Mission: Impossible (film series) explained

Mission: Impossible
Producer:Tom Cruise
Paula Wagner (1–3)
J. J. Abrams (4–6)
Christopher McQuarrie (6–8)
Starring:Tom Cruise
Ving Rhames
Simon Pegg
Studio:Cruise/Wagner Productions (1–3)
Skydance Media (4–8)
TC Productions (4–8)
Bad Robot (4–6)
Distributor:Paramount Pictures
Released:1996–present
Runtime:931 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$1.05 billion
(7 films)
Gross:$4.13 billion
(7 films)

Mission: Impossible is a series of American action spy films, based on the 1966 TV series created by Bruce Geller. The series is mainly produced by Tom Cruise, who plays Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). The films have been directed, written, and scored by various filmmakers and crew, while incorporating musical themes from the original series by Lalo Schifrin.

Starting in 1996, the films (taking place starting six years after the events of the previous TV sequel series) follow the missions of the IMF's main field team, under Hunt's leadership, to stop an enemy force and prevent an impending global disaster. The series focuses on Hunt's character, and like the television series' structure, is complemented by an ensemble cast, such as Luther Stickell (played by Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (played by Simon Pegg), who have recurring roles.

The series has experienced a generally positive reception from critics. It is the 17th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $4.09 billion worldwide,[1] and is often cited as one of the best action franchises to date. The sixth film, titled Fallout, was released on July 27, 2018 and is currently the series' highest-grossing entry. The seventh and eighth films are feature-length two-parters, with released in July 2023 and an untitled eighth film scheduled for release in May 2025. The films are co-produced and released by Paramount Pictures.

In 2024, the series received its first Academy Award nominations, with Dead Reckoning Part One being nominated in the categories of Best Visual Effects and Best Sound at the 96th ceremony. [2]

Films

Overview of the Mission: Impossible films
FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducersStatus
Mission: ImpossibleBrian De PalmaDavid Koepp & Robert TowneDavid Koepp & Steven ZaillianTom Cruise & Paula WagnerReleased
John WooRobert TowneBrannon Braga & Ronald D. Moore
J. J. AbramsJ. J. Abrams, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Mission: Impossible –
Ghost Protocol
Brad BirdAndré Nemec & Josh AppelbaumTom Cruise, Bryan Burk & J. J. Abrams
Mission: Impossible –
Rogue Nation
Christopher McQuarrieChristopher McQuarrieDrew Pearce & Christopher McQuarrieTom Cruise, Bryan Burk, Don Granger, J. J. Abrams, Dana Goldberg & David Ellison
Mission: Impossible –
Fallout
Christopher McQuarrieTom Cruise, Jake Myers, J. J. Abrams & Christopher McQuarrie
Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part One
Erik Jendresen & Christopher McQuarrieTom Cruise & Christopher McQuarrie
Untitled eighth filmFilming

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Ethan Hunt is framed for the murder of his IMF team during a botched mission in Prague and accused of selling government secrets to an arms dealer known only as "Max". On the run, Ethan seeks to uncover the real traitor and clear his name.

Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Ethan goes back in action and works with professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton). The duo go undercover to stop rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) (who is also Nyah's former lover) from stealing a deadly virus, starting a pandemic, and selling the antidote to the highest bidder.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Ethan is engaged to Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan), who is unaware of his true job. He assembles a team to face the elusive arms and information broker Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who intends to sell a mysterious dangerous object known as "The Rabbit's Foot".

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Ethan and the entire IMF are framed for the bombing of the Kremlin while investigating an individual known only as "Cobalt" (Michael Nyqvist). Ethan and three other agents are left to stop Cobalt from starting a global nuclear war.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Ethan Hunt comes under threat from the Syndicate. Faced with the IMF's disbandment, Hunt assembles his team for their mission to prove the Syndicate's existence and bring the organization down by any means necessary.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

When an IMF mission to recover plutonium goes wrong, the world is faced with the threat of the Apostles, a terrorist group formed by former members of the Syndicate. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill the original mission, the CIA begins to question his loyalty and his motives.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

An AI called the Entity is responsible for the sinking of the next-generation Russian submarine Sevastopol. The Entity has since gone rogue and entrenched itself into cyberspace; the secret to stopping or controlling it lies with the key, which Ethan Hunt and the IMF must track down, as various world powers and nefarious forces race to obtain the key in order to use the Entity for their own purpose.

Untitled eighth film (2025)

In January 2019, an eighth Mission: Impossible film was announced to be in development, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie. It was originally to be filmed back-to-back with the seventh film.[3] [4] It was scheduled to be released on August 5, 2022, but was delayed to November 4, 2022, then to July 7, 2023, then to June 28, 2024, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] [6] It was later delayed to May 23, 2025 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Hayley Atwell joined the cast in September 2019,[7] followed by Pom Klementieff and Shea Whigham.[8] [9] In January 2020, Nicholas Hoult and Simon Pegg were announced to be appearing in the film,[10] [11] but Hoult was later replaced by Esai Morales in both films due to scheduling conflicts.[12]

In February 2020, it was announced that Henry Czerny and Vanessa Kirby would return as Eugene Kittridge and Alanna Mitsopolis, respectively.[13] [14] In February 2021, Deadline Hollywood reported that Part Two would no longer be filmed back-to-back with Part One.[15] Filming of Part Two began shortly after production wrapped on Part One.[16] It was initially billed that both films would be a send-off for Ethan Hunt.[17] In October 2023, Dead Reckoning Part Two was removed as the film's subtitle, with a new subtitle yet to be announced.[18]

Future

In June 2023, Christopher McQuarrie stated that Dead Reckoning Part One and its sequel would not end the series, as there are developments for future installments.[19] In July 2023, during promotion for Dead Reckoning Part One, Cruise expressed interest in continuing to make further films in the series as Ethan Hunt, despite both films having previously been billed as a send-off to the character.[20] Inspired by Harrison Ford's continued success in the Indiana Jones films, Cruise stated that he would like to keep making Mission: Impossible films until he is likewise in his eighties.[21]

Recurring cast and characters

Overview of Mission: Impossible cast and crew
Character
Mission: Impossible2IIIGhost ProtocolRogue NationFalloutDead Reckoning Part OneEighth film
Ethan HuntTom Cruise
Luther StickellVing RhamesVing Rhames
Eugene KittridgeHenry CzernyHenry Czerny
William DonloeRolf SaxonRolf Saxon
The ContactAndreas Wisniewskicolspan="4"
Benji DunnSimon Pegg
Julia MeadeMichelle MonaghanMichelle Monaghancolspan="2"
William BrandtJeremy Rennercolspan="3"
Ilsa FaustRebecca Fergusoncolspan="2"
Solomon LaneSean Harriscolspan="2"
Alan HunleyAlec Baldwincolspan="2"
Alanna Mitsopolis
Vanessa Kirby
Zola MitsopolisFrederick Schmidt
Erika SloaneAngela Bassettcolspan="1"
GraceHayley Atwell
Jasper BriggsShea Whigham
DegasGreg Tarzan Davis
GabrielEsai Morales
ParisPom Klementieff
Head of the NSAMark Gatiss
Head of the NROCharles Parnell

Additional crew and production details

Production details of Mission: Impossible films
FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditor(s)Production companiesDistributing companiesRunning time
Mission: ImpossibleDanny ElfmanStephen H. BurumPaul HirschParamount Pictures
Cruise/Wagner Productions
Paramount Pictures110 min
Hans ZimmerJeffrey L. KimballSteven Kemper
Christian Wagner
Paramount Pictures
Cruise/Wagner Productions
Munich Film Partners & Company
124 min
Michael GiacchinoDan MindelMary Jo Markey
Maryann Brandon
Paramount Pictures
Cruise/Wagner Productions
The Fourth Production Company Film Group
126 min
Mission: Impossible –
Ghost Protocol
Robert ElswitPaul HirschTC Productions
Skydance Media
Paramount Pictures
Bad Robot
133 min
Mission: Impossible –
Rogue Nation
Joe KraemerEddie Hamilton131 min
Mission: Impossible –
Fallout
Lorne BalfeRob Hardy147 min
Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part One
Fraser TaggartTC Productions
Skydance Media
Paramount Pictures
163 min
Untitled eighth film

Reception

Film! scope="col" rowspan="2"
U.S. release dateBudgetBox Office Gross
DomesticInternationalWorldwide
Mission: Impossible[22] May 22, 1996$80 million$180,981,856$276,714,535$457,696,391
[23] May 24, 2000$125 million$215,409,889$330,978,219$546,388,108
[24] May 5, 2006$150 million$134,029,801$264,449,696$398,479,497
[25] December 16, 2011$145 million$209,397,903$485,315,477$694,713,380
[26] July 31, 2015$150 million$195,042,377$487,674,259$682,716,636
[27] July 27, 2018$178 million$220,159,104$571,498,294$791,657,398
[28] July 12, 2023$219 million (net)$172,135,383$395,400,000$567,535,383
Total[29] $1.047 billion$$$

Critical and public response

The Mission: Impossible film series has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, with the latter four attracting significant praise directed towards their direction, cinematography, stunts, action sequences, performances, and musical scores.

Critical and popular reception of Mission: Impossible films
FilmRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore[30]
(65 reviews)[31] 59 (29 reviews)[32]
(155 reviews)[33] 59 (40 reviews)[34]
(224 reviews)[35] 66 (42 reviews)[36]
(253 reviews)[37] 73 (47 reviews)[38]
(328 reviews)[39] 75 (46 reviews)[40]
(442 reviews)[41] 87 (60 reviews)[42]
(427 reviews)[43] 81 (66 reviews)[44]

Music

The television version is in a rarely used time (an unusual time signature with five crotchets to a bar) and is difficult to dance to,[45] as was demonstrated by a memorable segment of American Bandstand in which teenage dancers were caught off-guard by Dick Clark's playing of the Lalo Schifrin single release.

The opening theme music for the first seven films are stylized renditions of Schifrin's original iconic theme, preserving the rhythm, by Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Joe Kraemer and Lorne Balfe, respectively.

For Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.'s version featured on the first film's motion picture soundtrack, the time signature was changed to standard pop time to make it more dance-friendly, although the intro is still in time. The Limp Bizkit song "Take a Look Around" from the soundtrack to the second film was set to a similar modification of the theme, with an interlude in .

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mission Impossible Movies . September 15, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20051201114648/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=missionimpossible.htm . December 1, 2005 . dead .
  2. Web site: THE 96TH ACADEMY AWARDS – 2024 . Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
  3. Web site: Orange . B. Alan . January 14, 2019 . Next 2 Mission: Impossible Sequels Will Shoot Back-To-Back with Fallout Director . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190115101211/https://movieweb.com/mission-impossible-7-8-release-date-tom-cruise-director-christopher-mcquarrie/ . January 15, 2019 . January 14, 2019 . MovieWeb.
  4. Web site: Williams . Trey . January 14, 2019 . 'Fallout' Director Christopher McQuarrie to Write, Direct Next 2 'Mission: Impossible' Films . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190115043809/https://www.thewrap.com/fallout-christopher-mcquarrie-direct-next-2-mission-impossible-films/ . January 15, 2019 . January 14, 2019 . TheWrap.
  5. Web site: McNary . Dave . February 1, 2019 . Tom Cruise 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Dated for Summers of 2021, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005307/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/tom-cruise-mission-impossible-movies-2021-2022-1203126749/ . July 29, 2019 . February 1, 2019 . Variety.
  6. Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . April 24, 2020 . 'Mission: Impossible' Sequels Get Pushed Back . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200425065250/https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/mission-impossible-sequels-get-pushed-back-1234589362/ . April 25, 2020 . April 24, 2020 . Variety.
  7. Web site: Couch . Aaron . Kit . Borys . September 6, 2019 . Hayley Atwell Joins Tom Cruise in Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movie . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190907092922/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/next-mission-impossible-movie-adds-hayley-atwell-1237580 . September 7, 2019 . September 7, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. Web site: Couch . Aaron . November 19, 2019 . Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Cast 'Guardians' Star Pom Klementieff . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191120111712/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/next-mission-impossible-movie-adds-pom-klementieff-1256229 . November 20, 2019 . November 19, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. Web site: Couch . Aaron . December 20, 2019 . Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Cast Shea Whigham . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191221014921/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/next-mission-impossible-movies-cast-shea-whigham-1264584 . December 21, 2019 . December 20, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  10. Web site: Kroll . Justin . January 9, 2020 . Nicholas Hoult Joins Tom Cruise in Next 'Mission: Impossible' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200109212842/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/nicholas-hoult-mission-impossible-tom-cruise-1203404084/ . January 9, 2020 . January 9, 2020 . Variety.
  11. Web site: Allie . Gemmill . January 18, 2020 . It Sure Sounds Like Simon Pegg Announced He's Back For 'Mission: Impossible 7' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200201172803/https://collider.com/will-simon-pegg-return-mission-impossible-7/ . February 1, 2020 . February 1, 2020 . Collider.
  12. Web site: McNary . Dave . Kroll . Justin . May 21, 2020 . 'Mission: Impossible 7': Esai Morales Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Villain . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200624122131/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/mission-impossible-7-esai-morales-nicholas-hoult-1234613115/ . June 24, 2020 . June 21, 2020 . Variety . en.
  13. Web site: Aaron . Couch . February 1, 2020 . Classic 'Mission: Impossible' Character Returning for Sequels . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200201172506/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mission-impossible-classic-character-return-sequels-1275562 . February 1, 2020 . February 1, 2020 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. Web site: Vanessa Kirby shares her powerful thoughts on self-doubt, quietening her self-critic and learning the art of self-forgiveness . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611033900/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/vanessa-kirby-baftas-interview-2020 . June 11, 2020 . August 19, 2020.
  15. Web site: Grater. Tom. February 15, 2021. 'Mission: Impossible 7' & '8' No Longer Shooting Back-To-Back. February 15, 2021. Deadline. en-US.
  16. Web site: Overhultz . Lauryn . November 27, 2021 . Tom Cruise spotted dangling from airplane wing while filming 'Mission: Impossible 8' . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211127215254/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/tom-cruise-airplane-stunt-filming-mission-impossible-8 . November 27, 2021 . December 1, 2021.
  17. Web site: 'Mission: Impossible 7': How COVID-19 Blew up the Budget of Tom Cruise's Spy Sequel. Variety. Brent Lang. Matt Donnelly. February 8, 2022. February 9, 2022.
  18. Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . 2023-10-23 . ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ Delayed to Summer 2025, ‘A Quiet Place’ Prequel Moves to Summer 2024 . 2024-08-14 . Variety . en-US.
  19. Web site: Russell . Bradley . June 19, 2023 . Mission: Impossible won't end with Dead Reckoning, according to the director . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620160233/https://www.gamesradar.com/mission-impossible-not-ending-dead-reckoning/ . June 20, 2023 . August 24, 2023 . GamesRadar+.
  20. Web site: Mitchell . Thomas . July 3, 2023 . 'Oppenheimer then Barbie': Tom Cruise picks side in box office battle . July 5, 2023 . . en.
  21. Web site: Tom Cruise Wants To Continue Making 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Into His 80s Like Harrison Ford With 'Indiana Jones'. Deadline. Tinoco, Armando. June 5, 2023. July 16, 2023.
  22. Web site: Mission: Impossible (1996). Box Office Mojo.
  23. Web site: Mission: Impossible II (2000). Box Office Mojo.
  24. Web site: Mission: Impossible III (2006). Box Office Mojo.
  25. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Box Office Mojo.
  26. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). Box Office Mojo.
  27. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). Box Office Mojo.
  28. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Box Office Mojo.
  29. Web site: Mission: Impossible Movies at the Box Office. Box Office Mojo. November 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181225034310/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=missionimpossible.htm. December 25, 2018. dead.
  30. Web site: CinemaScore . . July 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ . April 13, 2022 . live .
  31. Web site: Mission: Impossible (1996). Rotten Tomatoes.
  32. Web site: Mission: Impossible Reviews. Metacritic.
  33. Web site: Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). Rotten Tomatoes.
  34. Web site: Mission: Impossible II Reviews. Metacritic.
  35. Web site: Mission: Impossible III (2006). Rotten Tomatoes.
  36. Web site: Mission: Impossible III Reviews. Metacritic.
  37. Web site: Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011). Rotten Tomatoes.
  38. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Reviews. Metacritic.
  39. Web site: Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015). Rotten Tomatoes.
  40. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Reviews. Metacritic.
  41. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). Rotten Tomatoes.
  42. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Fallout Reviews. Metacritic.
  43. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Rotten Tomatoes.
  44. Web site: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Reviews. Metacritic.
  45. Web site: Dave . Karger . They Shot, He Scored . 7 June 1996 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121020135606/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292863,00.html . 20 October 2012 . 28 March 2024.