Tom Cruise, whose career has spanned decades and garnered global acclaim, is still at the top of his game, thrilling fans as new projects involve some of Hollywood‘s biggest names and franchises. As anticipation builds, the list of Upcoming Tom Cruise movies continues to grow in 2025 and beyond, promising unforgettable cinematic experiences for his supporters worldwide.
Tom Cruise Celebrates New Honors and Looks Ahead
On November 16, 2025, Tom Cruise received his first Oscar, taking home an honorary trophy at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 16th Governors Awards. The honor was presented by Alejandro González Iñárritu, who remarked,
“Tom Cruise doesn’t just make movies, he is movies.”
— Alejandro González Iñárritu, Director. Over his decades-long career, Cruise has captivated audiences and critics alike, earning nominations for acclaimed performances in
“Born on the Fourth of July,”
“Jerry Maguire,” “Magnolia,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”
With more than $13.3 billion in worldwide box office earnings, Cruise remains among the most commercially successful actors of all time. Despite his recent accolade, he shows no signs of slowing down. Rather than stepping back, the “Mission Impossible” leading man keeps adding to a filmography that has defined blockbuster cinema.
What Lies Ahead: Five Major Films on the Horizon
While some expected projects, like a collaboration with Ana de Armas and the much-discussed SpaceX film, have been put on hold, there are still several highly anticipated films with Tom Cruise at the helm, making waves in Hollywood and beyond. Below are the five major Upcoming Tom Cruise movies that fans are eagerly awaiting, along with the details surrounding each project and the key figures behind them.
1. ‘Top Gun 3’ Is Set to Continue the Aviation Legacy
After the phenomenal success of “Top Gun: Maverick”—which grossed $1.4 billion globally, scored a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and garnered six Oscar nominations including Best Picture—the return of this legendary franchise is no surprise. The announcement of “Top Gun 3” came after the merger between Paramount and Skydance, and reports indicate that it has become a top priority for the studios.
Given the runaway success of its predecessor, a new installment was inevitable. Tom Cruise, known for his adrenaline-fueled roles and daring stunts, is expected to return to the cockpit as this next high-octane chapter unfolds. However, there may be a significant wait, as director Joseph Kosinski has a packed slate. He is currently working on a “Miami Vice” reboot and an untitled UFO project for Apple Studios, both delaying work on “Top Gun 3” until at least 2028. Even so, considering how long fans waited for “Maverick,” another wait only adds to the fervor.
Kosinski revealed the film is in the scripting phase, saying,
“It’s a big idea that I spent almost a year developing — working with some friends at the Navy and Lockheed,”
— Joseph Kosinski, Director. With cooperation from figures like Lockheed and the Navy, the film is expected to maintain the authenticity and innovation that made “Maverick” a modern classic.
2. ‘Broadsword’ Reunites Cruise and McQuarrie for a WWII Epic
Though the “Mission Impossible” saga may have wrapped, Tom Cruise’s partnership with Christopher McQuarrie continues in the forthcoming World War II film, “Broadsword.” In this action-packed narrative, Cruise will portray a Marine Sergeant who survives a crash landing in France. Teaming up with a local girl, he embarks on a perilous journey across the region as he seeks a path to safety.
There was speculation about Henry Cavill joining the cast, given his celebrated appearance in “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” but McQuarrie dismissed those rumors with,
“Don’t believe anything you read about any of that stuff.”
— Christopher McQuarrie, Director. Instead, the project promises intense action and atmosphere, with McQuarrie highlighting Cruise’s compact dialogue in the film, stating that the actor has
“fewer than 500 lines in the whole movie.”
— Christopher McQuarrie, Director.
Fans familiar with Cruise’s roles in military films have high expectations for “Broadsword.” His performances in
“Born on the Fourth of July”
and “A Few Good Men” earned critical praise and award recognition. Having previously collaborated with McQuarrie on the WWII drama “Valkyrie,” the pair are considered well-matched to bring this riveting war story to life.
3. Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Cruise Join Forces for Untitled Global Drama
Following the public recognition at the Governors Awards, where Alejandro G. Iñárritu honored Cruise, it’s fitting that the two would partner on an ambitious new project. The untitled film reportedly centers on the world’s most powerful individual, who triggers a global catastrophe and then embarks on a journey to redeem himself in the eyes of humanity.
This film holds particular significance for Iñárritu, who has not seen a box-office hit since “The Revenant” in 2015. For Tom Cruise, this collaboration represents a chance to challenge himself with a different type of role—one with fewer stunts, as confirmed by Iñárritu in an interview with Deadline.
Cruise’s versatility in unexpected genres, such as his comedic turn as Les Grossman in “Tropic Thunder,” left audiences wanting more from his range. Persistent fan requests for a film featuring the Les Grossman character show Cruise’s enduring ability to captivate, whatever the genre. If the collaboration with Iñárritu heads in a comedic or dramatic direction, expectations are set high due to Cruise’s track record and Iñárritu’s renowned directorial style.
4. ‘Edge of Tomorrow 2’ Brings Back Time-Loop Action
The original “Edge of Tomorrow” has been celebrated as one of the finest military sci-fi films, earning a worldwide gross of $370.5 million and critical praise with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. After years of speculation and demand from fans, the much-awaited sequel is moving forward, with filming reportedly planned for late 2026, according to Production Weekly. This anticipated sequel accelerated after the Cruise-Armas project was paused—director Doug Liman had previously been attached to both films.
Doug Liman shared that Warner Bros. is intent on making the sequel, with CEO David Zaslav supporting the project as part of Cruise’s new multi-year production contract with the studio. The working title, “Live Die Repeat and Repeat,” suggests a return to the original’s inventive time-loop premise. Emily Blunt, who formed a dynamic on-screen partnership with Cruise, is hoped to reprise her role, especially given her increased acclaim in recent years. Liman also has the opportunity to address some criticisms of the first film, particularly regarding the third act’s pacing.
5. ‘Days of Thunder 2’ Revives Race Track Rivalries
Another surprise returning franchise is “Days of Thunder,” with a sequel confirmed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeff Gordon, a former NASCAR driver and chairman of Hendrick Motorsports as well as a personal friend of Cruise. Gordon shared,
“Tom Cruise has told me it’s gonna happen,”
— Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Driver/Chairman. The enthusiasm was further fueled by Cruise’s social media activities commemorating the 35th anniversary of working with director Tony Scott on the original film.
The momentum behind racing movies has grown following the commercial success of Brad Pitt’s “F1,” which attracted large audiences in the United States despite the nation’s greater interest in NASCAR than Formula One. With “F1” earning $190 million domestically, expectations are sky-high for what a NASCAR film led by Tom Cruise could achieve. Unlike the original, whose critical reception was lukewarm despite developing a cult following (with just a 37% Rotten Tomatoes score), the sequel aims to deliver both box office appeal and a stronger script. Cruise, known for pushing physical limits in his roles, is set to embrace more high-octane stunt work in this return to the race track.
What These Projects Mean for the Film Industry
Tom Cruise’s unwavering work ethic and his collaborations with industry leaders such as Joseph Kosinski, Christopher McQuarrie, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Doug Liman signal a vital, ongoing influence on Hollywood. These Upcoming Tom Cruise movies represent not only the continuation of beloved stories but also ambitious new avenues for the actor and the organizations involved—from Warner Bros. to Paramount, Skydance, and Apple Studios. Audiences can expect both familiar thrills and inventive storytelling as Cruise embraces new challenges, reinforcing his status as a global superstar.
