After four decades of death-defying stunts, blockbuster dominance, and running from scene to scene with his trademark gait, Tom Cruise has finally done it. He’s won his first-ever Oscar! Well, it’s an honorary Academy Award presented at the Governors Awards.
The Governors Awards are a separate ceremony held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the same organisation behind the Oscars). But they’re not part of the televised Oscars ceremony — instead, they’re an elegant, industry-insider event usually held a few months beforehand.
The Governor Awards allow the Academy to honour legends of the screen who may have been overlooked by competitive categories. Winners receive an official Oscar statuette, making it a true Academy Award. They are lifetime-achievement style awards recognising extraordinary contributions to film — acting, directing, producing, technical innovation, humanitarian work, or overall impact on cinema. They’re not tied to a specific movie year.
For someone like Tom Cruise, receiving an honorary Oscar here is a recognition of his entire career and his influence on the film industry as a whole.
To celebrate his long-awaited Oscar moment, we’re revisiting the roles that turned Tom Cruise from a rising young actor into one of the most iconic and influential figures in film history.
Most iconic Tom Cruise roles in film:
Top Gun (1986) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
The role that turned Tom Cruise into a global superstar. As Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, he delivered swagger, vulnerability and the kind of cockpit charisma that reshaped the action genre. The 2022 sequel cemented his status as the last true blockbuster movie star.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent Top Gun on Binge, Apple TV, and Stan; and stream Top Gun: Maverick on Apple TV.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
“Show me the money!” His performance as the sports agent with a moral crisis earned him some of the best reviews of his career. Equal parts heart, humour and sincerity — with iconic lines that are still quoted daily, such as Renée Zellweger’s line “You had me at hello.”
Where to Watch:
Stream Jerry Maguire on Netflix.
Mission: Impossible series (1996–2025)
His defining franchise role. From hanging off planes to performing HALO jumps, Tom Cruise reinvented the modern action film through sheer daredevil commitment. Ethan Hunt is now as synonymous with Tom Cruise as Bond is with 007.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent various Mission Impossible films on Binge, Prime, and Apple TV.
Magnolia (1999)
A magnetic, against-type turn as a swaggering self-help guru. Tom’s raw, emotionally explosive performance earned him major award nominations and showed a depth many hadn’t seen before.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent on Apple TV.
A Few Good Men (1992)
“You can’t handle the truth!” Tom holds his own against Jack Nicholson in one of cinema’s most quoted courtroom showdowns. It’s sharp, polished, prestige acting.
Where to Watch:
Stream on Binge.
Collateral (2004)
As a silver-haired contract killer, Tom Cruise delivered one of his coolest and most chilling performances. Michael Mann’s neon-drenched thriller proved Tom could play an unforgettable villain.
Where to Watch
Stream or rent from Prime and Apple TV.
Cocktail (1988)
Camp, chaotic and pure ’80s energy — yet undeniably iconic. The flair bartending, the soundtrack, the hair…it’s all peak Cruise-era pop culture.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent from Disney+, Apple TV, or Prime.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
A surprise comedic detour as a foul-mouthed, balding studio executive. Audiences were shocked — in the best possible way — by this unhinged, prosthetic-heavy cameo.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Fetch.
Rain Man (1988)
While Dustin Hoffman won the Oscar, Tom Cruise is the emotional backbone of this film, playing a selfish hustler who slowly reconnects with his brother. It’s one of his most grounded and affecting performances.
Where to Watch:
Stream or rent on Prime and Prime.
