Tom Cruise’s Top 10 Action Movies to Watch Before ‘Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning’

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Ever since Brian De Palma brought back the franchise in 1996, Tom Cruise has been a top action star that movie theaters can rely on. In May 2025, you’ll find him reprising his role as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. This film will mark the end of his fight against the Entity, an AI program with a mind of its own, causing terrorism. As the eighth movie featuring Cruise as Hunt, it’s shaping up to be one of the most action-packed in both the actor’s career and the series as a whole.

For nearly three decades, Tom Cruise has been a leading figure in modern-day action films, with Mission: Impossible standing out as the pinnacle of his work within the genre. However, he’s also explored various sub-genres such as sci-fi thrillers and comedic reinterpretations of his famous roles. Few actors can boast a career as successful as Cruise, and his extensive collection of high-octane action movies and gripping thrillers is a testament to this — providing Ethan Hunt fans with plenty of entertaining content.

The story unfolds in a future Earth, devastated by a conflict between humans and extraterrestrial beings, where our protagonists, Jack and Victoria, work at a floating space station called the Tet. Their job involves supervising the transformation of Earth’s water into energy. During his duties, Jack encounters what he thinks are surviving alien forces on the planet’s surface, known as Scavs. As he delves deeper, he finds himself confronted with questions that challenge his understanding of life itself.

Oblivion offered Tom Cruise an outstanding science fiction film experience, one that offers a fresh and distinctive narrative within the genre, compelling viewers to ponder their beliefs. Although there are moments of slowness, the movie is brimming with thrilling action scenes as its protagonist journeys through the desolate landscapes of Earth in pursuit of truth. Even though it lacks the spy-centric plot of a ‘Mission: Impossible’ film, it remains an undervalued gem that Cruise enthusiasts often overlook.

The movie “Edge of Tomorrow” is set during an invasion by extraterrestrial beings called Mimics, who usually triumph over human armies. The narrative centers around Major William Cage, a soldier who’s keen on avoiding combat duty, but ends up getting demoted and teaming up with the infantry. After being contaminated by the blood of an Alpha Mimic, he acquires a unique ability: he can relive each day following his death, which proves beneficial in battle as he continually tests the enemy for vulnerabilities.

Working alongside the formidable Rita Vrataski, he repeatedly engages in the fight until he discovers a method to save the world. The movie, titled Edge of Tomorrow, based on the graphic novel All You Need Is Kill, is among the most thrilling sci-fi films ever made, offering an adrenaline rush for fans of the genre. Mimicking the layout and feel of a video game, the movie stands out as Cruise’s most action-oriented project aside from his Mission: Impossible roles. Action, war, and sci-fi enthusiasts alike should consider watching this film for its intense fight scenes, humor, or captivating special effects.

In this narrative, humans with the ability to predict crimes are employed by law enforcement agencies to prevent murders before they occur. The central character is John Anderton, a pre-crime detective, who finds himself in a perilous situation when these precognitive individuals label him as a future murderer. Faced with this accusation, he must frantically investigate the case against himself, unravel the mystery surrounding another victim’s death, and simultaneously evade capture by a relentless police officer.

Minority Report” is a captivating blend of dystopian science fiction, intriguing murder mystery, and pulse-pounding action that solidified Tom Cruise’s reputation with one of his finest performances. Directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, this film showcases an intricately designed high-tech future and delves into the ethical implications of advanced crime prevention methods and potential pitfalls of technology. As a compelling addition to Tom Cruise’s acting repertoire, it serves as a fitting sequel to the Mission: Impossible series, sharing its dynamic pace and intensity.

Michael Mann’s film “Collateral” placed Tom Cruise in an uncommon role as Vincent, a ruthless assassin who enlists the services of a taxi driver named Max in Los Angeles, using him to transport his targets. As the evening unfolds, Max struggles to free himself from his dangerous passenger for fear of becoming another victim on Vincent’s list. The LAPD work tirelessly to thwart further killings and bring the situation under control.

In essence, Collateral stands as the pinnacle of the thriller genre during the 2000s, setting itself apart with its authentic tone and palpable tension from beginning to end. It offers an unexpected layer of depth and philosophy within the genre, making it a crucial addition to Tom Cruise’s career portfolio – a testament to the fact that Michael Mann is one of the greatest living action/thriller directors.

As a die-hard movie lover, I found myself right smack dab in the middle of “Knight and Day,” where Tom Cruise donned the role of Roy Miller – a top-tier CIA agent, blacklisted by my agency due to false accusations of treason. In a twist of fate, I crossed paths with a woman named June, who was unknowingly roped into this mess, mistakenly perceived as an ally by the agency, and marked for elimination alongside the real culprit behind the U.S.’s betrayal. To shield her from harm and to clear my name, Roy took it upon himself to safeguard her throughout this exhilarating quest, which led us both to the only individual who could help exonerate me – a journey that ultimately resulted in an unexpected romance blossoming between us.

The film Knight and Day is not just an exhilarating action story but also a playful jab at Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible roles. It skillfully combines adrenaline-pumping moments with a hint of romantic humor. As one of the more humorous films in his career, Cruise delivers an espionage movie that maintains a playful tone – even amidst impressive action scenes.

Following the massive success of Tony Scott’s Top Gun in the 80s, fans have been eagerly anticipating a comeback for Tom Cruise’s character, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. After a wait of nearly four decades, their wishes were granted with the release of 2022’s Top Gun Maverick. In this sequel, we find Maverick, now an experienced pilot, transitioning from being an elite test pilot to training a new group of aviators for a mission targeting an enemy nuclear site. Despite friction with Rooster, Goose’s son, he manages to win the respect of his squadron and leads them on their most critical mission yet.

Top Gun: Maverick reached the pinnacle of Tom Cruise’s box office achievements and significantly outperformed the original in terms of quality. By skillfully blending fan appreciation, nostalgia, and the development of fresh heroic characters, the film met and exceeded audience expectations. From its thrilling aerial scenes to poignant character relationships, the movie solidified its position as one of the most impressive successes of the 2020s.

Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series chronicles the continuing tale of the revered former military detective, who often finds himself entangled in diverse murder mysteries and criminal intrigues. In 2012, Cruise was selected for the part, which left some ardent readers a bit displeased. The film centers around Reacher, who becomes embroiled in a multiple homicide case involving an old suspect accused of killing a haphazardly chosen group of victims – unknowingly leading him into a lethal web of conspiracy.

He joins forces with a legal expert to delve into the case using his detective abilities. Despite some criticisms about the comparison between Tom Cruise’s movies and Amazon’s series portraying Jack Reacher, both offer exciting thrillers. Although the portrayal of the character may not be completely accurate in Cruise’s films, watching him portray a competent, no-nonsense hero dismantle a criminal network is still an enjoyable experience.

In 1996, director Brian De Palma brought back the action-packed spy series “Mission: Impossible” that had concluded in 1973. This fresh take introduced a new protagonist, Ethan Hunt, who found himself investigating the murder of his team and stopping the dissemination of a global list of undercover agents. Accompanied by an assortment of questionable operatives, Hunt embarks on a mission to execute a masterful plan to apprehend those responsible, clear his name, and bring justice.

1996’s “Mission: Impossible” film marked a pivotal point in Tom Cruise’s career, much like how it influenced the action genre. This movie, connecting back to the original series, demonstrated its importance within the action genre by offering some of the most memorable stunts and scenes from the 90s, thanks to Brian De Palma’s exceptional directional skills.

Impossible” movie, JJ Abrams stepped in to lead the franchise for its third installment. Here, Ethan’s narrative develops significantly, introducing a long-term romantic interest for him as he is once again called upon by the IMF to save an old comrade. Collaborating with a new squad, he pursues the cold-blooded arms dealer, Owen Davian, and strives to apprehend him before he can locate and endanger Hunt’s fiancee.

The third installment of “Mission: Impossible” significantly elevated the series, leaving behind the overly cheesy feel of the second movie and instead delving into a more serious, gripping aspect of the franchise. This is where Ethan Hunt truly established himself as a formidable candidate for cinema’s top spy, demonstrating equal finesse and skill to that of James Bond. The film stands out with an exceptional villain portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman as Davian, coupled with some of the most thrilling action sequences yet, making it a crucial addition to the “Mission: Impossible” chronicles.

After his triumph against the Syndicate in Fallout, Ethan Hunt embarked on his seventh assignment in 2023’s Dead Reckoning: Part One. In this mission, he was tasked by the IMF with retrieving a crucial item, eventually discovering it had ties to a self-aware Russian AI, codenamed the Entity. Alongside Gabriel, an old adversary of Ethan, the Entity began to exert its influence, subtly controlling Ethan and his team, aiming to seize the key.

As The Final Reckoning approaches, it’s highly recommended that fans of the Mission: Impossible series watch Dead Reckoning. Watching the first part beforehand will only enhance your enjoyment of the finale. This seventh installment in the franchise is particularly noteworthy for showcasing some of Tom Cruise’s most impressive stunts and featuring a distinctive antagonist, while also providing additional depth to Hunt’s background.

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2025-05-03 02:09