas, Cruise reminds us cinema thrives on bold risks.