All Mission: Impossible Movies in Order Chronologically and by Release Date

It has been more than 25 years since the first Mission: Impossible film hit theaters. The spy series has only grown more popular over the yearsas evidenced by the sixth installmentMission: Impossible - Falloutbecoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise. Mission: Impossible has enjoyed an incredible lead in Tom Cruisewhose hard work has gained him recognition as one of the world's greatest movie stars.

Update January 52025: This article has been updated with additional content and information about the fan-favorite action franchise.

The franchise originally showed no signs of stoppingbut after the disappointing box office of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One and the next entry in the electrifying series being delayed to May 232025the franchise might be calling it a day soon. But with more than 25 years of Mission: Impossible filmsit can be overwhelming for a newcomer to keep track of them all. Whether you're new to the franchise or have been a lifelong fanhere's a handy list of all Mission: Impossible movies in chronological and release order.

All Mission: Impossible Movies in Chronological Order

• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
• Mission: Impossible III (2006)
• Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
• Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)
• Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
• Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

Mission: Impossible (1996)

The film that started it allMission: Impossiblewas directed by Brian De Palmathe director behind CarrieScarfaceand The Untouchables. The action extravaganza introduced Cruise as Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Huntwho was framed for the murder of the rest of his team. It was the first Mission: Impossible film that featured the iconic sequence of Ethan descending into a vaultjust barely avoiding touching the floor that would have resulted in catastrophic failure.

Fans Loved the Remake But the Original Stars Loathed It

Serving as a continuation for the popular '60s espionage series of the same nameMission: Impossible firmly established Cruise as one of Hollywood's most fearless action heroes and dominated the box officegrossing over $457 million worldwide and paving the way for future installments. Though it proved to be a massive hit with moviegoers and has attracted a passionate fanbasethe silver screen reimagining did not impress cast members of the original showwith star Greg Morris disliking it so much he left the theater early and called it "an abomination." Stream on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Mission: Impossible 2 saw Ethan Hunt embark on a new mission to stop a biological weapon from being released. Hunt teamed up with professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton)the former partner of the rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott)who possessed the weapon and wants to use the genetically modified disease for his own nefarious purposes.

Cruise's Impressive Box Office Achievement

Mission: Impossible 2 was the highest-grossing film of 2000beating out fellow blockbuster releases Gladiator and Cast Away by raking in over $546 million and garnering appreciation for its pulse-pounding action sequences and director John Woo's masterful vision. The sequel marked the last time that Cruise has starred in the top-earning film of the yearthough the famous leading man did come close to repeating the action flick's financial success when he appeared in the smash hit Top Gun: Maverick. Stream on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Ethan came out of retirement in Mission: Impossible III when a powerful arms dealer (Philip Seymour Hoffman) emerged to threaten everything he held dear. The film introduced Michelle Monaghan as Julia Meadea nurse who became Ethan's fiancée andsimultaneouslya target for the film's villain. Mission: Impossible III was also the film that introduced Simon Pegg as Benji Dunnwho appeared in every installment afterward.

Third Time's the Charm for Cruise

Mission: Impossible III failed to reach the financial success of its predecessors but nonetheless grossed over $399 million during its theatrical runwith critics praising the intricate stunt workgripping screenplayand character development while regarding it as an improvement over previous entries. The stellar performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman as Hunt's formidable foe Owen Davian was also singled outand fans credited director J.J. Abrams with bringing a new and refreshing energy back to the franchise. Stream on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

The fourth film in the Mission: Impossible franchiseGhost Protocol harked back to the franchise's beginnings by having Ethan blamed for another crime he did not commit. Following a mission gone wrongthe U.S. President initiated "Ghost Protocol," which ordered the immediate shutdown of the Impossible Missions Force. Ethan formed a team with Benji and new member William Brandt (played by Jeremy Renner) in spite of the shutdowndesperate to clear their names and prevent a nuclear war.

Ghost Protocol Garners Both Critical & Commercial Acclaim

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol marked a turning point in the action-packed seriesas the film and future installments started to grow in esteem and became more favorably reviewed by critics; the sequel earned an at-the-time franchise high Rotten Tomatoes score of 93% after previously receiving a lukewarm response from reviewers. Ghost Protocol also showcased Renner's physical prowess and talents as an action staras he would go on to play Clint Barton/Hawkeye a year later in the MCU blockbuster The Avengers. Stream on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

2015's Rogue Nation was the first Mission: Impossible film directed and written by Christopher McQuarriewho went on to direct and write FalloutDead Reckoning Part Oneand the now-titled Mission: Impossible 8. Rogue Nation featured new antagonists in The Syndicatea terrorist organization that sought to establish a new world order. Rebecca Ferguson made her winning debut as Ilsa Faust in Rogue Nationbecoming one of the franchise's main characters.

Cruise Shows Off His Daredevil Stunt Work

Cruise continued demonstrating his daredevil ways with one death-defying stunt after anotherfamously being suspended on the side of a flying Airbus A400M Atlas without the help of a stunt double while also training with a diving specialist so he could successfully hold his breath for three minutes for a daring underwater sequenceallegedly doing so for six. Fans flocked to theaters to see what crazy stunt Cruise would do nexthelping the exciting sequel gross $688.9 million and dominate the box office. Stream on Paramount+.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Not only was Mission: Impossible - Fallout the highest-grossing film in the franchisebut it was also the best-reviewed film in the franchise. In this installmentThe Syndicate are back and planning to simultaneously explode plutonium cores over three different citiesprompting Hunt and his determined team to once again rally together to stop a potentially catastrophic event.

Fallout Ups the Ante With Elaborate Action Sequences

The film reunited cast members CruiseVing RhamesPeggFergusonand Michelle Monaghan. Fallout additionally starred Henry Cavill as August Walkeran ally of Ethan's who was eventually found to be the villainous John Lark. Cruise performed the epic HALO jump over Paris (one of the movie's three main action sequences) 106 timesfalling at whopping speeds of 200 to 220 mph from 25,000 to 30,000 ft. highthus showing longtime fans that he had no intentions of slowing down and playing it safe in the thrilling franchise. Stream on Paramount+

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One was Cruise's first film after the monumental success of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. Marketing for the seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible series saw IMF's most dangerous mission yet as Ethan comes face to face with new enemies like the powerful AI rogue agent known as the Entitya weapon that threatens the very future of the human race.

Dead Reckoning Faces Tough Box Office Competition

Henry Czerny notably reprised his role as former IMF director Eugene Kittridge after having been absent from the franchise since the first film back in 1996. Vanessa Kirby also returned to her role from Mission: Impossible - Fallout as Alanna Mitsopolis / White Widowwith new cast members including Hayley AtwellEsai Moralesand Pom Klementieff. Dead Reckoning Part One faced stiff competition at the box officegoing head-to-head with the cultural phenomenon "Barbenheimer" and unfortunately becoming a financial disappointmentgrossing just $570.6 million against its hefty $291 million budget. Stream on Prime Video.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

Paramount originally scheduled the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning for Summer 2024. Howeverafter the 2023 SAG-AFTRA actors strike halted productionthe film along with several other long-awaited sequels like Dune: Part Two were pushed backwith The Final Reckoning now being slated to hit theaters on May 232025. With a whopping estimated budget of $400 millionthe highly-anticipated sequel is one of the most expensive movies ever made.

Cruise & Ethan Hunt Aren't Going Anywhere

Despite Variety previously reporting that the film would be a "sendoff for Cruise's Ethan Hunt character" in 2022Cruise himself expressed his desire to continue portraying the iconic hero despite The Final Reckoning initially being touted as a send-off for Hunt. After witnessing the enduring fanfare Harrison Ford received from his unforgettable work in the Indiana Jones franchiseCruise expressed his desire to follow in the silver screen staple's footsteps and keep defying gravity with daring stunts; he told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2023:

"Harrison Ford is a legend; I hope to be still going; I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him. I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age."

Release Dates of All Mission: Impossible Movies