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Tom Cruise, an international star, has long been the name to call on when it comes to action films like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible. But he also has some lesser-known films under his belt that are usually eclipsed by his more well-known performances. They were not necessarily blockbuster hits or universally acclaimed by critics, but they do illustrate the range and depth of Cruise as an actor.
In this article, explore five of Tom Cruise’s lesser-known films that deserve more attention, diving into their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings to uncover why they’re worth watching. IMDb: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 28% (Critics), 47% (Audience) Lions for Lambs is Robert Redford’s political drama in which Cruise portrays a US senator who supports military action in the Middle East.
The film weaves three parallel storylines, looking at the worldviews of a journalist (Meryl Streep), a professor (Redford), and troops in Afghanistan. Although the reception of the film was varied, its performances, particularly by Cruise, are notable. His performance as the senator is multifaceted, and his moral ambiguity adds depth to the character.
While attacked for being preachy and too didactic, Lions for Lambs provides biting commentary on American foreign policy and the contemporary political scene. Its timeliness continues to resonate in the current world, and as such, presents a strong case for a watch among fans of political dramas that think. IMDb: 5.
4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 15% (Critics), 35% (Audience) In The Mummy, Cruise stars as Nick Morton, a soldier who unwittingly awakens an ancient princess, wreaking havoc. The movie, which aimed to kick off Universal’s ‘Dark Universe’ franchise, disappointed, both at the box office and with critics. Although it failed to provide the anticipated success, The Mummy is not without its strengths.
Cruise delivers his usual fast-paced action style, and the movie boasts great visual effects and action-packed scenes. While the movie failed to create a bigger franchise, it is still a fun action-adventure on its own. The Dark Universe project’s failure should not diminish the efforts of the film to mix horror, action, and comedy.
It’s an easy, fun movie to watch despite its shortcomings. IMDb: 5.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 43% (Critics), 55% (Audience) The 1987 Los Angeles backdrop of the rock musical comedy Rock of Ages is saturated in popular rock songs by Journey, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi.
Cruise is Stacee Jaxx, a flamboyant rock star that radiates the decadence of the era. The movie didn’t do very well in the box office and didn’t get good reviews either, but Cruise’s performance is undeniably riveting. He adds an unanticipated layer to his character, striking just the right note between the humour and vulnerability of his character.
The film’s sentimentality and its lack holds barrenness might have glued some people over the years, but it has certainly gained a cult following. The musical performances of Cruise, such as his performance of ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, reveal his surprise musical ability, which makes Rock of Ages an underappreciated gem in his filmography. IMDb: 6.
3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 51% (Critics), 49% (Audience) Knight and Day are an action-comedy where Cruise stars as Roy Miller, a spy who pulls an ordinary woman, Cameron Diaz, into a crazy adventure. The movie mixes high-octane action with light humour, and Cruise gets high marks for making the two work together so well. The critics are divided on whether the film is fun to watch: some complain about its predictable plot, while others praise the chemistry between the stars.
Cruise’s performance is particularly noteworthy because he deftly balances humorous timing with tough-guy action. Although the film didn’t make huge waves, it’s still an easy, pleasant adventure and a testament to Cruise’s range across various genres. IMDb: 6.
1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 37% (Critics), 42% (Audience) The follow-up to Jack Reacher (2012), Never Go Back, follows the adventures of the titular character, a retired military police officer turned wanderer who stumbles upon a conspiracy . While it may not have topped the critical acclaim or box office numbers set by the original, with decent action sequences and Cruise’s ice-cold acting to back it up, the movie certainly entertains. Critics have lambasted the cliche storyline and a lack of character development, but Cruise as Reacher still comes across as magnetic.
While Never Go Back didn’t hit as hard as the original movie, it still has the intense action and tough-guy image that fans of the Jack Reacher character have come to expect. Cruise’s performance in making Reacher seem moral and strong gives depth to what is otherwise a simple action movie. Although Tom Cruise has a long list of successful films, these five films reveal a different side of the actor who isn’t afraid to take on more seriously, less well-known roles.
Even while the films themselves weren’t exactly well regarded, Cruise has shown his range as an actor with roles in action comedies like Knight and Day and political dramas like Lions for Lambs. All of them mark the peaks and troughs of Tom Cruise’s career-they were unfortunate on the box office front. However, such hiccups seem to be random chances given to fans to witness yet another facet of today's action-hero-poised star of Hollywood, the impact of underrated, or in some cases undervalued, movies.
Worth looking at by both enthusiasts and newbies, even if some of these films didn't quite work, they are present throughout..
