2. Jerry Maguire - Jerry Maguire 
Tom Cruise was born to play Jerry Maguire. He shines and dazzles like a true star, acting out Cameron Crowe's superb script with charismatic conviction. It became a cultural milestone of the 90's with its quotable dialogue and iconic central character, and as a result many people and critics have become elitist over it, but Jerry Maguire is there to be watched over and over again without boredom ever striking in. Tom Cruise, again, has been surpassed by his co-star at the award ceremonies, but Cuba Gooding Jr is no Paul Newman. It's Cruise that holds the film together. He's the heart, mind and soul of Cameron Crowe's masterpiece, and has never been more likable or heart warming. Cruise by 1996 was already a highly accomplished actor and box office success, but Jerry Maguire and the birth of the Mission Impossible franchise took him to a different level. Even in Jerry Maguire, there's a hint of the manic menace that's in all of Tom Cruise's performances. Not traditional menace like in Collateral or Born on the Fourth of July or Magnolia, but a crazed intensity that drives him towards life fulfilment. It's a role that could easily be a cliche in the hands of a less talented actor, but Cruise balances the drama and comedy excellently, and his chemistry with co-stars Cuba Gooding Jr and Renee Zellwegger is what makes the movie just so enjoyable. Also, if you asked 10 people what their favourite Tom Cruise film is, 9 of them would say Jerry Maguire.