Remember when Tom Cruise used to get nominated for Oscars? Us neither!
Since his last nom, for 2000’s “Magnolia” (before that, there were ”Jerry Maguire” and “Born on the Fourth of July”), the 51-year-old actor has mostly forgotten about drama and comedy in favor of explosion-filled action flick after explosion-filled action flick.
With all the guns and fireballs and aliens crowding his latest, “Edge of Tomorrow,” opening Friday, we’re starting to think he’s secretly making the same movie over and over.
Every Cruise movie has its fill of aliens, explosions, guns, time travel, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares. See how the following movies stack up.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014)
The Holy Grail of Tom-tropes packs in all the familiar points of a Cruise blockbuster. Stuck in a mysterious time loop, our hero relives the same day, “Groundhog Day”-style, alongside Emily Blunt, as he attempts to blow up some seriously aggressive aliens.
Includes: Aliens, guns, explosions, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.
‘Oblivion’ (2013)
After aliens have pretty much ruined Earth, Tom and his younger lover (Andrea Riseborough) are left to protect what they can with drones that are able to cause serious damage. Two younger lovers are better than one, so Olga Kurylenko also gets in on the action.
Includes: Aliens, guns, explosions, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.
‘Jack Reacher’ (2012)
Based on the popular fiction series, the film posits Cruise as a drifter who investigates a series of murders with spring chicken Rosamund Pike.
Includes: Guns, explosions, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.
‘Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol’ (2011)
For his fourth time playing Ethan Hunt, Cruise has to shoot his way through clearing the good name of the Impossible Missions Force.
Includes: Guns, explosions and blank-eyed stares.
‘Knight and Day’ (2010)
As a secret agent on the run, Cruise drags Cameron Diaz into his mess, winning her heart in the process.
Includes: Guns, explosions, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.
‘Mission: Impossible III’ (2006)
Cruise attempts to settle down with his fiancé (Michelle Monaghan), but instead has to battle it out with an arms dealer.
Includes: Guns, explosions, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.
‘War of the Worlds’ (2005)
Cruise plays a divorced dad who has to watch his kids at the precise moment aliens try to take over the world and destroy everything in their path.
Includes: Aliens, guns, explosions and blank-eyed stares.
‘Collateral’ (2004)
For a change of pace, Cruise tackles the bad guy role as a contract killer who takes a cab driver (Jamie Foxx) hostage.
Includes: Guns and blank-eyed stares.
‘Minority Report’ (2002)
Cruise stars as a cop who works in a department that can see into the future and arrest potential criminals before their offenses are committed. Things get messy when he himself becomes a target.
Includes: Guns, explosions and blank-eyed stares.
‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001)
In this sci-fi thriller about lucid dreams that no one understands, Penèlope Cruz is the apple of Cruise’s eye, Cameron Diaz is his crazy ex and Tommy Boy gets to fire a handgun.
Includes: Guns, younger love interests and blank-eyed stares.