Famed director Steven Spielberg told fellow icon Tom Cruise that he saved Hollywoods ass at the Oscar nominees luncheon this week.

Video of the two hugging and Spielberg praising the Top Gun: Maverick star for the blockbuster sequels success went viral on Tuesday.

You saved Hollywoods ass, Spielberg said. And you might have saved theatrical distribution. Seriously, Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry.

Cruise appeared to take the messiah-like flattery with aw-shucks modesty before Spielberg excused himself to take a call.

Cruise has been a reliable box-office mover for decades but the $1.4 billion-plus for Maverick is his greatest by far.