Tom Cruise to Receive Honorary Oscar: Here Are 5 Times He Should Have Won the Real One

After nearly 50 years as Hollywood’s most dedicated workhorse, Tom Cruise is finally receiving an Oscar. Well… not a real one, but an honorary statuette. You know, the kind they give to people who have “contributed in an extraordinary way to the film industry” – kind of like receiving a gold watch for long and loyal service.

On November 16, 2025, Cruise will receive his honor at the Governors Awards alongside Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton. And it’s certainly well-deserved. But we must address the absurd fact that the man has never won a real Oscar. Zero. None. Zilch. Despite four nominations and a film career that has essentially carried Hollywood on its shoulders since the ’80s.

Here are 5 roles where he should at least have had a statuette in hand when leaving the Dolby Theatre.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

This was Cruise in a whole new role – gone was the cocky Top Gun type, and in stepped the paralyzed Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic. It’s the kind of “Oscar bait” that usually pays off. But 1989 was a tough competition. Daniel Day-Lewis took the gold with My Left Foot, and you can’t really be bitter about that. If you absolutely must lose, let it be to DDL.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

“Show me the money!” and “You had me at hello” were carved into pop culture, but the Academy wasn’t as enthusiastic as the audience. Geoffrey Rush snatched the prize for Shine, and Cruise had to settle for his third Oscar disappointment.

Magnolia (1999)

Cruise as a pick-up guru with daddy issues? It shouldn’t work. But it does. Frank T.J. Mackey was a compelling and tragic figure wrapped in confidence and sweaty ’90s energy. A supporting role, yes, but what a role. He actually got a nomination – but lost to Michael Caine. Come on.

The Last Samurai (2003)

This one divides people. Yes, it’s another “white man finds wisdom in the East” story. But Cruise plays Nathan Algren with vulnerability and anger in a way we rarely see from him. An alcoholic war hero searching for meaning – and he finds it among the samurai. It might be the most human he’s ever been on film.

Collateral (2004)

Tom Cruise as a gray-haired hitman in Michael Mann’s sleek noir thriller? It was so unlike anything else he has done, and it worked. Ice-cold, focused, and with unexpected depth. Yet he walked past the awards stage while Jamie Foxx got the glory.

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