Tom Cruise reached a major milestone in his carrer receiving an Honorary Oscar at the Academy’s Governors Awards. Now he has become the most most influential and recognizable figures in global cinema.

The award was presented by filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who is currently directing Cruise in an upcoming, as-yet-untitled film set for release in October 2026.

After winning the award he said

“The cinema, it takes me around the world,” Cruise shared, emphasizing how storytelling has connected him to people from every culture and background.
“It helps me to appreciate and respect differences. It shows me also our shared humanity, how alike we are in so, so many ways.”

“Making films is not what I do, it is who I am.”

With a major new collaboration with Iñárritu on the horizon and his passion for cinema stronger than ever, Cruise’s acceptance speech wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it was a statement of purpose. Even after 40 years, he shows no signs of slowing down.