tom cruise 80s

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A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves. A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves. A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves.

• Ridley Scott
• William Hjortsberg
• 366 User reviews
• 147 Critic reviews
• 30 Metascore
• 1 win & 12 nominations total

• Meg Mucklebones

• (as Ian Longmuir)
• (as Mike Crane)
• Dancing Black Dress

• Mummified Guard
• Faerie Firelight Dancer (Director's Cut)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Tom Cruise reportedly wasn't happy with the American cut of this movie and wouldn't talk about it for years because of it. He very much encouraged fans to go with the Director's Cut.
• Goofs Throughout the movie, the Unicorns have mismatched genders. It can clearly be seen when the animals rear up in the air. One example of this is when Brown Tom is guarding the "mare", and Lily trudges through the snow, frightening the horse.

Darkness : The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity.

• Alternate versions There are at least four different versions of this picture: the original European release (94 min.), the American theatrical release (89 min.), a network TV version (94 min.) and a director's cut (113 min.)
• Connections Edited into Nostalgia Critic: Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2017)
• Soundtracks Is Your Love Strong Enough Written and Performed by Bryan Ferry Produced by Rhett Davies and Bryan Ferry Mixed by Bob Clearmountain

User reviews 366

• ozthegreatat42330
• Apr 13, 2007
• What is Legend about?
• What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Director's Cut?
• April 18, 1986 (United States)
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Silver Springs - 5656 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, Florida, USA (underwater sequences)
• Legend Production Company
• Embassy International Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $24,500,000 (estimated)
• $15,502,112
• Apr 20, 1986
• $16,837,628

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 34 minutes

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‘Top Gun’ to ‘Rain Man’: Tom Cruise’s Best Roles of the 80s, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes

"It's not the plane, it's the pilot."

It’s pretty hard to believe that Tom Cruise hasn’t always been hanging from the sides of planes for our own enjoyment; he’s just one of those actors who feels as though they’ve been around forever, but for Cruise? Well, Cruise kick-started his career four decades ago.

RELATED: Mission Impossible to Top Gun: 10 Best Tom Cruise Stunts, Ranked

While it’s up for debate on whether Cruise holds the trophy for the world’s greatest action hero – he has a strong case – he’s flexed his range way beyond the genre. His filmography may not be perfect, but Cruise always promises to provide entertainment, even back when he was still finding his feet.

‘ Cocktail ’ (1988) 7%

Off the Florida Keys, there’s a place called Kokomo … is exactly what you’ll be singing every single time you watch Cocktail because not only is it catchy, it captures the beach aesthetic perfectly when Cruise’s Brian Flanagan relocates to Jamaica.

Cruise gets to show off his bartending skills as another cocky rookie taken under the wing of connoisseur Doug ( Bryan Brown ). He impresses more than just the locals when he catches the eye of artist Jordan ( Elisabeth Shue ), but Brian comes to find that life can be less than fair, and it’s going to take a lot more than tossing some bottles to win her heart and pursue his dream.

‘ Top Gun ’ (1986) 57%

Top Gun is about as feel-good, dudes being dudes as you are ever going to get as far as cinema is concerned. Between the karaoke and the volleyball, it’s difficult to pinpoint which moment is our favorite. If Cruise can do anything, it’s portray the smug daredevil with an ever-growing desire to break the rules.

RELATED: From 'Top Gun' to 'Mission Impossible': 10 Essential Tom Cruise Movies

Top Gun is pure adrenaline excellence. The soundtrack is uplifting , you are desperately rooting for each of the characters , there’s some overzealous male bonding, and the token tragic backstory that gives the leading man an edgy aura. There’s even a fiery romance in the middle of the action that embodies its own narrative; Top Gun is one for the ages, and is always guaranteed to get you cheering and fist-pumping as it draws into its conclusion.

‘ Taps ’ (1981) 68%

In Cruise’s second ever film role, he plays military student Cadet Captain David Shawn who joins forces with his classmates, including Sean Penn in his debut, to prevent their school from closing.

Taps is a very intense depiction of life within military school.

It is a deep dissection of what honor among men truly means, bringing a great deal of drama to the table that builds up to a suspenseful climax and leaves a lingering afterthought playing on your mind.

‘ The Outsiders ’ (1983) 68%

While not Cruise’s big break, The Outsiders is perhaps most notable for its high profile soon-to-be stars such as Rob Lowe , Emilio Esteves , and Patrick Swayze . The Outsiders is the incidental creation of the Brat Pack phenomenon of the 1980s.

RELATED: The Best Coming-of-Age Shows on Netflix Right Now

The film has been praised for its authentic depiction of teenagers living in poverty-stricken conditions – a rare form of cinema in Hollywood. Inspired by the book of the same name, The Outsiders is a tragic coming-of-age story which has the leading characters confined by their backgrounds and made to experience the atrocities of life from adolescence.

‘ Born on the Fourth of July ’ (1989) 86%

Born on the Fourth of July is an incredibly moving piece of work based on the autobiography of anti-war activist Ron Kovic – played by Cruise. It follows Kovic through his childhood into his service during the Vietnam War before detailing his venture into anti-war activism.

Cruise gives an unforgettable performance full of relentless passion. However, the film is not exactly one for all film viewers, and has been widely criticized for its dramatization of events. On the contrary, Born on the Fourth of July packs one hell of a gut punch when it comes to the depiction of the Vietnam War and the horrors these veterans faced.

‘ The Color of Money ’ (1986) 89%

Before leading his very own legacy sequel as the hardened veteran, Cruise was playing yet another cocky rookie with the greatest potential alongside Hollywood royalty Paul Newman .

The Color of Money sees Newman’s ‘Fast Eddie’ retiring and hanging up his cue before finding a mentee in Vince (Cruise), who he passes down the secret to hustling and shapes him into the pool shark he is destined to become. The performances from both leading actors are superb; Cruise is in with the big league here, and reflecting back on the film while looking at his career now holds an air of poignancy as he passes on the mantle in his own film franchise.

‘ Rain Man ’ (1988) 89%

Cruise stars alongside Dustin Hoffman as arrogant dealership-man Charlie Babbitt who has been pushed out of his late father’s will in favor of older brother Raymond (Hoffman). Rain Man is utterly heartbreaking to watch; the estranged brothers go on an emotional rollercoaster of rediscovery as Charlie is hit with a life-altering epiphany.

RELATED: 9 Movies You Forgot Were Scored by Hans Zimmer

This is one of Cruise’s strongest performances. He becomes an embodiment of vulnerability. The deep connection between the two brothers is palpable, and you can feel their dynamic blossom as the narrative progresses. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will absolutely make you appreciate the beauty of Charlie and Raymond’s brotherhood.

‘ Risky Business ’ (1983) 92%

Risky Business is the movie that put Cruise on the map. Though his character Joel Goodson is famously remembered for dancing around in his underwear to Old Time Rock and Roll, his transformation from straight-laced socialite to willful mogul is what ultimately makes the film great.

Sharing the screen with Rebecca De Mornay , Cruise embarks on a coming of age drama about figuring out one’s future, and is not afraid to dive deep into darker themes. Cruise is fantastic to watch in his breakout role; he sets himself up a strong contender in the world of Hollywood, and he has the range to cover it.

NEXT: The Best Action Movies on Netflix Right Now

Top 10 Best Tom Cruise Movies of the 80s

Posted by Mark | Movies | 0 |

Tom Cruise is one of those celebrities that needs no introduction. Everyone knows him and has enjoyed his movies, from infants to the elderly.

Cruise belongs to that select group of actors whose work and versatility over the years have taken them to the status of total stars, being recognized worldwide.

But before winning his Golden Globes, playing agent Ethan Hawke, and carrying a katana, Tom made many memorable movies in the era that saw him born as a star, the 80s.

So join us on this journey back to that decade of overspray hairstyles, baggy clothes, and a young Tom Cruise who charmed both producers and audiences with his smile, but who also showed he had the potential to become one of the great actors of modern cinema. These are

Table of Contents

The Best Tom Cruise Movies Of The 80s

Endless love (1981).

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, Endless Love (from Amazon) tells the story of a privileged girl, played by Brooke Shields, who falls in love with a handsome student David (Martin Hewitt).

It is a relationship to which the girl’s father is severely opposed, causing David to take matters into his own hands.

The film was not well received by critics or audiences, although it is remembered today with some fondness by a small group of fans who appreciate its powerful message about first love and how obsessive it can be at that turbulent age.

In addition, the film featured an original song called Endless Love composed by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie that reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

At only 17 years old, Tom had a small role as a supporting character, but it was enough to fill the screen with his charisma, even if only for a few minutes. And yes, his first movie and he already has a running scene.

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The Outsiders (1983)

Between the two gangs there has always been a rivalry with occasional conflicts, but things get worse when a member of the Greasers kills a member of the Socials in a fight, which of course brings serious consequences. 

What shines most in The Outsiders (from Amazon) is its cast full of young stars who were not very well known at the time but later exploded as great talents in the industry.

Cruise is joined in this film by names like Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, and Rob Lowe, among others. They all contributed to creating a classic coming-of-age film that won a place in the hearts of many teenagers of the time.

All the Right Moves (1983)

Directed by Michael Chapman, this sports story introduces us to Stef, a young high school football player who aspires to get a scholarship to study at a good college but mostly to get out of his boring town. This changes when he has a conflict with his coach, played by Craig T. Nelson, forcing the arrogant Stef to rethink his options and begin a journey of redemption.  

This film was a moderate success for its studio, 20th Century Fox, grossing 17 million for a rather small budget of 5 million. And no wonder, since these types of films were the winning formula of the time.

Tom was beginning to make a name for himself as a youth idol.

All the Right Moves (from Amazon) is a film that every teenager has to see, for its powerful real-life depiction of how difficult it is to achieve your dreams in a difficult context, but never give up, your future depends on it.

Cocktail (1988)

Cocktail (from Amazon), directed by Roger Donaldson, introduces us to Brian, an ambitious young man who just got out of the Army and starts a job as a bartender in a New York club, in order to pay for his studies.

With the help of his boss, played by Bryan Brown, the young man becomes the attraction of the place, gaining enough confidence to travel to Jamaica with the intention of opening his own bar, where he meets the love of his life.

Let’s be honest, this film didn’t really have a remarkable story but it was a huge success at the box office, grossing $171 million against its $20 million budget, a phenomenon that can only be explained by having someone like Tom Cruise on the poster.

However, Cocktail is enjoyable if you just want to enjoy a simple story of ambition, bravery, and love, with a soundtrack full of period gems and a Tom Cruise who steals every scene with his gallantry and presence.

A guilty pleasure par excellence.

Legend (1985)

Legend (from Amazon) is a fable of fantasy and adventure directed by Ridley Scott, starring Tom Cruise as Jack, the young hero of this story who must stop the evil Lord of Darkness, played chillingly by the iconic Tim Curry.

The Dark Lord wants to eradicate all light from the magical kingdom where he lives. And as in every fantasy, there is a princess, played by Mia Sara, with whom our protagonist falls madly in love.

Although it did not achieve the expected success, this film is considered a cult classic today very much appreciated by cinephiles and fantasy lovers.

The particularity of this story is that it is darker than it seems, with some terrifying scenes, especially those involving the villain, which pushed its PG rating to the limit. But there is also beauty in its composition, with spectacular cinematography, an enveloping magical atmosphere, and show-stealing camerawork, something that Ridley Scott is quite good at.

The Color of the Money (1986)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman and, obviously, Tom Cruise. That should be enough to get anyone hooked. This sequel to the 1961 pool movie “The Hustler” shows us the life of “Fast Eddie” Felson 20 years after the events of that film, now retired from the pool.

Eddie’s life changes when he meets Vincent Laura (Tom Cruise), a young man full of vitality in whom he sees himself reflected. This brings Fast Eddie back to billiards, serving as a mentor for the inexperienced Vincent.

The Color of Money (from Amazon) was very well received by both critics and audiences, thanks to which Paul won an Oscar for Best Actor for his incredible role as the enigmatic Fast Eddie.

For his part, Tom also benefited, because with this film he stepped out of the teen drama genre, which although it gave him the initial boost in his career, he could not be trapped in those roles.

Accompanied by movie legends Scorsese and Newman, Cruise gave a performance that showed he was ready for more complex roles.

Rain Man (1988)

Directed by Barry Levinson, Rain Man (from Amazon) tells the story of Charlie (Tom Cruise), a vain car salesman who, after the death of his millionaire father, receives the news that his large inheritance would not go to him. Instead, it will go to Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), his older brother whom he did not know existed.

Raymond is autistic and was in a mental institution when Charlie decides to kidnap him and force him to hand over his share of the inheritance, but over time he develops a deep affection for him, creating an endearing bond of brotherhood.

Rain Man is well remembered today, thanks to the fact that it was the highest-grossing film of 1988, receiving 8 Oscar nominations of which it won 4, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role. Of course, most of the plaudits went to Hoffman for his incredible portrayal of an autistic man, but Tom also deserves recognition, for his role as a shallow man who thanks to his brother slowly improved as a person.

Risky Business (1983)

Directed by Paul Brickman, Tom plays the role of Joel, the young son of wealthy parents who leave him home alone while they are out of town. This freedom unleashes a series of more than questionable decisions by the “innocent” Joel, getting involved in a series of funny situations to recover his mother’s Steuben crystal egg, stolen by Lana (Rebecca De Mornay), a prostitute he invited to his house for fun but who ended up cheating on him. 

A coming-of-age gem that remains one of Cruise’s most popular films, and no wonder, since it was the one that catapulted him to fame, opening the doors to many other roles that later consecrated him as a legend.

Whether you want to see a lesson on the loss of innocence or just enjoy a fun time watching irresponsible teenagers, Risky Business (from Amazon)s is the movie you’re looking for.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Ron himself was part of the production, as the plot was not only based on his autobiography but also co-written with Stone. 

Born on the Fourth of July (from Amazon) shows us the most important events in Kovic’s life, from his childhood, enlistment in the army, the combat in Vietnam that left him paralyzed, and his return home, where he became an anti-war activist after an emotional journey that transformed his heart. With that new perspective, Ron stops at nothing to voice his opposition to the armed conflicts in which his country is involved.

In this film, Tom gave us his best performance of the ’80s, to close it with a flourish. Even to this day, he continues to receive recognition for this role, which earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Oliver Stone was also highly praised, winning the Oscar for Best Director for this film.

Lately, we are more accustomed to popular celebrity biopics, but Born on the Fourth of July is a much-needed one as well, leaving a poignant message about the senselessness of war, something that comes in good stead in these turbulent times.

Top Gun (1986)

Directed by Tony Scott, this action-drama film is set at the “Top Gun” aviation school located in Miramar, where Lieutenant Pete Mitchell, better known as the talented aviator “Maverick” (Cruise), is assigned, along with his friend, officer Nick “Goose” (Anthony Edwards) sets out to be the best fighter pilot.

There, Maverick develops a clandestine romance with flight instructor Charlotte (Kelly McGillis) and a rivalry with the academy’s most talented pilot, Tom “Iceman” (Val Kilmer). All while trying to leave behind the bad reputation of his father, a Vietnam War pilot who disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Filled with incredible flying scenes, a fantastic soundtrack in which the mythical original theme “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin stands out, and characters overflowing with charisma, Top Gun (from Amazon) became an icon of popular culture, being referenced on countless occasions.

If Risky Business launched Tom to fame, Top Gun confirmed him as a blockbuster movie star, despite having debuted only a few years earlier.

The film was not so well received by critics, due to its clichés and certain exaggerated moments, but it was a massive success at the box office, grossing $357 million.

36 years later, its sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” was released in May 2022, becoming a modern classic almost immediately.

These were the best Tom Cruise movies of the 1980s, a golden decade for the actor, in which he rose meteorically to stardom, where he remains to this day and hopefully will continue to amaze us with his charisma and action scenes for many more years to come.

Last update on 2024-04-04 at 01:36 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About The Author

Hello! I'm Mark. I mostly cover wrestling here at the site but also have a passion for classic horror and B movies. There is nothing I like better than plopping down on a Friday night with a bowl of popcorn and wasting away the hours watching (or rewatching) cheese cinema of the past. Come join in the memories, or make some new ones.

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