Mission Impossible Movies in Order Chronologically and by Release

For over two and a half decades now, the very first “Mission: Impossible” movie graced our cinema screens. This espionage series has continued to captivate audiences, with the latest addition, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” setting a new record as the highest-grossing film in the franchise. The enduring success of “Mission: Impossible” can be attributed largely to Tom Cruise’s unwavering dedication, which has earned him global acclaim as one of the most esteemed actors in cinema.

Originally, it seemed like the Mission: Impossible franchise had no plans to slow down. However, following the underwhelming box office performance of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” and the subsequent film in the thrilling series being pushed back to May 23, 2025, there’s a possibility that the franchise may soon come to an end. With over two decades worth of Mission: Impossible movies, it can be quite confusing for newcomers to follow along. Whether you’re just joining the franchise or have been a dedicated fan since day one, here’s a convenient guide listing all the Mission: Impossible films in their chronological and release order.

All Mission: Impossible Movies in Chronological Order

Mission: Impossible (1996)
Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Speaking casually, let me share a fact about the movie that kick-started the series, known as “Mission: Impossible.” This film was orchestrated by Brian De Palma, who has previously directed movies such as “Carrie,” “Scarface,” and “The Untouchables.” The thrilling spectacle marked the debut of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, an agent for the Impossible Missions Force, who was falsely accused of murdering his entire team. Interestingly, the first Mission: Impossible film showcased a notable scene where Ethan descended into a vault, narrowly escaping contact with the floor that would have triggered a disastrous outcome.

Fans Loved the Remake But the Original Stars Loathed It

Following in the footsteps of the hit 1960s espionage series, Mission: Impossible catapulted Tom Cruise into the ranks of Hollywood’s daring action stars and ruled the box office, earning over $457 million globally and setting the stage for subsequent films. Despite being a blockbuster success that has garnered a devoted following, the cinematic adaptation failed to win over cast members from the original series. Notably, star Greg Morris was so displeased with it that he walked out of the theater mid-viewing and labeled it “a monstrosity.” Watch now on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

In Mission: Impossible 2, Ethan Hunt undertook a fresh assignment aimed at preventing a dangerous biological weapon from being unleashed. To accomplish this task, Hunt joined forces with skilled burglar Nyah Nordoff-Hall (portrayed by Thandiwe Newton), who had a past connection to the renegade IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). This ex-partner of Nyah’s was in possession of the weapon and intended to exploit its genetically enhanced illness for his malevolent intentions.

Cruise’s Impressive Box Office Achievement

2000 saw Mission: Impossible 2 emerge as the year’s highest-grossing film, outperforming blockbusters like Gladiator and Cast Away with earnings exceeding $546 million. Critics praised its edge-of-your-seat action scenes, crediting director John Woo for his exceptional craftsmanship. This was the last time Tom Cruise topped the box office, although he came very close when he starred in Top Gun: Maverick, another huge success. Watch it on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

In “Mission: Impossible III,” Ethan returned from retirement after a formidable arms dealer (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) surfaced, endangering all that Ethan cherished. This movie marked the debut of Michelle Monaghan as Julia Meade, a nurse who turned into Ethan’s fiancée and was also targeted by the film’s antagonist. Additionally, “Mission: Impossible III” introduced Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, a character who appeared in every subsequent sequel.

Third Time’s the Charm for Cruise

Movie Mission: Impossible III

In contrast to its predecessors, it didn’t quite match the financial heights, but still managed an impressive box office take of over $399 million. Critics admired the intricate stunts, captivating script, and character development, deeming it a step up from previous installments. The outstanding portrayal of the challenging adversary Owen Davan by Philip Seymour Hoffman was particularly noted, and fans lauded director J.J. Abrams for revitalizing the franchise with his unique energy.

Watch it now on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

In the fourth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series, titled “Ghost Protocol,” the storyline returned to the roots of the franchise as Ethan Hunt was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. After a failed mission led to it, the U.S. President activated Ghost Protocol – a directive ordering the immediate disbandment of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). Despite the shutdown, Ethan, alongside Benji and fresh recruit William Brandt (portrayed by Jeremy Renner), banded together in an attempt to exonerate themselves and thwart a potential nuclear conflict.

Ghost Protocol Garners Both Critical & Commercial Acclaim

In the thrilling saga of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the movie signified a significant shift, garnering increasing acclaim and favorable reviews from critics. Subsequent films in the series followed suit, with this installment even achieving a then-record Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%, a notable improvement from earlier mixed reviews. Ghost Protocol further highlighted Jeremy Renner’s physical abilities and action star potential, which later proved instrumental when he portrayed Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster The Avengers. Don’t miss it on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

2015 marked the release of “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,” which was the initial installment in the series to be directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie. He subsequently took charge of “Fallout,” “Dead Reckoning Part One,” and what is now known as “Mission: Impossible 8.” In “Rogue Nation,” we were introduced to a new set of villains, The Syndicate, a terrorist group intent on creating a fresh world order. Rebecca Ferguson made her impressive entrance in this film as Ilsa Faust, later becoming a significant character within the franchise.

Cruise Shows Off His Daredevil Stunt Work

Cruise showcased his fearless antics by performing a series of thrilling, near-fatal feats. Notably, he was suspended without assistance from a soaring Airbus A400M Atlas, and collaborated with an expert diver to hold his breath for three minutes during a breathtaking underwater scene, reportedly lasting six minutes. Audiences couldn’t get enough, rushing to cinemas to witness the next daring feat, which contributed significantly to the film’s box office success, earning $688.9 million. Watch it now on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my enthusiasm for “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. This film not only broke box office records within the franchise, but it also garnered the most praise from critics in its series. In this captivating installment, we find The Syndicate resurfacing with a chilling plan: detonating plutonium cores simultaneously over three cities. Naturally, Ethan Hunt and his resilient team unite yet again to thwart a disaster of potentially apocalyptic proportions.

Fallout Ups the Ante With Elaborate Action Sequences

The movie brought back stars Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, John Ferguson, and Michelle Monaghan to work together. In Fallout, Henry Cavill joined the cast as August Walker, a character who initially seemed to be an ally of Ethan’s but was later revealed to be the antagonist John Lark. Tom Cruise executed an impressive HALO jump over Paris (one of the film’s major action scenes) a total of 106 times, plummeting at incredible speeds of 200-220 mph from heights ranging between 25,000 and 30,000 feet. This demonstrated to longtime fans that Cruise had no plans to ease up or play it safe in the adrenaline-pumping series. Watch now on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

In 2022, Tom Cruise starred in his first movie after the phenomenal success of Top Gun: Maverick – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. For this seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible series, marketing highlighted Ethan’s most perilous mission ever, where he confronted formidable adversaries such as the Entity, a powerful and dangerous AI agent, whose actions jeopardize humanity’s very existence.

Dead Reckoning Faces Tough Box Office Competition

Henry Czerny once again took up his part of ex-IMF director Eugene Kittridge, last seen in the series since the initial movie in 1996. Vanessa Kirby made a comeback as Alanna Mitsopolis / White Widow from Mission: Impossible – Fallout, with fresh faces joining the cast such as Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, and Pom Klementieff. However, Dead Reckoning Part One had a tough fight at the box office, battling against the pop culture sensation “Barbenheimer” and unfortunately underperforming financially, earning only $570.6 million compared to its expensive $291 million budget. Watch it on Prime Video.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

Originally, Paramount planned to release “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” in Summer 2024. But due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA actors strike that stopped production, the movie, as well as others like “Dune: Part Two”, have been postponed. Now, it’s expected that “The Final Reckoning” will be shown in cinemas on May 23, 2025. With an estimated budget of a staggering $400 million, this eagerly awaited sequel is among the costliest movies ever produced.

Cruise & Ethan Hunt Aren’t Going Anywhere

Contrary to earlier reports that suggested the film would mark the end of Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan Hunt in 2022, Cruise himself has expressed his intention to continue playing the iconic character. This decision was influenced by the continued adoration Harrison Ford received for his work in the Indiana Jones franchise, inspiring Cruise to emulate Ford’s longevity on the silver screen and continue executing thrilling stunts. In 2023, he shared this intention with The Sydney Morning Herald.

Harrison Ford is a renowned figure in the film industry, and it’s my aspiration to continue working for another two decades so that I can match his longevity on screen. Ideally, I wish to star in ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies until I reach his current age.

Release Dates of All Mission: Impossible Movies

Mission: Impossible	May 22, 1996
Mission: Impossible 2	May 24, 2000
Mission: Impossible III	May 5, 2006
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol	December 16, 2011
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation	July 31, 2015
Mission: Impossible – Fallout	July 27, 2018
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One	July 12, 2023
Mission: Impossible 8 (previously Dead Reckoning Part Two)	May 23, 2025

2025-01-06 08:02