Tom Cruise upcoming movies are stirring intense anticipation as the action legend, fresh off his first Oscar win at the 16th Governors Awards in November 2025, lines up new blockbusters for fans to watch. With over $13.3 billion in global box office earnings and a relentless work ethic, Cruise continues to thrill audiences and redefine stardom in Hollywood.
Hollywood Honors Tom Cruise’s Legacy and Drive
At the 16th Governors Awards hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Tom Cruise finally received an honorary Oscar, marking a milestone in his illustrious career. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu presented the prestigious award, expressing his deep admiration:
“Tom Cruise doesn’t just make movies, he is movies.”
— Alejandro González Iñárritu, Director.
While Cruise has garnered past Oscar nominations for standout performances in “Magnolia,”
“Born on the Fourth of July,”
“Jerry Maguire,” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” this recognition comes as a testament to decades of influential work. Adored by fans and respected by peers, Cruise remains a driving force in the film industry even after such achievements, consistently delivering high-energy entertainment.
Despite his longstanding success, Cruise shows no signs of stepping back. As of 2025, his reputation as one of the highest-grossing actors remains unchallenged, and he is actively developing a dynamic slate of new projects, keeping fan expectations at an all-time high.
The Anticipated Return: ‘Top Gun 3’
The aviation blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” took global audiences by storm, earning $1.4 billion and widespread critical praise, and its momentum has made a third installment inevitable. The continuation of the Maverick saga is a main priority following the recent merger between Paramount and Skydance, aiming to recapture the formula that enthralled moviegoers worldwide.
Production on “Top Gun 3,” however, faces scheduling challenges. Director Joseph Kosinski, credited for the franchise’s revival, reportedly has a packed calendar. He revealed he spent nearly a year collaborating on the new script:
“It’s a big idea that I spent almost a year developing — working with some friends at the Navy and Lockheed,”
— Joseph Kosinski, Director.
Yet, Kosinski is also directing an upcoming “Miami Vice” reboot and an untitled UFO feature for Apple Studios, making it likely that work on “Top Gun 3” will not commence until at least 2028. Despite the potential delay, fans remain hopeful, recalling the 35-year wait between the original and its sequel as proof that patience pays off when it comes to Cruise-led spectacles.
A Riveting War Drama: ‘Broadsword’
With the “Mission Impossible” era concluding, Tom Cruise is set to team up once again with close collaborator Christopher McQuarrie for the World War II epic “Broadsword.” Cruise will portray a Marine Sergeant who, after being the sole survivor of a crash over France, must navigate hostile territory with the help of a local girl. Their journey promises intense action, emotional stakes, and the star’s signature dedication to realism.
While speculation about Henry Cavill joining the project circulated online, McQuarrie refuted these claims on the Happy Sad Confused podcast:
“Don’t believe anything you read about any of that stuff.”
— Christopher McQuarrie, Director.
He also confirmed a minimalist approach to Cruise’s dialogue, focusing squarely on atmosphere and movement:
“[He has] fewer than 500 lines in the whole movie.”
— Christopher McQuarrie, Director.
McQuarrie and Cruise previously collaborated on high-intensity films such as “Mission Impossible: Fallout” and the WWII thriller “Valkyrie,” hinting that “Broadsword” will meld gripping storytelling with edge-of-your-seat tension. Given Cruise’s strong track record in military dramas, expectations for this collaboration are high among both critics and audiences.
A Bold Collaboration: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Untitled Feature
Fans of Tom Cruise upcoming movies are watching closely as he embarks on a project with Alejandro González Iñárritu, the visionary filmmaker who just honored Cruise at the Governors Awards. This untitled movie will feature Cruise as
“the most powerful man in the world,”
whose actions inadvertently trigger a global crisis, forcing him to redeem himself in the eyes of humanity.
This marks a pivotal moment for Iñárritu as well, who has been seeking a major success since “The Revenant” in 2015. Their collaboration signals a potential return to form, though Iñárritu has specified that the film will not rely on Cruise’s legendary stunt work. Instead, the superstar is taking on a dramatically different character. This project follows Cruise’s tradition of embracing bold and unexpected roles—such as his comedic turn as Les Grossman in “Tropic Thunder,” a performance still celebrated by fans and cited frequently in pop culture circles. Their partnership promises to blend dramatic heft with genre-defying storytelling, setting this movie apart in Cruise’s already diverse filmography.
The Sci-Fi Sequel Arrives: ‘Edge of Tomorrow 2’
“Edge of Tomorrow” is widely regarded as a modern military sci-fi classic, earning $370.5 million globally and critical acclaim for its inventive premise. The demand for a sequel—formally titled “Live Die Repeat and Repeat”—is finally being answered, with production reportedly starting in late 2026, according to insider trade publication Production Weekly.
The momentum behind the sequel increased after the shelving of Cruise’s planned project with Ana de Armas, freeing up director Doug Liman to refocus. Liman previously confirmed that Warner Bros. executives, including CEO David Zaslav, are firmly backing the new film as part of Cruise’s broader production deal with the studio. Fans can expect a return to the time-bending action of the original, and speculation is high that Emily Blunt—who starred opposite Cruise as one half of a dynamic on-screen duo—will reprise her role. The sequel offers Liman a chance to revisit and resolve narrative critiques of the original’s third act, with audiences eager to see if lightning strikes twice for this innovative franchise.
Racing Back to the Track: ‘Days of Thunder 2’
The long-awaited sequel to the racing drama “Days of Thunder” is gaining traction, as confirmed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer in July 2025. Jeff Gordon, former NASCAR champion and current chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, corroborated the news, revealing:
“Tom Cruise has told me it’s gonna happen,”
— Jeff Gordon, Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports.
Momentum for the project intensified on the heels of Brad Pitt’s successful F1-centered film, which showcased the appetite for racing movies among American audiences, particularly NASCAR fans. Cruise himself fueled anticipation by reflecting on his partnership with late director Tony Scott, celebrating the original film’s 35th anniversary on X (formerly Twitter).
There’s hope that “Days of Thunder 2” will combine Cruise’s trademark stunt prowess with improved storytelling, as the original, despite achieving cult status, was met with critical skepticism, currently holding a 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, with Cruise’s proven star power and a renewed interest in high-speed cinema, expectations are high for a sequel that could redefine the racing genre for a new generation.
The Significance of Tom Cruise’s Upcoming Projects
The coming years promise to be a landmark period for Tom Cruise, whose upcoming movies span a diverse array of genres, directors, and creative challenges. From blockbuster action like “Top Gun 3” and “Edge of Tomorrow 2” to fresh dramatic territory with Iñárritu, McQuarrie, and the much-anticipated “Days of Thunder 2,” Cruise continues to evolve, driving global interest in both Hollywood spectacle and thoughtful storytelling. With such a multitiered lineup, both long-time fans and new audiences can expect a steady stream of boundary-pushing performances, ensuring Cruise’s influence remains as powerful as ever in the ever-changing world of international cinema.
