The Highest-Grossing Movies of Tom Cruise: Hollywood’s Ultimate Action Icon

When you think of Hollywood megastars, one name stands tall above the rest — Tom Cruise. From flying fighter jets to daring impossible missions, Cruise has defined blockbuster cinema for over four decades. His dedication, charisma, and high-octane performances have not only made him a legend but also one of the most bankable stars in movie history.

In this blog, we take a look at the highest-grossing movies of Tom Cruise, exploring how he turned action into art, and box office success into a global phenomenon.

🌟 1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022) – The Sky-High Blockbuster

Worldwide Box Office: $1.496 billion

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Genre: Action / Drama

Nearly four decades after the original Top Gun, Cruise returned as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell — and the world couldn’t get enough. Top Gun: Maverick became a cinematic event, drawing audiences of all generations. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was a masterclass in storytelling and aerial cinematography.

This film marked the biggest box office success of Tom Cruise’s career, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Critics praised its emotional depth, breathtaking flight sequences, and Cruise’s dedication to doing his own stunts — proving once again that he’s Hollywood’s last true movie star.

Where to Watch: Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video

💣 2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Worldwide Box Office: $791 million

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Genre: Action / Spy Thriller

The sixth entry in the Mission: Impossible series delivered some of the most jaw-dropping stunts ever seen on screen. From a HALO jump to a helicopter chase through the Himalayas, Cruise pushed the limits of physical endurance.

Fallout is often hailed as the best in the franchise, blending complex storytelling with practical effects and heart-pounding action. The chemistry between Cruise and co-stars Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson added another layer to its global appeal.

Where to Watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

💥 3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Worldwide Box Office: $567 million

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Genre: Action / Adventure

Even after three decades, Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt still thrills audiences worldwide. Dead Reckoning Part One delivered one of the most dangerous stunts in cinema history — Cruise riding a motorcycle off a cliff and parachuting down.

While it faced tough competition from Barbie and Oppenheimer, it still pulled in massive global numbers and solidified Cruise’s unmatched draw as an action superstar.

Where to Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

🕵️‍♂️ 4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Worldwide Box Office: $694 million

Director: Brad Bird

Genre: Action / Spy Thriller

Who could forget the scene where Cruise scales Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world? Ghost Protocol revived the Mission: Impossible franchise and reintroduced Cruise as a global box office magnet.

The film’s blend of high-tech espionage, thrilling set pieces, and Cruise’s fearless stunt work made it one of the defining blockbusters of the 2010s.

Where to Watch: Paramount+ and Hulu

⚔️ 5. The Last Samurai (2003)

Worldwide Box Office: $456 million

Director: Edward Zwick

Genre: Historical Drama

Departing from his usual action roles, The Last Samurai showed Cruise’s versatility as an actor. Playing Nathan Algren, an American soldier who finds redemption among samurai warriors, Cruise delivered one of his most heartfelt performances.

The film’s emotional story, combined with breathtaking cinematography and historical depth, earned critical acclaim and major box office success.

Where to Watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

🧠 6. War of the Worlds (2005)

Worldwide Box Office: $603 million

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller

Tom Cruise teamed up with legendary director Steven Spielberg for this gripping alien invasion blockbuster. War of the Worlds blended intense visuals with a deeply human story about survival and family.

The movie’s release proved that Cruise could dominate not just in spy thrillers but also in science fiction, further expanding his global appeal.

Where to Watch: Apple TV and Prime Video

🚗 7. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Worldwide Box Office: $688 million

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Genre: Action / Spy Thriller

This fifth installment of the series showed no signs of slowing down. Cruise’s opening airplane stunt — where he literally hung onto the side of an aircraft during takeoff — became iconic.

Rogue Nation also introduced Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust, a fan-favorite character, and cemented Cruise’s status as the world’s most fearless leading man.

Where to Watch: Paramount+

🕴️ 8. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Worldwide Box Office: $398 million

Director: J.J. Abrams

Genre: Action / Spy Thriller

This entry rebooted the tone of the franchise with deeper emotional stakes and a chilling villain played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. It marked the beginning of Cruise’s long-running collaboration with Paramount Pictures that continues to dominate the global box office.

Where to Watch: Netflix and Paramount+

🎯 Conclusion

From Top Gun: Maverick to Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Tom Cruise’s legacy is built on passion, precision, and pure dedication to cinematic excellence. Unlike many stars who rely on CGI or body doubles, Cruise performs his own stunts, creating a level of authenticity that audiences truly appreciate.

With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two on the horizon, it’s clear that Tom Cruise isn’t slowing down anytime soon. His movies don’t just entertain — they remind us what makes cinema truly spectacular.