Every Mission Impossible Movie, Ranked According to Rotten Tomatoes

At last, the latest addition to the renowned Mission: Impossible series, titled simply “Mission: Impossible,” has hit the big screen, broadening the horizons of this iconic franchise. In the opening act of a two-part saga, Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, guiding his band of renegade IMF operatives in their confrontation with a formidable AI entity called The Entity.

In the sequence of the Mission: Impossible movies, the eighth installment, titled The Final Reckoning, has some high expectations to meet, particularly when set against its more recent counterparts. Known for consistently improving with each new addition, this latest film holds its ground quite impressively in comparison to the previous six movies. However, let’s see where it lands in terms of Rotten Tomatoes’ rankings.

Revised on May 27, 2025 by Jordan Iacobucci: The film “Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning” marks the end of Tom Cruise’s prolonged spy series. This time around, Ethan Hunt faces his final showdown against a malevolent AI called the Entity. As the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, it reaches new heights (literally), with Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie aiming to wrap up a story that has been thirty years in the making in a satisfying manner. So, how does this latest addition compare to the previous seven Mission: Impossible films?

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%/Audience Score: 42%

2000 marked the release of “Mission: Impossible II,” a film that brings back Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, an IMF agent. In this installment, he is summoned for a fresh and perilous assignment. The objective is to apprehend Sean Ambrose, a renegade IMF operative, played by Dougray Scott. Throughout the mission, Hunt partners with Nyah Nordoff-Hall, portrayed by Thandiwe Newton.

Despite the presence of renowned director John Woo, “Mission: Impossible II” stands as the sole film in the series that’s been criticized by Rotten Tomatoes, signifying a less favorable reception among critics. Interestingly, it also holds the distinction of having a lower score than its preceding movie within the franchise. Although the movie does have some impressive moments, it seems that the series was still finding its footing in terms of defining its unique identity, resulting in a somewhat uneven viewing experience.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%/Audience Score: 71%

1996 saw the release of the initial “Mission: Impossible” film, where moviegoers were introduced to Ethan Hunt, a secret agent working for the IMF. A disastrous mission results in the death of his entire team, causing Hunt to go into hiding. Alongside a group of questionable allies, such as Luther Stickell (portrayed by Ving Rhames), Hunt embarks on a quest to uncover the treachery that led to his team’s demise and exonerate himself in the process.

Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible” boasts an admirable 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, significantly lower than the scores garnered by most of its sequels. Remarkable scenes from the 1996 film, such as the renowned wire heist sequence, have influenced the stunts in subsequent films within the franchise. However, “Mission: Impossible” pales in comparison to the more thrilling action that would follow.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%/Audience Score: 69%

In 2006, J.J. Abrams joined the Mission: Impossible series for its third part. This time around, a retired Ethan Hunt was lured back into the clandestine world of spying to prevent a villain named Davian from obtaining a mystifying artifact known as the Rabbit’s Foot. Ironically, Hunt’s mission required him to act against his own organization, who were pursuing him for justice at the same time.

While Mission: Impossible III may not boast the usual high-octane stunts typical of the Mission: Impossible series, it stands out as the strongest film in the original trilogy. The emotional turmoil experienced by Hunt as he grapples with protecting his newly wedded wife from his own past is powerfully engaging and forms the core of this action-packed sequel. Additionally, Hoffman’s portrayal of the villain remains one of the franchise’s most impressive, skillfully blending the character’s intellectual prowess with a chilling brand of ruthless cruelty.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%/Audience Score: 89%

In this ongoing spy thriller, originally named “Dead Reckoning Part Two,” the story follows Ethan Hunt as he confronts a malevolent and omnipresent Artificial Intelligence called the Entity. To prevent a global nuclear catastrophe, Ethan and his crew undertake a dual mission that spans from the freezing depths of the Arctic Ocean to the scenic skies above South Africa.

Critics highly commended the film “The Final Reckoning” for its breathtaking visuals and heart-pounding action scenes that stand out among the best in the “Mission: Impossible” series. However, it’s burdened by excessive explanation, particularly in the initial part, which slows down what should be a fast-paced climax. Consequently, according to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie falls right in the middle of the “Mission: Impossible” series. In contrast, fans are more generous towards the film, rating it higher than both “Ghost Protocol” and “Rogue Nation”.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%/Audience Score: 76%

In 2011, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol marked a fresh start for the franchise, with every subsequent film receiving regular acclaim from critics. Directed by Brad Bird, this fourth installment focuses on Ethan Hunt and his efforts to prevent a global nuclear catastrophe, alongside new team members William Brandt (played by Jeremy Renner) and Jane Carter (portrayed by Paula Patton).

The first movie in the Mission: Impossible series, Ghost Protocol, stands out by earning a Rotten Tomatoes score in the 90th percentile, a feat matched by all its sequels. This film combines high-octane action with character development, ensuring that each character’s storyline is engaging and authentic. Additionally, Ghost Protocol set the stage for the franchise’s renowned action sequences, featuring Ethan Hunt scaling the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%/Audience Score: 87%

In the year 2015, Christopher McQuarrie took his place as director for Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation. This was the fifth movie in the series and it adopted a more connected storyline compared to its predecessors. The villain, Solomon Lane (portrayed by Sean Harris), emerged as a continuing antagonist, leading the enigmatic Syndicate, whose goal was to dismantle the IMF completely.

In a fresh and enhanced version, Rogue Nation builds upon what viewers adored in Ghost Protocol, setting new standards for excellence. Tom Cruise and his stellar ensemble deliver outstanding performances in this film, with Rebecca Ferguson’s portrayal of Ilsa Faust serving as a long-awaited strong female character for the franchise. With a remarkable 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Rogue Nation kickstarted a series of successful collaborations between Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%/Audience Score: 94%

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning marks the sixth-to-last film in the series, leading up to a two-part saga where Ethan Hunt and his team clash with Gabriel (Esai Morales) and an artificial intelligence entity called The Entity. This movie, directed by Christopher McQuarrie for the third time in a row, premiered in July of 2023.

Title One: “Dead Reckoning Part One” brings together familiar characters along with fresh faces such as Grace (Hayley Atwell) and Paris (Pom Klementieff, both impressive additions to the movie). Drawing inspiration from previous installments in the series, “Dead Reckoning” boasts some of the most thrilling action in the “Mission: Impossible” saga, complete with breathtaking car pursuits and authentic-feeling hand-to-hand combat sequences. The film also delves into the topical theme of artificial intelligence, weaving it seamlessly into an engaging storyline that leaves fans eager for “Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%/Audience Score: 89%

As a die-hard film fan, I’m thrilled to share that “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” was my pick for a blockbuster action flick in 2018. This sixth installment of the gripping spy series had director Christopher McQuarrie back at the helm following the previous film. In this thrilling chapter, I found myself on the edge of my seat as Ethan Hunt and his team took on an intense battle against the surviving members of the Syndicate, including a formidable foe who sought to release Solomon Lane from his prison.

In a stellar showing on Rotten Tomatoes, Mission: Impossible – Fallout surpassed its highly praised predecessors with thrilling action sequences primarily achieved using real-world effects. The film’s storyline and action set pieces made it the most powerful installment in the Mission: Impossible series. Upon its premiere, audiences were left eager for more adventures of Ethan and his team, recognizing that unlike many other franchises, Mission: Impossible consistently improves with age. Even after the intense, pulse-pounding action of Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning, Fallout remains the most well-received film in the long-running Mission: Impossible saga.

2025-05-28 03:08