Unveiling the Jack Reacher Movie Saga: A Comprehensive Guide

Prior to the release of Amazon Prime Video's Reacher series, the popular Lee Child books were adapted into a series of Jack Reacher movies. Here's a look at the number of movies in the series.

Before Alan Ritchson skillfully portrayed the military character from Child's books, the role was originally taken on by Tom Cruise. Best known for his roles in the Mission Impossible franchise, Cruise also took on the notable role of Jack Reacher.

The child's book series revolves around Jack Reacher, a former military policeman, and began in 1997 with Killing Floor. Known for his nomadic lifestyle, Reacher travels through the United States with minimal belongings, usually just a passport and perhaps a toothbrush. Tom Cruise portrays a more dynamic and action-packed version of Jack Reacher in the film adaptations. However, one may wonder, how many movies did the actor star in as the character?

How many Jacker Reacher movies are there?

Tom Cruise starred in two movies based on Child’s books and the character Jack Reacher.

In 2012, Cruise starred in the action thriller Jack Reacher, which was based on Child's 2005 book One Shot instead of starting from the beginning. In the movie, Jack Reacher is a drifter and ex-US Army Military Police Corps investigator and major, highly trained and usually uncontactable. Reacher is called in to help solve a case, traveling to Pittsburgh to investigate a military-trained sniper thought to be responsible for a mass shooting. The movie was a success at the box office, grossing over $218 million from its $60 million budget.

Four years later, Cruise returned to his role in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, which was based on the 2015 book of the same name. In the movie, Reacher helps the 110th US Army CID Military Police stop a human trafficking ring before returning to Washington, D.C. However, things take a turn when he discovers that Major Susan Turner, his colleague, has been framed for espionage. Together, they go on the run to uncover a dark conspiracy and find answers.

The movie was a hit, earning $162.1 million at the box office with a budget between $60-96 million. It marked the end of Cruise's involvement in the Jack Reacher series.

In 2019, Amazon Prime Video revealed a TV adaptation of Child’s popular character, with Alan Ritchson taking on the lead role. Fans quickly applauded the casting choice, noting that Ritchson closely matched the character from Child’s books.

Child, in an interview with The Hindustan Times, expressed his opinion that Cruise was a talented actor but lacked the physical presence needed for the character of Reacher. Child felt that Alan had a better command of the character's intimidating presence on screen. You can now stream Reacher Season 1, and Season 2 will be available for weekly streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can sign up for Amazon Prime Video and read Dexerto’s review of the first three episodes here.

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Editor's P/S

As a devoted fan of the Jack Reacher book series, I was initially skeptical about the casting of Tom Cruise as the iconic character. Cruise, known for his action-packed roles, seemed like an odd choice to portray the stoic and physically imposing Reacher. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance in the first Jack Reacher movie. Cruise brought his signature intensity and charisma to the role, capturing the essence of Reacher's unwavering determination and quick wit. The movie was a thrilling adaptation that stayed true to the spirit of the book, and I found myself thoroughly entertained.

However, I couldn't help but feel that Cruise's portrayal deviated from the physical description of Reacher in the books. Reacher is often described as a towering figure with a commanding presence, while Cruise, despite his impressive acting skills, lacked the physical stature to fully embody the character. This became even more apparent in the second movie, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, where the mismatch between Cruise's appearance and the character's physicality was more pronounced.