1. Valkyrie 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 261137, ID: 0985699 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Valkyrie, a gripping historical thriller, chronicles Colonel Stauffenberg’s bold plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler, but despite its intriguing concept and authentic location shooting, it falters due to vague execution and ultimately loses its cinematic allure, while also drawing ire from the German government over Tom Cruise’s affiliation with Scientology.
2. Knight and Day 2010，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 211618, ID: 1013743 Photo by farm5.staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Knight and Day, a romantic action comedy, tells the story of June Havens, a superior car restorer who gets caught up with Roy Miller, a man being pursued by the CIA. Despite the entertaining start and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, the film loses its energy in the second half. Critics slammed the movie for its unimpactful comic sequence and formulaic storytelling.
3. Vanilla Sky 2001，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 287729, ID: 0259711 Photo by wp.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Vanilla Sky is a science fiction psychological thriller that tells the story of David Aames, a prison inmate convicted of murder who narrates a flashback story to the court psychologist. Despite its potential, the film takes too much time in building a great story but doesn’t devote enough time to end it elegantly. Critics found the storyline demanding a better explanation at the end.
4. 004 Losin’ It (1983) 2019，IMDB Rating: 0.0, IMDB Votes: 0, ID: 24764436 Photo by blog.prif.org, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Losin’ It marks one of Tom Cruise’s earliest roles in a teen comedy that follows four high school friends on a trip to Mexico to lose their virginities; however, despite Cruise’s undeniable charm, the film fails to resonate due to its tedious and unamusing narrative, earning it a spot among his least favorable works.
5. Cocktail 1988，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 92640, ID: 0094889 Photo by sienanews.it, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Cocktail revolves around Brian Flanagan, a young man aiming for financial success who takes on bartending in Jamaica, yet despite its promising premise, the movie delivers only a lackluster romance, with critics describing it as shallow and dry, resulting in a disappointing reception from audiences.
6. The Mummy 2017，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 208138, ID: 2345759 Photo by diggita.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 The Mummy (2017) attempted to reboot the classic franchise but faced a barrage of criticism for its uninspired plot and lackluster characters; even with high production values and a solid performance from Tom Cruise, the film was deemed a poor start for Universal’s ambitious Dark Universe initiative.
7. Oblivion 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 556706, ID: 1483013 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Oblivion (2013), a sci-fi action flick, garnered mixed reviews, praised for its stunning visual effects and Cruise’s performance but criticized for its thin plot and unoriginal ideas, leaving some viewers feeling that the pacing was plodding and ultimately tiresome.
8. War of the Worlds 2005，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 478943, ID: 0407304 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 War of the Worlds (2005) presented a modern twist on H.G. Wells’ classic tale, receiving divided opinions; while critics appreciated the film’s tension and atmosphere of paranoia, others noted its lack of depth, yet audiences still found moments to enjoy.
9. The Last Samurai 2003，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 475473, ID: 0325710 Photo by olivian.ro, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Last Samurai (2003) generally received favorable reviews, with accolades for its stunning visuals and deep storytelling, although critics took issue with its typical Hollywood ending; nevertheless, it remains a thoughtful exploration of the friendship between two warriors from vastly different cultures.
10. Days of Thunder 1990，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 97262, ID: 0099371 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Days of Thunder, despite its breathtaking racing sequences and Cruise’s charismatic presence, drew criticism for its clichéd plot and lack of originality, though the film’s vibrant visuals and adrenaline-packed NASCAR scenes may still capture the hearts of racing fans.
11. Far and Away 1992，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 68783, ID: 0104231 Photo by wordpress.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘Far and Away’ was panned for its simple-minded story and lack of character development. Despite the beautiful cinematography and strong performances by Cruise and Kidman, critics found the film to be a series of clichéd boxing scenes and chance encounters.
12. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 177334, ID: 3393786 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 While Cruise’s performance was praised, ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’ was criticized for its lack of originality and depth. Critics found the plot predictable and the action sequences uninspiring, leading to mixed reviews.
13. The Firm 1993，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 149129, ID: 0106918 Photo by newsmedia.tasnimnews.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 The Firm features Tom Cruise as Mitch McDeere, a Harvard graduate ensnared in a high-pressure legal world, yet despite a compelling plot and strong performances, it faced backlash over its lengthy duration and convoluted strategy while still effectively illustrating the moral challenges inherent in the legal profession.
14. Endless Love 1981，IMDB Rating: 4.9, IMDB Votes: 9713, ID: 0082329 Photo by media.pn.am, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Endless Love, a romantic drama, stars Tom Cruise in a supporting role. The film, which revolves around two teenagers’ obsessive love, was criticized for its clichéd storytelling and lack of depth. Despite its beautiful cinematography and performances, it fails to deliver a compelling narrative.
15. All the Right Moves 1983，IMDB Rating: 6.0, IMDB Votes: 20540, ID: 0085154 Photo by aenigma-images.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 All the Right Moves showcases Tom Cruise as a high school football star, realistically depicting the significance of sports in small-town America, but the film was hindered by predictable storytelling and underdeveloped characters, even as it manages to shed light on the dreams and challenges of young athletes.
Tom Cruise’s 15 Films that Critics Panned: A Closer Look at the Misfires
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