Tom Cruise’s Favorite Snack Is Surprisingly Relatable: The Actor’s Love for Popcorn
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Tom Cruise, the superstar known for his death-defying stunts and thrilling action roles, has captivated audiences for decades. From his iconic dance scene in Risky Business to hanging off cliffs in Mission: Impossible II, Cruise’s adventurous persona is a central part of his appeal. But what’s behind the enduring energy and enthusiasm that powers his career? According to those who know him well, it’s his passion for movies—both making and watching them—that fuels his remarkable drive.
Yet, despite his high-flying stunts and intense movie star image, Cruise’s favorite snack is refreshingly down-to-earth: popcorn.
A Snack Fit for a Movie Star
In a recent interview with the @justthenobodys podcast, Cruise let slip one of his favorite snacks: the simple, yet beloved, popcorn. “I’ll go with my friends and get a big thing of popcorn and I love that,” he confessed. “You can mix it up with different kinds of licorice or, you know, throw some chocolate in it if you want.” If that isn’t relatable, what is?
Anyone who’s ever headed to the movies knows the irresistible lure of a bucket of popcorn. Whether it’s the salty crunch or the buttery goodness, it’s hard to imagine a trip to the theater without it. But for Cruise, popcorn isn’t just reserved for movie premieres; he enjoys it as an on-set snack as well. It seems that the man who’s done it all on screen is also quite the enthusiast when it comes to indulging in this classic cinema treat.
Popcorn at the Premiere
Cruise’s popcorn love isn’t just theoretical—he’s been spotted with the snack at various screenings and premieres. For example, during a screening of his latest film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Cruise was seen munching on popcorn while chatting with employees at AMC Lincoln Square for a good 15 minutes. Writer Mike Ryan even shared a photo of the moment on Twitter, showing Cruise engaged in casual conversation, popcorn in hand.
And it doesn’t stop there. At another Mission: Impossible screening, Cruise playfully called out an audience member who had polished off their popcorn before the movie even began. As Todd Spence captured in a photo, Cruise’s humorous interaction with the fan shows that even a movie icon like him can relate to the classic issue of eating all your snacks before the show actually starts.
A Relatable Love for Snacks
For many moviegoers, it’s impossible to resist the urge to devour an entire tub of popcorn before the opening credits roll. The pre-movie commercials and trailers are practically an invitation to finish off that snack—who among us hasn’t gobbled up the buttery goodness during the 20-25 minutes of previews? It seems that even Cruise, with all his action-packed stunts and celebrity glam, has the same enjoyment of movie snacks as the rest of us.
In fact, Cruise’s snack habits are a testament to the way that his love for movies extends beyond just the big screen. As Doug Liman, director of Edge of Tomorrow, once remarked, Cruise “loves going to the movies, making movies, talking about movies.” That deep connection to film is clearly reflected in his casual enjoyment of popcorn, which has become something of a symbol of his down-to-earth side amid his larger-than-life persona.
Conclusion
While Tom Cruise is often portrayed as the fearless action hero on screen, his off-screen preferences are refreshingly normal. His love for popcorn, whether at a screening or on set, reveals a relatable side to the star—a man who, like so many of us, enjoys the simple pleasures of cinema. From hanging off cliffs to enjoying a bucket of popcorn, Cruise continues to remind us that even the biggest movie stars have the same small joys as the rest of us.
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