Tom Cruise’s Action Films Miss Out on IMDb’s Top 10 List

Tom Cruise has long been a powerhouse in the world of action movies, starring in some of the most memorable blockbusters of the past few decades. Despite his reputation for jaw-dropping stunts and high-octane performances, not a single one of his films landed in the top 10 highest-rated action movies on IMDb.

Hollywood Collaborations and the Mission: Impossible Era

Throughout the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s, Cruise worked with acclaimed directors like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Stanley Kubrick. Over the last twenty years, he’s focused heavily on action, especially with the Mission: Impossible series, always striving to deliver top-tier entertainment. Yet, his highest-rated film on IMDb’s action list is 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, which holds an 8.2 rating and sits at number 27.

The current top 10 action movies on IMDb include titles like The Dark Knight, Inception, The Matrix, and Gladiator. Cruise’s absence from this elite group is surprising, especially given his commitment to the genre and his willingness to perform his own stunts.

Stunt Work and Its Impact on Cruise’s Career

One of the defining features of Cruise’s career is his dedication to performing dangerous stunts himself. His athleticism and drive for authenticity have become a hallmark of his movies. Studios invest millions in these sequences, knowing that audiences flock to see what he’ll do next. Even as he gets older, Cruise continues to push the envelope, often risking injury for the sake of realism.

Matt Damon once shared that Cruise told him about firing a safety advisor who warned a stunt was too risky. Studios have embraced this approach, using Cruise’s daredevil reputation as a key part of their marketing. In recent Mission: Impossible installments, he’s performed feats like hanging off a flying plane, learning speed-flying, breaking his ankle leaping between buildings, and dangling from the world’s tallest skyscraper.

For Top Gun, Cruise trained with real fighter pilots. During a parachute scene, he narrowly avoided a life-threatening accident when water filled his chute. Actor Barry Tubb recalled,

“He came as close to dying as anybody on a set I’ve ever seen.”

These high-stakes moments have become a major draw for moviegoers, helping each new Mission: Impossible film outdo the last at the box office. The same thrill factor contributed to Top Gun: Maverick ’s record-breaking success.

Shifting Gears: Cruise’s Upcoming Comedy Project

After years of adrenaline-fueled roles, Cruise is set to take a new direction. He’s reuniting with Warner Bros. for the first time in over a decade, starring in an untitled film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The Oscar- winning director, known for Birdman and The Revenant, co-wrote the script with his Birdman collaborators. Cruise is also producing the project alongside Iñárritu.

Filming began in the UK in November 2024 and wrapped up in May 2025. Iñárritu confirmed in an interview that the movie will be a comedy. The cast features Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde, Emma D’Arcy, Robert John Burke, Burn Gorman, Michael Stuhlbarg, and John Goodman. The film is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.

Despite his status as one of Hollywood’s top earners, Cruise has yet to win an Oscar for acting. Fans are hopeful that this collaboration with Iñárritu could finally bring him the recognition he deserves, much like Leonardo DiCaprio’s partnership with the director ended his own Oscar drought.