Career Timeline of Tom Cruise: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Tom Cruise built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Tom Cruise is a highly successful American actor and producer, considered a Hollywood icon. He has won numerous awards, including three Golden Globes and an Honorary Palme d'Or, and has been nominated for four Academy Awards. Cruise's films have grossed over $13.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors in history.
1993: Formation of Cruise/Wagner Productions
In 1993, Tom Cruise partnered with Paula Wagner to form Cruise/Wagner Productions.
1996: First Project as Producer with Mission: Impossible
In 1996, Cruise/Wagner Productions co-produced "Mission: Impossible", marking Tom Cruise's first project as a producer.
2001: Cruise co-stars with Penélope Cruz in Vanilla Sky
In 2001, Tom Cruise co-starred with Penélope Cruz in the movie Vanilla Sky. This collaboration led to a romantic relationship between them.
March 2004: Kingsley resigns as Cruise's publicist
In March 2004, Pat Kingsley resigned as Tom Cruise's publicist of 14 years.
2004: Cruise receives Scientology Freedom Medal of Valor
In late 2004, David Miscavige created the Scientology Freedom Medal of Valor and awarded it to Tom Cruise for his work with Downtown Medical, offering "detoxification therapy" to New York City rescue workers in the aftermath of 9/11.
November 2005: DeVette replaced with Bloch as Cruise's publicist
In November 2005, Lee Anne DeVette, Tom Cruise's sister, was replaced by Paul Bloch from Rogers and Cowan as his publicist.
2005: Hollywood's most powerful force
In 2005, Hollywood economist Edward Jay Epstein described Tom Cruise as "one of the most powerful—and richest—forces in Hollywood", noting his ability to guarantee the success of billion-dollar film franchises.
August 22, 2006: End of Paramount Relationship
On August 22, 2006, Paramount Pictures announced the end of its 14-year relationship with Tom Cruise, citing economic damage from his controversial public behavior. Cruise/Wagner Productions claimed it was due to their successful pursuit of alternative financing.
November 2006: Takeover of United Artists
In November 2006, Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner announced they had taken over the film studio United Artists (UA). Cruise would produce and star in UA films, with Wagner as CEO.
2006: Return to Mission: Impossible
In 2006, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible III", the third film in the series. The film was well-received and grossed nearly $400 million.
March 2007: Acquisition of Valkyrie
In March 2007, the film Valkyrie was acquired by United Artists (UA).
March 21, 2007: Signed to play Claus von Stauffenberg
On March 21, 2007, Tom Cruise signed to play Claus von Stauffenberg in "Valkyrie", marking the second production greenlit since Cruise and Wagner took control of UA.
2007: Supporting Role in Lions for Lambs
In 2007, Tom Cruise took a rare supporting role in the film "Lions for Lambs". The film was a commercial disappointment.
August 2008: Wagner Steps Down from United Artists
In August 2008, Paula Wagner stepped down from her position at United Artists (UA) but retained her stake in the company.
December 25, 2008: Release of Valkyrie
On December 25, 2008, the historical thriller "Valkyrie", starring Tom Cruise in the central role, was released to box office success.
February 9, 2010: Confirmation of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Role
On February 9, 2010, Tom Cruise confirmed that he would star in "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol", the fourth film in the "Mission: Impossible" series.
March 2010: Filming of Knight and Day Completed
In March 2010, Tom Cruise completed filming the action-comedy "Knight and Day", where he reunited with Cameron Diaz.
June 23, 2010: Release of Knight and Day
On June 23, 2010, the action-comedy film "Knight and Day", starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, was released.
May 6, 2011: Humanitarian Award from Simon Wiesenthal Center
On May 6, 2011, Tom Cruise received a humanitarian award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance for his philanthropic work.
December 2011: Release of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
In December 2011, "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" was released to critical acclaim and box office success, becoming Tom Cruise's biggest commercial success to that date unadjusted for ticket price inflation.
June 2012: Release of Rock of Ages
In June 2012, the movie "Rock of Ages", starring Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, was released. It was a box-office disappointment, although Cruise's performance received positive reviews.
December 21, 2012: Release of Jack Reacher
On December 21, 2012, the film "Jack Reacher", an adaptation of Lee Child's novel "One Shot", starring Tom Cruise, was released to positive reviews and box office success.
2013: Starring in Oblivion
In 2013, Tom Cruise starred in the science fiction film "Oblivion", based on Joseph Kosinski's graphic novel. The film received mixed reviews and grossed $286 million worldwide.
2014: Starring in Edge of Tomorrow
In 2014, Tom Cruise starred in the science fiction-action film "Edge of Tomorrow", which received positive reviews and grossed over $370 million.
2015: Return to Mission: Impossible Series
In 2015, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation", the fifth film in the series, which he also produced. The film was a critical and commercial success.
2016: Recognized as a Box Office Draw
In 2016, the founder of CinemaScore cited Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio as the "two stars, it doesn't matter how bad the film is, they can pull [the box office] up."
2017: Starring in The Mummy Reboot
In 2017, Tom Cruise starred in the reboot of "The Mummy", titled "The Mummy". The film received negative reviews but still grossed over $400 million.
2018: Reprising Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Fallout
In 2018, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – Fallout", the sixth film in the franchise. The film was well-received and became Cruise's biggest commercial success to date.
May 2020: Announced Movie Shot in Outer Space
In May 2020, it was reported that Tom Cruise would star in and produce a movie shot in outer space, directed by Doug Liman. They plan to fly to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft.
2022: Starring in Top Gun: Maverick
In 2022, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in "Top Gun: Maverick", which he also produced. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Cruise received an Honorary Palme d'Or, and it achieved widespread critical and commercial success, earning Cruise $100 million.
July 12, 2023: Release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
On July 12, 2023, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One". The film received critical acclaim but was a box office disappointment due to the phenomenon dubbed Barbenheimer.
January 2024: New Partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery
In January 2024, it was announced that Tom Cruise's production company was forming a strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to develop and produce original and franchise films.
May 2025: Release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
In May 2025, Tom Cruise will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning", which he declared would be his last film portraying the character.
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