While most actors wish for their onscreen legacies to survive in the ever-evolving entertainment industry, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Will Smith, competed for something totally different. Although most of the films from the three actors set records in Hollywood and stand out as fans’ favorites, the trio wished for a very specific record in the industry.

Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks
Despite Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith, being hitmakers of Tinseltown, the trio once made headlines for their mission to achieve the ultimate Hollywood benchmark. Apart from delivering mega-hits and Academy Awards-winning performances, Hanks, Cruise, and Smith sought the $100M milestone. And guess who won.

Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, And Will Smith’s $100M Milestone

The three A-listers of Hollywood, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith have proved their talent throughout their years in the entertainment industry. Starring in countless renowned and award-winning movies, the trio successfully secured their onscreen legacies like none. However, despite appearing in evergreen roles, Hanks, Cruise, and Smith, sought a rare achievement.

Cruise and Hanks sought to break the $100M record

Competing against each other to achieve a very specific record in Hollywood, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith, set out on a journey to create mega-hits. Becoming the biggest actors in the industry during the early 90s, the three actors competed on some level to achieve the $100M milestone with their movies.

Will Smith competed with Cruise and Hanks for the milestone
While Tom Hanks landed his first-ever Oscar nomination for Big (1988), Cruise dropped headline-making hits like Top Gun. On the other hand, Smith, who had been navigating into the glamorous business, dropped Independence Day (1996). Thus, the trio being in their prime years sought to make the $100M box office record.

Will Smith Broke The $100M Box Office Record With Hancock 

The trio, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith dropped consecutive hits that often surpassed the $100M milestone due to their loyal fans who filled the theatres. As Cruise and Hanks achieved their $100M milestone with Vanilla Sky and Road to Perdition, respectively, Smith crossed the $100M milestone, domestically with The Pursuit of Happyness. 

Cruise’s Vanilla Sky and Hank’s Road to Perdition broke records
Witnessing a tie, the three A-listers, Hanks, Cruise, and Smith engaged in a server battle to win the ultimate tie-breaking record. Engaging in award-winning performances and dropping massive hits, the trio struggled to break the record, once and for all. Amid such nail-biting competition, Will Smith ultimately broke the three-way tie with his 2008 movie Hancock.

Will Smith became the ultimate winner with Hancock
Sharing the screen with Charlize Theron, Smith not only broke the tie but also bagged $629M at the box office. Narrating the story of a reckless superhero, John Hancock, who became widely unpopular due to his chaotic efforts, Smith enticed his audience with his epic performance. Following his tie-breaking record, Smith even featured on the $100M milestone list, right behind Samuel L. Jackson, who had the most number of movies crossing the milestone.

Source: The Richest