All 8 Mission: Impossible Movies, Ranked Worst to Best

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For decades now, I’ve been hooked on the heart-pounding adventures of the Mission: Impossible franchise! Back in 1996, Brian De Palma steered the helm for the first Mission: Impossible movie, with Tom Cruise slipping into the shoes of Ethan Hunt and Jon Voight playing the menacing villain. Since then, we’ve seen seven sequels that never fail to leave me breathless – packed with edge-of-your-seat stunts and cutting-edge spy gear that’ll make your jaw drop. Cruise, famous for his daredevil antics, always manages to raise the bar higher; whether it’s leaping from buildings or clutching onto a jet as it takes flight. With each new film, I can’t help but wonder what death-defying stunt he’ll pull off next!

The “Mission: Impossible” movie series is inspired by a 1960s television show with the same title. Both the series and the films are renowned for their team of IMF agents employing high-tech devices and taking daring risks to thwart evil individuals and groups threatening global peace. After transitioning from TV to cinema, distinguished directors such as John Woo, J.J. Abrams, and Brad Bird have helmed these movies. Over time, characters have changed, but Ethan Hunt consistently remains the central figure, ready to jeopardize his life for the sake of saving the world.

In a straightforward manner, Hunt is an exceptionally brave character who frequently finds himself in potentially lethal situations and solves problems as he navigates them. The final installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series, titled “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning“, premiered in May 2025, making it an ideal moment to revisit the entire series, ranked.

8
‘Mission: Impossible 2’ (2000)

Despite being considered the least impressive installment in the Mission: Impossible series, it’s important to note that Mission: Impossible II isn’t a poor movie by any means. The film focuses on Ethan Hunt as he embarks on a mission to retrieve a lethal biological weapon from the hands of a former IMF agent, Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). Alongside him is Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton), who used to be with Ambrose.

Cruise Obliterates the Box Office

Although the movie’s narrative may have some weaknesses, Woo is renowned for producing impressive action sequences, and he certainly delivers numerous thrilling fight scenes. The initial scene of the film is awe-inspiring as we witness Hunt scaling an extremely tall rock cliff without any safety equipment to retrieve his mission. Mission: Impossible 2 was the highest-grossing film of the year, earning over $546 million, marking the last time Cruise has achieved such a significant box office success in his distinguished career so far.

7
‘Mission: Impossible III’ (2006)

In J.J. Abrams’ first directorial venture, the film received varied opinions, but it still proved to be a strong entry in the series and showcased some excellent acting. In Mission: Impossible III, we join Hunt as he enjoys a quiet life with his fiancée, but is eventually lured back into action when asked to find an enigmatic artifact known as “the Rabbit’s Foot.

Hoffman’s Unforgettable Performance

In the film, the villain, Owen Davian, is portrayed masterfully by Philip Seymour Hoffman, creating a bone-chilling character devoid of empathy. The movie is packed with thrilling sequences of explosions and high-speed car chases, while the side plot focusing on Hunt and Julia (Michelle Monaghan) adds a touch of warmth.

6
‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ (2025)

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reflect on the poignant conclusion of an epic journey that has spanned almost three decades – Tom Cruise’s farewell to the legendary character Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” This thrilling chapter, nestled within the beloved series, continues the narrative seamlessly from where the previous installment ended. It finds our hero and his team banding together for one last perilous mission, with the aim of thwarting the malevolent AI Entity before it wipes out humanity entirely.

A Bittersweet Send-Off For Ethan Hunt & Co.

Boasting an impressive estimated budget of $400 million, the studio left no stone unturned in honoring both Tom Cruise and his iconic character. Spanning a lengthy 170 minutes, the film initially moves at a leisurely pace, but soon picks up speed with its expertly coordinated action sequences. From scenes where Hunt investigates the sinking of the Sevastopol, causing tension among viewers as they bite their nails, to the breathtaking aerial stunt involving him chasing Gabriel (Esai Morales) by jumping onto his plane in mid-flight, The Final Reckoning offers a poignant farewell to Cruise and his team.

5
‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

In De Palma’s movie adaptation, remarkable cinematography and stellar acting breathed life into the Mission: Impossible franchise on the big screen. De Palma’s direction showcases the emotional complexity of characters and delivers thrilling action sequences. Jon Voight portrays Jim Phelps, an IMF agent who ultimately becomes the film’s primary adversary.

Cruise’s Iconic Infiltration Scene

The elite team led by Hunt, featuring a skilled helicopter pilot (Jean Reno) and an adept computer hacker (Ving Rhames), stands out. Notable moments include the nerve-wracking sequence where Hunt stealthily penetrates CIA headquarters without making a noise or setting foot on the ground. Lastly, the thrilling finale involving a chase on a train and a helicopter is hard to forget.

4
‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ (2023)

When Christopher McQuarrie takes the helm for a Mission: Impossible film, viewers can expect thrilling stunts performed by Tom Cruise, witty dialogue, and performances that showcase each actor’s strengths. In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are tasked with taking down an AI named the Entity. The Entity manipulates Gabriel (Esai Morales) and Paris (Pom Klementieff) to achieve its goals, but as Ethan confronts it, he encounters a potential ally in Grace (Hayley Atwell), a skilled thief who remains uncertain about her associates.

‘Dead Reckoning’ Is a Rip-Roaring Extravaganza

The film is filled with a lively, unexpectedly humorous car chase sequence in Rome, a thrilling cat-and-mouse game at Abu Dhabi Airport, and an exhilarating stunt leaping from a lofty mountain onto a train. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, leaving them as worn out as the characters struggling to stay alive. Unlike most films, this one doesn’t conclude but instead ends in a cliffhanger, serving as the prelude to the exciting finale of the blockbuster series.

3
‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

The movie “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was an excellent installment in the series, reintroducing favorite figures and unveiling intriguing new ones. In this storyline, we join Ethan Hunt as he eludes the CIA to uncover whether a terrorist organization called Syndicate truly exists. The antagonist in “Rogue Nation” is Solomon Lane, masterfully portrayed by the menacing Sean Harris.

New & Returning Characters Dazzle Fans

In Rogue Nation, we meet a fresh team member, Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Fergusson), who serves as both an accomplice and a hurdle for Hunt throughout the movie. The film boasts stunning visuals from beginning to end, with standout moments like the thrilling scene where Hunt clings onto a plane as it takes flight.

2
‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

In the franchise expansion by Brad Bird, we get an outstanding action movie infused with humor and emotion. The story revolves around character Hunt and his squad as they embark on a mission to prevent a catastrophic nuclear accident from happening. Known as Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the film showcases some iconic moments, such as Hunt scaling an impressive Dubai skyscraper during a heist to recover nuclear access codes.

Cruise Amps Up His Daring Stunts

In a humorous turn, Simon Pegg portrays Benji Dunn, providing ample laughter throughout the film. Furthermore, Jeremy Renner as William Brandt proved to be an excellent newcomer to the cast. The fourth installment of the franchise, “Ghost Protocol”, significantly boosted the entertainment value with increased action sequences and death-defying stunts that left us on the edge of our seats. Who could ever forget the heart-pounding moment when Cruise scaled Dubai’s towering Burj Khalifa skyscraper, leaving viewers gripping their seats tightly? Indeed, such moments are the epitome of cinematic wonder.

1
‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

In “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” the action takes center stage, prioritizing its characters’ thrilling exploits. This installment welcomes back Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Alec Baldwin, while also introducing fresh faces like John Lark (Henry Cavill) and CIA Director Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett). The story revolves around Hunt and his team’s mission to locate plutonium and prevent a catastrophic nuclear explosion.

Cruise Ups the Ante With His Death-Defying Stunts

In awe, I found myself utterly captivated by Tom Cruise’s death-defying feats in this movie. Leaping from heights that made my stomach churn, and clinging to a rope as a helicopter hoisted me aloft were just two of his breathtaking stunts that had me holding my breath. Lark, the enigmatic character, was a fantastic new addition to the series, keeping audiences guessing about his loyalties until the very end. The climax was nothing short of epic, with Ethan Hunt in a heart-pounding helicopter chase while his team frantically tried to disable a nuclear bomb. This film not only shattered box office records but also earned critical acclaim for its exceptional storytelling and cinematic quality.

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2025-07-05 01:37