The 8 Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Performed By Tom Cruise In The Mission: Impossible Series
I'm sorry, but I don't understand how Tom Cruise is still alive after all these years performing these death-defying stunts. With the climactic biplane chase scene in The Final Reckoning, Cruise and Company outdid themselves. Not only is Cruise hanging off a flying plane, but he must jump onto another flying one and get into the cockpit. Pure insanity, and we loved every minute of it.
Piloting and Falling Out of a Helicopter - Mission: Impossible - Fallout
By the end of Fallout, Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt should be out of breath. After all, the audience certainly is! Yet, here he is, climbing up to a mobile helicopter, flying it, and falling out of it in a thrilling chase sequence. This action setpiece was practically a victory lap for the M:I team in their most daring mission to date.
Free-Fall Motorcycle Jump - Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning
Although Dead Reckoning was relatively light on bonkers stunts, it slowly built up to one of the most harrowing set pieces in the franchise's history. In one of the most meticulously crafted stunts, one error could've derailed everything and potentially harmed Cruise's life. But of course, the star successfully vaulted from a moving motorcycle off a ledge. Even more impressive than the execution of the stunt is the breathtaking photography capturing Cruise's audaciousness.
Burj Khalifa - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Anyone who experienced the IMAX aspect ratio shift when Tom Cruise steps out onto the ledge inside the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol is truly blessed. More reliant on sweat-inducing thrills than visceral action (while also providing an unexpected amount of laughs), you feel like Cruise will plummet to the earth's crust at any moment. The actor and the filmmakers behind M:I never make it easy on themselves. Only they would think to perform a free-solo climb on one of the tallest buildings in the world.
Underwater Submarine Dive - Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
In a shocking change of pace for the series, The Final Reckoning's first major set piece features no dialogue or score. The audience is forced to sit with Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt as he submerges into the deep sea and searches through the ruins of a submarine. It's eerily claustrophobic and moody, and being a world-class super-spy never seemed so scary.
HALO Jump - Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Fallout gets to an incredibly fast start, and by the time Tom Cruise is performing a real HALO jump from an aircraft, moving through the clouds at breakneck speed, the film is officially shot out of a canon. It's almost amusing how much Cruise is willing to go to entertain us and push the boundaries for stunt performance in movies.
Hanging Off the Side of a Plane - Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
In a bold storytelling decision, Rogue Nation uses his signature stunt in the cold open, and what a way to grab the audience's attention. You can see it in his face--Tom Cruise is holding on for dear life as a plane takes off at full speed. It may not factor into the main plot of the film, but it captures the essence of M:I to a tee.
Free Solo Climb - Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible II is known for its dazzling style that doesn't always amount to substance. This impressive, while now relatively rudimentary stunt, speaks to the gaudy nature of the series' second entry. Tom Cruise is in pure movie star mode as he does a free-solo climb on a mountain. The minimalism of the stunt enhances the maximalism of the film's larger-than-life movie star, who hasn't lost a beat twenty years later.
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The undeniable appeal of the ‘trust me' movie
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
You'll live, die and repeat watching this Tom Cruise sci-fi action movie on Peacock this weekend
When looking for a movie to watch this weekend, look no further than "Edge of Tomorrow," which was just added to Peacock at the beginning of the month. Some movies, you have to be in the right mood to watch. Others, you need to have just the right home theater setup to enjoy. But this sci-fi action movie can be enjoyed anywhere, and it might just be Tom Cruise's last great performance in a movie that wasn't a sequel to one of his many other roles. I'm not being hyperbolic either when I say that this movie can be watched anywhere. The first time I watched it was on a plane, and I had a blast. To be fair, action movies are the perfect plane movies, but this movie is just as enjoyable in the comfort of your own home, too. I'm not the only one who loves "Edge of Tomorrow" either. While the movie arguably underwhelmed at the box office, bringing in just enough money for Hollywood accounting to still declare it a bust, thanks to a massive $178 million budget. But that spending paid off with critics and audiences alike — it scored a 91% fresh rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a nearly identical 90% from audiences. So if you're subscribed to Peacock, this is the movie to watch this weekend across all the best streaming services. It's one of the best action movies of the 2010s, and more importantly, it's just fun to watch. "Edge of Tomorrow" is based on the Japanese light novel "All You Need Is Kill." It's set in a near-future version of Earth, where an alien race known as "Mimics" has conquered most of continental Europe, forcing humanity to unite into a global military force, known as the United Defense Force (UDF). The UDF still struggles against the mimics, though, until Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) leads the UDF to victory at the Battle of Verdun. This sparks confidence in the UDF, which, led by General Brigham (Brendan Gleeson), decides to invade France to reclaim the country. But when Brigham orders Major William Cage (Cruise), a public relations officer with no combat experience, to cover the invasion, the cowardly major tries to blackmail the general to avoid the dangerous assignment. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Peacock Premium offers hit original shows, NBCUniversal movies and live sports, all starting at $10.99 a month. That backfires spectacularly, with Cage now demoted to Private and forced to serve with the infantry in the invasion. The move is intended to get Cage killed, which it does, but not before he's bathed in the blood of an "Alpha" Mimic — causing him to awake back in England just before the invasion. At this point, the movie really begins, with Cruise stuck in an endless cycle of waking up, getting thrown into battle and getting killed. But he starts to improve with each death, as he retains the memories from his past lives even after his deaths. This is one of two things that make "Edge of Tomorrow" work. First, there is the action, which is well executed and well paced. The movie is just 113 minutes long, giving it little time to linger in one place too long, and despite being very heavy on the CGI, it looks good, including the combat between the CGI Mimics against humans in CGI battle suits. In another movie, this would have looked cheap at the time and aged terribly, but the time and money invested in this movie's visual effects still pays off to this day. But the other thing that makes this sci-fi movie work is that the time travel element is fun, a welcome plot device rather than a paradox-laden rabbit hole to dive into. I won't spoil exactly how the time loop functions, which is revealed later in the movie, but when you realize what's happening, you don't question whether or not it works or not you just strap yourself in for the rest of the ride. So go stream "Edge of Tomorrow" on Peacock now, and enjoy. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022 and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The undeniable appeal of the ‘trust me' movie
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
