Best Tom Cruise Performances

[Trollhunter]

This week, to celebrate the release of his new film, “The Mummy,” I ask counting what do you think are the Best Performances by the one and only Tom Cruise.

[Hucksta G]

Magnolia
Vanilla Sky
Jerry Maguire
Born on the Fourth of July
Tropic Thunder

[Samus Aran]

Born on the Fourth of July.

He got one of those "acting roles for true thespians" gigs and nailed it.

[Al_The_Strange]

Kind of a tough choice for me. I'm not really a diehard fan of him, so I think they're all equally fine (or equally terrible all things depending).

Was originally thinking over all his sci-fi movies first, but I realize I probably care about him more in the Mission Impossible series than anything else. His performance as Ethan Hunt across all five films are the only ones where I can say, yes I love his character as much as the physical stuntwork and occasional comedy. And out of those MI:III takes the cake for emotional range (probably more because of the nature of the story).

I also appreciate his work in Oblivion, Minority Report, and Edge of Tomorrow. I think his role in 2005's War of the Worlds had some good emotional moments, but was marred by his character being rather unlikable. Oblivion, however, has nuances that makes me appreciate that character more.

Never really cared for the Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, or Risky Business type of Tom Cruise.

EDIT:
He was good in A Few Good Men too. But I attribute most of that strength to the movie's excellent script--his actual performance struck me as more of the same.

Forgot about Collateral--he was an awesome villain. Also didn't mind him as Lestat (Interview With a Vampire), it was a good fit for him.

I do like him as Jack Reacher too. Probably my second-favorite character of his behind Ethan Hunt.

[Troll2fan]

Born of the Fourth of July for me, but I also thought he was great in Rain Man and A Few Good Men.

[L.J.]

Jerry Maguire think is his best performance. Not my favorite film of his but feel its his best acting.

[SarahS]

Magnolia was good but was a small performance. Born on the 4th of July is by far his best. In fact he should have won the Oscar...he was amazing.

[Cremildo]

Great actor.

His best performances, ranked:

1. Born on the 4th of July
2. Magnolia
3. Minority Report
4. Jerry Maguire
5. Collateral

[Ray Jackson]

As far as dramatic acting, it's Born On the Fourth and I don't think it's even close.

...that was a transcendent performance.

[tigertron]

Ray Ferrier - War of the Worlds
Ethan Hunt - M:I
John Anderton - Minority Report
Nathan Algren - The Last Samurai
Stacee Jaxx - Rock of Ages

[ketan]

I still miss his JACK REACHER in their.

[principehomura]

Vincent Lauria, The Color of Money

[Himmel]

Hands down.

Charlie Babbitt, “Rain Man”.

[DarkEco910]

Collateral was always such a departure for him. That's why I love that movie so much. He has great chemistry with Jamie Foxx, too.

But I have to ask why John Anderton and Ethan Hunt are categorized under OTHER by not being included in the poll. Those are my other two favorite characters of his.

[levcore]

A Few Good Men. Its a real tour de force of a performance. Absolutely terrific.

[The Debts]

Tropic Thunder Credits Tom Cruise Dance - YouTube

Duh.

[komal6]

Jerry Maguire, “Jerry Maguire”