Fifty members of staff at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Herts, were left stunned by the angry outburst.
Two of the crew stood less than a metre away from each other at a computer screen.
Cruise, 58, was furious all his efforts to keep filming going during the pandemic could be at risk.
He went on: "They're back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us. "We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf***ers.
"That's it. No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their f***ing homes because our industry is shut down. "
"We are not shutting this f***ing movie down. Is it understood? If I see it again, you're f***ing gone."
The latest instalment of the franchise, Mission: Impossible 7, has already been hit with a host of Covid-related delays as cast and crew travel around Europe.
In October, the Top Gun actor held crisis talks with the film's director Christopher McQuarrie, 52, days after 12 people on set in Italy were said to have tested positive.
Up to 150 extras were told not to come in to shoot scenes in Venice as health chiefs traced contacts of those who had tested positive.
After returning to the UK two weeks ago, Cruise has personally tried to ensure there are no more delays.
He has been pictured wearing a mask on set and keeps a constant eye out for rule-breakers.
He even personally paid almost US$900,000 for an old cruise ship for the cast and crew to isolate on.
A source said: "Tom has taken it upon himself, along with the health and safety department, to try to force the safety precautions, with a view to keeping the film running.
"He does daily rounds to make sure that everything is set up appropriately, that people are behaving and working as safely as they can. He is very proactive when it comes to safety."
They added: "Everyone was wearing masks. It was purely that these people were standing under a metre away from each other.
"It isn't known whether he saw those guys breaking the rules before or whether this was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"People make mistakes and they slip up, but Tom is just on it."
TOM'S RANT, IN FULL:
"We want the gold standard. They're back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we're doing!
I'm on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they're looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs you motherf***ers.
I don't ever want to see it again, ever! And if you don't do it you're fired, if I see you do it again you're f***ing gone. And if anyone in this crew does it – that's it, and you too and you too. And you, don't you ever f***ing do it again.
That's it! No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their f***ing homes because our industry is shut down. It's not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education.
That's what I sleep with every night. The future of this f***ing industry! So I'm sorry I am beyond your apologies. I have told you and now I want it and if you don't do it you're out. We are not shutting this f***ing movie down! Is it understood?
If I see it again you're f***ing gone — and you are — so you're going to cost him his job, if I see it on the set you're gone and you're gone.
That's it. Am I clear?
Do you understand what I want? Do you understand the responsibility that you have? Because I will deal with your reason. And if you can't be reasonable and I can't deal with your logic, you're fired. That's it. That is it.
I trust you guys to be here. That's it. That's it guys. Have a little think about it …[inaudible].
That's what I think of Universal and Paramount. Warner Brothers. Movies are going because of us. If we shut down it's going to cost people f***ing jobs, their home, their family. That's what's happening.
All the way down the line. And I care about you guys, but if you're not going to help me you're gone. OK? Do you see that stick? How many metres is that?
When people are standing around a f***ing computer and hanging out around here, what are you doing? And if they don't comply then send their names to Matt Spooner. That's it."
