With a career spanning several decades, Tom Cruise has left an enduring mark in Hollywood. His intense dedication to performing daring stunts on his own alongside his on-screen charms has made him everyone’s favorite. Due to his massive fan-following and impeccable projects, his works are bound to get more attention, resulting in a box-office success. However, his box-office charm has not always been at its peak as the actor has witnessed his fair share of box-office disasters or critically panned films.

While many might think that his 2017’s The Mummy is the worst movie he has done in his acting career, it is unlikely the case. Back in the 1980s, his Cocktail movie is credited for blemishing his successful career, here’s why!

Tom Cruise’s Cocktail is his Worst Film Ever!

Tom Cruise in Cocktail (1988) [Credit: Getty Images]
While Tom Cruise has presented enthralling cinematic pieces to the world, just like any other actor, his career has also encountered movies with disappointing reviews. Back in the late 1980s, he was rising as a talented actor in the entertainment world with projects like Top Gun, The Color of Money, Rain Man, and Born on the Fourth of July. 

However, around the same time, he also faced a major bump as his 1988 Cocktail broke his shining streak. Featuring the then-young actor as the business student turned bartender, the movie was a box-office success, staggering $171.5 million as per Box Office Mojo. However, when it comes to critical response, it was worse than one would have expected. It received an overwhelmingly negative response from critics and audiences with only a 9% Rotten Tomatoes score. 

Several factors contributed to its overwhelming response. From the formulaic plotline to on-screen chemistry among the actors, almost several major elements in the movie were lacking, resulting in it becoming a blemish in Cruise’s acting career. 

Revolving around Cruise’s Brian Flanagan, his dream of becoming a salesman on Wall Street gets crushed due to lack of experience and college degrees. When he decides to pursue his fortune with bartending, he befriends Doug (Bryan Brown) and falls in love with Jordan (Elisabeth Shue). With twists and turns, he gets a bitter experience. 

To sum up, Cocktail lacked originality in its storytelling leaving critics unsatisfied with his superficial yet predictable plot that prioritized style over the content. Due to its harsh reviews, it even ended up winning the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture, thus leaving an unforgettable spot in his shining career. Like the 1988 film, his 2017’s The Mummy also received harsh criticism. 

The Mummy is Another Disappointment in Tom Cruise’s Career

Tom Cruise in a still from The Mummy
With Cruise in the leading role, The Mummy was looking to revamp the franchise. However, things turned out to be absolutely worse since the movie was unable to captivate the audience’s attention, leaving a permanent scar on his career. Unraveling a Dark Universe received an intense negative response from critics with a total 15% Tomatometer score. 

While the 1932 movie of the same name relied on actual horror elements, the 2017 film was a mix of CGI-based thrill leaving fans near to zero scare. While the franchise had great plans to kickstart Universal’s Dark Universe, the movie’s underwhelming response left them with no choice but to scrap the idea. 

Cocktail is available to watch on Paramount+ meanwhile Cruise’s The Mummy is streaming on Peacock.

Source: Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes