With the eighth Mission: Impossible film now in theaters—reportedly the “final” chapter (though I have my doubts)—I figured it was a good time to rank the series based on my personal favorites.
What draws me back to these films varies. Sometimes it’s the jaw-dropping stunts that Tom Cruise pulls off. Other times, it’s the strength of the villain, or the incredible ensemble cast that rallies around Ethan Hunt. Usually, it’s some mix of all three. There’s always something that makes me want to rewatch them.
To be clear, I don’t dislike any of the entries. Each one brings its own flavor and fun. That said, Mission: Impossible II has always rubbed me the wrong way. A lot of that comes down to directorial choices that just don’t land for me, even though I do enjoy Thandiwe Newton’s performance.
And while the original film lands lower on my list, I fully recognize how important it is. Without that first installment setting the tone, we wouldn’t have this incredible franchise at all. It laid the groundwork for everything that followed, even if I find more joy in the sequels.
So, here’s how I rank the Mission: Impossible films—along with some quick thoughts and links to the full reviews I wrote for each.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)
December 16, 2011
Directed by Brad Bird
Written by André Nemec & Josh Appelbaum
This is where the franchise hits its stride. The action never lets up, the set pieces keep escalating, and the whole thing shifts into high gear. From a Russian prison break to scaling the Burj Khalifa, it’s nonstop spectacle. The villain’s forgettable, but the team dynamic—Renner, Patton, Pegg, and a brief Ving Rhames cameo—really clicks. Léa Seydoux steals every scene she’s in. Still my favorite of the series.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (2018)
July 27, 2018
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie
What could’ve been franchise fatigue turns out to be a high point. Fallout balances jaw-dropping stunts with real emotional weight. Ethan Hunt’s loyalty is tested, haunted by past choices as the IMF faces a splintered threat. Henry Cavill is a blunt-force revelation, Rebecca Ferguson brings layered tension, and Vanessa Kirby is magnetic as the White Widow. From the HALO jump to the helicopter finale, the action hits hard, but it’s the themes of trust, sacrifice, and consequence that truly soar.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III (2006)
May 5, 2006
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Written by J. J. Abrams, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
A solid entry elevated by one unforgettable villain. Philip Seymour Hoffman is cold, terrifying, and completely magnetic—turning an otherwise average plot into something special. The action steps up (that bridge ambush scene is a standout), and the addition of Michelle Monaghan as Ethan’s fiancée adds much-needed heart. There’s intrigue, espionage, and some great supporting turns from Fishburne, Crudup, Pegg, and Keri Russell.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING (2023)
July 12, 2023
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Erik Jendresen & Christopher McQuarrie
After seven films, we finally get a look at what it means to become an IMF agent—and Hayley Atwell’s Grace gives the series a fresh emotional core. She’s not a spy, just a thief pulled into something way bigger than she ever expected. The AI villain concept is timely and eerie, though its human counterpart doesn’t quite land. Still, the film soars on Cruise’s total commitment, jaw-dropping stunts, and real questions about trust in a digital age. It’s a “Part One” that actually feels complete.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION (2015)
July 31, 2015
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie
Story by Drew Pearce & Christopher McQuarrie
The stunts are great, the spy-vs-spy story is clever, but what really makes Rogue Nation shine is Rebecca Ferguson. Her character, Ilsa Faust, doesn’t just match Ethan Hunt — she complicates him. She’s not a love interest or a sidekick; she’s the wildcard, and she completely shifts the emotional center of the series. The opera house set piece, the underwater vault, the quiet moral tension—it all lands because of her.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING (2025)
May 23, 2025
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen
This one starts in a lower gear—less spectacle, more setup—but once it kicks in, it’s the same thrilling ride we’ve come to expect. While not the franchise’s strongest entry, it still delivers great action and some surprisingly emotional moments. A few callbacks land, others feel forced, and the villain doesn’t quite measure up. But the cast is top-notch (Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, and a scene-stealing return from a 1996 character all stand out), and the final stretch reminds you why we keep accepting these missions.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996)
May 22, 1996
Directed by Brian de Palma
Written by David Koepp & Robert Towne
Story by David Koepp & Steven Zaillian
The one that started it all still holds up. Brian De Palma’s original Mission: Impossible is a tightly constructed spy thriller that leans more on tension and twists than big stunts—though it does feature that legendary CIA vault scene. It sets the tone for the entire series, but stands on its own as a smart, stylish caper with real stakes. Cruise is magnetic, and the pacing is razor sharp.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II (2000)
May 24, 2000
Directed by John Woo
Written by Robert Towne
Story by Brannon Braga & Ronald D. Moore
Tom Cruise trades the tux for sunglasses and cliff jumps in this wildly stylized sequel, leaning hard into action-hero mode. Thandiwe Newton is a great addition, and Ving Rhames is always a welcome presence—but John Woo’s over-the-top direction (slow motion, doves, and so many mask reveals) makes it feel more like a Bond parody than a tight spy thriller.
![Retrospective: April 2026 in Review [Updated Apr 23]](https://nobadmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/supermariogalaxy_20260402_image001.png)
Leave a Reply