Will Mission: Impossible Return After The Final Reckoning?

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning!

With the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”, there’s a lot of speculation about whether we’ll see more “Mission: Impossible” movies down the line. Over the years, Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise have transformed this series from its original 1996 spy thriller roots into a high-octane action franchise featuring some of the most incredible stunts ever filmed. “The Final Reckoning” marks the eighth film in which Cruise portrays IMF agent Ethan Hunt, and it’s unique because of where his character’s story and the future of the franchise as a whole are headed.

The ending of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” provides a conclusive resolution to the ongoing narrative. In this film, Gabriel meets his end and The Entity is permanently imprisoned within a 5D device that only Ethan possesses. By averting a global nuclear catastrophe and preventing AI from destroying humanity, Ethan has saved both the world and mankind. However, despite these significant events, Ethan does not die or retire formally. This ambiguity regarding Tom Cruise’s future in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise may depend on the decisions made for the series following “The Final Reckoning.

There Are No Mission: Impossible Movies Confirmed After The Final Reckoning

It’s The Final Reckoning For A Reason

The “Mission: Impossible” series of films have not had their sequels confirmed prior to the release of the latest movie, except for the simultaneous announcements of the seventh and eighth installments. As a result, it’s not surprising that Paramount has yet to announce plans for future “Mission: Impossible” movies beyond the 2025 blockbuster. At present, no official work on “Mission: Impossible 9” has started, and there’s no information about spinoff films or TV series either.

It’s important to clarify that just because there hasn’t been another Mission: Impossible movie yet, doesn’t mean one won’t be produced in the future. Given the immense success of this franchise for Paramount Pictures, and considering how valuable franchises are in today’s Hollywood, it would be quite unexpected if they were to abandon a series that has grossed over $4 billion at the box office. Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect another Mission: Impossible movie eventually, but details like who will be involved and when it will happen remain uncertain variables.

The Final Reckoning Could Be The Last Mission: Impossible Movie (For Now)

Cruise Is Moving On

Instead of viewing “The Final Reckoning” as the concluding and final “Mission: Impossible” movie, it would be more accurate to perceive it as a temporary ending. Initial reports hinted that the film was intended to provide Tom Cruise with an exit from the series. However, this could have been achieved through the movie’s ending, but it’s not necessarily conclusive. It’s also important to remember that Christopher McQuarrie stated in 2023 that “plans change” when asked about the franchise’s future, which implies a possible continuation of the storyline.

Impossible” sequels for the time being.

In that scenario, “The Final Reckoning” is expected to be the concluding film in this series, which might arrive after some years. It seems Cruise is open to a break from Ethan Hunt, trying out different ventures and personas, but always retaining the possibility of returning to the “Mission: Impossible” franchise if he so chooses.

The main question could be if Paramount would produce another Mission: Impossible film without Tom Cruise as the lead actor, given that he has been involved in the franchise since its inception as a producer. In other words, it appears that Tom Cruise holds significant influence over whether there will be another Mission: Impossible movie following The Final Reckoning. If he decides to make one, then a new film is likely; if not, they may need his approval for a reboot or spinoff instead.

Tom Cruise Has Left The Door Open To Make Another Mission: Impossible Movie

The Final Reckoning Even Teases His Return

A significant factor that makes it hard to accept “The Final Reckoning” as the final “Mission: Impossible” movie stems from Tom Cruise himself. In previous statements, he’s expressed his desire to carry on playing Ethan Hunt as long as the audience finds the character appealing. Cruise has even hinted at emulating Harrison Ford’s longevity in the Indiana Jones role. Since Ford made the fifth Indiana Jones movie when he was 80 and Cruise is currently in his early 60s, there’s ample opportunity for him to return as Ethan one more time.

It’s worth mentioning that the movie “The Final Reckoning” hints at Ethan’s potential return later on. In Luther’s closing remarks, he says, “The world still needs you.” This line could be interpreted as a reflection of Tom Cruise’s ongoing influence in Hollywood and his advocacy for cinema, but within the storyline itself, it suggests that Ethan’s tale may not have reached its conclusion yet. Although Ethan might vanish to seal The Entity away forever, there certainly seems to be an opportunity for him to reappear in future films without contradicting “The Final Reckoning.

The Final Reckoning’s Box Office Will Help Determine Mission: Impossible’s Future

Its Success Could Change Things Quickly

Tom Cruise’s desire to make another “Mission: Impossible” film significantly influences whether “The Final Reckoning” is indeed the final one, but the movie’s performance at the box office will also be decisive. Unfortunately for Paramount, releasing “Dead Reckoning” in theaters just before blockbusters like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 wasn’t ideal. The seventh installment only managed to gross $571 million at the box office, which is underwhelming given its $291 million budget.

If the production costs of “The Final Reckoning” surge past $400 million, the studio might find itself in a predicament where the next “Mission: Impossible” film could struggle to earn profits at the box office. The opening weekend predictions indicate that the eighth installment has the potential to establish a new franchise record. To achieve box office success, it needs to sustain this momentum. According to standard Hollywood calculations, a movie must earn 2.5 times its budget to cover its costs. This means “The Final Reckoning” would require an impressive $1 billion in revenues to break even.

If the new Mission: Impossible movie manages to approach record-breaking box office earnings, Paramount will likely be eager to capitalize on the Intellectual Property (IP) rather than let it fade away. This could lead to a heightened demand for another installment in the series, regardless of the cost to secure Tom Cruise’s return. As long as viewers continue to express their interest in more Mission: Impossible films through their ticket purchases, both Paramount and Cruise are likely to respond accordingly.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sense that we haven’t seen the last chapter in the thrilling saga of Mission: Impossible. While it might be a while before we catch another installment, possibly not until the 2030s, it’s hard to imagine Mission: Impossible – Fallout marking the definitive end of this iconic franchise. Hollywood is known for breathing new life into beloved properties, and if Tom Cruise decides to step away, they’ll undoubtedly find a way to keep the mission going.

2025-05-23 22:53