tom cruise in reacher

• Privacy Policy
• Sample Page

The Reading Order

Feel the Need … the need to READ !

Jack Reacher Film Series : All Jack Reacher Movies in Order

Tom Cruise Jack Reacher Movies in Order: Want to enjoy one of the best Crime-Thrilling-Action series based on Lee Child’s novel “One Shot” centering Jack Reacher, a title character and the protagonist of a series, starring Tom Cruise in the lead. After leaving the US Army as a major in its military police at age 36, Reacher roams the United States taking odd jobs and investigating suspicious and frequently dangerous situations. Reacher must uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear his name. On the run as a fugitive from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever. Cruise gives a riveting performance as Jack Reacher, a nomad with a military past who frequently gets involved in solving crimes.

People are fans of Tom Cruise and if you are one of them and wish to watch this Tom Cruise movie i.e Jack Reacher then here is the best guide for you to watch Tom Cruise Jack Reacher Movies in Order and how many Jack Reacher films are there?

Order to Watch Jack Reacher Film Series Movies

1. jack reacher (2012).

Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) leaps off the pages of Lee Child’s bestselling novel and onto the big screen in this explosive thriller. 

In the film, A seemingly purposeless shooting rampage claimed the lives of five people in a typical town one morning. The investigation quickly zeroes in on a single possible suspect, a former military sniper, who is taken into custody without delay. The questioning of the individual results in one statement: Get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise).

Reacher, a mysterious former Army investigator, is convinced that the authorities have the correct suspect, but he still agrees to work with the sniper’s defense attorney (Rosamund Pike). However, the more Reacher investigates the situation, the less black and white it seems to be.

2. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Jack Reacher returns to enforce his bold brand of justice in the action-packed sequel based on the 2013 novel Never Go Back by Lee Child.

In the films, Jack Reacher, a former soldier and drifter, completes his mission to dismantle a human trafficking organization, he travels to Washington, DC, to meet with his liaison, Major Susan Turner, for dinner. But instead, he runs into her replacement, Colonel Sam Morgan, who tells him that Major Turner has been arrested on espionage charges.

Jack consults with Colonel Bob Moorcroft, her seasoned attorney, who reveals that Major Turner is also under suspicion for the deaths of two American servicemen in Afghanistan. In addition, he informs Jack that a woman has filed a lawsuit against him, claiming that he is the father of her fifteen-year-old daughter, Samantha.

Jack is thrown in jail after being falsely accused of murdering Moorcroft. He realizes that he and Turner are both in the crosshairs of two assassins and that they have been set up. But he comes to her aid, and they make their escape. It doesn’t take long before they figure out that army personnel and a powerful government contractor/arms dealer are involved in a plot.

Additionally, Jack finds out that Samantha is in danger, and he and Turner end up saving her. While they investigate the source of the conspiracy, they decide to keep her safe from the assassin who is after them. What or who can we put our faith in?

How many Jack Reacher movies are there?

The smooth, charismatic performance by Tom Cruise elevates the average crime thriller Jack Reacher to the next level. There are a total of TWO (2) films in the Jack Reacher film series. The ex-military cop that Jack Reacher is following in this thrilling thriller is investigating a sniper accused of five murders, and Reacher finds himself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The second half of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back involves Reacher and an Army major who has been falsely accused of espionage going on the run together and uncovering a sinister conspiracy.

All Jack Reacher Movies in Order of Release Date 

Here is the list of Jack Reacher films in order, they were released.

1. Jack Reacher — December 21, 2012

2. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back — October 21, 2016

Where to Watch Jack Reacher Movies?

Want to enjoy one of the best Crime-Thrilling-Action series centering Jack Reacher, a title character and the protagonist of a series. But Where Can I watch Jack Reacher movies in order? You are able to stream Tom Cruise Jack Reacher films in order by renting or purchasing on Amazon Prime because it is pretty much solely available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Are Jack Reacher 1 and 2 connected?

The two Jack Reacher movies with Tom Cruise in the title role are not related, despite sharing the same source material (Lee Child’s crime novel series) and star (Tom Cruise). In the first film, there is a case involving the deaths of five people after a shooting, and there is one clear suspect. When Jack gets involved, however, the investigation takes a more sinister turn, and he learns some unpleasant truths about the underbelly of bureaucracy. In the sequel, Jack and an army major who has been falsely accused of espionage go on the run together and uncover a nefarious government plot. So Jack Reacher 1 and 2 connected are not connected.

Lee Child Jack Reacher Books in Order

Known by his pen name, Lee Child, British author Jim Grant created the character of Jack Reacher for a number of works. Reacher has quit his job as a major in the Military Police and is now working odd jobs across the country. He travels to a new location, helps a stranger in need, eliminates the bad guys, and then leaves on the next bus out of town. Reacher doesn’t actively seek out trouble, but it seems to find him anyway. The Jack Reacher novels are presented here in the order in which they were written, though they can be enjoyed in any order.

Jack Reacher Novels in Order:

• Killing Floor (1997)
• Die Trying (1998)
• Tripwire (1999)
• Running Blind / The Visitor (2000)
• Echo Burning (2001)
• Without Fail (2002)
• Persuader (2003)
• The Enemy (2004)
• One Shot (2005)
• The Hard Way (2006)
• Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
• Nothing to Lose (2008)
• Gone Tomorrow (2009)
• 61 Hours (2010)
• Worth Dying For (2010)
• The Affair (2011)
• A Wanted Man (2012)
• Never Go Back (2013)
• Personal (2014)
• Make Me (2015)
• Night School (2016)
• The Midnight Line (2017)
• Past Tense (2018)
• Blue Moon (2019)
• The Sentinel (2020)
• Better Off Dead (2021)

Jack Reacher Books in Reading Order(In-story chronology):

• Second Son (short story, 2011)
• High Heat (novella, 2013)
• Deep Down (short story, 2012)
• Small Wars (short story, 2015)
• James Penney’s New Identity (1999 edited 2006)
• The Visitor – aka Running Blind (2000)
• Guy Walks into a Bar… (2009)
• Knowing you’re Alive (with Morgan Snow) (2011)
• Everyone Talks (2012)
• Not a Drill (2014)
• Good and Valuable Consideration (with Nick Heller) (2014)
• No Room at the Motel (2014)
• The Picture of the Lonely Diner (2015)
• Maybe they Have a Tradition (2016)
• Faking a Murderer (with Temperance Brennan) (2017)
• Too Much Time (2017)
• The Christmas Scorpion (2017)
• The Fourth Man (2018)
• Cleaning the Gold (with Will Trent) (2019)
• Smile (2019)
• The Sentinel (October 2020)
• Better Off Dead (October 2021)

Thanks for Visit!

Related Posts

How to Watch Mad Max Movies In Order of EVENT

How to Watch Predator Movies in Order

How to Watch Murder on the Orient Express Movies in Order

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Civil War Link to Civil War
• Monkey Man Link to Monkey Man
• Scoop Link to Scoop

New TV Tonight

• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• The Sympathizer: Season 1
• Conan O'Brien Must Go: Season 1
• Our Living World: Season 1
• The Spiderwick Chronicles: Season 1
• Orlando Bloom: To the Edge: Season 1
• The Circle: Season 6
• Dinner with the Parents: Season 1
• Jane: Season 2

Most Popular TV on RT

• Fallout: Season 1
• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Parasyte: The Grey: Season 1
• Sugar: Season 1
• A Gentleman in Moscow: Season 1
• Franklin: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• The Sympathizer: Season 1 Link to The Sympathizer: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Fallout : What to Expect in Season 2

20 Special Presentations and Guest Appearances to Check Out at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival

• Trending on RT
• The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
• Play Movie Trivia

Jack Reacher

2012, Action/Mystery & thriller, 2h 10m

What to know

Critics Consensus

Jack Reacher is an above-average crime thriller with a smoothly charismatic performance from Tom Cruise. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Where to watch jack reacher.

Watch Jack Reacher with a subscription on Paramount+, rent on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Rate And Review

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)

You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

Step 2 of 2

How did you buy your ticket?

Let's get your review verified..

AMCTheatres.com or AMC App New

Cinemark Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Regal Coming Soon

Theater box office or somewhere else

By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

Jack reacher videos, jack reacher   photos.

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The man's interrogation yields one statement: Get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise). Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney (Rosamund Pike). However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears.

Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Material|Language|Violence)

Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller

Original Language: English

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Producer: Tom Cruise , Don Granger , Paula Wagner , Gary Levinsohn

Writer: Christopher McQuarrie

Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2012  wide

Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2014

Box Office (Gross USA): $54.6M

Runtime: 2h 10m

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Production Co: Tom Cruise, Mutual Film Company, Paramount Pictures

Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Rosamund Pike

Helen Rodin

Robert Duvall

Richard Jenkins

Werner Herzog

David Oyelowo

Detective Emerson

Jai Courtney

Joseph Sikora

Michael Raymond-James

Alexia Fast

James Martin Kelly

Rob Farrior

Kristen Dalton

Nicole Forester

Darren Sawyer

Scott A. Martin

Josh Helman

Tammy Felice

Delilah Picart

Rita Coronado

Christopher McQuarrie

Screenwriter

Don Granger

Paula Wagner

Gary Levinsohn

Executive Producer

Kevin J. Messick

David Ellison

Dana Goldberg

Paul Schwake

Caleb Deschanel

Cinematographer

Jim Bissell

Production Design

Kevin Stitt

Film Editing

Susan Matheson

Costume Design

Joe Kraemer

Original Music

Christa Munro

Supervising Art Direction

Gregory A. Weimerskirch

Art Director

Douglas A. Mowat

Set Decoration

News & Interviews for Jack Reacher

RT on DVD and Blu-Ray: Jack Reacher , Mama , and Upstream Color

Digital Multiplex: Jack Reacher , Mama and More

Video Interviews with the Cast and Crew of Jack Reacher

Critic Reviews for Jack Reacher

Audience reviews for jack reacher.

Tom Cruise may very well be the one man left in Hollywood who commands the top spot in the box office opening weekend. Unfortunately, Jack Reacher didn't reach that feat, nor did it probably deserve to. But it's far from a weak spot in Cruise' long history of brilliant action fun. Jack Reacher stars several Oscar caliber actors including Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo, Robert Duvall, and Werner Herzog. All of which provide fine performances. But if we are being honest, Cruise is having by far the most fun here. Reacher is a slightly more brutal and definitely cockier version of his now classic, Ethan Hunt character from M:I. Now over 50-years old, I'm glad he still loves delivering those cheesy punch lines as much as he is doing insane stunts. The film itself definitely takes itself a little bit more serious, however, which is where it runs into a few problems. Although I think Christopher McQuarrie's directorial effort for M:I 5 was impeccable, he has trouble balancing the tone and pace of this particular film. At times, it claims itself to be a serious and even tragic espionage thriller. But the final 30 minutes completely forget about the grounded tone and let Cruise loose on one of his bone-crushing Mission Impossible action sprees. I just would have liked a bit more of a happy medium between the two. With that said, the brilliance of the film lies within all of its espionage and mysterious elements. Way before Cruise throws a single punch or shoots any bullets, I was sucked into the mystery the opening presents. The opening segment, along with two other extended sequences, are impressively done with absolutely no dialogue, yet you understand exactly what's going on. McQuarrie's directing talent really shines there. Much of the rest of the film's fun comes from some expectedly great supporting performances from Duvall and Herzog. Both have minimal screen time but they nonetheless steal every scene they are in. There's without question fun to be had with their roles and the film itself, but I can't help but think some more time in the writer's room could have helped polish the film a little. There weren't any particular moments in the film I disliked, but the cohesiveness just wasn't present. +Cruise at his best +Fun supporting performances +Eerie tone in the first half -Too action heavy towards the end -Tonal issues 7.6/10

The new Three Stooges reboot has more sniper rifles than I remember the original series having.

It features a handfull of slick action scenes and an initially engaging plot, but Jack Reacher is ultimately little more than a disposable Cruise-headed thriller that's outclassed by many of its genre brethren.

Cruise doing his usual role of bad-ass. Enjoyable.

Movie & TV guides

Play Daily Tomato Movie Trivia

Discover What to Watch

Rotten Tomatoes Podcasts

Hollywoodtainment

All about Hollywood Entertainment

Jack Reacher movies in order: How and where to watch all 3?

TRIDIP BOR BORUAH

Updated on: October 6, 2023

Those who love action-packed films with mystery and intrigue are sure to have come across the “Jack Reacher” film series. Based on Lee Child’s beloved novels, this franchise has captured audiences worldwide with its thrilling narratives and intense performances. Here we explore his world and answer this burning question: what are all of Jack Reacher movies available now?

Introduction: The Allure of Jack Reacher Movies

Table of Contents

Jack Reacher movies have made quite an impactful mark in action and suspense cinema. Following an enigmatic former military police major as he navigates complex mysteries and perilous situations, these flicks showcase Reacher’s skillset through many captivating adventures spanning more than 20 movies! But just how many are there in total?

You can also check out 19 Movies Like The Thing For An Unforgettable Thrill Ride or All About The 3 Friday Movies In Order: Where To Watch? or scroll through other Movies and Web Series .

“Jack Reacher” (2012)

Jack Reacher first came to life on the big screen in 2012 in Tom Cruise’s eponymous movie , which presented viewers with his rugged investigator with a strong moral compass – now known as Jack Reacher – while exploring an intriguing case involving an accused sniper accused of an unspeakable act.

Expanding the Universe: “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (2016)

After the success of its first installment, “ Jack Reacher: Never Go Back ” expanded in 2016. Reacher finds himself embroiled in yet another complex conspiracy while using his unique set of skills to bring justice into light.

Reacher (2022-present): A New Chapter in the Jack Reacher Saga

“ Reacher, ” the TV series that continues the legacy of Jack Reacher universe, has captivated audiences since it premiered in 2022. Moving away from Tom Cruise’s portrayal as Jack Reacher in films, this series offers viewers a different take on this beloved character with captivating narratives and intense action – as well as uncovering previously unseen depths within him. As it progresses fans experience new depths to his persona that keeps Reacher’s spirit alive amidst new mysteries & intrigue keeping the spirit of Reacher alive through new eras!

Future Opportunities: Rumors and Speculations

Fans have eagerly anticipated more of Reacher’s adventures, prompting speculation of potential sequels. Although nothing official has been confirmed yet, discussions continue around continuing his saga leaving eager fans buzzing with excitement.

The Small Screen: “Jack Reacher” TV Series

Recently, an unexpected twist of events saw the debut of a “Jack Reacher” television series. However, unlike its movie counterpart, this version takes an unconventional approach by having another actor portray Reacher instead of Tom Cruise, opening up further opportunities to explore Reacher’s universe more fully.

The Jack Reacher film series has made an indelible mark on the action genre. Packed with intricate plots, compelling characters and heart-pounding action sequences – not to mention hearty doses of humor – it has left fans craving more! Whether on screen or television – Jack Reacher continues to be captivating to audiences worldwide.

How many movies are in the Jack Reacher series?

As of now, there are two movies in the Jack Reacher film series: “Jack Reacher” (2012) and “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (2016).

Will there be more Jack Reacher movies?

While there are rumors of potential sequels, nothing has been confirmed yet. Fans are hopeful for more Reacher adventures in the future.

Is Tom Cruise still playing Jack Reacher?

Tom Cruise portrayed Jack Reacher in the first two movies, but the TV series has introduced a new actor in the role.

What is the TV series about?

The “Jack Reacher” TV series takes a different approach and explores new stories within the Reacher universe, with a different actor in the lead role.

most recent

Subscribe to receive Updates

Movies and Web Series

M. emmet walsh best movies: his most memorable film roles.

Celebrity Biographies

Parker mccollum bio: texas roots to country music stardom.

Barkhad Abdi Nominations: From Shopkeeper to Star

Hollywood Life

Ariana grande ex husbands: love, marriage, and moving on.

Where Is Nicki Minaj From? Her Biography

Phyllis Smith Husband, Bob Vance and Her Life Beyond Him

© 2024|hollywoodtainment|All Rights Reserved|

Why Tom Cruise Didn't Work as Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise is one of the biggest movie stars in the world and has been a constant for audiences, having hit films for four decades. Breaking out in the 1980s with films like Risky Business , Top Gun , and Days of Thunder , Cruise transitioned into the 90s by working with some of the best directors of all time, with Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut , Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia , Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible , and Steven Spielberg's Minority Report cementing him as one of the most dedicated actors alive.

His latest film, Top Gun: Maverick , was the surprise hit of the 2022 summer and became his highest-grossing film of all time and the first time the actor made a movie to cross $1 billion at the box office worldwide. Last year, the actor released the seventh Mission Impossible film, and he is already shooting the eighth film the popular franchise, one that has been going on since 1996. However, one franchise that Cruise tried his best to launch, Jack Reacher , just never quite clicked.

Update January 17, 2024: This article has been updated following Reacher season 2 with more information on how the series has become a hit moving beyond Tom Cruise.

The Attempted Jack Reacher Franchise

Created by author Lee Child in 1997, the Jack Reacher character has been the focus of over 28 novels. The last one, The Secret, was released less than three months ago, and the next entry, In Too Deep , will hit bookshelves in October 2024. In 2012, Cruise starred in Jack Reacher , which was based on the ninth novel, One Shot . The film received positive reviews and performed somewhat decently at the box office when it was released during the holiday season, grossing $80 million domestically and $218 million worldwide against a $60 million budget.

The film was meant to become a franchise starter, but it took over four years for Paramount Pictures to make a sequel. In 2016, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back opened in theaters and performed far lower than the previous film, with $58.7 million domestically and $162 million worldwide. That was $56 million less than its predecessor while also having a bigger budget, putting a nail in the coffin for the film series. The next year, another attempted Tom Cruise movie franchise would fall flat with the 2017 film The Mummy.

Since then, the Jack Reacher franchise has been given new life with a television show titled Reacher on Amazon Prime Video starring Alan Ritchson in the lead role. Yet one would imagine a movie star like Tom Cruise, who has headlined some of the biggest movies of all time, should have been able to take this book series and turn it into a popular film franchise. Why did it not work? A combination of Cruise's own star power hurting the project and the source material actively working against him might have been the downfall of this potential franchise.

Tom Cruise is Not Like the Books' Jack Reacher

One of the biggest contentions with Cruise's casting among fans of the book series was the star's physical appearance. In the novels, the character of Jack Reacher is described as 6 ft 5, almost a whole foot taller than Tom Cruise, who stands at 5 ft 7. The series' author defended the casting choice at the time, citing that it would be difficult to find an actor to fit Reacher's described height in the book (worth noting that Dwayne Johnson was in the running for the role, and he is the exact height as the book's character and current Reacher actor Richson is 6 ft 2 ). The author explained that the height was a way to characterize Jack Reacher as an unstoppable force, but the casting of Cruise was meant to play off the actor's movie star persona as an impossible man of action audiences have seen do crazy stunts for years.

Related: Will Reacher's Popularity Change the Perception of Media Masculinity?

While fidelity to the source material is respectable, it is not always the most important thing. After all, Hugh Jackman is much taller than the comic book version of Wolverine, and audiences all over the world love his version of the character just as much as the comics. Cruise himself is no stranger to not being the fan's choice for a role, as author Anne Rice was famously not happy with Cruise's casting as Lestat in 1994's Interview With A Vampire , and only changed her mind after watching the film. However, for a role like Jack Reacher, Cruise felt more like stunt casting to get a famous action star rather than finding the right actor for the role.

Tom Cruise's Star Power Made it Seem Like a Redundant Franchise

Cruise's star power, and the way Jack Reacher attempted to cash in on it, might have been one element that hurt the movie in the long run. While Tom Cruise has had a long and storied career since late 2000, the actor has mainly been defined by action roles and, in particular, the Mission: Impossible film series. That is very much Tom Cruise's franchise, and any other major action film Cruise finds himself in the lead role of will draw a comparison. Jack Reacher and Mission: Impossible have many different comparisons, as both installments of Jack Reacher were released the year after a Mission: Impossible film (and were much weaker). Jack Reacher director Christopher McQuarrie eventually moved over to the Mission: Impossible movie series to direct Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation , Mission: Impossible - Fallout , and Mission: Impossible 7 - Dead Reckoning Part 1 and 2 .

Related: Mission: Impossible: Tom Cruise's 5 Best Stunts in the Franchise, Ranked

While going for a different type of action film (and perhaps a franchise Cruise was setting up to do after he became too old for the death-defying stunts of Mission: Impossible ), audiences looked at Jack Reacher as a smaller-scale and cheaper version of a big-budget Tom Cruise action film . The franchises were different but not different enough to general audiences that Jack Reacher wouldn't look like a knock-off franchise.

Source Material Works Better As A Television Series

One of the biggest aspects of the failure of the Jack Reacher film series has less to do with Cruise and instead to do with the medium in which they chose to tell it. Jack Reacher is a 28-book series, with no signs of slowing down. The narratives are focused on one character and, in many ways, are stand-alone stories. These are airport novels, designed to be thrilling and entertaining reads without being necessarily profound. While this format can work for a film, it works particularly well for a television series, and the audiences for these types of stories tend to be older individuals who watch more television at home.

While the James Bond film franchise has successfully run for over six decades and is based on stand-alone adventures in a long-running book series, most major books that become film franchises tend to be stories with clear beginnings and endings, such as Harry Potter , Lord of the Rings , Twilight , and The Hunger Games .

The central premise of the Jack Reacher novel series sees him traveling across the United States taking odd jobs and getting involved in different cases. While that could be a good premise for a movie franchise, having a built-in new location for each feature film is also ideal for a television series. A person traveling the world and getting into adventures is a hallmark of television, from The Fugitive to The Incredible Hulk to Kung Fu. M ost recently, Supernatural used that format for over 15 years. With over 28 novels to adapt, that gives the creators of Reacher plenty of seasons of television to craft.

In a weird inverse of Mission: Impossible , which originated as a television series but elevated to now being one of the biggest movie franchises because of Tom Cruise, Jack Reacher is a franchise that has likely become more popular when it was adapted as a television series without Tom Cruise.

Reacher's Season 2 Keeps Breaking Viewing Records

Reacher ’s first season was a success by every metric imaginable, but this second season has to be surprising even Amazon, as the show claimed the top spot in all the streaming charts two days after it released the first three episodes and smashed the entire season viewership in those three episodes , getting watched for 1.7 billion minutes, and that was four episodes ago, so the numbers have been going up.

The show's success, as was the one by Suits, proves audiences still love a weekly drama with an episode-of-the-week structure. Yes, every chapter in Reacher advances the season-long mystery, but it's written in digestible bites with a start, a middle, and an end (and some awesome fighting sequences in between), making it an easy watch. It looks like, sometimes, audiences just want to watch a smart, giant man being the best at his job of choice and kicking ass in a weekly basis. Proof of this is the fact that Reacher already has a bigger audience than much more announced expensive Amazon projects like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

As mentioned before, there are 28 books plus some short stories written by Lee Child about the character of Jack Reacher, and the show has already been renewed for a third season , so what’s for sure is that this TV version with Alan Ritchson is working much better than the Cruise version, and audiences are going to see much more of it. Tom Cruise will keep doing impossible stunts on the big screen, and Alan Ritchson will keep killing people with one punch on the small screen. Audiences are better off having those two possibilities and deciding when to choose to see one or the other.

Release Date

Alan Ritchson reached out to Tom Cruise over Jack Reacher, but it didn't go the way he planned

His letter never made it to him

Jack Reacher is back on our screens in the second season of Prime Video’s Reacher. Alan Ritchson returns as the tough former military officer as he does what he does best: beat people up and solve crimes.

However, he’s not the only star to take on Lee Child’s beloved character in recent years with Tom Cruise playing the part for two movies. It’s something Fast X star Ritchson was very aware of taking on the part, and he recently explained he sent Cruise a lengthy letter, it just never made it to him.

Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live , Ritchson explained: "I wrote him a heartfelt letter. Because here's the thing, I know what you know. He's taken some criticism for the role, because he doesn't aesthetically fit the role of Reacher perfectly, according to the books. This guy still did two movies that grossed over $300 million, and doesn't even fit. He's brought so many eyes to this series. We would not have the success that we have without it. So out of gratitude, I write him a loving, heartfelt letter, a page-long letter, and I give it to Don Granger, a partner of his at Skydance. My boss. Skydance produces the show."

However, things didn’t quite work out how he was hoping after this, as Granger wasn’t keen on the exchange. Ritchson continued, "He said, 'We're not going to give it to him. It's a terrible idea. He's fine with it because he's moved on in life. He's moved on and you need to move on, too.'"

Luckily, Ritchson took the opportunity of a national platform to say what he wanted to say. Addressing the Top Gun: Maverick star, he added to the camera: "I'm super grateful for you passing the baton to me on Reacher and helping it become what it's become with the eyes that you brought to the show. So I just want you to know that that was some version of my letter. There's a few 'I love yous', a couple of pictures together, but we’ll just leave it there." 

Reacher season 2 debuted with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score on Prime Video, with new episodes releasing weekly. For what else to watch on the streaming platform, check out our guides to the best shows on Amazon Prime Video and the best movies on Amazon Prime Video .

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

Fallout TV show didn't need to use CGI to create the Wasteland because it found the perfect real-life location

The most beloved modern Star Trek shows are both getting renewed, but there's sad news for one of them

Former Blizzard president wants to be able to leave a "tip" after completing $70 games: "I wish I could give these folks another $10 or $20"

Most Popular

Jack Reacher (2012)

Full cast & crew.

Directed by 

Writing credits ( wga )  , cast (in credits order) verified as complete  , produced by , music by , cinematography by , editing by , casting by , production design by , art direction by , set decoration by , costume design by , makeup department , production management , second unit director or assistant director , art department , sound department , special effects by , visual effects by , stunts , camera and electrical department , animation department , casting department , costume and wardrobe department , editorial department , location management , music department , script and continuity department , transportation department , additional crew , thanks .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

Contribute to This Page

• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos
• User Reviews
• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

• Males (real life)
• Main Cast (film)
• Cast in film Jack Reacher (2012)
• Cast in film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
• View history

He has received several accolades for his work, including three Golden Globe Awards and nominations for three Academy Awards. Cruise is one of the best-paid actors in the world, and his films have grossed over $4 billion in North America and over $10.1 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box-office stars of all time.

• 1 Biography
• 2 Filmography

Biography [ ]

Cruise began acting in the early 1980s and made his breakthrough with leading roles in the comedy Risky Business (1983) and the action drama Top Gun (1986). Critical acclaim came with his roles in the dramas The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988), and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). For portraying Ron Kovic in the latter, he won a Golden Globe Award and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. As a leading Hollywood star in the 1990s, Cruise starred in several commercially successful films, including the drama A Few Good Men (1992), the thriller The Firm (1993), the horror film Interview with the Vampire (1994), and the romance Jerry Maguire (1996), for which he won another Golden Globe and received his second Oscar nomination. His performance as a motivational speaker in the 1999 drama Magnolia earned him a third Golden Globe and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. As an action star, Cruise has played Ethan Hunt in six films of the M ission: Impossible film series from 1996 to 2018. He also continued to feature in several science fiction and action films, including Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Collateral (2004), War of the Worlds (2005), Knight and Day (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), Oblivion (2013), and Edge of Tomorrow (2014).

Filmography [ ]

This page uses Creative Commons licensed content from Wikipedia ( view authors ).

• 1 Roscoe Conklin
• 2 Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson)
• 3 U.S. Army 110th MP Special Investigations Unit

Jack Reacher 2 Director Explains Why Tom Cruise’s Sequel Flopped

He's right... but also a little harsh.

It’s kind of funny seeing how Lee Child’s Jack Reacher stories are  succeeding on Amazon Prime Video , because when Hollywood took a shot at adapting the stories, they crashed and burned after only one winning feature. The streaming series Reacher is currently in production on Reacher Season 3 , with viewers praising the approach to the material, and the casting of Alan Ritchson in the lead role. So, what went wrong with the movies, which had Tom Cruise in the lead (and should have worked better than they did)? If you ask Ed Zwick, the director of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back , he’ll tell you that he was the problem . 

Ed Zwick has written a terrific book about his film career called Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions . It’s a terrific tell-all about some major movies we grew up on, and eventually, Zwick gets to his contribution to the Jack Reacher film series. Zwick took over for Christopher McQuarrie , who actually turned Jack Reacher into a formidable adaptation of the Lee Child book One Shot . And when opening up about the experience in the book , Zwick revealed:

‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,’ which Tom Cruise and I made in 2016, fizzled at the box office. I blame myself (and my willing accomplice, Don Granger) for thinking the audience might enjoy a mash-up of ‘Jack Reacher’ and ‘Paper Moon,’ when in fact they just wanted more red meat. I had a wonderful time working with Cobie Smulders, and I certainly don’t blame Tom for not being six two — as the novelist Lee Child described his protagonist — and should Tom happen to call about making a third movie together, I’ll definitely pick up.

The Jack Reacher series started behind the eight ball because die-hard fans of the novels instantly thought Tom Cruise was wrong to play the part. Reacher, as we can now see in Alan Ritchson , is meant to be a 6-foot-5 giant – a mountain of a man who deals with problems as bluntly, intensely, and physically as possible. Cruise is ideal for Ethan Hunt. He;s not Jack Reacher. 

Also, as Ed Zwick notes, there’s no real room for nuance in the Reacher stories. He calls it “red meat,” but really, fans of the stories just want hard-hitting action. This is why Alan Ritchson always looks like he has been through the wringer when he shares set visit photos , or talks about the demanding physical nature of the part. 

Not that he’s complaining much… unless you talk to him about filming in Canada . Then he might have some choice words. If you forget what Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher: Never Go Back looked like, revisit this trailer.

And then go rewatch the first two seasons of Reacher , on Amazon Prime Video, while we wait for news on the eventual Reacher Season 3. We know that it’s going to adapt the Lee Child book Persuader , and recently added Anthony Michael Hall in a key role. Grab a copy of the book, if you are a fan. It’s a banger.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. Having been with the site since 2011, Sean interviewed myriad directors, actors and producers, and created ReelBlend, which he proudly cohosts with Jake Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy. And he's the author of RELEASE THE SNYDER CUT, the Spider-Man history book WITH GREAT POWER, and an upcoming book about Bruce Willis.

Will Smith, Reba McEntire And Martin Lawrence Had A Fun Exchange Thanks To The Appearance Of A Certain Tee At A Bad Boys 4 Photoshoot

Austin Butler Is Still Going Strong Post-Dune 2, Has Lined Up A Cool Crime Movie With Some Challengers Talent

Apparently Tom Hiddleston’s Loki Has A Die Hard Connection, And I Can See It

Most Popular

• 2 Will Smith, Reba McEntire And Martin Lawrence Had A Fun Exchange Thanks To The Appearance Of A Certain Tee At A Bad Boys 4 Photoshoot
• 3 Austin Butler Is Still Going Strong Post-Dune 2, Has Lined Up A Cool Crime Movie With Some Challengers Talent
• 4 RHOBH Season 14 Just Lost Another Cast Member, And Fans Have Mixed Feelings About It
• 5 The Deadpool And Wolverine Footage Shoots Down A Popular Deadpool Rumor And Now I Have Questions

Screen Rant

Reacher's new look fixes the worst tom cruise casting mistake.

The 2012 adaptation of Lee Child's novel series Jack Reacher made the mistake of casting Tom Cruise. Amazon Prime's new series Reacher fixes this.

The new Reacher series on Amazon Prime finally fixes one of the worst casting mistakes for Tom Cruise . Jack Reacher is, of course, the 2012 film based on the character of Lee Child’s novel series starring Cruise as the titular character. The film has garnered relative success, enough to warrant a sequel in 2016, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back . Unfortunately, the second run for Cruise’s version of the character failed to achieve any significant traction, and his time as the character came to an end, but for some Reacher fans, that couldn't come soon enough.

Jack Reacher , the series by Child, is about an ex-military officer who now spends his time as essentially a nomad, meeting all kinds of trouble in each big city and small village he wanders into. The film with Cruise adapts One Shot , the ninth novel of the series.  Reacher , which is Amazon's television reboot , has plans of adapting one book per season, a considerable feat with the fact that there are a total of twenty-seven books so far in the series. This first season adapts the events of Killing Floor .

Related: Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher Was Way More Book Accurate Than You Realized

Other than the release format and pacing of the series, there’s one significant difference in this new version, which fixes a big mistake in the casting of Cruise as Reacher . The character is supposed to be a physically impressive, imposing figure that embodies the military stoicism of his experiences and his current nomadic lifestyle. However, Cruise’s Reacher was unfortunately always too short to exude the intimidation that is needed for the character. That was also something Jack Reacher writer Lee Child himself admitted to. His size is a big aspect of the Reacher character, as is his general aesthetic, and Cruise’s version was simply too polished for someone who describes themselves as a “hobo”. This casting blunder is one of the main reasons why the original films fail to capture the success of the novels.

The new series stars Titans ’ Alan Ritchson in the lead role who, thankfully, is far closer to the novel’s description of Reacher. Based on Ritchson’s previous works, he also has the charisma to pull off this unnerving but very captivating character. In the Reacher trailer so far , he already proves that he fits this role well by exuding a lot of the rough edges and silent threat that is typical of the novels. Ritchson is also still quite young, and there’s a lot of potential for his version of the character to go all the way. Cruise’s age is another mistake in his previous casting that this new series rectifies. With Ritchson being closer to Reacher’s age in the actual novels, the actor can grow alongside the series as it moves on from one book to the next.

While Cruise’s Jack Reacher  was far from terrible, there is a lot of things missing there to truly capture the essence of the character. Reacher is the second try at adapting the novel series to screen, so there’s a lot of pressure to get this version right, especially if Ritchson has to live up to someone like  Tom Cruise, synonymous with stunts and action . Fortunately, there is promise in his portrayal so far, which bodes well for the future of the series.

Next: Top Gun 2's Original Movie Differences Show How Tom Cruise Has Changed

Tom Cruise Gets His First Criterion Collection Movie Set for 4K UHD Release

Not a single film with Tom Cruise has been in the lauded Criterion Collection, until now.

• Tom Cruise's Risky Business joins the prestigious Criterion Collection, marking a pivotal moment in his career.
• The film is praised for blending tender romance with a sharp critique of capitalism, even if it's goofy fun on the surface.
• Criterion's release includes a 4K UHD restoration, special features, and interviews, making it a must-have for film and Cruise enthusiasts.

Tom Cruise has been one of the biggest Hollywood stars for four decades, and has starred in almost 50 movies, but until today, none of them have been represented in the most prestigious film collection in the world — the Criterion Collection . The home media distributor collects the greatest or most culturally important films of all time and immaculately restores them and curates magnificent special features. And now, Cruise's 1983 film Risky Business will be the 1,227th movie added to the collection.

The Criterion Collection announced its inclusion today, April 15, with the film being released in 4K UHD (and Blu-ray) on July 23. Their summary of the film, famous for its underwear lip-sync scene, reads as follows:

" A sly piece of pop subversion, this irresistible satire of Reagan-era materialism features Tom Cruise in his star-is-born breakthrough as a Chicago suburban prepster whose college-bound life spirals out of control when his parents go out of town for the week and an enterprising call girl (Rebecca De Mornay) invites him to walk on the wild side. While Cruise boogying in his briefs yielded one of the most iconic pop-cultural moments of the 1980s, it is the film’s unexpected mix of tender romance (enhanced by a moody synth score by Tangerine Dream) and sharp-witted capitalist critique that remains fresh and daring."

Risky Business

Risky business special features and other july releases for criterion.

It's an interesting choice for the Criterion Collection, with many other Cruise films being considered superior ( Collateral, Eyes Wide Shut, The Color of Money, Magnolia ). Of course, there are licensing issues to be considered, but there are certainly good reasons for the inclusion of Risky Business . It's the film that truly announced Cruise as a cinematic presence, while also playfully deconstructing the typical sex comedies that were so popular at the time ( Porky's, Revenge of the Nerds ). The special features are as follows.

• New 4K digital restorations of the director’s cut and the original theatrical release, supervised and approved by director Paul Brickman and producer Jon Avnet, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Audio commentary for the original theatrical release featuring Brickman, Avnet, and actor Tom Cruise
• New interviews with Avnet and casting director Nancy Klopper
• New conversation between editor Richard Chew and film historian Bobbie O’Steen
• The Dream Is Always the Same: The Story of “Risky Business,” a program featuring interviews with Brickman, Avnet, cast members, and others
• Screen tests with Cruise and actor Rebecca De Mornay
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Why Tom Cruise Won't Return as Jack Reacher

Risky Business joins several other films for Criterion's July releases. There's a 4K UHD restoration of the all-time classic, Le Samouraï , perhaps the coolest film ever made. Farewell, My Concubine is getting a release after its beautiful restoration in 2023. Black God, White Devil will get a release, finally bringing the brilliant Brazilian Western to the masses. Wim Wenders' astonishing 2023 film Perfect Days will get a home media release from Criterion, as well. Perhaps the best inclusion of them all, however, is Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid , Sam Peckinpah's underrated, melancholic Western masterpiece with a score from Bob Dylan. You can pre-order Risky Business below:

Visit The Criterion Collection