Mission: Impossible (1996)

Cruise was in the risk-taking phase of his career by the mid-1990s, and Mission: Impossible was his first step into generating stuff from the ground up. Every action film Cruise stars in (for which he often does his own stunts) is exhilarating and exciting, but none more so than the epic spy thriller Mission: Impossible.

Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, an American spy on a quest to find "the mole" who has framed him for the killings of his fellow agents. The film also stars Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, and Vanessa Redgrave, and grossed over $450 million worldwide. The film's popularity created a hugely successful franchise that continues to this day, with a new edition set to premiere this year. The series has grossed over $3.5 billion and has a loyal fanbase of people all over the world. Cruise's career as an action hero and box-office magnet was cemented with Mission: Impossible.

Detailed Information:

Directed by: Brian De Palma

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Béart

Release date: May 22, 1996
Running time: 110 minutes