• Tom Cruise receives honorary Oscar and shares his passion for cinema
• Prominent stars attend the red carpet at the ceremony

The global star Tom Cruise was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards on November 16, delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech that showcased his deep love for filmmaking

The award was presented by director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who is working with Cruise on an upcoming untitled film set to release in October 2026

In his speech, Cruise praised everyone involved in making films and emphasized the unifying power of cinema

Cinema takes me around the world and helps me appreciate and respect differences. It also shows our shared humanity and how alike we are in so many ways. No matter where we come from, in that theater we laugh together, feel together, and hope together. That is the power of this art, and that is why it matters to me. Making films is not what I do, it is who I am," he said

Cruise also reflected on his early love for movies: My passion for cinema began as a child. I remember sitting in a dark theater, seeing that beam of light explode on the screen, revealing new cultures, lives, and landscapes. It sparked my curiosity, my love for adventure, understanding humanity, creating characters, telling stories, and exploring the world

Previously, Cruise has been nominated for four Oscars, including Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July and Jerry Maguire

The ceremony’s red carpet drew numerous stars excited for the awards season, including Jennifer Lawrence, Michael B. Jordan, Sydney Sweeney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, and Emma Stone