Tom Cruise is back in cinemas for the eighth time as Ethan Hunt in the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise. This new chapter, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, brings back some familiar faces, including Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames, while also adding Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Angela Bassett, Pom Klementieff, and others to the mix.
Before the official release, the cast gathered for a special screening where media and fans got early access to the film and a chance to meet the stars. The atmosphere was full of excitement, but one unexpected moment during the event quickly became the talk of the internet.
Was Tom Cruise rude to a fan at the screening?
Tom Cruise calling out fan for finishing their popcorn before the movie starts lol pic.twitter.com/D4a52IEc5v
— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) May 20, 2025
During the premiere, a short clip caught Cruise as he made his way to the stage. Just before speaking, he noticed a fan sitting right in front and pointed out that the man had already finished his popcorn. His comment, loud enough for the whole room to hear, made some people laugh, but others were not impressed.
The clip started to spread online, and viewers had mixed reactions. Some said they felt second-hand embarrassment just watching the moment. Others thought it was funny and harmless. Either way, the clip sparked a lot of discussion.
Journalist Rachel Leishman defended Tom Cruise’s actions
However, not everyone saw the comment as rude. Journalist Rachel Leishman, who was actually at the event, shared her side of the story on Twitter. She explained that popcorn had already become a running theme that night, thanks to Cruise himself. According to Leishman, Cruise had made a big deal about popcorn in his pre-screening speech.
He asked the audience more than once if they had theirs ready, even joking about how he usually eats two large buckets during a movie. This isn’t the first time Cruise has shown his love for popcorn. In a previous video that also went viral, Cruise was seen holding a big tub and saying how much he enjoys eating popcorn during movies.