Sci-Fi Films Featuring Tom Cruise, Sorted by Excellence
Let's get real, y'all. I'm about to drop a bombshell—Tom Cruise has gone beyond the call of acting duty. He's not just a pretty face or a slick move; he's delivered some groundbreaking sci-fi movies that'll make your head spin. Enjoy this spirited ranking of his sci-fi endeavors, with a dash of surprises along the way.
On his 62nd birthday, Cruise shows no signs of slowing down, perhaps because he's shot through a wormhole or two in his time. His silver fox status might have something to do with it too.
8. The Mummy (2017)
Oh boy, where do I even start with The Mummy? This mess was not only a blessing but a curse. The movie should have focused on the titular character, but nope, it was all about Cruise and his twisted vision of a dark universe. Classic Tom, huh?
7. Legend (1985)
The Mummy is the only bad Tom Cruise sci-fi flick—Legend is a slightly less brilliant return to form. Directed by Ridley Scott, this sweeping fantasy is best known for Tim Curry's eye-popping portrayal of Darkness.
6. Vanilla Sky (2001)
Y'all better get ready for this creepy, twisted, underrated tale. Cameron Crowe's Open Your Eyes remake tells the story of a man who suffers immense loss and tries to manipulate science to his benefit. Sounds like a moral dilemma, huh?
5. Oblivion (2013)
I don't know why, but I kinda love this movie. Yeah, it's a rehash of every sci-fi idea of the '80s and '90s, but it's sprawling, breathtaking, and deserves more attention. That's Tom Cruise's effect on me, I guess.
4. Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Witness Tom alongside Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst in this early Anne Rice adaptation, which has seen renewed interest thanks to the AMC show. This adaptation, written by Rice herself, stays faithful to the original text while still delivering the gothic tension you crave.
3. War of the Worlds (2005)
Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg joined forces for this H.G. Wells adaptation, which follows a father protecting his children during an alien invasion. It's big, bold, and action-packed, like any good Spielberg flick, but perhaps not quite up to their usual standards.
2. Minority Report (2002)
If Minority Report didn't exist, War of the Worlds wouldn't be as special. But it does exist, and it's fantastic. It's Cruise and Spielberg together, creating an electrifying, intense sci-fi thriller about a man who stops crimes before they happen, only to find himself a target. Check out our deep dive on this movie if you haven't already.
1.5 Trapped in the Closet
Though he didn't appear in this iconic South Park episode, it'd be a sin to forget this gem before moving on to number one...
1. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Edge of Tomorrow isn't just Cruise's best sci-fi movie; it might be one of his best performances, period. Director Doug Liman and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie deliver a mind-bending, roller coaster ride of time-travel and alien-invasion action. Keep our fingers crossed for a sequel, y'all.
Honorable Mention: The Mission: Impossible movies
The MI movies aren't technically sci-fi, but they're so good that we've dubbed them "spy-fi." We love realistic action blended with fictionalized technology. The MI movies? That's 6-1-4-3-5-7-2 (you figured it out).
Stay tuned for the latest on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who. Don't say I ain't good to you.
- The Mummy (2017)'s ranking is at number 8 in Tom Cruise's spirited sci-fi endeavors, due to its focus on Cruise rather than the titular character.
- Legend (1985) showcases a slightly less brilliant return to form for Tom Cruise in a sweeping fantasy, best known for Tim Curry's eye-popping portrayal of Darkness.
- Vanilla Sky (2001) is a creepy, twisted, underrated tale that tells the story of a man who suffers immense loss and tries to manipulate science, reminiscent of a moral dilemma.
- Oblivion (2013) is a movie that I find myself loving, despite its rehashed sci-fi ideas, due to its sprawling, breathtaking visuals and portrayal of a world beyond our own.
- Interview with the Vampire (1994) features Tom Cruise alongside Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst in an early Anne Rice adaptation, staying faithful to the original text while delivering gothic tension.
- War of the Worlds (2005) is a collaboration between Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg, creating an action-packed alien invasion film that's big and bold but may not quite meet their usual standards.
- Minority Report (2002) is a sci-fi thriller that sets the stage for War of the Worlds, following a man who stops crimes before they happen, only to find himself a target.
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014) stands as not just Cruise's best sci-fi movie, but one of his best performances, period, with a mind-bending, roller coaster ride of time-travel and alien-invasion action.
- The Mission: Impossible movies, while not technically sci-fi, are dubbed "spy-fi" due to their realistic action blended with fictionalized technology.
- Trapped in the Closet, an iconic South Park episode, is an honorable mention inTom Cruise's sci-fi and fantasy roles, although Cruise himself did not appear in it.