8 Times Tom Cruise Had More Range Than the Film's Budget

Here are 8 times Tom Cruise stretched his acting range further than the film's budget.

He may run a lot on screen, but in the budget department, he's proven he can stretch a dollar further than Mr. Fantastic at a yoga class.

1. Risky Business (1983)

For those of you who think Tom Cruise just plays hunky, cocky action stars, allow me to introduce you to the film that started it all. Before the world saw him as Ethan Hunt, he was Joel Goodsen, a high school senior tempted by risky endeavors. This film, with its modest budget, was a delightfully unexpected teenage comedy romp. Cruise's performance transcended the budget, and his dance in socks and underwear? Iconic. To this day, whenever anyone slides across a floor in their socks, they owe a copyright fee to Tom Cruise's 1983 self.

2. Losin' It (1983)

1983 was a busy year for our Tommy boy. Losin' It, though not as famous as Risky Business, displayed a different side of Cruise. Playing the character Woody, Cruise nailed the part of a nerdy, insecure teenager on a comedic quest to lose his virginity in Tijuana. Despite the shoestring budget, Cruise managed to turn a potentially cliche role into something more. His awkward charm and genuine portrayal of a teenager's anxiety became the movie's unexpected highlight.

3. All the Right Moves (1983)

Just in case you thought I was joking about 1983 being a prolific year for Cruise, I present to you All the Right Moves. This is Cruise's John Hughes-like foray into the world of high school football. He played Stef Djordjevic, a teen from a working-class family aiming for a football scholarship as a ticket out of his steel town. The film's budget may not have allowed for extravagant effects or high-speed chases, but Cruise's authentic performance as a desperate, frustrated, and driven teenager is what gives the movie its touchdown.

4. Cocktail (1988)

Fast-forward to 1988, and you have Cruise shaking up a storm as a charismatic bartender in Cocktail. As much as the storyline was... let's say, not the most original, Cruise's charisma made the movie watchable. He brought life to the character Brian Flanagan, with an energy that somehow turned a potentially corny movie about flair bartending into a cult classic. With just his shaker, a bottle of booze, and the power of Cruise's grin, Cocktail became more refreshing than the film's budget would suggest.

5. The Color of Money (1986)

Here we have a film that, on paper, should be about as exciting as watching paint dry. It's a story about...pool hustling. But, much like a Tom Cruise run, it's surprisingly intense. Cruise plays Vincent Lauria, a brash, young pool player under the tutelage of Paul Newman's Fast Eddie. This wasn't just a film about shooting pool. It was a study of egos, relationships, and self-destruction. Despite the budget being lower than Cruise's usual films, his energy and enthusiasm make the movie a solid break shot.

6. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Remember when Tom Cruise popped up as Les Grossman, the potty-mouthed, bald, and overweight studio executive in Tropic Thunder? It was a minor role in a movie that wasn't exactly a small budget production, but we're including it because, well, it was a comedic role that was far from his usual handsome, action-hero type. Cruise's performance was hysterical, and the film benefited massively from his ability to create a larger-than-life character that practically hijacked the entire movie. It was like ordering a salad and getting a bonus slice of cheesecake – unexpectedly delicious.

7. Rain Man (1988)

While Rain Man isn't exactly a comedy, it has enough humorous moments that we feel justified squeezing it onto this list. Plus, let's be honest, Cruise's performance is too good to ignore. The film was a critical success, but compared to the budgets of Cruise's later films, it was a modest affair. As Charlie Babbitt, Cruise's emotional range is truly tested, playing a self-centered car dealer who learns his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) is an autistic savant. While Hoffman snagged the Oscar, Cruise's nuanced performance as the initially frustrated, but eventually protective brother, is an essential counterpoint, giving the film its emotional heft.

8. Endless Love (1981)

Finally, we circle back to where it all began – Tom Cruise's first film appearance. A small part in Endless Love, where he played Billy, a friend of the lead character. Even then, you could see sparks of the charisma that would make Cruise a Hollywood A-lister. The film itself was a romantic drama with a touch of humor, but Cruise's brief appearance is like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of your old jeans. Not expected, but a delightful surprise nonetheless.