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Mission: Impossible

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Mission: Impossible

1996, Action/Adventure, 1h 50m

What to know

Critics Consensus

Full of special effects, Brian DePalma's update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes convoluted. Read critic reviews

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Mission: impossible videos, mission: impossible   photos.

When U.S. government operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his mentor, Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), go on a covert assignment that takes a disastrous turn, Jim is killed, and Ethan becomes the prime murder suspect. Now a fugitive, Hunt recruits brilliant hacker Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and maverick pilot Franz Krieger (Jean Reno) to help him sneak into a heavily guarded CIA building to retrieve a confidential computer file that will prove his innocence.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery & thriller

Original Language: English

Director: Brian De Palma

Producer: Tom Cruise , Paula Wagner

Writer: David Koepp , Robert Towne

Release Date (Theaters): May 22, 1996  original

Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2008

Box Office (Gross USA): $180.9M

Runtime: 1h 50m

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Cruise-Wagner Productions

Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, SDDS

Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

View the collection: Mission: Impossible

Cast & Crew

Henry Czerny

Ving Rhames

Kristin Scott Thomas

Sarah Davies

Emmanuelle Béart

Randall Paul

CIA Escort Guard

John McLaughlin

TV Interviewer

Karel Dobry

Melissa Knatchbull

Air Stewardess

Vanessa Redgrave

Frank Barnes

Marcel Iures

Ion Caramitru

Ingeborga Dapkunayte

Hannah Williams

Andreas Wisniewski

Max's Companion

Gaston Subert

Jaroslav Reid

Brian De Palma

Paula Wagner

David Koepp

Robert Towne

Stephen H. Burum

Cinematographer

Paul Hirsch

Film Editing

Costume Design

Paul Hitchcock

Executive Producer

Danny Elfman

Original Music

News & Interviews for Mission: Impossible

The More Tom Cruise Runs, The Better His Movies Are: We Did the Math

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Critic Reviews for Mission: Impossible

Audience reviews for mission: impossible.

While the sequences that Mission: Impossible is most famous for (the ceiling-descent and train-top) are truly thrilling, absolutely everything in between these scenes is obvious and uninspired. Rarely can a movie have you so completely engaged one minute, and then immediately back to checking the time the next. An important film, pop-culturally speaking, but not a very good one.

An overly twisty spy game that tries keeping the style of the TV series while spinning off in its own direction, this mission boasts some exciting set pieces but commits an unforgivable cardinal sin. Three whip-smart screenwriters take part (David Koepp, Spider-Man; Steven Zallian, Schindler's List; Robert Towne, Chinatown), but the often unwieldy plot involving an elusive disc exposing a list of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) superspies proves a case of too many cooks - in this place, top chefs - spoiling the broth. As convoluted as the double-crossing ends up to be, the most head-scratching backstab proves to be in turning TV stalwart Jim Phelps into the villain (indeed, original Phelps actor Peter Graves wouldn't take part because of this infraction). In this PG-13-rated spy thriller, an American agent (Cruise), under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization. Despite helming Hitchcockian mind-benders with an over-stated style (Blow Out), Brian De Palma seems to be a journeyman director-for-hire here, delivering some shots that seem quite unassured. Of the series, this chapter ranks as the most humdrum and unsexy. When a few outstanding sequences demand it, however, he sure frames some hell-raising fun. An inauspicious debut to an eventually A-Grade franchise, Mission: Impossible deserves a look for these key sequences and to see what later chapters got right. Bottom line: Jerry McGuffin

[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img]

Brian De Palma brings Mission: Impossible to the big screen in an explosive and action-packed adventure. Branded a trader when his team is killed during an intelligence operation, IMF agent Ethan Hunt goes rogue in order to clear his name. The plot's rather good, and does a fair job at building suspense and intrigue. Starring Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, and Ving Rhames, the casting's pretty solid. And, the action sequences are shot especially well, adding a lot of energy and intensity to the film. Danny Elfman's score is also excellently done. Incredibly entertaining, Mission: Impossible is a fun and thrilling action film.

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Tom Cruise’s 16 Best Performances: From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to ‘Magnolia’

By Clayton Davis

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With six decades around the sun, Tom Cruise still feels the need for speed and has crafted himself into one of the most successful and undeniably talented movie stars of his generation.

Variety is ranking his 15 best film performances to celebrate the actor’s 60th birthday.

With a breakthrough that started in the coming-of-age film “Risky Business” (1983), the Syracuse, N.Y.-born actor became a darling of Hollywood and consumer audiences around the world. As Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick” still goes strong, making more than half a billion dollars domestically, Cruise has continued to etch himself into the cultural zeitgeist, crossing multiple generations.

Also a producer, Cruise has continued to elevate the entertainment medium with the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which began in 1995. With five very successful sequels and two more on the way, he continues to push the boundaries for himself as a fearless stuntman and an advocate for the silver screen.

A career that only the most daring actors and creatives can dream of, Cruise has worked alongside two best actor winners — Paul Newman (“The Color of Money”) and Dustin Hoffman (“Rain Man”) — and has earned himself three Oscar nominations in “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), “Jerry Maguire” (1996) and “Magnolia” (1999). But it hasn’t been about the accolades for Cruise. In May 2021, he returned his three Golden Globe Awards after the expose on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of diversity, specifically no Black members.

Cruise’s films have grossed over $10 billion dollars worldwide and there are no signs of slowing down. Will he ever win a coveted Oscar? That remains to be seen, but the narrative is there if the Academy rewards an upcoming project.

Read Variety’s list of Tom Cruise’s best performances below:

Honorable mentions : “Far and Away” (1992); “The Last Samurai” (2003); “Rock of Ages” (2012)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Role: Major William Cage

Director: Doug Liman Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Getting the device from Brigham

Kicking ass, taking names, then rinse and repeat. A military major goes through a “Groundhog Day” loop but it’s Cruise that ensures it’s not a gimmick, slithering into each scene with charm, raw magnetism and wonderful chemistry with an awards-worthy Emily Blunt. The science-fiction drama has been all too undervalued. Doug Liman’s thriller shows more than special effects and explosions. It also presents capable and talented stars at the helm, which makes all the difference.

Risky Business (1983)

Role: Joel Goodson

Director: Paul Brickman Writer: Paul Brickman Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Dancing to “Old Time Rock & Roll”

All it took was a button-down shirt, briefs and a Bob Seger track to make Tom Cruise one of the defining movie stars of his generation. In Paul Brickman’s directorial debut, Cruise’s turn in the teen comedy was as culturally massive as it was monetarily successful. With lots of praise also going to his co-star Rebecca DeMornay, this is just as enjoyable as any film that ranks in the listing.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Role : Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell

Director : Joseph Kosinski

Writers : Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie (based on characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.)

Distributor : Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it : “Maverick’s Test Run”

Cruise’s 80s high-flying sequel feels like it saved the movies. His return to “Maverick,” his beloved character has showmanship, charisma and the ability to shoot down planes with the enemy’s plane. Having great chemistry with his co-stars, particularly Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly, Cruise is only getting better as he gets older.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Role: Lestat de Lioncourt

Director: Neil Jordan Writer: Anne Rice (based on “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice) Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: “Claudia, you’ve been a very, naughty little girl.”

As the sinister and entrancing Lestat, Cruise hypnotized the audience with his soft-spoken flirtations with the living while persuading them to join the undead. Alongside memorable turns from Brad Pitt and a young Kirsten Dunst, Neil Jordan’s horror adaptation of the Anne Rice novel is still a popular selection.

The Firm (1993)

Role: Mitch McDeere

Director: Sydney Pollack Writers: David Rabe, Robert Towne, David Rayfiel (based on “The Firm” by John Grisham) Distributor: Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it: “Did you ever think I would make a six-figure salary?”

Sydney Pollack’s invigorating legal thriller boasts an all-star cast and a dynamic Cruise as lawyer Mitch McDeere. While also featuring my personal favorite Tom Cruise signature run as he chases down his movie wife Jeanne Tripplehorn, the adaptation of the John Grisham novel was a box office success and even pulled in an acting nom for his co-star Holly Hunter.

Mission: Impossible (1995)

Role: Ethan Hunt

Director: Brian De Palma Writers: David Koepp, Robert Towne, Steven Zaillian (based on “Mission: Impossible” by Bruce Geller) Distributor: Paramount Pictures

The scene that proves it: “You’ve never seen me upset.”

The spy thriller from Brian De Palma still holds up almost 30 years later. Likewise, the action franchise that’s still going (with two more films on the way) keeps on delivering, thanks to Tom Cruise.

The cinematic remake of the classic television series has spawned multiple territories, generating massive revenue and showing Cruise’s defining action star beats, jaw-dropping stunts and magical smiles that have a way with the ladies as Ethan Hunt.

Keep dropping from those ceilings, Tom.

Rain Man (1988)

Role: Charlie Babbitt

Director: Barry Levinson Writers: Barry Morrow, Ronald Bass Distributor: MGM/UA

The scene that proves it: “You’re the Rain Man?”

The best picture winner of his arsenal, alongside an Oscar-winning turn from Dustin Hoffman, the film stands as one that hindsight has allowed us to rediscover as one of the bright spots of his filmography. If only Oscar were willing to recognize two leading actors as they did earlier that decade with “Amadeus.” Cruise would have made a fine addition.

Collateral (2004)

Role: Vincent

Director: Michael Mann Writer: Stuart Beattie Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures

The scene that proves it: Searching in the club.

At best a co-lead to Jamie Foxx (who was nominated for best supporting actor in one of the most recent cases of category fraud), Cruise’s silver fox Vincent in Michael Mann’s thriller is an underrated delivery. He sends chills down the spine, moving like a shark through a club and listening to his prey with a mischievous grin. He keeps us at the edge of our seats, before finally allowing us to exhale by the end of the credits.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Role: Bill Harford

Director: Stanley Kubrick Writers: Stanley Kubrick, Frederic Raphael (based on “Traumnovelle” by Arthur Schnitzler) Distributor: Warner Bros.

The scene that proves it: Listening to the story about Cape Cod.

Under the thumb of Stanley Kubrick and his final outing with his then-wife, Nicole Kidman, Cruise dives into the erotic drama that feels among the actor’s bravest character outings. Marking the last directorial outing of Kubrick, you can feel the ripple of his legacy hanging on the words of each of Cruise and Kidman’s interactions or in the defined stare as one pours their heart out to another.

Top Gun (1986)

Director : Tony Scott

Writers : Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr. (based on “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay

The scene that proves it : Tossing Goose’s dog tags.

Cruise feels the need… the need for speed in Tony Scott’s pulse-pounding action flick — a cemented classic in the 1980s. His undeniable charisma led to the following post-release and now has the global cinematic world taking in its sequel “Maverick” to more than half a billion dollars. There’s always been something about Maverick tossing Goose’s (Anthony Edwards) dog tags overboard following his death that always struck a chord.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Role: Les Grossman

Director: Ben Stiller Writers: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Etan Cohen Distributor: Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures

The scene that proves it: “G5”

It’s a transformation of epic proportions in Ben Stiller’s classic comedy. While Robert Downey Jr. received the lion’s share of praise, earning an Oscar nom for supporting actor, Cruise could only muster a Golden Globe nom for his turn as Hollywood producer Les Grossman. Screaming one-liners and a dance finale that still makes the world chuckle, it stands as his single best comedic outing.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Role: Jerry Maguire

Director: Cameron Crowe Writer: Cameron Crowe Distributor: Sony Pictures

The scene that proves it: “You complete me.”

Writer and director Cameron Crowe pulled a movie star performance out of Tom Cruise for his sports agent dramedy. As the titular character, he lights up the screen with his Oscar-winning co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. and the Oscar-snubbed Renée Zellweger in a finale that had people quoting it for decades. And let’s not forget “Show me the money” and its stapled place in movie history.

A Few Good Men (1992)

Role: Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee

Director: Rob Reiner Writer: Aaron Sorkin (based on “A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin) Distributor: Columbia Pictures

The scene that proves it: “I want the truth…”

Cruise is entitled to answers in Rob Reiner’s courtroom drama, maneuvering prominent personalities and moments alongside Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Kevin Pollack. Although nominated for best picture, Cruise’s work was passed over in lead actor. His defender of marines standing trial, under the words of Aaron Sorkin and one of his finest writing efforts, Cruise soars to new heights.

Minority Report (2002)

Role: John Anderton

Director: Steven Spielberg Writers: Scott Frank, Jon Cohen (based on “The Minority Report” by Philip K. Dick) Distributor: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)

The scene that proves it: Listening to Abigail about Sean’s life.

It’s a quiet and commanding standout in Cruise’s filmography when looking back on Cruise’s work in Steven Spielberg’s futuristic drama. However, as John Anderton, a police officer trying to clear his name for a murder he has yet to commit, it’s Cruise’s precise choice of listening to Abigail (played by a magnificent Samantha Morton) that breaks the heart in two.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Role: Ron Kovic

Director: Oliver Stone Writers: Oliver Stone, Ron Kovic (based on “Born on the Fourth of July” by Kovic) Distributor: Universal Pictures

The scene that proves it: “I love America.”

Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone introduced what Cruise could achieve beyond sliding floors and jet planes. His Vietnam veteran spans years, with each chapter feeling authentic and layered. The film was nominated for best picture and earned Cruise his first Oscar nom for best actor.

Magnolia (1999)

Role: Frank T.J. Mackey

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson Distributor: New Line Cinema

The scene that proves it: “I hate you.”

Pouring in every ounce of himself, Cruise’s Oscar-nominated performance is (currently) the last time he’s been recognized by the Academy, and it stands as his finest hour in Paul Thomas Anderson’s mosaic drama. Full of life, energy and heartache, he invites the viewer on the journey, fearless in his interpretation and perfect in his execution.

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How to Watch Mission: Impossible Movies In Order

If you want to watch the Mission: Impossible movies in order and see Ethan Hunt get in his daily steps, fall from high up, take a deep breath, defy mask policy, catch a plane, and kick ass and chew bubblegum (he gets them from the IMF snack room), you can watch the movies as they released, no prequel plotting here.

• Mission: Impossible (1998)
• Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
• Mission: Impossible III (2006)
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Now, if you’re new to the series, do you actually need to watch all the Mission: Impossible movies in order? If you were a big fan of the original TV series , you’d probably give a bellowing NO, since the 1996 Mission: Impossible movie re-introduced the Jim Phelps hero role and then gave him a thoroughly impressive character assassination. But that’s just director Brian de Palma taking the piss out of the blockbuster and Tom Cruise taking the reins of the IP on his own terms.

So the first M:I movie is a perfectly good place to start if you’ve never seen the TV show, likely since it’s over 50 years old at this point. It’s also more of a spy thriller — all dense plotting and subdued action, but with an explosive set piece or two that would become the series’ trademark. There isn’t really an overarching story to Mission: Impossible until the latter-half of the franchise, but this movie does introduce support characters like hacker Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames, who’s appeared in every movie) and then-IMF director Eugene Kittridge, who returns for Dead Reckoning .

Mission: Impossible 2 is the most skippable of the series, both in story and quality. Anyone who’s seen director John Woo’s Hong Kong stuff will likely find this one more palatable, believing that a man can fly and motorcycles can duel.

Cruise hand-picked J.J. Abrams to direct a soft reboot for Mission: Impossible III , which expands more of Hunt’s IMF team (including Simon Pegg’s Benji) and introduces Michelle Monaghan as Ethan’s fiancée Julia.

For the fourth Impossible , Ghost Protocol , Cruise made another unlikely choice for director: Brad Bird, making his live-action debut. This is where the series really establishes itself in the upper echelon of action filmmaking, and set the standard for death-defying practical stunts for each release.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) 97%

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) 96%

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015) 94%

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) 93%

Mission: Impossible III (2006) 71%

Mission: Impossible (1996) 66%

Mission: Impossible II (2000) 56%

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7 best Tom Cruise 1990s movies, ranked

For 40 years, Tom Cruise  has been one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. From heartbreaking monologues to death-defying stunts, Cruise has been lighting up the big screen since he slid across the floor in Risky Business . At 61, Cruise has no plans of slowing down, with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two hitting theaters in 2025.

7. Days of Thunder (1990)

6. the firm (1993), 5. eyes wide shut (1999), 4. a few good men (1992), 3. magnolia (1999), 2. mission: impossible (1996), 1. jerry maguire (1996).

Cruise went from budding star to acting icon in the 1990s as he starred in nine films from 1990-1999. Several of Cruise’s films during the 1990s feature some of the actor’s finest work, and he even scored two Oscar nominations. From charming dramedies to action tentpoles, Cruise did it all in the 1990s. Below, we rank Cruise’s seven best films of the decade.

Cruise mastered playing the young, cocky hotshot in Top Gun . Cole Trickle falls under the same archetype in Days of Thunder . After dominating in open-wheel racing, Cole jumps to NASCAR, where he quickly forms a rivalry with veteran champion Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). After a crash sidelines them with injuries, Cole and Rowdy put their differences aside and become friends. Cole also romances Dr. Claire Lewicki, played by Cruise’s future wife (now ex-wife) Nicole Kidman. 

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Days of Thunder is not as good as Top Gun , but it’s still a fun sports movie with good racing sequences and a flashy Cruise performance. Fun fact: Days of Thunder is Cruise’s only writing credit. Cruise received a story credit along with Robert Towne, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter.

Stream Days of Thunder on Paramount+ .

Considering he’s played lawyers in multiple movies, I wonder if Cruise ever wanted to seek a career in law if acting didn’t work out. Luckily for Cruise, he chose the right profession. In The Firm , Cruise plays Mitch McDeere, a promising Harvard Law School graduate who takes a job with a prestigious firm in Memphis. The firm introduces Mitch to a life of wealth and power. However, the long hours strain his marriage with his wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn).

Mitch accidentally discovers the firm’s illegal activities, from money laundering to tax fraud and murder. Approached by the FBI to flip on his associates, Mitch knows he’s a dead man if he helps the authorities. Cruise’s fiery persona and star power are a winning combination in Sydney Pollack’s cat-and-mouse legal thriller. The Firm also inspired Cruise’s lifelong mission to become an elite runner .

Stream The Firm on Paramount+ .

Looking at how Cruise gravitated toward action in the 21st century, Eyes Wide Shut was one of the actor’s biggest risks. Stanley Kubrick’s final film stars Cruise as Bill Harford, a doctor who is stunned to learn that his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), has sexual fantasies about sleeping with other men. Jealous, Bill sets out to look for a sexual encounter.

Bill meets with his old friend, Nick Nightingale (Todd Field), and learns about a masked sex party hosted by a secret society. After attending one of the parties, Bill realizes he’s in danger, leading him to rethink his intentions. Unfortunately for Cruise and Kidman, their real-life marriage ended a few years after this film, and when you read about the difficult production , it’s easy to speculate that it may have played a part. However, Eyes Wide Shut remains one of Cruise’s most vulnerable performances.

Rent Eyes Wide Shut  on Prime Video , YouTube , Apple , or Google .

Cruise starred as a JAG attorney in A Few Good Men. In the film directed by Rob Reiner and based on a script by Aaron Sorkin, Cruise plays Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a lawyer tasked with defending two U.S. Marines accused of murdering another Marine on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Kaffee assembles a team, including Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), to mount a defense and prove the Marines were carrying out an order from a superior officer.

Cruise’s courtroom scenes are some of his finest acting moments. He brings the proper amount of intensity and ferocity to the courtroom, leading to the film’s climatic scene between Kaffee and Col. Nathan R. Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson . Cruise versus Nicholson in a courtroom , what’s better than that?

Rent A Few Good Men  on Prime Video , YouTube , Apple , or Google .

Magnolia has a lot of problems, but Cruise isn’t one of them. While Cruise was making Eyes Wide Shut , director Paul Thomas Anderson  met with Cruise to discuss working together on a future film. That film became Magnolia , with Cruise starring as Frank T.J. Mackey, a conceited motivational speaker and dating expert who teaches people that life is about “what you take.”

While the misogynistic speeches show Cruise’s comedic chops, the single best scene of his career is when Frank breaks down and weeps in front of his dying father. How the Academy watched that scene and didn’t award Cruise Best Supporting Actor is beyond me.

Stream Magnolia on Prime Video .

The role that has come to define Cruise for the last three decades is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible . Ethan is an elite agent who works for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), the secret government agency called upon for dangerous assignments. In Mission: Impossible , a failed mission that results in the death of several IMF agents forces Ethan to go on the run as the government deems him the prime suspect.

Forced to clear his name, Ethan assembles a new team to infiltrate the CIA building and steal an electronic list that could prove his innocence. By 1996, Cruise mostly did dramas with a few action films mixed in. However, the success of Mission: Impossible kicked off Cruise’s run as a global action star who is not afraid to push himself to the absolute limit, even if that means driving a motorcycle off a cliff.

Stream Mission: Impossible on Paramount+ or Prime Video .

Jerry Maguire is Cruise’s magnum opus. Everything we love about Cruise, from his natural charisma and infectious smile to his exuberant energy and undying passion, is channeled into the football dramedy Jerry Maguire . Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Jerry Maguire stars Cruise as a sports agent who quits his high-profile agency to start his own management firm, so he can focus on stronger relationships with fewer clients.

Jerry’s only client is Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a wide receiver in the NFL who wants Jerry to “show him the money.” Jerry’s only employee is Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger), a single mother and eventual love interest. Cruise turns his movie star charm up to 10 in Jerry Maguire . And yes, Tom, you had us at hello, too.

Rent Jerry Maguire on Prime Video , YouTube , Apple , or Google .

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In 1996, Tom Cruise starred in two movies. One of those movies, Jerry Maguire, earned the actor his second Oscar nomination. The other film was Mission: Impossible, a film that drastically changed the course of his career. As Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible elevated Cruise into a bonafide action star, as he started his transition from dramatic and comedic movies to more action and sci-fi films.

Thirty years later, the Mission: Impossible franchise remains one of the most consistent series in Hollywood. Mission: Impossible continues to raise the stakes with each entry as Cruise risks his life with each death-defying stunt, all in the name of entertainment. Before Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, we have a task for you to complete. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read the Mission: Impossible movie rankings below and discover which one is the best in the series. Cue the theme song.

• Audio / Video

If you’re looking to cut the cord with your cable provider, but want to hang onto linear programming, one of the best cable TV alternatives is Hulu With Live TV. Billed as a Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD), Hulu With Live TV provides many of the same features you’d find in a premium cable package, like DVR recording. You’ll also be able to access movies and shows that are available through the standard Hulu streaming service. Plus, you'll get Disney+ and ESPN+ on the house. 

There’s plenty to learn about Hulu With Live TV, and we’ve compiled all the most salient information into this helpful explainer. And do be sure to check back often: as Hulu With Live TV pricing and capabilities have been known to change in the blink of an eye.

Netflix is increasingly becoming a more compelling platform to watch the best anime. Alongside its usual live-action original content, the streamer's anime catalog is growing across film and TV. With such a diverse selection, seasoned and prospective fans are guaranteed to find something to pique their interest.

Still, Netflix's impressive selection of anime can make it tough to parse through. Thankfully, our anime guide streamlines the platform's offerings down to the highlights. This guide is also curated monthly to update fans on the best anime to watch on Netflix right now. If you want more options, check out our other guides to the best anime on Hulu and the best anime available on Amazon Prime Video.

20 Thrilling Behind-The-Scenes Facts From Tom Cruise's Biggest Films

F or nearly 40 years, Tom Cruise has been one of the biggest movie stars in the world. From his breakout role in Top Gun to the franchise lead in Mission Impossible , few stars boast the resume that Cruise has. He's also worth a cool $500 million. He's kind of a big deal. With four decades of movies under his belt, it's fair to assume a lot of interesting things have happened behind the scenes. Here are the craziest Tom Cruise movie secrets you need to know!

He Won't Sign Onto A Movie Unless He Gets To Do His Own Stunts

Tom Cruise famously performs the most dangerous stunts in all his movies. Watch any Mission Impossible movie, and it's shocking how much danger the action star is willing to put himself in. Cruise reportedly refuses to sign onto movies that won't let him do his stunts.

Say a movie wants to cast Cruise but won't let him jump from high rise to high rise for a critical chase scene. The producers better start looking for a different, more risk-averse actor. Tom Cruise feels the need, the need for speed!

He Took Lead Role In Valkyrie Because He Looked Like The Real Person

The movie Valkyrie is based on the true story of Colonel von Stauffenberg's assassination attempt on Hitler during World War II. When Cruise was offered the role, there was no sales pitch that convinced him to sign on. Instead, he noticed that he bared a striking resemblance to the German soldier.

Cruise was sold, proving sometimes looks are all that matters. The movie was a moderate success, earning $200 million worldwide. Doing his own stunts has its downfalls.

Mission Impossible: Fallout Literally Broke Tom Cruise

Mission Impossible: Fallout came close to missing its summer 2018 release date after Tom Cruise broke his ankle performing a stunt. The film had to take a break from filming in 2017 after Cruise couldn't stick his landing after a scary jump. The hiatus put the movie's release in serious doubt.

Never doubt Tom Cruise, though. After a brutal seven-week recovery, cameras were able to roll again. He also continued punishing his body by doing his stunts. All his hard work paid off. A seventh movie in the profitable franchise is already being planned.

The Last Samurai Almost Killed Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Last Samurai . If it wasn't for his co-star saving his life, we'd be writing a very different article right now. Using real samurai swords rigged for safety was a bad idea when one of the rigs broke.

The sword came one inch from Cruise's neck before Hiroyuki Sanada stopped it. That reminds us of the helicopter scene at the end of the first Mission Impossible ! Somehow it always comes back to Ethan Hunt.

Anne Rice Hated His Casting In Interview With A Vampire

Without author Anne Rice, there would be no Interview With The Vampire . Having written the book, she was not happy to see the film cast Tom Cruise in the role of the vampire Lestat. She was so upset with his selection that she publicly criticized Cruise and everyone involved with the film.

After the movie came out, Rice changed her tune. It turns out Tom Cruise was perfect for Lestat, and he proved it with his performance. To apologize, Rice bought a two-page ad in Daily Variety praising Cruise's portrayal of her most famous vampire.

Les Grossman Was Created For Tropic Thunder By Cruise

When Ben Stiller was struggling to write Tropic Thunder he had Tom Cruise read the script. Cruise suggested he include a movie executive in the film as a way to create pressure on the characters. Later, he decided to play the role of Les Grossman himself, under two very odd conditions.

The first condition was the character have fat hands. The second condition was that the bald and overweight studio executive be a dancer. And that is how one of the most memorable characters in movie history was created.

The Iconic Risky Business Dance Was Adlibbed

Even if you've never seen Risky Business , you've probably seen Tom Cruise's infamous underwear dance. According to the actor, he made up the routine himself, on the spot, "I just ad-libbed that," he said during an interview .

But how did he stick the landing on his slide to enter the scene? As he explains, "I dusted the floor and then put stick (tape) on the other side so I would get the center frame on that and wore the socks."

The Mummy Was A Real Monster Behind The Scenes

The Mummy was supposed to start Universal's "Dark Universe." That is until Tom Cruise got his hands on it. According to reports, Cruise took over every aspect of the film, from the story to the direction, and even the editing.

Despite having a team hired by Universal, Cruise brought in his own editor and screenwriter, then wrangled control of the direction away from Alex Kurtzman. For all his meddling, Cruise's version of The Mummy earned terrible reviews and scared audiences away. Made for $190 million, the film only grossed $80 million stateside.

Cruise Destroyed A $100,000 Camera Filming Days Of Thunder

Tom Cruise's "need for speed" is iconic, and it got the better of him while filming Days of Thunder . Playing NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, Cruise drove his stock car during several scenes. I

n one scene he lost control of the car and crashed into a wall, destroying a $100,000 camera in the process.

He Didn't Get Paid For Minority Report

Tom Cruise was so passionate to film the 2002 film Minority Report with Steven Spielberg that he refused to take a paycheck. Spielberg refused money also, something he claimed to have on his last eight films. Instead of getting money upfront, the pair cut a deal to earn 15 percent of the movie's gross.

Minority Report made $358 million worldwide, netting Cruise and Spielberg around $54 million each. That's pretty amazing. They took a chance on a passion project and it paid off big time!

He Was A Passenger In A Car Accident During Filming For Edge Of Tomorrow

For Edge Of Tomorrow , Emily Blunt had to drive a van with Tom Cruise as her passenger. The van needed to be seen shaking for one particular scene, so producers had Blunt make a hard turn at a pretty high speed. But she lost control and the van crashed into a tree.

She was upset that she could have injured (or even killed) Cruise, but fortunately, they both walked away unharmed. And even laughed about the incident later.

One Stunt He Didn't Perform

We know that Tom Cruise prefers to perform even the most dangerous stunts himself. But according to director Martin Scorsese, there was one stunt that he didn't complete when filming the 1986 drama The Color of Money .

His character had to perform a bunch of complicated pool shots, which wasn't a problem for Cruise. Except for one: a shot where his ball had to leap over two others and sink a third. Scorsese said that he thinks Cruise could have made the shot but it would have taken two days. And that's just too long during movie production, so an expert was brought in to do the shot.

He Broke His Thumb Making The Outsiders

The 1983 coming-of-age drama The Outsiders featured a fight between two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs. Things got pretty out of control during filming and one of Cruise's thumbs was broken in the scuffle.

He wasn't the only one to get hurt in the fight, either; two of Cruise's fellow actors were also injured. Tom Howell got a black eye and Emilio Estevez's lip was cut. That must have been quite a brawl!

He Lost A Lot Of Weight For Risky Business

The creators of Risky Business really wanted Tom Cruise to be as baby-faced as possible. To prepare for the role, he got serious about dropping weight fast. He told People that he followed a strict eating plan and jogged daily in the brutal Florida sunshine for five weeks. And then when he hit his target weight, he stopped exercising completely "so I could put on a little layer of baby fat."

"[Joel Goodson is] a very vulnerable person,” Tom explained. “I didn't want any physical defenses up for him. No muscle armor at all.”

Tom Cruise Has An Impressive Set Of Lungs

For 2015's Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation , Tom Cruise had to hold his breath for almost six and a half minutes! We knew he did all his own stunts but this might be one of the craziest of them. He called the experience unpleasant but explained his training technique to EW .

"You get rid of the regulator, get rid of the bubbles, get on the side and we wanted to do it one shot, so they were very, very long shots," he said. “I'd have to hold it consistently, you know safely, up to four minutes almost for every take.”

He Really Sang In Rock Of Ages

For the 2012 musical Rock of Ages , Tom Cruise insisted on singing his own parts. Of course, he did, right? He trained for four months, up to five hours each day to perfect his voice.

Cruise also filmed the scene where he sang "Pour Some Sugar On Me" while Def Leppard (the band that originally performed the song) watched. The guy just doesn't like to make things easy for himself.

Born On The Third Of July

In the 1989 war drama Born on the Fourth of July , Tom Cruise played a real-life Vietnam War veteran named Ron Kovic. Kovic was actually born on the 4th of July, as the title indicates.

It turns out that Cruise and Kovic almost share the birthday. Cruise was born on July 3, though, just a day early. Audiences didn't mind the discrepancy (as if they were even aware of it), as the film pulled in $161 million worldwide.

He Wasn't Expecting Emily Blunt To Kiss Him In Edge Of Tomorrow

Maybe he hadn't read the script thoroughly, because it sounds like Tom Cruise was surprised when Emily Blunt kissed him during filming for Edge of Tomorrow . She opened up about the moment to BBC Radio . "I mean, [it was] great. I don't think he was expecting it. I just sort of planted one on him," she said.

Blunt continued, "I think he was a bit taken aback. He was like, 'Oh my god! This is what we're doing.' Well, Tom had read the scene but he hadn't really read the stage directions. There were some new pages."

He Holds A Huge Box Office Record

We already know that his movies rake in tons of money at the box office, but Tom Cruise holds another distinction in that area. He became the first actor ever to star in five consecutive movies that each made more than $100 million in the United States.

The films were A Few Good Men (1992), The Firm (1993), Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), and Jerry Maguire in 1996. That's a pretty good run for the money.

Cruise Inspired A Character In A Movie He Wasn't Even In

Although he's been in some live-action Disney movies, Tom Cruise hasn't yet voiced an animated character for the studio. However, he was the inspiration for a very famous Disney prince. Can you guess which one? Turns out that Aladdin was based on the actor!

While providing commentary for the 2004 DVD release of the film, producers revealed that executive Jeffrey Katzenberg decided that the animation should be modeled after Cruise because of his "iconic hero" look.

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

Screen Rant

Glen powell’s upcoming sequel to 28-year-old disaster movie is making up for top gun 2’s mistake.

In July 2024, Glen Powell will star in a highly-anticipated disaster movie remake, which could make up for his role in Top Gun: Maverick.

• Glen Powell's rise from a minor role in The Dark Knight Rises to a lead in Twisters showcases his Hollywood potential.
• Twisters offers Powell the chance to shine as Tyler Owens, similar to his Hangman role in Top Gun, in a disaster thriller.
• With Twisters potentially becoming a franchise, Powell's action star potential could surpass his success in the Top Gun sequel.

Glen Powell's leading role in the upcoming disaster movie Twisters is making up for a mistake from 2022's Top Gun: Maverick . The long-awaited Tom Cruise sequel grossed nearly $1.5 billion at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing movies ever and introducing the masses to Glen Powell. The 35-year-old actor had been appearing in films for years, including a minor role in The Dark Knight Rises , but it wasn't until he played Hangman in the Top Gun sequel that he truly made waves, launching him into the spotlight as one of Hollywood's most exciting young stars.

Glen Powell recently starred opposite Sydney Sweeny in the romantic comedy Anyone But You , which became a massive hit on a medium budget, grossing over $200 million. 2024 will be Powell's biggest year yet, as roles he earned from his heightened Top Gun popularity are finally beginning to be released. Summer 2024 will be enormous for the young star , as Glen Powell has an exciting new action movie releasing on Netflix in June, then a big-budget blockbuster releasing in theaters on July 19.

Twisters Makes Glen Powell The Lead Of A Thriller Sequel Movie After Being Sidelined In Top Gun 2

After playing a supporting role in top gun, glen powell is the star of twisters.

Initially, Glen Powell wasn't sure about playing Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick after he'd auditioned for the part of Rooster, which went to Miles Teller. After missing out on the part he thought he deserved, it took some convincing from Tom Cruise for Powell to warm up to playing Hangman. Despite his initial apprehension, Powell was rewarded for the role, playing an outstanding and unforgettable character. Still, Hangman is a minor character and is used primarily to reflect off Rooster , which is why Twisters is so exciting.

Unlike with Top Gun , original cast members like Helen Hunt won't return for the sequel, leaving all the more room for the young stars to flourish.

Glen Powell leads the Twisters cast , headlining an ensemble with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, and more. Powell may have been underutilized in Top Gun , but Twisters will make the most out of him, demonstrating his capabilities as an action movie lead. The films have similar premises, with Twisters being another long-delayed action/thriller movie, this time focused on a riveting disaster narrative. Unlike with Top Gun , original cast members like Helen Hunt won't return for the sequel, leaving all the more room for the young stars to flourish.

Tyler's "Old Ways" Focus In Twisters Calls Back To Powell's Top Gun 2 Story

Glen powell's twisters character has a lot in common with top gun: maverick's narrative.

In Twisters , Glen Powell will play the character Tyler Owens, who bears a lot of similarity to Hangman. The Twisters trailer portrays Owens as a thrill-seeking cowboy-like hero who's sort of an old-fashioned, one-with-nature tornado wrangler. Powell is going to continue getting typecast as the over-confident protagonist types because he's terrific at playing them, and Tyler Owens could be the most perfectly suited role yet, with an improvement over Cary Elwes's role in the original Twister .

Tyler Owens, being an old-fashioned tornado wrangler, likely creates a dichotomy with Daisy Edgar-Jones' character, who will be a more modern, scientific storm chaser. This creates even more similarities to Top Gun: Maverick , where Tom Cruise's character had to utilize the riskier ways of the past, rather than playing things by the book, to save the day . Powell's character seems like he'll fit a similar archetype to Maverick, where he'll be the guy who refuses to work within the system, and ultimately, the two strategies balance to solve the crisis.

Twisters' Future Is More Promising For Glen Powell Than Top Gun 3

Top gun 3 could happen, but glen powell has a better opportunity with twisters sequels.

Glen Powell is an incredibly exciting young movie star who can bring swagger and charisma to any role he takes on. The next few years will be fascinating to see play out as he navigates the post- Top Gun spotlight in a slew of top-quality roles. The possibility of Top Gun 3 has been discussed frequently since the movie's release, as Paramount would obviously love to capitalize on the title while the excitement is still there. It'd be wonderful to see Powell return as Hangman in a bigger role, but the Top Gun franchise will still prioritize Cruise or Miles Teller .

Miles Teller was fantastic in Top Gun: Maverick, and it would be great to see him carry on with the franchise. However, Glen Powell's talents may be better suited for Twisters , which could quickly expand into more sequels if the 2024 movie is better received. In his own action franchise, Powell has the chance to be the leading man opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones and cultivate his own environment where he can flourish as a movie star. Twisters is an exciting movie for Glen Powell, allowing him to fully prove himself as one of the 2020s most prolific stars.

A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton. 

Of Course Stanley Kubrick Holds the Record for Longest Continuous Film Shoot Ever

No surprise that the perfectionist director took his time with his final film.

The Big Picture

• Stanley Kubrick's perfectionism led to a 15-month shoot for Eyes Wide Shut , pushing cast and crew to their limits.
• The tension between the real-life husband and wife Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in the film fueled on-screen distrust.
• The film explores themes of marriage, success, and the danger of not appreciating what one has.

Legendary director Stanley Kubrick is known for his innovative concepts and directing style. His attention to detail and perfectionism have made his films masterful works of art. He was known for frequently asking for dozens of retakes for a single shot, much to the dismay of actors and his producers. So it is no wonder he holds the record for the longest continuous film shoot for the 1999 erotic psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut , starring Tom Cruise as Dr. William "Bill" Harford and Nicole Kidman as his wife, Alice Harford. The two actors were also real-life husband and wife during the filming. Principal photography began in November 1996 and would wrap in June 1998. Kubrick's relentless pursuit of perfectionism led to many on-set changes in the script and numerous takes, leading to a burned-out cast, crew, and low morale. Kubrick would use this tension between the husband and wife duo to fuel the on-screen distrust between the couple in the film as they descend into the strange world of the private sex parties of the rich and powerful.

Eyes Wide Shut

A Manhattan doctor embarks on a bizarre, night-long odyssey after his wife's admission of unfulfilled longing.

'Eyes Wide Shut' Was Director Stanley Kubrick's Last Film

Eyes Wide Shut is a film about decadence from its very first frame. Bill is a successful doctor, married to his beautiful wife Alice, blessed with abundance, and an adorable daughter. Stanley Kubrick fills each frame to the busting point with the everyday trappings of the Harford family life. The richly adorned walls communicate the highbrow life lifestyle of the couple while the rest of the assorted bric-a-brac are demonstrative of the domestic nature of the family. The Harford family is a good one, beautiful and accomplished, but Alice is bored with her abundance. Alice finds herself intrigued by the fact that an older gentleman finds her sexually desirable at a Christmas party the couple attends. Later in the evening, Alice addresses her desire to spice things up with her husband. She confesses to a desire to have sex with other men, and although she has not acted on these desires, it is enough to send Bill down a sexual rabbit hole .

Stanley Kubrick died six days after completing Eyes Wide Shut . The film is spontaneous, as reflected in its numerous rewrites that keep its actors on their toes, and is filled with an off-balance mood between the couple. Kubrick fills his frames with decadent colors, a motif of red and blue that indicates the character's passage into the hedonism of the elite. Take, for instance, a fateful argument between Bill and Alice. Bill is assured of his wife's loyalty, believing in her innate goodness as a woman and wife. He idealizes her, and the bored and petulant Alice is offended by this take on her. She dances between the light and comfort of their room and the dark blue room on the right side of the frame. A dance between the comfort of family and the known and the excitement and darkness of the world of debaucherous promiscuity. What Kubrick was trying to say about the nature of human sexuality, marriage, or the rich and powerful is unknown. But his attention to detail, while legendary, had never been more acute. His search for perfection drove the shoot into overdrive, pushing Cruise and Kidman to the breaking point .

Why Did It Take So Long To Shoot 'Eyes Wide Shut'?

The shoot lasted 15 months, including an unbroken shoot period lasting 46 weeks, the longest on record according to The Guinness Book Of World Records . Kidman and Cruise were contracted to work for only six months but stayed on until the wrap date. Another actor, Vinessa Shaw , who played Domino in the film, was contracted to work for two weeks and stayed on for two months. The film would take an emotional and physical toll on its stars, with Cruise developing an ulcer due to the workload he tried to keep from the director. Kubrick would use this tension between the husband and wife duo to fuel the on-screen distrust between the couple in the film as they descend into this strange new world. Vanity Fair also reported that Kubrick forbade Cruise and Kidman from comparing notes on the script, keeping the couple in the dark about what the other was up to . This ignorance of each other's activities fuels the suspicion between the characters.

Kubrick's relentless perfectionism and meticulous attention to detail are a product of his desire to portray accurately the joys and sorrows of marriage and success and the danger of not appreciating what you have. It seeks to destroy the idealization of marriage of people and replace it with a humanistic picture rooted in honesty about who and what we are and our true feelings. Kubrick put his cast and crew through the same paces as Bill and Alice. The tension between the couple is so effective because it is real ; Kubrick is a master of creating an environment where the genuine feeling he attempts to portray manifests perfectly on film. A similar environment of isolation was present on the set of The Shining , having put Shelley Duvall through a similar set of torture to invoke her earth-shattering performance as a terrified mother. While his methods may be controversial, there is no denying the perfection of his films.

Eyes Wide Shut is available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.

Watch on Amazon

IMDbPro Starmeter 97 20

• Contact info
• 64 wins & 119 nominations total

Photos 1992

• Nathan Algren

• Jerry Maguire

• Post-production
• Cage (rumored)
• In Development
• Pre-production

• Capt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell

• Team Member

• Nick Morton

• Jack Reacher

• Stacee Jaxx

• Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
• producer (produced by)

• producer (uncredited)

• executive producer

• In-development projects at IMDbPro

Personal details

• Tomu Kurûzu
• 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
• July 3 , 1962
• Syracuse, New York, USA
• Spouses Katie Holmes November 18, 2006 - August 20, 2012 (divorced, 1 child)
• Children Isabella Jane Cruise
• Parents Thomas Mapother III
• Relatives William Mapother (Cousin)
• Other works Played Nathan Detroit in a high school production of "Guys and Dolls"
• 12 Print Biographies
• 9 Portrayals
• 32 Interviews
• 145 Articles
• 21 Pictorials
• 764 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

• Trivia His acting idol is Paul Newman . Much to the delight of Cruise, they became good friends during work on The Color of Money (1986) . Newman got him into racing, and Cruise ultimately raced on his team.
• Quotes The thing about filmmaking is I give it everything, that's why I work so hard. I always tell young actors to take charge. It's not that hard. Sign your own checks, be responsible.
• Trademarks Often plays romantic leading men with an edge
• Salaries Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two ( 2025 ) $13,000,000 + % of back end
• How old is Tom Cruise?
• When was Tom Cruise born?
• Where was Tom Cruise born?

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Tom Cruise spotted filming major Mission Impossible scenes in London

The 61-year-old will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two released next year

• 14:06, 15 APR 2024

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Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted filming scenes for the new Mission Impossible film in London.

The 61-year-old plays Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt in the popular movie franchise. New photos suggest there will be a major twist in the upcoming eighth film, with Ethan looking set to be captured.

The series of images, shot near Downing Street, show Cruise clad entirely in blue uniform, with his hands in the air crouching down. Another sees him on his knees with his hands in the air. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two will see Ethan's battle with the Entity continue.

READ MORE: Bridget Jones fans say 'no thanks' as film set to return WITHOUT iconic love interest

Vanessa Kirby, Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell and Simon Pegg are all set to star alongside Cruise. The film will release in May 2025.

Filming first began in May 2022 but was halted due to writers' and actors' strikes. Mission Impossible is the 17th highest-grossing film series of all time. Created by Bruce Geller, the first instalment released 28 years ago in 1996.

Cruise, who was 34 years old when he was first cast in the iconic role, previously hinted there could be even more to come from the franchise.

Speaking about Indiana Jones' Harrison Ford last year, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: “Harrison Ford is a legend. I hope to still be going. I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him.” He continued: “I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age.”

Ford bid farewell to the daredevil archaeologist at the age of 80 years old with final instalment Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Meanwhile, Netflix's Ripley star Dakota Fanning recently revealed that Cruise gifted her her first ever mobile phone - and still sends her birthday presents every year. The actress starred in the 2003 romcom Uptown Girls with the Cruise.

She revealed Cruise's dedication to her birthday tradition during an interview alongside Ripley co-star Andrew Scott for Harper's Bazaar earlier this week. Andrew was asked: "Who gave Dakota her first cell phone?" To which he guessed: "Okay, well it's gotta be some Hollywood icon... Tom Cruise?"

Dakota confirmed: "Yes!" while adding: "It was a Motorola Razr," before her co-star asked: "Wow! Were you so excited?"

"Oh my God, I was so excited," Dakota replied. "I didn't have anyone to call or text at the time. You know, I was 11...But I loved having it!" The actress revealed she "still keeps in touch" with the actor, adding: "Tom still sends me a birthday gift every year and has since that birthday."

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Mark ruffalo, jessica hecht set for performance of ‘ironweed’ at bam (exclusive).

The play is based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and is in early stages of development for an off-Broadway run.

By Caitlin Huston

Caitlin Huston

Business Writer

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Mark Ruffalo is returning to the stage in a one-night performance of the new play Ironweed: An Evening of Art & Humanity.

Ruffalo will star opposite Jessica Hecht in a performance set for May 17 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The play is based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was first published in 1983, and conceived of by Jodie Markell, who directs, and Brad Gilbert, who is the producer. 

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The play is set on All Hallow’s Eve in Albany in 1938. Francis Phelan, played by Ruffalo, returns to his hometown after being homeless for many years and reckons with his journey up to that point and the possibility for redemption as he nears the end of his life. Hecht plays Francis’ friend Helen Archer, who once was a classical pianist at Vassar but accompanies Francis through town as his drinking companion.

The production is in early stages of development for an off-Broadway run. It comes to BAM as part of the theater’s renewed commitment to developing new works.

“This project taps into BAM’s longstanding support of the creativity of New York-based actors, directors, and writers working together on fresh, relevant adaptations and new works,” said BAM’s Interim Artistic Director Amy Cassello. 

Following the May 17 performance, Ruffalo and Hecht will conduct an onstage conversation with advocates and experts on the unhoused crisis in the U.S., moderated by The New Yorker ’s Vinson Cunningham.

Ruffalo’s recent projects induce Yorgos Lanthimos and Searchlight Pictures’ Poor Things and the Netflix miniseries All the Light We Cannot See. His upcoming projects include Warner Bros and Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi drama Mickey 17 and an untitled crime series on HBO by Mare of Easttown ’s Brad Ingelsby.

Hecht appeared opposite Ruffalo in The Price ; her many other stage credits include Summer, 1976 opposite Laura Linney, Fiddler on the Roof opposite Danny Burstein, Brighton Beach Memoirs with Laurie Metcalf, Julius Caesar with Denzel Washington and A View From the Bridge with Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson. Her onscreen work includes starring in the Netflix series Special , as well as recurring roles in Dickinson, Succession, Friends and Breaking Bad. 

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