With Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning potentially capping off the long-running spy saga, fans are eager to learn about all the upcoming Tom Cruise movies after Mission: Impossible. As the legendary actor leaves behind his signature franchise, a number of unique and ambitious projects have been lined up for his next era in cinema.
After years spent almost exclusively focused on Mission: Impossible and Top Gun installations, Cruise now faces a new chapter that promises a shift into uncharted territory, including comedies, historical dramas, and even ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Here’s what moviegoers can expect next from Tom Cruise as he gears up for his biggest onscreen risks yet.
Diverse Projects Set for Tom Cruise’s Post-Mission: Impossible Career
Since 2017, Tom Cruise has been a dominant force in action cinema, bouncing between his acclaimed spy and military franchises. The conclusion of Mission: Impossible 8, with Cruise now 62, signals both an ending and a new beginning for the actor. Rather than just sticking to the familiar, Cruise is embracing roles that test him artistically and physically in new ways, collaborating with celebrated directors and exploring various genres.
Cruise’s upcoming films range from working with decorated auteurs to making a cinematic mark in history by attempting feats never before seen in filmmaking. This transition recalls his bold career moves of the late 1990s and early 2000s, now reimagined for a new generation of filmgoers.
The Untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu Film Arrives in 2026
The highest-profile project confirmed for Cruise is the yet-untitled film directed by Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, recognized for his work on The Revenant and Birdman. This movie, which features a star-studded cast including Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, and John Goodman, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on October 2, 2026.
Shot in London, the film wrapped production in early May. While plot details are scarce, Iñárritu described it as a comedy about “human nature” (source Deadline). The project stands out as Cruise’s first major collaboration with a renowned Hollywood auteur in years, reminiscent of the actor’s earlier turns with innovative filmmakers. For fans, this suggests a return to the risk-taking spirit that first made Cruise a versatile star.
Broadsword: A World War II Epic on the Horizon
Tom Cruise continues his partnership with director Christopher McQuarrie, with whom he has co-created multiple blockbuster successes. Their next venture together, reportedly titled Broadsword, is expected to be a sweeping World War II epic and may be the immediate follow-up to the Mission: Impossible series for Cruise.
Broadsword centers around a marine captain who is dropped behind enemy lines during the chaos of war and tasked with accomplishing a seemingly impossible mission. Cruise will headline the cast alongside Henry Cavill, known for portraying Superman, and Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard. This film marks another collaboration that fans have come to anticipate, blending real-world history with the high-stakes drama Cruise excels at.
The Gauntlet: Revisiting a Classic with a New Cast
Another anticipated collaboration between Cruise and McQuarrie is their action crime thriller, The Gauntlet, a remake of the 1977 Clint Eastwood film. In this adaptation, Cruise will step into the role of a detective responsible for escorting a key witness to court while navigating a tangled web of police corruption and danger.
Scarlett Johansson, best known for her work as an Avenger, joins Cruise as the co-lead—marking her first time starring alongside him on the big screen. McQuarrie has teased that their version of The Gauntlet will be “gnarlier” than any of their prior projects together. —Christopher McQuarrie, Director/Screenwriter
While other cast members and specific plot details remain under wraps, the combination of Cruise’s star power and Johansson’s action pedigree has generated significant buzz among fans and industry watchers alike.
Breaking New Ground: Tom Cruise Plans to Shoot a Movie in Space
Tom Cruise has long sought to redefine what is possible in cinema, and his next ambition is to make the first movie filmed in outer space. The as-yet-untitled collaboration between Cruise and SpaceX intends to send the actor into orbit for actual space filming, where he would become the first civilian to perform a space walk while acting in a motion picture.
Directed by Doug Liman, with Christopher McQuarrie again contributing as a writer, the film stands to break cinematic records if successful. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, described the venture as “Mission Impossible in space.” —Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX
Cruise expressed his dedication to prepping this unprecedented project, stating, “working on [the movie] diligently” and revealing a desire for production to begin soon. —Tom Cruise, Actor
Although logistical hurdles remain, the project reflects Cruise’s drive to continually challenge himself and set new industry precedents.
Rumored Projects: Sequels and Franchise Returns
The rumor mill hints at more familiar territory for Cruise, including potential sequels and returns to fan-favorite franchises. One significant possibility is Live Die Repeat and Repeat, a follow-up to the 2014 sci-fi hit Edge of Tomorrow. Cruise has discussed concepts for this project since as far back as 2015. Doug Liman, the director of the original, is also attached, and insiders speculate that Warner Bros. may fast-track development, though nothing formal has been announced.
Another project generating excitement is the highly anticipated Top Gun 3. Following the immense success of Top Gun: Maverick, which soared past $1 billion at the box office, Paramount Studios has been developing the next installment. Although timelines and full details remain uncertain, director Joseph Kosinski is reportedly in consideration to return and helm the threequel, with Cruise prioritizing this continuation of his beloved Maverick role.
What to Expect from Tom Cruise’s Next Phase in Film
As Tom Cruise steps away from the franchise identity that defined much of his recent career, he is charting a course into an era marked by artistic reinvention and technical innovation. His slate of projects—ranging from comedies with acclaimed auteurs to groundbreaking production in space—demonstrates a willingness to embrace risk and novelty in the pursuit of memorable cinema experiences.
Collaborators such as Henry Cavill, Marion Cotillard, Riz Ahmed, and Scarlett Johansson are set to join Cruise in his upcoming films, adding even more star power to his post-Mission: Impossible ventures. With the involvement of leading studios like Warner Bros., Paramount, and SpaceX, audiences can look forward to seeing Cruise seize the next frontier of storytelling—both on Earth and beyond. The coming years promise an intriguing blend of nostalgia, innovation, and cinematic spectacle as Tom Cruise embarks on his next adventure in Hollywood.
