All 7 'Mission: Impossible' Movies, Ranked from Worst to Best
Ranked from worst to best, here are the 'Mission: Impossible' movies based on Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Enjoy the IMDb ratings and popularity ride!
Key Highlight
The Mission: Impossible film series, born from a late 1960s TV show, is now synonymous with Tom Cruise's action-packed blockbusters. He portrays Ethan Hunt, an IMF agent battling global chaos-plotters. These movies consistently dominate the global box office, making Mission: Impossible one of the most prosperous and enduring franchises today. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One in 2023 and Part Two in 2024 will further cement its supremacy. What's impressive is not just their financial success but their consistent quality. Few action franchises maintain such high standards.
To honor these six films, we've ranked them from worst to best.
1. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandiwe Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh
- Director: John Woo
- Writer: Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga
- Year of release: 2000
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10
- Runtime: 2h 3m
Mission: Impossible II," released in 2000, is an action-packed spy thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed by John Woo, this film is the second installment in the Mission: Impossible series. Tom Cruise, who plays the iconic Ethan Hunt, leads the cast with his charisma and daring stunts. Joining him are Thandie Newton as Nyah Nordoff-Hall, a skilled thief, and Dougray Scott as Sean Ambrose, the film's cunning villain.
The story revolves around Hunt's mission to stop Ambrose from unleashing a deadly virus that could wipe out humanity. To do this, he recruits Nyah, forming a team that takes on breathtaking motorcycle chases, intense hand-to-hand combat, and high-tech espionage. What sets this movie apart are its mind-blowing action sequences and the chemistry between Cruise and Newton. The breathtaking scenery, heart-pounding soundtrack, and clever plot twists make it a must-see for action enthusiasts.
2. Mission: Impossible (1996)
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno
- Director: Brian De Palma
- Writer: Brian De Palma
- Year of release: 1996
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10
- Runtime: 1h 50m
"Mission: Impossible" (1996) is an action-packed movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Brian De Palma, it's the first installment in the iconic franchise. The film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a super-spy who gets framed for a crime he didn't commit.
The story revolves around Hunt's mission to clear his name and unravel a conspiracy within his own organization, the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). The movie is known for its thrilling action sequences, including the famous scene where Cruise dangles from the ceiling to steal confidential information. Joining Cruise in the cast are some big names like Jon Voight, who plays Jim Phelps, the IMF team leader, and Emilio Estevez as Jack, a fellow agent. Ving Rhames portrays Luther Stickell, the tech genius of the group, and Vanessa Redgrave adds a touch of mystery as Max, a shadowy arms dealer.
3. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno
- Director: J.J. Abrams
- Writer: J.J. Abrams
- Year of release: 2006
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10
- Runtime: 2h 6m
"Mission: Impossible III" is an action-packed thriller film released in 2006. Directed by J.J. Abrams, it's the third installment in the popular "Mission: Impossible" series. The movie revolves around Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, who is a super-spy working for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). In this installment, Hunt faces a formidable adversary named Owen Davian, portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Davian is a ruthless arms dealer who possesses a dangerous weapon known as the "Rabbit's Foot," capable of causing widespread destruction.
To stop Davian, Hunt assembles a team that includes Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Declan Gormley (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and Zhen Lei (Maggie Q). But what sets this movie apart is the personal stakes involved, as Hunt's fiancée, Julia, played by Michelle Monaghan, becomes a target of the villain.
4. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames
- Director: Christopher McQuarrie
- Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
- Year of release: 2015
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10
- Runtime: 2h 11m
"Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" is an action-packed spy thriller released in 2015. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this movie is the fifth installment in the popular "Mission: Impossible" series.
The story revolves around Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, and his team as they face off against a shadowy organization called the Syndicate, which is out to destroy the IMF (Impossible Mission Force). The movie is filled with thrilling stunts, breathtaking action sequences, and clever spy tactics that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Tom Cruise, as always, delivers a charismatic performance as Ethan Hunt, while the ensemble cast includes talented actors like Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Rebecca Ferguson, who portrays a mysterious and capable character named Ilsa Faust. The film's plot is engaging and easy to follow, even if you haven't seen the previous movies in the series.
5. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner
- Director: Brad Bird
- Writer: Brad Bird
- Year of release: 2011
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10
- Runtime: 2h 12m
"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is a thrilling action movie released in 2011. Directed by Brad Bird, this film is the fourth installment in the popular "Mission: Impossible" series. The story follows Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, and his team as they are falsely accused of bombing the Kremlin. With the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) disavowed, they must clear their names and stop a terrorist named Hendricks, portrayed by Michael Nyqvist, from starting a global catastrophe. The movie is packed with jaw-dropping stunts, like Tom Cruise scaling the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The cast also includes Jeremy Renner as Brandt, Paula Patton as Jane, and Simon Pegg as Benji. They all bring their unique skills to the team, adding depth to the characters.
"Ghost Protocol" is known for its intense action sequences, high-tech gadgets, and stunning locations. It's a rollercoaster ride of espionage and suspense, accessible to anyone who enjoys a great action movie. So, if you're looking for heart-pounding excitement and a star-studded cast, this film is a must-watch.
6. Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Kirby.
- Director: Christopher McQuarrie
- Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
- Runtime: 2h 27m
"Mission: Impossible - Fallout" is a thrilling action movie released in 2018. This film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, the charismatic and fearless leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). He is joined by an impressive ensemble cast, including Henry Cavill as August Walker, Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell.
The story revolves around Hunt and his team as they race against time to prevent a global catastrophe. When a mission goes awry, they must recover stolen plutonium cores that could fall into the wrong hands. What makes this movie stand out are its breathtaking stunts and intense action sequences. Tom Cruise, known for performing his own stunts, pushes the boundaries in jaw-dropping scenes, like the thrilling helicopter chase in the mountains.
"Fallout" is not just about action; it also weaves a complex web of espionage and intrigue. The plot is filled with double-crosses, making it a rollercoaster ride of suspense. It's a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, offering a perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping action and a gripping storyline. If you love heart-pounding action and a charismatic cast, "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" is a must-watch.
7. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Star Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff.
- Director: Christopher McQuarrie
- Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
- Year of release: 2023
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 8/10
- Runtime: 2h 43m
"Dead Reckoning Part One" is an exciting follow-up to "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" that's even better than the first one. It takes the series to new heights and gets us really excited for Part Two. The best part is, it gives us a satisfying ending while also making us eager for what's next. The story in this movie is very relevant to today's world. It's about a rogue AI called The Entity, which makes the main characters very paranoid. The pacing of the movie is just right, and even though it's a long movie, it's never boring. Actually, each action scene is better than the one before it, leading to an amazing final part that's one of the best in the action movie genre.
Tom Cruise, who plays Ethan Hunt, leads the cast and he's joined by Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson, who all give fantastic performances. The bad guy in the movie, The Entity, adds a new twist to the story and keeps you really excited. If you love action movies, you absolutely have to watch "Dead Reckoning Part One." It's full of thrilling moments and sets up the next movie really well.
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