Tom Cruise Movies the Critics Hated: 15 Films That Missed the Mark

1. Valkyrie 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 261137, ID: 0985699
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Valkyrie, a historical thriller, tells the gripping story of Colonel Stauffenberg, a German military Colonel who devised a plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Despite the strong plot and the real location shooting, the film stumbles across some unidentifiable elements and gradually loses its cinematic charm. The film also faced criticism from the German government due to Tom Cruise’s practice of Scientology.
2. Knight and Day 2010，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 211618, ID: 1013743
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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
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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
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Losin’ It, one of Tom Cruise’s earliest movies, is a teen comedy about four high school buddies traveling to Mexico with the goal of losing their virginities. Despite Cruise’s charm, the film is considered boring and unfunny, making it one of the worst Tom Cruise films.
5. Cocktail 1988，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 92640, ID: 0094889
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Cocktail tells the story of Brian Flanagan, a young student craving a high-paying job, who decides to take a bartending job in Jamaica. Despite the potential for an engaging story, the film fails to deliver much beyond a mediocre love story. Critics called the film shallow and dry, and audiences gave it a dismal score.
6. The Mummy 2017，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 208138, ID: 2345759
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The Mummy 2017, a reboot of the classic franchise, was met with harsh criticism. Critics found the plot lacking and the characters uninteresting. Despite its high production values and Tom Cruise’s performance, the film was seen as a poor start to Universal’s Dark Universe franchise.
7. Oblivion 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 556706, ID: 1483013
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Oblivion 2013, a sci-fi action film, received mixed reviews from critics. While the film was praised for its visual effects and Tom Cruise’s performance, it was criticized for its thin plot and lack of originality. Critics felt that the film started slow, turned dull, and then became tedious.
8. War of the Worlds 2005，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 478943, ID: 0407304
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War of the Worlds 2005, a modern adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, received mixed reviews. Critics praised the film’s thrill and paranoia, but some found it lacking in dimension. Despite the mixed reviews, audiences seemed to enjoy the film.
9. The Last Samurai 2003，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 475473, ID: 0325710
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The Last Samurai 2003, an epic historical drama, received generally positive reviews. Critics praised the film’s design, writing, and acting, but criticized its Hollywood ending. Despite the criticism, the film was seen as a thoughtful epic about two warriors whose cultures and values make them comrades.
10. Days of Thunder 1990，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 97262, ID: 0099371
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Despite the high-octane racing sequences and Cruise’s charismatic performance, ‘Days of Thunder’ was criticized for its formulaic plot and lack of originality. However, the film’s visual splendor and thrilling NASCAR scenes may still appeal to racing enthusiasts.
11. Far and Away 1992，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 68783, ID: 0104231
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‘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
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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
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The Firm, a legal thriller, stars Tom Cruise as Mitch McDeere, a Harvard Law graduate who joins a small firm in Memphis. The film, despite its strong plot and performances, was criticized for its lengthy runtime and confusing strategy. However, it does capture the intense pressure and moral dilemmas faced in the high-stakes world of law.
14. Endless Love 1981，IMDB Rating: 4.9, IMDB Votes: 9713, ID: 0082329
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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
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All the Right Moves is a sports drama featuring Tom Cruise as a high school football player. Despite its realistic portrayal of the importance of sports in small-town America, the film was criticized for its formulaic storytelling and lack of character development. However, it does highlight the struggles and aspirations of young athletes.