Tom Cruise's First Original Action Movie in 8 Years Finally Gets Its First Look
Tom Cruise (movies and tv series) has spent the last few years saving the world as Ethan Hunt (movies and tv series) and flying like a bullet as Maverick. But here's the shift fans have been waiting for: he's back to playing someone new.
Yesterday, Cruise shared the first image from his next movie - an untitled action film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu - and it's the first time in eight years he's stepping into a completely original role. Production wrapped earlier this year. The film is slated to hit theaters on October 2, 2026.
Here's what we know so far. The story reportedly follows the most powerful man on Earth, who triggers a disaster and then sets out to fix the mess he created - not just to make amends, but to prove he can actually save humanity. It's an ambitious premise, and with Iñárritu behind the camera, it's not likely to play it safe.
- Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
- Cast (so far): Tom Cruise, John Goodman (movies and tv series), Riz Ahmed (movies and tv series), and more
- Status: First look shared; production wrapped earlier this year
- Release date: October 2, 2026
Cruise's caption on X landed with a mix of nostalgia and excitement: "Today, I share the first photo taken last year during a rehearsal on the set of my new film with Alejandro G. Iñãrritu. Alejandro, 25 years ago I watched your first film, the classic Amores Perros. This weekend, 25 years later, I was deeply moved to have been presented the Honorary Oscar by you, my dear friend. I cannot wait to share our new film with you all next year!"
Maybe it's just timing, but this feels like a pivot. After carrying three more Mission: Impossible movies and riding the Top Gun: Maverick wave past a billion dollars, Cruise looks ready to get weird again - in a good way. New character. New director. New kind of trouble.
Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Inarritu
Why this one matters
Cruise hasn't headlined an original action lead since American Made back in 2017 with Doug Liman (movies and tv series). And the combination here - Iñárritu's sensibility with Cruise's intensity - is the kind of pairing that gets people in our lanes texting each other late at night. Awards heat? Maybe. Big-scale spectacle with a moral knot at the center? That's the bet.
What's next on his slate
He's also set to team up again with Ana de Armas (movies and tv series) in Deeper, an underwater action thriller that reunites him with American Made director Doug Liman. The two, of course, already delivered one of his most loved modern hits together with Edge of Tomorrow. There's even that long-discussed plan to shoot a movie in space floating around, though it's unclear if it's actually happening.
So… what's Cruise's best sci-fi movie?
Most people will tell you it's Edge of Tomorrow. Hard to argue - it's tight, funny, brutal, and smart, with Cruise and Emily Blunt (movies and tv series) trading blows and timing like a metronome. Still, you can make a real case for Minority Report, Steven Spielberg (movies and tv series)'s 2002 thriller about stopping crimes before they happen, or Oblivion, which still looks great and swings for the fences.
If you're catching up: Minority Report is currently streaming on Paramount+, and Oblivion is on Netflix. Easy homework while we wait for the new one.
The takeaway
This first look doesn't give away much, but it does something better: it signals Cruise is stepping back into uncharted territory with a director who thrives on it. And that's where things get interesting - for audiences, and for the industry folks watching the calendar.
We'll keep tracking casting updates, title news, and a trailer drop as soon as it's on the horizon.
