What to Watch Next Based on Your Favourite Tom Cruise Film

Tom Cruise is unarguably a household name in movies. His film credentials include starring roles in over 40 titles! In fact, he’s probably starred in a movie that you loved but might not have thought about in a while. Based on your favourite Tom Cruise movie, let me give you the lowdown on what series to watch next.

A trick that I learned while working in an airport bookstore is a two-pronged approach for recommendations. Bored passengers, looking for something to kill the time, would wander into the store and ask me to recommend a book. It’s easy to point at a best-seller, but that lacked a personal touch. Instead I asked them to:

1) Give me a title that they loved, and

2) Tell me why they loved it.

We all take away different aspects of stories, and there is nothing wrong with that! Would you describe Jerry Maguire predominantly as a romance or as a drama about a sports agent? There is no wrong answer, it's a personal choice, but how you viewed it is going to change my recommendations.

I narrowed down the extensive Tom Cruise movie list to a few that particularly stand out. Chances are you loved at least one of my picks. By applying my two-part formula I’ve come up with a range of recommendations; some older, some brand new and something in almost every genre. In no particular order, let me recommend your next must-watch show!

If You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

First of all, who doesn’t love Top Gun? All right, I might be biased here, I wanted to be a pilot when I grew up (probably because of Top Gun). Don’t let the ratings fool you, Top Gun is an action-packed, extremely quotable, thrilling ride that pushed the parameters of film making back in 1986. Live shots of fighter jets in the air was groundbreaking! Theme songs, romance, a tragedy, playing volleyball in jeans, this movie literally has everything.

Jetstream

While there aren’t many shows about pilots, excuse me, naval aviators, in training or otherwise, one stands out. If you loved watching the F-14s in action, check out Jetstream.

Jetstream is an eight-episode documentary that follows eight Canadian fighter pilot trainees as they learn to fly the CF-18 Hornet in Cold Lake, Alberta. It’s an opportunity to see first hand what pilots undergo to get their fighter wings, and you can’t beat the aerial shots! As a bonus, the F-18 Super Hornet is reportedly featured in Top Gun: Maverick (releasing in summer 2021, hopefully!) but the US Navy apparently wouldn’t let Tom Cruise fly that one himself.

L.A.’s Finest

If you loved Top Gun for its two lead characters who are witty rule-breakers that get results, then add a Jerry Bruckheimer connection and boom, you’ve got L.A.’s Finest. Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba star in this detective drama set in the Bad Boys universe. Union reprises her role as Sydney Burnett, Marcus Burnett’s (Martin Lawrence) sister.

Both detectives have convoluted back stories and captivating relationships. Season one is currently streaming on Netflix, the show was picked up from Spectrum and there is an existing second season yet to be released. There’s currently no word on whether or not Netflix will resurrect L.A.’s Finest for a third. They did it for Lucifer, if the fans put enough pressure, it could happen!

Jetstream (2008) one season, click here to watch Episode 1

L.A.’s Finest (2019-2020) two seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

If You Dream About the Vampire Lestat

1994’s Interview With the Vampire, based on Anne Rice’s best-selling novel, remains one of the best vampire stories out there. Tom Cruise plays Lestat, a villainous sadist, while Brad Pitt plays Louis, a sad, romantic man who longs for death but instead meets Lestat - death personified. Louis and Lestat travel to France where Louis continuously tries to deny his thirst and his nature, while Lestat delights in tormenting him. Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas also play vampires in this iconic film.

The Originals

There are so many vampire shows! To continue with the New Orleans connection, (what is it with Louisiana and vampires?) one you might not have seen yet is The Originals.

The Originals follows an ancient family (the original vampires, hence the title) as they plot to take back their city. While this is set in the same universe as The Vampire Diaries, The Originals easily stands alone without any requirement to watch both. If you haven't watched The Vampire Diaries because it has more of a youthful, sparkly vampire feel, not to worry, The Originals is darker and avoids the teenage drama tropes.

Bridgerton

If you were moved by Louis’ plight, how he mourns the death of his brother and later his pledge to stay as human and noble as possible, before eventually coming to terms with the truth of what he is, look towards Bridgerton.

Louis first encountered Lestat in 1791, just 22 years before Bridgerton takes place. Both share romanticized visions of honourable men trying to do what they believe is right. Like Louis, Simon the rakish Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) also suffers from an abundance of nobility caused by a self-inflicted vow. Bridgerton can be enjoyed for its troubled and dashing male lead in a period romance.

The Originals (2013-2018) five seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

Bridgerton (2020- ) one season, renewed for a second, click here to find out where to stream it

If You Can’t Handle the Truth

Everybody quotes A Few Good Men, it’s become one of the most used pop culture references in existence. If you can do the entire "Code Red" speech with both Jack Nicholson’s and Tom Cruise’s parts, then this one is for you. Tom Cruise plays Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a legal officer in the US Navy. This film has a brilliant character redemption arc. Lieutenant Kaffee is a disinterested lawyer more focused on plea bargains than the truth, who eventually grows and takes the honourable, but difficult, road.

It delves into abuse of power and corruption of senior Naval and Marine officers, taking a hard look at what constituted acceptable discipline. Add an all-star ensemble cast including Demi Moore, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon and Cuba Gooding Jr., and you’ve got a classic.

JAG

The obvious connection to A Few Good Men is JAG, a dramatic show following the lives and investigations of naval legal officers. JAG focuses on Lieutenant-Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott) and Lieutenant-Colonel Sarah ‘Mac’ Mackenzie (Catherine Bell) as they work cases within the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

If you're a naval buff, watch the show for the ships! Every time they visit a ship, JAG was filmed on an actual naval vessel. JAG has also spawned three spin-off shows: NCIS (still going strong since 2003), NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans.

The Good Fight

If you loved A Few Good Men because it exposed a systemic abuse of authority tacitly condoned by the institution, I’d recommend checking out The Good Fight. The Good Fight is a sequel/spin-off to The Good Wife where Christine Baranski reprises her role as Diane Lockhart, a savvy and talented lawyer.

The show opens with Lockhart losing her retirement savings and being forced out of her own firm. She takes a new position at a prestigious firm with a reputation of taking on police brutality cases and begins to rebuild her own reputation and career. It’s a solid legal drama that is recommended by actual lawyers to watch, you won’t be disappointed!

JAG (1995-2005) ten seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

The Good Fight (2017- ) four seasons, renewed for a fifth, click here to find out where to stream it

If You Know that Live Die Repeat Would've Been a Better Title

Edge of Tomorrow is a military sci-fi epic that was both critically acclaimed and absolutely brilliant to watch. Tom Cruise acts in another character redemption arc as the wholly unlikable Major William Cage, a public relations officer who has never seen combat. After uttering some ill-advised threats to senior command, Major Cage is demoted to Private and sent to the front. It does not go well. Remarkably, somehow Cage is gifted with the ability to restart the day after every time he is killed, and he gets killed a lot in this movie.

He enlists the help of Sergeant Rita Vrataski, the "Angel of Verdun" (Emily Blunt) the person credited with the only victory over the invading aliens, the Mimics. Rita Vrataski is my favourite part about this movie, she is tough, smart and wickedly cool. Watching Cage try to get to know her over and over again is worth the price of admission. Add some brilliant shots of familiar locations ravaged by high-tech war interspersed with some unexpectedly hilarious moments and you’ve got one of the best sci-fi movies out there. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it now!

Battlestar Galactica

If you’re drawn to a strong woman in uniform like Sergeant Vrataski, watch Battlestar Galactica. Battlestar Galactica was a remake of the 1970s classic of the same name.

In the updated version, Lieutenant Kara ‘Starbuck’ Thrace (Katee Sackhoff, who also played Bo-Katan in the Mandalorian, if you were wondering why sci-fi fans were so excited to see her!) is a military pilot and troublemaker. The show follows the life and turmoil of the ship’s crew as they fight a race of aliens called Cylons to take back Earth.

The Expanse

While set in the future, The Edge of Tomorrow has a realistic feel. For a similar feeling, tune in to The Expanse. Based on the best-selling novels by James S. A. Corey, this is a must watch for drama fans of all genres!

Set even further into the future after humanity has colonized our solar system, The Expanse is a gripping story with notably realistic effects. It portrays the actual impact to living in low gravity, and the politics of the three primary factions hits close to the heart. Military worlds, down-trodden people, inner circles of privilege and a clear emphasis of the importance of water and we’re given a glimpse of our own potential future. Are there aliens in The Expanse? Watch to find out!

Battlestar Galactica (2003) mini series, (2004-2009) five seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

The Expanse (2015-) five seasons, renewed for a sixth (and final!) season, click here to find out where to stream it

If You Had Me at Hello

Tom Cruise won a golden globe for his performance in Jerry Maguire, widely considered as one of his best movies. It is extremely quotable, stemming pop culture and spoof references still prevalent twenty-five years later.

A prominent sports agent, Jerry Maguire recommends his agency take a new direction that allows for more focused and personal attention to their represented athletes (you can read the full mission statement drafted by writer/director, Cameron Crowe, referenced in the film). He is promptly fired, dumped by his fiancée and left with only one client - Rod Tidwell, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s incredibly memorable role. Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellwegger) is the only person who leaves the firm with Jerry. A single mom to the cutest kid imaginable, Dorothy and Jerry eventually get together and live happily ever after (probably).

Sweet Magnolias

If the sports agent angle is just background noise to the love story between Jerry and Dorothy, then tune in to Sweet Magnolias.

Sweet Magnolias (not at all related to the Tom Cruise film, Magnolia), based on the romance novels by author Sherryl Woods, follows the lives of three friends in South Carolina. The first season ends on a cliffhanger but luckily a second season is in the works. If the books are any indication, get ready to see some more redemption-seeking exes arrive on the scene!

Ballers

Conversely, if the sports agent angle is what makes the movie worth watching, then it’s time to check out Ballers. Jerry Maguire’s mission statement emphasized personal and accountable relationships with their clients as human beings, not just endorsement deal makers.

Ballers follows Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, a former football player turned agent, as he navigates the world of sports representation. While there is no shortage of foul language and stripper scenes, the show is ultimately a comedy with heart, personal connections and a whole lot of top athletes making cameos.

Sweet Magnolias (2019-) one season, renewed for a second, click here to find out where to stream it

Ballers (2014-2019) five seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

If You Choose to Accept This Mission

I’m not going to make you pick a favourite here, but this list would be severely lacking if I didn’t include the Mission: Impossible saga! There are six Mission: Impossible movies released between 1996 and 2018, with a seventh coming later this fall and an eighth already planned. All of them are worth watching, especially when it comes to the infamous stunts, Tom Cruise is really pushing the limits of safety and insurance. There's no green screen in the shot below!

The movies are actually the third iteration of the IMF (Impossible Mission Force). We were first introduced to it on television in the 1960s and again for two seasons in 1988. The catchy title theme music and opening credit styles are direct homages to the original. The intense missions, self-destructing messages, masks and secret identities are hallmarks of the franchise. When it comes to action/spy thrillers, these films top the list.

Alias

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch more spy shows! To go for a fast-paced double agent and even double-double agent, secret identity show, the penultimate series is Alias, starring Jennifer Garner.

Alias’ creator, J.J. Abrahms, co-wrote and directed Mission: Impossible III in 2006, right as Alias was wrapping up its final season. Alias is an absolute must-watch if you enjoy the intrigue and twists of Mission: Impossible.

Treadstone

If hard core action is more your style, I have just one question. Who would win in a fight - Ethan Hunt or Jason Bourne? If you have a strong opinion, then it’s time to check out Treadstone. Set in the same universe as the Bourne series, Treadstone follows other sleeper operatives created by the same program that resulted in Jason Bourne.

The operatives are all apparently living normal lives, unaware of their own abilities, when suddenly activated and brought into conflict. While there is only one season of Treadstone, Amazon has picked it up and actively advertised it, maybe there will be more? Even if there aren’t any subsequent seasons, the action scenes are worth the watch.

Alias (2001-2006) five seasons, click here to find out where to stream it

Treadstone (2019) one season, click here to find out where to stream it

If You're Looking For More

This is the end of my recommendations for this list! Now it's time to enjoy the shows and possibly re-watch some classic Tom Cruise movies.

Still want more? If I missed your favourite Tom Cruise flick, look me up on instagram @christina.d.blanchette and I'll apply the formula for you.

If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a ❤️! - Christina