Tom Cruise surpasses Willem Dafoe in global box office rankings following the continued strong performance of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which has generated $360 million worldwide. The film’s significant earnings have elevated Cruise to number 22 among actors with the highest lifetime box office grosses, marking another milestone in his storied career.
Major Boost from Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, continues to draw large audiences in both domestic and international markets. The movie has already collected $129.3 million at home and $231.2 million overseas. Despite fierce competition from Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, Cruise’s latest outing remains one of the biggest commercial successes of early summer and has cemented his place as a leading action hero among current stars.
This box office achievement means that Tom Cruise has officially moved up to 22nd position on the all-time global box office rankings. To move into the 20th spot, currently held by Paul Bettany, Cruise would need $200 million more, with Bradley Cooper positioned between him and Bettany. Cruise’s rise required surpassing the respected actor Willem Dafoe, who also co-starred with Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July.
The Gap Widens Between Cruise and Dafoe
Tom Cruise’s lead over Willem Dafoe currently sits at around $4 million, and the continued strong earnings from The Final Reckoning are expected to expand that gap in the coming weeks. Notably, Cruise’s filmography contains about half as many releases as Dafoe’s body of work, focusing heavily on blockbuster titles such as the Mission: Impossible franchise that attract large crowds and critical attention.
While Cruise’s recent box office feat is notable, Willem Dafoe remains one of the busiest actors with several upcoming projects. Audiences can look forward to Dafoe’s forthcoming appearances in Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s The Birthday Party, Late Fame alongside Greta Lee, Nadia Latif’s The Man in My Basement, and a major role opposite British star Tom Hiddleston in Tenzing. As a four-time Academy Award nominee, Dafoe’s range of upcoming roles demonstrates his ongoing relevance and ability to attract audiences worldwide.
Box Office Performance of Born on the Fourth of July
Looking back at the earlier careers of both actors, Born on the Fourth of July stands as a key moment. For a film to be profitable by studio standards, it generally needs to double its production budget at the box office. This 1989 film, which saw Cruise and Dafoe share the spotlight, quintupled its reported $14 million budget, reaching over $70 million in U.S. ticket sales. Initially released in only four theaters, its opening numbers appeared limited, but it quickly grew in popularity and became one of the early 1990s’ box office leaders, maintaining the top spot for three consecutive weeks.
Continued Impact and What Lies Ahead
With Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning still playing in theaters and audiences showing sustained interest, the gap between Tom Cruise and Willem Dafoe in rankings could widen further. The ongoing box office race reflects Cruise’s ability to headline major action films that achieve global success, while Dafoe’s diverse upcoming projects keep him a key contender in the industry. Both stars contribute richly to Hollywood’s evolving landscape, and their competitive positions at the global box office highlight the dynamic careers that define modern cinema.
