Movie Fans Can't Believe Tom Cruise Still Hasn't Won An Oscar

He's one of the great movie stars, if not the movie star. Yet, Tom Cruise has yet to win an Oscar.

Cruise shouldn't just be defined by his death-defying daredevilry. Yes, he clung to the side of the Burj Khalifa. Yes, he held on for dear life on the outside of a plane. And yes, for most of Top Gun: Maverick, he does his own flying.

But as an actor, he's achieved so much more. He's evolved from the cheeky chappy of Risky Business, Top Gun and The Color of Money, to all-time dramatic actor in Magnolia and Collateral, to the hilarious and shameless in Tropic Thunder and Rock of Ages, to his current status as a no-holds-barred action star.

Top Gun: Maverick is due to fly into cinemas. Ahead of its release, the long-awaited sequel has garnered significant praise, with some hailing it as 'one of the greatest sequels of all time' and among Cruise's very best work.

While we'll have to wait a while for the Academy to justly reward the film, the anticipation for Top Gun 2 has seen fans discussing how Cruise has yet to bag himself an Oscar, and which roles should have resulted in a nomination - if not a win.

What’s a Tom Cruise performance you think should’ve been nominated for an Oscar that wasn’t? pic.twitter.com/gTTaau4ZLv

— Brian Rowe 🏳️‍🌈🍿🎃 (@mrbrianrowe) May 12, 2022

For reference, Cruise has been nominated for three Oscars throughout his career: Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July and Jerry Maguire; and Best Supporting Actor for Magnolia.

The latter nomination appears to be the most common answer among Cruise's fans. "How about when Tom Cruise was robbed of an Oscar... Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia," one user wrote.

One of my favorite Oscar nominations ever, and I mean EVER: Tom Cruise in Magnolia pic.twitter.com/ICdnAYEQ71

— Brian Rowe 🏳️‍🌈🍿🎃 (@mrbrianrowe) May 12, 2022

Another tweeted: "One of my favourite Oscar nominations ever, and I mean EVER: Tom Cruise in Magnolia." A third wrote: "Tom Cruise should have won the Oscar for Magnolia."

Others have fought the corner of Collateral, Michael Mann's 2004 thriller in which Cruise played a villainous hitman.

One user wrote: "If we’re going on a completely transformative performance, then I would have to definitely go with Collateral.

"While not my favourite Cruise film, I dare say it’s my favourite Cruise performance next to Magnolia. I was quite shocked he got overlooked for it. He was terrifying."

Another tweeted: "Collateral. Hands down. I'll defend that movie forever. He was so good in it, an amazing performance."

Others have also cited his performance in Rain Man alongside Dustin Hoffman, The Last Samurai and, of course, Less Grossman in Tropic Thunder.