All ‘Mission: Impossible’ Movies Ranked
- Kevin Verma
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Mission: Impossible franchise has become one of the most consistently thrilling franchises in modern cinema, with Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt not only redefining what it means to be a hero but also rewriting stunt standards in Hollywood with death-defying action sequences in every entry. Almost three decades old, the films have evolved in tone, style, and scale, constantly upping the ante with each new installment. With the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (supposedly the final installment in the franchise) upon us, here’s our ranking of all 8 entries from worst to best.
8. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
John Woo’s sequel is universally considered as the weakest Mission: Impossible movie. His stylistic direction gave it a glossy, over-the-top flair, but the film ultimately feels like the odd one out in the franchise. Overly reliant on slow motion, doves, and melodrama, it trades intricate plotting for romance and gun-fu theatrics. While there are some memorable stunts, it lacks the grounded tension and smart storytelling fans would come to expect.
7. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
J.J. Abrams’ directorial debut delivered a darker, more personal story with a menacing Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the franchise's best villains. He also introduced us to Simon Pegg’s Benji, who went on to become a mainstay in Hunt’s crew and arguably everyone’s favorite character. The action is solid, and the emotional stakes are higher, but the film lacks the signature globe-trotting espionage feel of later entries. Still, it laid crucial groundwork for the modern tone of the franchise.
6. Mission: Impossible (1996)
Brian De Palma's original film is a solid cerebral thriller that introduced audiences to Ethan Hunt. It’s a subdued yet effective introduction to Ethan Hunt and the world of the IMF. It’s more of a character-driven thriller, which is De Palma’s forte, rather than a stylish espionage-action flick. While it hasn’t aged as gracefully as others, the vault heist scene remains iconic and set the standard for spy film suspense.
5. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
Widely teased as a “send-off” to Ethan Hunt’s character, The Final Reckoning promised to be an epic conclusion to the series. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the send-off that the fans were expecting and is being received mildly compared to other recent installments. Nonetheless, it’s still a solid action movie with a breathtaking submarine and plane sequence that is held back due to its dense plot and complexity. But this entry also acts as a true love letter to the franchise.
4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Brad Bird revitalized the series with Ghost Protocol, injecting humor and spectacular set pieces. His first attempt at directing a live-action feature was a knockout, which also included a memorable scene at The Burj Khalifa, which was newly erected back then. Though the villain was underdeveloped, the film's energy, style, and team dynamic made it a major turning point in the franchise.
3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
The most recent installment, Dead Reckoning, offered timely commentary on AI and digital surveillance while delivering another round of high-octane set pieces. If Final Reckoning didn’t exist, this movie would probably be higher on the list, but the latest entry hurts its predecessor. It's visually stunning and narratively ambitious, though it does feel slightly overstuffed as a “part one.” The extended climax with the bike jump into the train sequence was extraordinary, and made for a memorable IMAX experience.
2. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
Christopher McQuarrie’s first Mission: Impossible movie as director brought a razor-sharp balance of espionage, action, and character. The introduction of Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust was a franchise highlight, and the opera house sequence is a masterclass in tension. Rogue Nation is sleek, smart, and endlessly rewatchable.
1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
The crown jewel of the franchise, Fallout is everything a modern action film should be —visceral, emotional, and meticulously crafted. The addition of Henry Cavill worked wonders, and his 'arm reload' is iconic. With jaw-dropping stunts, a morally complex story, and Cruise at his peak, Fallout is not just the best Mission: Impossible movie, but one of the greatest action films of all time.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning releases in cinemas on May 23rd.