Tom Cruise's best movies

In collaboration with Rotten Tomatoes and its parent company, Flixster, The Chronicle presents the critical consensus of Tom Cruise's best-reviewed films. His latest film, "Rock of Ages," is at Bay Area theaters. (The figure listed is the percentage of critics who have rated the film positively, based on reviews listed at rottentomatoes.com.)

1. Risky Business (1983) 98%

Featuring one of Cruise's best early performances (as a high schooler who gets into some serious trouble), this is a sharp, funny examination of teen angst that doesn't stop short of exploring dark themes.

2. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011) 94%

Stylish, fast-paced and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth installment is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works, and Cruise gives a muscular performance as superspy Ethan Hunt.

3. Minority Report (2002) 92%

Thought-provoking and visceral, Steven Spielberg successfully combines high-concept ideas and high-octane action in this fast and febrile sci-fi thriller - and Cruise is riveting as a detective who's trying to solve a future crime.

4. The Color of Money (1986) 91%

That it's inferior to "The Hustler" goes without saying, but Paul Newman, who won the best actor Oscar for reprising the role of pool shark Eddie Felson, and Tom Cruise as Felson's disciple are a joy to watch, and Martin Scorsese's direction is typically superb.

5. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) 89%

Impassioned, angry and thought-provoking, this features a searing and Academy Award best actor-nominated performance from Cruise as Vietnam vet-turned-activist Ron Kovic.

6. Rain Man (1988) 88%

This road-trip movie about an autistic savant and his callow brother is far from seamless, but Barry Levinson's direction is impressive, and strong performances from Cruise and Dustin Hoffman add to its appeal. The movie won the Academy! Award f or best picture, Levinson took home the best director Oscar and Hoffman was honored as best actor.

7. Collateral (2004) 86%

Driven by director Michael Mann's trademark visuals and a lean, villainous performance from Cruise, this is a stylish and compelling noir thriller.

8. Jerry Maguire (1996) 85%

Anchored by dazzling performances from Tom Cruise (as a superstar sports agent), Cuba Gooding Jr. and Rene Zellweger, as well as Cameron Crowe's tender direction, "Jerry Maguire" meshes romance and sports with panache. Cruise was nominated by the academy for best actor and Gooding Jr. won supporting actor for his role.

9. Tropic Thunder (2008) 83%

With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey Jr., this is a triumphant comedy - and Cruise generates big laughs as foulmouthed studio executive Les Grossman.

10. Magnolia (1999) 83%

An ambitious, three-hour-plus yarn about the lives of various residents of the San Fernando Valley, this film is uneven but compelling - and Cruise is electric in his role as sleazy self-help guru Frank Mackey, which earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.