Ranking Every ‘Mission: Impossible’ Movie: Which One Takes the Top Spot?

The “Mission: Impossible” movies have transformed into one of Hollywood’s most reliable modern action franchises over the past 30 years or so, but it’s not exactly clear when this shift occurred. However, understanding how this happened is straightforward: Tom Cruise, the star of these films, has a legendary drive to go to great lengths to ensure each movie becomes a blockbuster. Additionally, as a key producer for the franchise, he cleverly selects creative partners who bring out his best work. In essence, Cruise mirrors his character Ethan Hunt from the series: when he’s focused on a mission, he’s an unstoppable force that keeps running until the job is done – whether it’s saving the day or boosting summer box office sales. The Hollywood Reporter has ranked every “Mission: Impossible” film, including the latest release “The Final Reckoning,” from worst to best.

‘Mission: Impossible II’ (2000)

Unexpectedly, John Woo, known for groundbreaking films like “Hard Boiled” and “Face/Off,” delivered an “M:I” movie that’s among the shortest in the series but seems interminable to watch. Initially, it promises excitement with Hunt attempting death-defying free solo rock climbing in Utah (an idea from Cruise himself), and Thandiwe Newton as a captivating thief. However, the plot soon becomes muddled as Hunt races to retrieve a bioweapon, a predictable MacGuffin object used to represent something dangerous. Hans Zimmer’s score, usually exceptional, falls flat in this film, and Woo relies excessively on his trademark theatrics such as flying doves and slow-motion gunfights. Despite Cruise’s hair looking fantastic, these elements can’t save the movie.

Best Stunt: Motorcycle joust (it’s absurd, but so very John Woo).

‘Mission: Impossible III’ (2006)

In this version of events, director J.J. Abrams is credited for revitalizing the series following a six-year hiatus and setting the stage for future triumphs. This film finds Ethan Hunt (Michelle Monaghan’s fiancé in this instance) yearning for a ordinary life while pursuing a lethal MacGuffin, which happens to be a bioweapon. Although many secondary characters fail to make an impact, Abrams shrewdly cast Simon Pegg as the charming IMF agent Benji and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as the malevolent arms dealer Owen Davian. Hoffman delivers a stellar performance, notably during a chilling confrontation on a plane, where Davian manages to outwit Hunt even as he’s dangling from an open bay door. A moment where Hoffman briefly dons a Davian mask featuring Cruise/Hunt’s face is enjoyable. Another astute decision by Abrams was enlisting the Lost composer Michael Giacchino, whose rhythmic intensity significantly updated the sound of the M:I series (he also scored the following film). The film falls short in terms of iconic set pieces and maintains a darker tone, with an angry Hunt and a lackluster finale. However, it did highlight another distinctive franchise element that would become a hallmark: Cruise running as fast as he can.

Best Stunt: Hunt’s manic sprint through Shanghai

‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ (2025)

Initially, the initial thirty minutes of “The Final Reckoning” might be considered the least compelling part in the series. The movie seems overly focused on reminding viewers of events from “Dead Reckoning” in awkward manners and incorporating elements from previous films, such as an unclear resolution to the “rabbit’s foot” plot point from “Mission: Impossible III.” This leads into a rather gentle transition to Lalo Schifrin’s famous theme.

The death of Luther Stickell (played by Ving Rhames) is questionable in its execution, as it lacks the intended suspense or emotional impact. The circumstances surrounding his death – he’s dying anyway? He’s imprisoned for some reason? Ethan can talk to him but not reach him? He’s trapped with a bomb that has two levels of destructive power so he can save the city but not himself? – make it feel forced and devoid of impact.

The film, titled Final Reckoning, significantly enhances after its initial stages, however, it continues to lean heavily on a blend of flashbacks and flash-forwards, which persistently interrupt the narrative progression as it attempts to resolve not only the plot points from Dead Reckoning, but also an entire franchise. Once more, Cruise and McQuarrie appear indecisive regarding the treatment of a female lead with romantic undertones, subtly hinting at intimacy between Grace and Ethan while maintaining an enigmatic ambiguity. Nevertheless, the extended scene featuring Ethan infiltrating a partially submerged, unstable Russian submarine in freezing waters is captivating (and appears incredibly costly) and the classic biplane chase is thrilling and impressive – albeit featuring an overabundance of footage depicting Ethan hanging, maneuvering, and spinning on plane wings, causing you to marvel at Tom Cruise’s daring feats more frequently than desired.

Standout Moment: While the plane sequence could be considered the most jaw-dropping stunt, the Sevastopol scene takes the cake as the more captivating scene overall.

‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

In an unexpected move, filmmaker Brian De Palma was chosen to kick off the Tom Cruise action series, despite not being the typical pick. However, his direction on “The Untouchables” infused the saga’s initial installment with a captivating and stylish flair. The movie (penned by Robert Towne and David Koepp) smartly transformed the structure of the 1960s “M:I” spy-drama TV series into a high-octane thriller. The story follows Ethan Hunt as he evades capture to clear his name and safeguard a roster of undercover agents from falling into enemy hands. Throughout his journey, Hunt teams up with Ving Rhames’ character Luther Stickell, who is the only character besides Hunt to appear in all “M:I” films. The film’s highlight could very well be the franchise’s most iconic scene: a 10-minute infiltration into a CIA headquarters computer room, which is a triumph of suspense, boasting sharp editing and Cruise skillfully conveying tension in every frame (all while likely enduring an excruciating abdominal workout). It demonstrates that you don’t need elaborate stunts to keep an “M:I” audience on the edge of their seats. One memorable sequence is De Palma’s signature teeter-totter camera work in a restaurant, where Cruise uneasily realizes his IMF superior (the talented Henry Czerny) suspects him of treason. The film’s visual effects now seem outdated, but its bullet train finale remains compelling almost three decades after its release.

Best Stunt: Langley heist

‘Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

The franchise took a significant leap, transforming from simply good to frequently excellent, featuring stronger casts, more thrilling action sequences, and an amusing self-referential humor that Tom Cruise deserves more recognition for. In particular, his comic timing in the later Mission: Impossible movies adds a layer of disbelief and irony, mirroring the audience’s feelings. While Ghost Protocol is masterfully directed by Brad Bird of The Incredibles fame, it was writer-director Christopher McQuarrie who stepped in to rewrite key scripts and has been at the helm ever since.

In the movie “Ghost Protocol“, there’s a recurring humorous element where the IMF’s advanced equipment consistently malfunctions, forcing the team to think quickly on their feet. A memorable scene is when Hunt executes a graceful escape from a Russian prison, which stands out among the sequences. Jeremy Renner’s portrayal of IMF agent William Brandt provides a grounded counterpoint to Hunt’s daring antics. The film’s thrilling scene of climbing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai will leave you with sweaty palms, but it’s not the daredevilry that makes it exceptional; it’s Cruise’s portrayal of Hunt’s fear and hesitation that truly shines (his exasperated “no shit!” as he clings to the world’s tallest building is one of his best performances). This stunt marked the start of the franchise’s era where audiences would question whether Cruise actually performed these death-defying feats. Unfortunately, “Ghost Protocol” would rank higher if not for its disappointing final act, with a lackluster conclusion in an automated parking garage.

Best Stunt: Burj Khalifa climb

‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One’ (2023)

McQuarrie’s thrilling “Dead Reckoning” offers a blend of exhilarating peaks and disheartening valleys, as its narrative centers around the character Solomon Lane – a man adept at manipulating circumstances to steer Hunt towards his desired outcome. This concept is expanded upon in the form of an AI supercomputer named The Entity, resembling an ominous screensaver. “Dead Reckoning” boasts a more leisurely tempo compared to other “M:I” films, which is quite enjoyable; however, its first half seems excessively prolonged, giving off the impression that it’s nearly six hours long.

Despite some minor shortcomings, the grand action sequences are fantastic and live up to expectations for these films. The chaotic airport scene is enjoyable, the motorcycle leap off a cliff is amazing, and the train crash finale is wonderfully chaotic. It’s great to see the return of Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), and Luther has some good moments in this installment. The departure of Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) is handled well but leaves a lingering sadness; one can’t help but wish for at least one intimate conversation between Ilsa and Ethan discussing their complex relationship before her demise. Newcomer Hayley Atwell excels as Grace, a thief drawn into the plot twists.

Dead Reckoning seems to reflect the series’ maturity, with certain aspects appearing as rehashes of past episodes (it offers another high-speed car chase, another fight on a speeding train, another parachute jump and yet another conversation with the White Widow in an upscale European club). The dialogue scenes can be lengthy and filled with repetitive exposition, and it might prove lethal to take a drink every time a character mentions the word “key.

Most Impressive Stunt: Motorcycle Leap (The making-of video linked here demonstrates an astounding amount of effort that went into those brief moments on screen, and it may be the only behind-the-scenes footage where the actual stunt appears more dangerous than what was portrayed in the movie).

‘Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation’ (2015)

In the Mission Impossible series, each actor contributes significantly, especially when viewed in sequence. For instance, Luther and Benji, as always dependable, display deep emotion during crucial moments, while Renner’s Brandt reappears in Rogue Nation. Additionally, we see Alec Baldwin portray a domineering CIA director, Sean Harris as the cunning villain Solomon Lane, but it is Rebecca Ferguson who truly stands out with her character Ilsa Faust, a British intelligence officer. Faust proves to be the perfect female lead for the franchise, whether she’s battling enemies, exchanging witty banter with Hunt or making an entrance reminiscent of Ursula Andress after swimming laps. This is the first time Cruise shares the spotlight equally in an Mission Impossible film, and Ferguson delivers every captivating glance. Simultaneously, McQuarrie impresses with a visually stunning 10-minute sequence at the Vienna State Opera that feels like cinematic ecstasy. Rogue Nation benefits from a well-structured narrative, as Hunt seeks to halt the financing of a terrorist group known as the Syndicate, although a challenging underwater scene appears artificial due to some CGI effects – even though Cruise held his breath for as long as six minutes to film it. The original Mission Impossible series intended to hire a different director for each installment to ensure uniqueness, but McQuarrie’s talent was too compelling to resist inviting him back repeatedly.

Best Stunt: Hunt catches a plane

‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

The film “Fallout” surpasses all other “Mission: Impossible” movies and it’s not even a contest. This movie shares a similar feel with “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as McQuarrie seamlessly connects one exhilarating action sequence to another throughout the two-and-a-half-hour movie, where Hunt is trying to prevent nuclear-grade plutonium from falling into the Syndicate’s hands. From a HALO jump to a fierce bathroom brawl, a prisoner transfer breakout, and a motorcycle chase, each scene keeps you on the edge of your seat (a special nod goes to that wall-of-water in a flooding truck shot).

While some “M:I” films may have underwhelming villains, “Fallout” boasts the franchise’s best: Henry Cavill, who is cool, witty, and menacing, constantly keeping Hunt off guard (it’s no easy feat to outshine Cruise, but Cavill manages it; and kudos to Cruise for being open to this dynamic).

“Fallout” also features the franchise’s best score (composed by Lorne Balfe, who returned for “Dead Reckoning”) and a nail-biting third act — an incredible helicopter chase and a clifftop fight against the clock. So far, it has been the highest-grossing entry, earning $791 million worldwide, though “Final Reckoning” might surpass that. Although Ethan Hunt may not be as well-known as James Bond, “Fallout” is arguably the best James Bond movie since “Casino Royale,” if not better.

Best Stunt: (Tie) Halo jump, bathroom brawl, chopper chase.

2025-05-25 20:25