Tom Cruise is a household name in Hollywood, known for his dynamic acting and incredible range. But one thing that sets him apart from many of his peers is his dedication to performing his own stunts. From scaling the Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, to hanging off the side of an airplane in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Cruise has made a name for himself as one of the industry’s most fearless action stars.

Cruise’s love for performing his own stunts started early on in his career. In the 1986 film Top Gun, he performed his own flying stunts, becoming a certified jet pilot. From there, he continued to push the limits in his action scenes, performing dangerous stunts in films such as The Firm, Days of Thunder, and War of the Worlds.
But it was the Mission: Impossible franchise that truly cemented Cruise’s reputation as an action star. In the first film, he hung off the side of the vault in the iconic scene where his character, Ethan Hunt, breaks into CIA headquarters. In the following films, he continued to raise the bar with each new stunt, from scaling the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, to performing a HALO (high altitude, low open) jump from 25,000 feet.

But it’s not just the physical aspect of his performances that make Cruise such a compelling action star. He brings a level of intensity and vulnerability to his characters that make them feel like real people, not just action figures. He’s able to convey the weight of the danger his characters are in, and the emotional stakes of their missions.
Tom Cruise’s career is a testament to his dedication and passion for his craft. He continues to push the limits and raise the bar with each new film, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s greatest action stars. Whether he’s hanging off the side of a building or piloting a fighter jet, Cruise always manages to bring a level of excitement and realism to his performances that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Here is a list of some of Tom Cruise’s most notable action movies which raise Tom Cruise’s net worth.
Top Gun (1986)
In this classic film, Cruise plays Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a reckless but talented fighter pilot who is sent to the Top Gun naval flying school to improve his skills. The film features thrilling flying sequences and a memorable soundtrack.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
In the first installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, a secret agent who is betrayed by his own agency and must clear his name. The film features a number of memorable action scenes, including the iconic vault scene where Cruise hangs from the ceiling.
Minority Report (2002)
In this science fiction thriller, Cruise plays John Anderton, a detective who is falsely accused of a crime he has yet to commit. The film features high-speed chases, intense fight scenes, and a thought-provoking story.
War of the Worlds (2005)
In this adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, Cruise plays Ray Ferrier, a dockworker who must protect his children from an alien invasion. The film features spectacular special effects and intense action sequences.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
In this fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt and his team must clear their organization’s name after they are falsely accused of a terrorist bombing. The film features a number of breathtaking action sequences, including Cruise’s climb of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
In this fifth installment of the franchise, Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt and his team must take on a rogue organization of highly skilled agents. The film features a number of intense action sequences, including Cruise hanging off the side of an airplane during takeoff.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
The sixth installment of the franchise, in which Ethan Hunt and his team are on a mission to prevent a global catastrophe. The film features some of the most intense and spectacular action scenes of the series, including a helicopter chase and a thrilling motorcycle chase through the streets of Paris.