Tom Cruise Goes Viral As Fans ‘Freak Out’ Over His Way Of Eating Popcorn

Tom Cruise has gone viral for what many are labeling his “unusual” popcorn-eating technique during a screening of his latest movie.

The Hollywood star was also seen playfully calling out a fan for finishing their popcorn before the movie began.

Tom Cruise recently emphasized his lifelong passion for filmmaking, vowing never to stop acting, not even when he is in his “1oos.”

Cruise recently set tongues wagging after footage emerged of him eating popcorn in an unconventional way during a special screening of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”

As the veteran actor gears up for the release of the highly anticipated eighth installment of the blockbuster franchise on May 23, clips circulating online show him picking up one kernel at a time with his left hand and skillfully tossing it into his mouth.

Fans and social media users were equal parts confused and fascinated. One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “The way Tom Cruise eats popcorn is freaking me out.”

Another joked, “He looks like he’s miming the process of eating popcorn in an exaggerated manner…”

Others suggested his popcorn prowess felt slightly robotic, with one quipping, “He’s kind of like AI. Copies human behavior well but often in some uniquely odd ways.”

Another chimed in, “Maybe we are all eating it the wrong way?”

Even the official IMAX account jumped into the conversation, declaring: “This might be the most Tom Cruise way to eat popcorn.”

Cruise unintentionally stirred up another viral moment at another screening event, this time by playfully calling out a fan who had polished off their popcorn before the movie had even started.

In a now widely shared video, the 62-year-old actor is seen making his way through a packed theater when he pauses in front of an audience member in the front row.

Glancing down at their nearly empty bucket, he quips, “You ate all your popcorn already?”

The comment was met with laughter, but also a healthy dose of second-hand embarrassment for the fan from viewers online, with one saying: “This dude can never go to the movies again. Just embarrassing.”

Another joked: “If you finish your popcorn before the movie starts, legend has it Tom Cruise materializes just to say he’s disappointed in you.”

Meanwhile, at the New York premiere of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” last week,  Cruise shared that he has no plans to slow down anytime soon, no matter his age.

“I will never stop,” the “Jack Reacher” actor noted further. “I will never stop doing action, I will never stop doing drama, comedy films. I’m excited.”

Cruise also spoke passionately about his lifelong dedication to cinema. He credited his enduring love for the craft to the experiences he’s had both on and off set.

“There’s been so many levels of reward with the filmmakers that I’ve collaborated with, the crews, the people, the cultures that we’ve worked in,” he said. “Everything that I’ve learned and continue to learn about storytelling, about life, about leadership, about character, and every aspect of filmmaking.”

Reflecting on his journey, Cruise added, “It’s been exceptional, it really is exceptional. I feel very fortunate to be able to make the films that I make, and I love it. I love just making movies.”

Despite his willingness to take on more risks, Cruise admitted there’s risk to it as he emphasized his desire to take it on.

“People ask if I’m not scared when facing various difficulties. Honestly, I am,” Cruise said, per Korea Times. “It’s okay to feel those emotions, and I’m not afraid of them. I don’t just look for what’s safe.”

“It’s not what I do, it’s who I am,” he said. “There hasn’t been a day that I have not felt privileged, a day that I have not felt very grateful to be able to do what I do. Thank you for allowing me to entertain, it is an honor.”

While accepting a prestigious Fellowship from the British Film Institute, Cruise used the spotlight to deliver a message to the next generation of actors: master the full craft of filmmaking, not just acting.

In remarks reported by the Times of London, the Hollywood veteran emphasized the importance of understanding the technical side of cinema, criticizing many film schools for overlooking key production knowledge.

According to Cruise, aspiring performers should be well-versed in everything from lighting and camera work to editing and blocking.

“It is important to understand the tools around you,” he explained. “There is tech. It is like understanding the stage as an actor, but for a lot of artists, it is not taught in film school: how to understand the lens and what it can do, and why there is eye movement and recognize the effect it has.”

He urged young actors to go beyond their scenes and spend time behind the camera.

“Spend time in the editing room, produce a movie, study old movies, recognize what the composition is giving you, know what those lenses are, understand the lighting and how to use it for your benefit,” he advised. “Understand the art form to that degree. Brando absolutely understood lighting; all the greats did.”