9 Best Non-Action Tom Cruise Movies

As a cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that Tom Cruise‘s career is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days as a young heartthrob in Risky Business to his critically acclaimed performances in Magnolia and Jerry Maguire, Cruise has proven time and again that he’s more than just a pretty face.

When you imagine Tom Cruise, it’s likely the high-octane action films such as Mission: Impossible and Top Gun spring to mind first. Given his rise to become one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, this is probably the image he hopes to convey. There isn’t another quite like him, and his name has become synonymous with blockbusters, irrespective of certain aspects of his private life that don’t affect your initial thought process.

Tom Cruise isn’t just known for his action roles; he has a less flashy side as well. Many of his less action-packed films were made before he gained fame as Ethan Hunt, a key figure in cinema’s spy world. Before becoming the action superstar we know today, Cruise demonstrated his versatility with a series of non-action films that show there’s more to him than good looks.

9 Rain Man (1988)

The movie “Rain Man” tells the story of Charlie Babbitt, a self-centered businessman who discovers he has an older brother, Raymond, whom he hadn’t known about due to years of estrangement from their father, who has recently passed away. Intrigued by the possibility of inheriting some money, Charlie embarks on a quest to find this newfound sibling. Upon meeting Raymond, he learns that his brother is autistic. As time passes, Charlie uncovers Raymond’s exceptional talent and attempts to exploit their relationship for personal gain.

A Worthy Turn of Character

1988 marked the year when Tom Cruise brought Charlie Babbitt to life in one of the ’80s most successful films, “Rain Man.” Despite being typecast from his “Top Gun” persona at the time, “Rain Man” was a significant departure for him as it represented one of his first serious roles that deviated from youthful stereotypes and moved towards more mature and adult-like portrayals.

It goes without saying that his performance was exceptional, yet it fell short of earning an Academy Award nomination. The movie, however, bagged four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor awarded to Dustin Hoffman, and Best Original Screenplay.

You can stream Rain Man on Tubi.

8 A Few Good Men (1992)

The movie “A Few Good Men” centers around a courtroom case involving two U.S. Marines being charged with the murder of a young private stationed at Guantanamo. At first, inexperienced lawyer Daniel Kaffee thinks he can negotiate a plea bargain and move on, but as he and fellow attorney Joanne Gallowee delve deeper into the case, they discover that the murder might have been carried out under an order from a superior, who was allegedly attempting to discipline a young recruit.

The Definition of a Good Legal Drama

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d like to highlight my appreciation for the compelling political drama, “A Few Good Men,” masterfully directed by Rob Reiner and written by the exceptionally talented Aaron Sorkin in his early days. In this captivating film, I found one of Tom Cruise’s finest performances as he takes on the role of Kaffee alongside an extraordinary ensemble cast that includes Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, J. T. Walsh, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland. Despite being a critical darling, this movie failed to win any Oscars.

7 Interview With the Vampire (1994)

In “Interview with the Vampire,” a journalist from San Francisco has an extraordinary opportunity to interview a man claiming to be a vampire. This individual is Louis de Pointe du Lac, who was turned into a vampire by Lestat de Lioncourt in the late 1700s. Over time, Louis becomes Lestat’s follower, and later, a child named Claudia enters their lives, turning them into a vampire family. However, the true nature of Lestat continues to trouble Louis even after his actual demise.

Remember When Vampires Had to Be Sexy?

Stepping into the shoes of the immortal Lestat, Tom Cruise breathes new life into this Gothic horror legend, crafted by director Neil Jordan and inspired by Anne Rice’s captivating novel. This cinematic masterpiece marked not only a significant milestone for Cruise but also catapulted his co-star, Brad Pitt, towards Hollywood stardom. Nominated for two Academy Awards, “Interview with the Vampire” was an unparalleled success at the box office, raking in a staggering $223 million against a production budget of $60 million – a remarkable feat for a horror film in the mid-1990s. As a movie enthusiast, I wholeheartedly recommend this timeless tale to all fans of the genre.

6 Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

In the movie titled “Eyes Wide Shut“, Bill and Alice Harford are wealthy members of New York’s elite society. Despite their privileged life, there are cracks in their relationship, as Alice confides that she has erotic daydreams about another man. Bill, intrigued by a mysterious invitation to a clandestine group, attends hoping for exotic experiences. However, he stumbles not into pleasure, but rather into a world of darkness and deception filled with questionable activities such as murder, illicit sex, and hidden truths.

An Undeniable Inside Look Into Humankind’s Darkest Limits

In Stanley Kubrick’s last under-appreciated movie, Tom Cruise portrays a deeply troubled family man seeking solace in the depths of human existence. This film, titled “Eyes Wide Shut,” is an adaptation from Arthur Schnitzler’s novel “Traumnovelle.” Interestingly, “Eyes Wide Shut” was filmed over a record-breaking 400 days, as recognized by Guinness World Records for the longest uninterrupted film production.

5 The Firm (1993)

The Firm tells the tale of Mitch McDeere, a promising law graduate from Harvard, who swiftly lands a position at an elite law firm. However, this job poses challenges for his marriage, yet offers numerous benefits being the fresh recruit. Trouble arises when Mitch uncovers the true identities of the firm’s clients and becomes entangled in the complications that ensue as he delves deeper.

Cruise’s Last Role as a “Young and Innocent Dude”

Under the direction of Sydney Pollack and adapted from John Grisham’s book, The Firm is another outstanding legal drama in Tom Cruise’s repertoire. However, unlike its predecessors, this film takes a turn towards thriller midway through. It was a box office success, earning a staggering $270 million and demonstrating that Cruise’s involvement could lead to increased ticket sales. The movie garnered two nominations at the Academy Awards.

4 Risky Business (1983)

In the movie titled “Risky Business“, the character Joel Goodsen is enjoying life to the fullest. He’s a diligent student and aspires to be a thriving young professional, mirroring his father’s path. However, everything shifts when his parents go away for a while, and one of his friends invites a prostitute to Joel’s place. His life takes an ominous turn after he discovers Lana has made off with a highly valuable item, prompting him to retrieve it.

The Icon is Born

1983 saw Tom Cruise take part in four significant movie productions, with “Risky Business” being the one that truly thrust him into the limelight. In this film, he portrayed a young and attractive star capable of playing both the charming lead and the hapless victim of his own questionable actions.

1. The movie was extremely successful at the box office, earning approximately $64 million against a production budget of just $6 million. It even landed Tom Cruise a nomination for a Golden Globe award. Moreover, it is a performance that people will never forget him for, thanks to the memorable “dance in his underwear” scene. Interestingly, this is the only film featuring Tom Cruise that has been included in Criterion’s prestigious collection.

3 Magnolia (1999)

Magnolia delves into the lives of various individuals who, by sheer coincidence, find their tales intertwined within the fabric of California’s San Fernando Valley. Paul Thomas Anderson masterfully crafts a series of poignant vignettes that explore themes of love and redemption, with Tom Cruise portraying Frank T.J. Mackey, a character grappling with the approaching demise of his father.

Cruise’s Best Performance by Far

1. The main actors in this production were Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melinda Dillon, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, and Jason Robards. However, it’s not common to find Tom Cruise at the peak of his career, but his portrayal of the world’s most outrageous motivational speaker is simply stunning. It’s arguably his finest performance yet, earning him a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

You can stream Magnolia on PlutoTV.

2 The Color of Money (1986)

The Hue of Finance

One of Cruise’s Most Underrated Performances From His Early Era

In the same year he starred in “Top Gun” and established himself as a significant action star within Hollywood, Tom Cruise also featured in Martin Scorsese’s sports drama “The Color of Money.” His portrayal of Vincent Lauria was flawless. The movie received four Academy Award nominations, with Paul Newman taking home the Best Actor award on that night.

1 Jerry Maguire (1996)

The film Jerry Maguire revolves around a sports agent whose moral integrity is dubious. However, after getting fired and finding himself in a desperate situation where he has to plead with one of his smallest clients to remain his agent, Jerry Maguire stands at a crucial juncture. With only one client left, Jerry seems destined for failure until he encounters a single mother who becomes an essential part of his journey to establish a new agency. Dorothy and her family show Jerry that there’s more value in life than just a lucrative client.

Cruise’s Best Attempt at the Romantic Comedy Genre

1996 saw the release of “Jerry Maguire,” a box office success, coinciding with Tom Cruise’s debut as Ethan Hunt in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. This film, in a way, signaled the end of lighter roles for Cruise, who generally steered clear of such comedic performances thereafter (except perhaps in “Rock of Ages”). Remarkably, this is one out of two times Cruise was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Although “Jerry Maguire” earned four additional nominations, it was Cuba Gooding Jr. who won the award that night, taking home the prize for Best Supporting Actor.

2024-08-24 05:02