Even One of Tom Cruise’s Biggest Box Office Flops Was Still a Huge Success
Usually if Tom Cruise stars in the movie, it will gross at least six figures. This was not the case.
Tom Cruise is a Hollywood oldie and a part of a couple of major money-making franchises. 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick alone made $1.5 billion! However, even an actor of that caliber has taken on a few low-budget projects – and they too have paid off big time.
One of the lesser-known Tom Cruise films is 1983’s Risky Business, a sex comedy drama that ultimately launched the actor’s career. With only a budget of only $6.2 million, this gem of a movie managed to take home $63.5 million. It may not be much compared to Cruise’s other box office successes, but bear in mind that it was his breakout role!
Risky Business, which follows high school senior Joel’s sexual awakening that coincides with his parents’ vacation trip, also received critical acclaim. Both Paul Brickman’s directorial work and Tom Cruise’s acting pleased the industry professionals at the time.
The actor may be accustomed to starring in action movies – after all, the Mission Impossible franchise has been Cruise’s bread and butter for years – but Risky Business truly showcases the other side of his talent. Plus, it features that legendary dance scene where Joel slides into the living room wearing nothing but underwear, white socks, and a shirt.
This movie single-handedly saved Ray-Ban, a luxury glasses brand, from going bankrupt. The company was struggling in the 1980s, and even though Tom Cruise wasn’t a big star yet, his character wearing the iconic Wayfarers was enough to give it a second life. After Risky Business hit the theaters, Ray-Ban’s sales increased by 50%!
By the way, the actor helped the brand again… by wearing their now-famous Aviators in 1986’s Top Gun, which quickly became a cult classic. The company’s profits went up once more! When the sequel was released in 2022, Ray-Ban saw another boost in sales – all thanks to those same glasses.
Tom Cruise has been a superstar for decades, and Risky Business only proves that further. Everything the actor touches becomes an instant success. Love him or hate him, but Tom Cruise is definitely one talented fella!