As one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tom Cruise has had a film career spanning more than four decades.
One of the actor’s best-known roles is as field agent Ethan Hunt in the action franchise Mission: Impossible.
Tom, 61, started in 1996 and has so far starred in seven films in the franchise over the past 28 years, with another release in 2024.
The films showcase the actor’s changing looks over the past three decades as he helped grow the film series into a multi-billion dollar franchise.
As Tom prepares to wrap up the movies with the release of the two-parter Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, MailOnline takes a look at the star’s changing looks throughout the franchise’s film premieres over the years.
1996 – The beginning
Beginning: Tom had already established himself as one of Hollywood’s top leading men by the time he appeared in the first Mission: Impossible at age 35 (pictured with Nicole Kidman)
Tom had already established himself as one of Hollywood’s top leading men by the time he appeared in the first Mission: Impossible at age 35.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Brian DePalma, the first film grossed $457 million at the box office and also starred Jon Voight and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Tom raised eyebrows with his very casual attire at the premiere when he eschewed a suit in favor of a dark gray sweater and matching pants.
The actor was joined at the event by his then-wife Nicole Kidman, who donned a white sleeveless top with matching pants and heels.
2000 – Mission: Impossible 2
Good looks: Tom changed his look by the time the second Mission: Impossible movie arrived in theaters four years later while sporting long, wavy hair
Tom changed his look by the time the second Mission: Impossible movie arrived in theaters four years later.
The movie star wore long, wavy hair for the London premiere at Leicester Square.
The actor once again went for a casual look for the bash, opting for a brown blazer and matching trousers along with a pink jumper.
Tom and Nicole separated the following year when the Jerry Maguire star filed for divorce after 10 years of marriage.
2006 – Mission: Impossible III
Brave: Tom looked every inch like a movie star for the May 2006 premiere of Mission: Impossible III, six years after the second film
Couple: Tom was joined at the LA premiere by his then-girlfriend Katie Holmes, who had given birth to their daughter Suri just two weeks earlier
Tom looked every inch the movie star for the May 2006 premiere of Mission: Impossible III, six years after the second film.
The actor arrived on the red carpet in a soft black suit and matching shirt while his hair was styled in a slick quiff.
Tom was joined by his then-girlfriend Katie Holmes, who had given birth to their daughter Suri just two weeks earlier.
The A-list couple looked every inch the happy couple at the premiere, with Katie looking stunning in a black midi dress.
Tom and Katie were married in November of that year in a Scientologist ceremony at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy.
2011 – Ghost Protocol
Smart: Tom looked effortlessly sweet at the December 2011 Moscow premiere of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Tom looked effortlessly sweet at the December 2011 Moscow premiere of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
The star arrived at the event wearing a gray coat that he wore with a light gray shirt and black tie.
The fourth film in the franchise received highly positive reviews from critics and grossed $694 million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of that year.
2015 – Rogue States
Suave: Tom had a noticeably longer head of hair again by the time the next Mission: Impossible movie rolled around four years later in 2015
Tom had a noticeably longer head of hair again by the time the next Mission: Impossible movie rolled around four years later in 2015.
Looking good for the Viennese premiere of Rogue Nation, the actor opted for a classic black suit with a matching vest.
The movie star also donned a black bow tie and crisp white shirt for the event, which took place at the Vienna State Opera, one of the movie’s filming locations.
The fifth entry in the franchise proved to be another success, earning $682 million at the worldwide box office.
2018 – Outage
Style: Tom ditched his longer locks in favor of a shorter round cut for the London premiere, where he wore a black three-piece suit
It was only a three-year break between Rogue Nation and the Fallout sequel.
Tom ditched his longer locks in favor of a shorter round cut for the London premiere, where he wore a black three-piece suit.
The film repeated the success of its predecessors, earning a whopping $791 million at the box office.
Fallout was Tom’s last film before taking a four-year hiatus from filmmaking and returning for the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.
2023 – dead reckoning
Franchise: Tom celebrated his 61st birthday the same week he attended the Sydney premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 in July this year
Tom celebrated his 61st birthday the same week he attended the Sydney premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 in July this year.
The actor said at the event that he wants to keep making the high-octane action movies until he’s 80, just like Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford.
He told The Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Harrison Ford is a legend; I still hope to go. I have 20 years to catch up with him.
“I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible movies until I’m his age.”