Top 10 Tom Cruise Running Scenes Ranked by Speed

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018)

It’s a tale as old as time. Tom Cruise’s agent Ethan Hunt needs to save the world by running for his life. In a movie full of Cruise’s most death-defying stunts, this running scene encapsulates the power and determination of him as a performer. He chases the double agent Walker, played by Henry Cavill, across London. After making amazing leaps across buildings and jumping out a window, he has one final thing to do. With his last ounce of strength, Ethan runs over an extra long rooftop. As impressive as it is, the run leads Ethan to a dead end and with Walker getting the upper hand. After all, that’s what you get for trying to chase Superman.

“The Firm” (1993)

Based on the John Grisham novel, “The Firm” features Tom Cruise as a law school graduate named Mitch. He spends the first half of the film learning that his new law firm is corrupt. As Mitch realizes the truth, he spends the last act running for his life. Cornered at the office, Mitch receives a last-minute phone call saying that the firm is going to get him. Instead of letting them win, Mitch rushes out of the room. When he reaches a window, he finds a truck as a makeshift landing zone below. After hopping off the truck, Mitch rushes down the alley before his pursuers catch him. This all goes to show that Cruise can’t be stopped by a mere window.

“Collateral” (2004)

In “Collateral,” Cruise’s first serious villain role made for a truly sinister hitman named Vincent. After forcing Jamie Foxx’s cab driver Max into ferrying him around to his targets, Vincent allows him to visit his mother in the hospital. When Max gets a chance to flee, he books it out of the hospital. Naturally, this sends the killing machine Vincent into beast mode. He sprints his way through the hospital, down staircases, and across bridges. Even with a head start, Max can’t escape Vincent’s hitman energy. You can try to run and hide, but eventually Cruise will find you.

“Vanilla Sky” (2001)

After the success of “Jerry Maguire,” Cruise reunited with director Cameron Crowe for the remake “Vanilla Sky.” The trippy, head spinner of a film blends dreamlike sci-fi with a romantic drama. During a dream, Cruise’s self-obsessed protagonist David drives into the center of Times Square. He discovers that there’s nobody else in New York. After exiting the car, David runs through the empty streets in a frenzied state. The scene playing out like a nightmare, Cruise reverts back to his natural instinct: running. Rarely does one of Cruise’s runs have him as completely confused and directionless, making “Vanilla Sky” a unique entry on this list. Also, it may or may not be the fastest anyone’s ever run in an overcoat.

“Far and Away” (1992)

Even in a period piece like “Far and Away,” Cruise still finds time for his favorite activity as the Irish immigrant Joseph. After striking out in 1890’s America, a desperate Joseph and his travel partner Shannon break into a home only for Shannon to get shot. As Shannon recuperates, Joseph must leave her behind to find work. In the night, Joseph leaves Shannon to pursue life out west. He steps out into freezing weather, determined to somehow return to his love. Not only does he run full speed in an emotionally charged scene, he’s doing it in a heavy snowfall. Nothing stops Cruise, not even precipitation. It’s a credit to the actor that he didn’t slip and fall.

“The Mummy” (2017)

While “The Mummy” wasn’t a huge success, it contains another classic Cruise run. Once the titular villain escapes, Cruise’s Nick and sidekick Jenny must flee the area as fast as possible. The mummy’s power destroys every glass pane and window around them, making the running session especially dangerous. Outrunning the mummy’s sandstorm, Nick heads out into the London streets to avoid the tidal wave of energy. Even if this supernatural film missed the mark, Cruise still delivered another entertaining dash. Since Cruise isn’t alone, he’s not quite allowed to go supersonic. In the end, he manages to settle for a pace that's just below the sound barrier.

“Minority Report” (2002)

In this mind-bending thriller, Tom Cruise’s John Anderton prevents crimes before they even happen. While showing off the technology to the Department of Justice, Anderton rushes away to a crime in progress. After locating the neighborhood, he pinpoints the house from the open front door. Just in time, Anderton runs as fast as humanly possible into the house. Once he rushes up the stairs, he saves the day at the last second. Not only does this run work well in the context of the plot, it reveals Anderton’s character and his endless pursuit of justice. Also worth noting, the run was so fast that his helmet couldn’t take the g-force.

“War of the Worlds” (2005)

In 2005, director Steven Spielberg cast Cruise in an updated version of H. G. Wells’s novel. Not only is it classic sci-fi, it features incredibly intense and thrilling moments. Take for example the unforgettable first scene with the aliens, one only punctuated by Cruise’s agility. Playing the divorced father Ray, Cruise encounters the extraterrestrials on their first landing in town. As soon as the tripods start vaporizing people Ray and the terrified masses try to flee. Ray races down the street as people turn to dust around him. Considering that Ray isn’t a secret agent, it makes sense that he isn’t the fastest man alive. It’s a more rough-and-tumble run, but one infused with believable terror from Cruise and the otherworldly special effects.

“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” (2011)

Before its release in 2011, nobody thought that the fourth “Mission: Impossible” would achieve such universal acclaim. Complete with Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa, “Ghost Protocol” showcases the franchise in top form. Following the legendary tower climb, Ethan rushes after a bad guy in signature form. He’s got high knees, open palms, and a stone-cold glare that could cut diamonds. Even as a sandstorm barrels down on him, Ethan maintains his focus and peak speed. Once he’s engulfed in the sand, he keeps moving. He doesn’t even let a moving car stop him. Sure, he has a few stops along the way, but the initial stride serves as the Tom Cruise running meme personified.

“Mission: Impossible III” (2006)

Overshadowed by more recent entries, “Mission: Impossible III” is stuffed with amazingly entertaining set pieces. Arguably, the best sequence exhibits the fastest and most memorable run of Cruise’s entire career. He’s never run with more raw energy, emotion, and drive. During this scene, agent Ethan Hunt tracks down his kidnapped wife Julia. Once Ethan pinpoints her location, he realizes he needs to sprint down a riverside walkway through crowds of people. The camera follows Cruise in one continuous shot, dodging Shanghai locals on his way to his destination. Given the circumstances, it’s only fitting that he’s sprinting twice as fast for the woman he loves. This run edges out the rest as the ultimate demonstration of Cruise’s athletic abilities: full speed and unrelenting.