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Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American sports romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American sports romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe. It stars Tom Cruise as a sports agent whose moral crisis leads him to start over professionally and personally. The film became widely known for its quoted lines and won Cuba Gooding Jr. an Academy Award.

Plot

The film follows Jerry Maguire, a successful sports agent who writes a mission statement calling for fewer clients and more personal attention. After being fired, he tries to rebuild his career with only a few clients and support from Dorothy Boyd.

Production and release

Jerry Maguire was written, produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe and released in December 1996. It was distributed by TriStar Pictures under the Sony Pictures Releasing banner.

Cast and characters

The film stars Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Renée Zellweger, with supporting performances by Kelly Preston, Jerry O'Connell, Jay Mohr, Bonnie Hunt, and Regina King. Cruise plays the title role, while Gooding Jr. portrays Rod Tidwell.

Reception and awards

The film was a major commercial and critical success. It earned five Academy Award nominations and won Best Supporting Actor for Cuba Gooding Jr., while also becoming known for its dialogue and cultural catchphrases.

Key facts

  • The film was written and directed by Cameron Crowe.
  • Tom Cruise plays the title character, a sports agent based in part on Leigh Steinberg.
  • It was released in North American theaters on December 13, 1996.
  • The film received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
  • Cuba Gooding Jr. won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.
  • The movie is remembered for phrases such as “Show me the money” and “You had me at hello.”
  • It grossed about $273 million worldwide against a reported $50 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film was released and widely distributed in Canada as a major Hollywood theatrical release, and it remains a familiar title in Canadian popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jerry Maguire based on a true story?
It is a fictional film, though the title character was inspired in part by real sports agent Leigh Steinberg.
Who directed Jerry Maguire?
Cameron Crowe wrote and directed the film.
When was Jerry Maguire released?
It opened in North American theaters on December 13, 1996.
What awards did Jerry Maguire win?
It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Cuba Gooding Jr. and received four other Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
What is Jerry Maguire known for?
It is widely known for memorable lines such as “Show me the money” and “You had me at hello.”

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Maguire
    Supports: Director, cast, release date, distribution, awards, and general film overview.
  2. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/13-complete-facts-about-jerry-maguire
    Supports: Box office gross, budget, and cultural catchphrases.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/
    Supports: Plot synopsis and award nominations.
  4. TCM — https://www.tcm.com/articles/70917/jerry-maguire
    Supports: Plot summary and award nominations.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jerry_maguire
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, runtime, release date, and box office gross.
  6. Wikipedia (Norwegian) — https://www.no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Maguire
    Supports: Release date in Norway and reference to Leigh Steinberg inspiration.