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Mission: Impossible (film series)

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Mission: Impossible
File:Missionimpossibleblurayboxset.jpg
Blu-ray box set of the first six films
Based onMission: Impossible
by Bruce Geller
Produced by
StarringTom Cruise
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
1996–present
Running time
768 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.12 billion
(7 films)
Box office$3.57 billion
(6 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 and stars 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 with 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 been positively received from critics and audiences. It is the 18th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $3.5 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 two feature-length parts titled Dead Reckoning; Part One was released in July 2023 and Part Two is scheduled to be in June 2024. The films are co-produced and released by Paramount Pictures.

Films

Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producers Status
Mission: Impossible May 22, 1996 (1996-05-22) Brian De Palma David Koepp and Robert Towne David Koepp and Steven Zaillian Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner Released
Mission: Impossible 2 May 24, 2000 (2000-05-24) John Woo Robert Towne Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore
Mission: Impossible III May 5, 2006 (2006-05-05) J. J. Abrams J. J. Abrams & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Mission: Impossible –
Ghost Protocol 		December 16, 2011 (2011-12-16) Brad Bird Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Christopher McQuarrie[a] Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams and Bryan Burk
Mission: Impossible –
Rogue Nation 		July 31, 2015 (2015-07-31) Christopher McQuarrie Christopher McQuarrie Drew Pearce and Christopher McQuarrie Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger
Mission: Impossible –
Fallout 		July 27, 2018 (2018-07-27) Christopher McQuarrie Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams, Christopher McQuarrie and Jake Myers
Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part One 		July 12, 2023 (2023-07-12) Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie
Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part Two 		June 28, 2024 (2024-06-28) Post-production

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Main article: Mission: Impossible (film)

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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible 2

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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible III

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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible – Fallout

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 rogue nation called 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)

Main article: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

In January 2019, it was announced that the seventh and eighth films were in development, with Christopher McQuarrie returning as writer and director of both films. Reportedly filmed back-to-back,[2][3] the seventh film was originally scheduled for release on July 23, 2021,[4] before being delayed to November 19, 2021,[5] May 27, 2022,[6] September 30, 2022,[7] and July 14, 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2019, McQuarrie announced via his Instagram account that Hayley Atwell had joined both films' casts, which she later confirmed.[8] Two months later, the director revealed the involvement of Pom Klementieff,[9] and in late December Shea Whigham was confirmed as a cast member for the two upcoming movies.[10] In January 2020, McQuarrie announced that Nicholas Hoult had also joined the cast, and Simon Pegg confirmed his return as Benji later the same month.[11][12]

In February 2020, McQuarrie announced that Henry Czerny would reprise his role as Eugene Kittridge from the first film, whilst Vanessa Kirby confirmed her return as Alanna Mitsopolis / White Widow.[13][14] Due to scheduling conflicts, Hoult was replaced by Esai Morales for both films.[15] Similarly, Angela Bassett was originally going to appear in the film, but was later removed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.[16][17] In September 2021, the film's gaffer Martin Smith confirmed on Instagram that principal photography had officially wrapped.[18]

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two (2024)

Main article: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two

In January 2019, an eighth Mission: Impossible film was announced to be in development, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie and filmed back-to-back with the seventh film.[2][3] 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.[4][5]

Hayley Atwell joined the cast in September 2019,[8] followed by Pom Klementieff and Shea Whigham.[9][10] In January 2020, Nicholas Hoult and Simon Pegg were announced to be appearing in the film,[11][12] but Hoult was later replaced by Esai Morales in both films due to scheduling conflicts.[15]

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.[19] Filming of Part Two began shortly after production wrapped on Part One.[20] It was announced that both films would be a send-off for Ethan Hunt.[21] In December 2022, it was announced that principal photography had officially wrapped.[22]

Future

In June 2023, Christopher McQuarrie told Fandango that Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Part Two would not end the series, as they were developing ideas for future installments.[23] In July 2023, during promotion for Part One, Cruise expressed interest in continuing to make further films in the series as Ethan Hunt, despite both films having been billed as a send-off to the character.[24]

Cast and crew

Cast

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the Mission Impossible film series.

  • An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
Character
Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible 2 Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible –
Ghost Protocol 		Mission: Impossible –
Rogue Nation 		Mission: Impossible –
Fallout 		Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part One 		Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part Two
1996 2000 2006 2011 2015 2018 2023 2024
Ethan Hunt Tom Cruise
Luther Stickell Ving Rhames Ving RhamesC Ving Rhames
Eugene Kittridge Henry Czerny Henry Czerny
William Donloe Rolf Saxon Rolf Saxon
The Contact Andreas Wisniewski Andreas WisniewskiC
Benji Dunn Simon Pegg
Julia Meade Michelle Monaghan Michelle MonaghanC Michelle Monaghan
William Brandt Jeremy Renner
Ilsa Faust Rebecca Ferguson
Solomon Lane Sean Harris
Alan Hunley Alec Baldwin
Alanna Mitsopolis
The White Widow 		Vanessa Kirby
Zola Mitsopolis Frederick Schmidt
Grace Hayley Atwell
Jasper Briggs Shea Whigham
Gabriel Esai Morales
Paris Pom Klementieff

Crew

Crew
Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible 2 Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible
– Ghost Protocol 		Mission: Impossible
– Rogue Nation 		Mission: Impossible
– Fallout 		Mission: Impossible
– Dead Reckoning Part One 		Mission: Impossible
– Dead Reckoning Part Two
1996 2000 2006 2011 2015 2018 2023 2024
Executive producer(s) Paul Hitchcock Terence Chang
Paul Hitchcock 		Stratton Leopold Jeffrey Chernov
David Ellison
Dana Goldberg
Paul Schwake 		Jake Myers David Ellison
Dana Goldberg
Don Granger 		David Ellison
Dana Goldberg
Don Granger
Tommy Gormley 		David Ellison
Dana Goldberg
Don Granger
Chris Brock
Composer Danny Elfman Hans Zimmer Michael Giacchino Joe Kraemer Lorne Balfe
Editor(s) Paul Hirsch Christian Wagner
Steven Kemper 		Maryann Brandon
Mary Jo Markey 		Paul Hirsch Eddie Hamilton
Cinematographer Stephen H. Burum Jeffrey L. Kimball Dan Mindel Robert Elswit Rob Hardy Fraser Taggart

Reception

For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office performance

Film Release Date Budget Box Office Gross References
Domestic International Worldwide
Mission: Impossible April 1, 1996 $80 million $180,981,856 $276,714,535 $457,696,391 [25]
Mission: Impossible 2 May 24, 2000 $125 million $215,409,889 $330,978,219 $546,388,108 [26]
Mission: Impossible III May 5, 2006 $150 million $134,029,801 $264,449,696 $398,479,497 [27]
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol December 16, 2011 $145 million $209,397,903 $485,315,477 $694,713,380 [28]
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation July 31, 2015 $150 million $195,042,377 $487,674,259 $682,716,636 [29]
Mission: Impossible – Fallout July 27, 2018 $178 million $220,159,104 $571,498,294 $791,657,398 [30]
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One July 12, 2023 $290 million [31]
Total $1.118 billion $1,155,020,930 $2,416,630,480 $3,571,651,410 [32]

Critical and public response

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

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[33]
Mission: Impossible 67% (66 reviews)[34] 59 (29 reviews)[35] B+
Mission: Impossible 2 56% (155 reviews)[36] 59 (40 reviews)[37] B
Mission: Impossible III 71% (225 reviews)[38] 66 (42 reviews)[39] A−
Ghost Protocol 93% (254 reviews)[40] 73 (47 reviews)[41] A−
Rogue Nation 94% (327 reviews)[42] 75 (46 reviews)[43] A−
Fallout 97% (442 reviews)[44] 86 (60 reviews)[45] A
Dead Reckoning Part One 96% (270 reviews)[46] 81 (61 reviews)[47] A

Music

Change to theme music

The television version is in a rarely used 5
4 time (an unusual time signature with five crotchets to a bar) and is difficult to dance to,[48] as was proven 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 six films are stylized renditions of Schifrin's original iconic theme, preserving the 5
4 rhythm, by Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Joe Kraemer and Lorne Balfe, respectively. Most of the versions included in the score also retained the 5
4 time signature.[48]

However, 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 4
4 time to make it more dance-friendly, although the intro is still in 5
4 time.[48] The Limp Bizkit song "Take a Look Around" from the soundtrack to the second film was set to a similar 4
4 modification of the theme, with an interlude in 5
4.[citation needed]

Notes

  1. ^ McQuarrie was only credited on certain promotional materials for the film.

References

  1. ^ "Mission Impossible Movies". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 1, 2005. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Orange, B. Alan (January 14, 2019). "Next 2 Mission: Impossible Sequels Will Shoot Back-To-Back with Fallout Director". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Williams, Trey (January 14, 2019). "'Fallout' Director Christopher McQuarrie to Write, Direct Next 2 'Mission: Impossible' Films". TheWrap. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  4. ^ a b McNary, Dave (February 1, 2019). "Tom Cruise 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Dated for Summers of 2021, 2022". Variety. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (April 24, 2020). "'Mission: Impossible' Sequels Get Pushed Back". Variety. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Moreau, Jordan (April 9, 2021). "'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Mission: Impossible 7' Among Latest Paramount Delays". Variety. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (September 1, 2021). "'Top Gun: Maverick' Flies From Thanksgiving To Memorial Day Weekend; 'Mission: Impossible 7' Ignites In Fall 2022". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (September 6, 2019). "Hayley Atwell Joins Tom Cruise in Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (November 19, 2019). "Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Cast 'Guardians' Star Pom Klementieff". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (December 20, 2019). "Next 'Mission: Impossible' Movies Cast Shea Whigham". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (January 9, 2020). "Nicholas Hoult Joins Tom Cruise in Next 'Mission: Impossible'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "It Sure Sounds Like Simon Pegg Announced He's Back For 'Mission: Impossible 7'". Collider. January 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Classic 'Mission: Impossible' Character Returning for Sequels". The Hollywood Reporter. February 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Vanessa Kirby shares her powerful thoughts on self-doubt, quietening her self-critic and learning the art of self-forgiveness". Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  15. ^ a b McNary, Dave; Kroll, Justin (May 21, 2020). "'Mission: Impossible 7': Esai Morales Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Villain". Variety. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  16. ^ Hermanns, Grant (November 10, 2020). "Exclusive: Angela Bassett Confirms Return for More Mission: Impossible". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  17. ^ Weintraub, Steve (July 15, 2021). "Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino on 'Gunpowder Milkshake' and Working with a Mostly Female Cast". Collider. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  18. ^ Bubp, Ashley (September 10, 2021). "'Mission: Impossible 7' Has Finished Filming. Guess It Was Pretty Possible After All". Collider. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Grater, Tom (February 15, 2021). "'Mission: Impossible 7' & '8' No Longer Shooting Back-To-Back". Deadline. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Overhultz, Lauryn (November 27, 2021). "Tom Cruise spotted dangling from airplane wing while filming 'Mission: Impossible 8'". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  21. ^ Brent Lang; Matt Donnelly (February 8, 2022). "'Mission: Impossible 7': How COVID-19 Blew up the Budget of Tom Cruise's Spy Sequel". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  22. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two wraps shoot in UK". www.kftv.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Dick, Jeremy (June 18, 2023). "Christopher McQuarrie Says Mission: Impossible Series Won't End With Dead Reckoning". MovieWeb. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  24. ^ Mitchell, Thomas (July 3, 2023). "'Oppenheimer then Barbie': Tom Cruise picks side in box office battle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  25. ^ "Mission: Impossible (1996)". Box Office Mojo.
  26. ^ "Mission: Impossible II (2000)". Box Office Mojo.
  27. ^ "Mission: Impossible III (2006)". Box Office Mojo.
  28. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)". Box Office Mojo.
  29. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)". Box Office Mojo.
  30. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)". Box Office Mojo.
  31. ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt (February 8, 2022). "'Mission: Impossible 7': How COVID-19 Blew Up the Budget of Tom Cruise's Spy Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  32. ^ "Mission: Impossible Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  33. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  34. ^ "Mission: Impossible (1996)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  35. ^ "Mission: Impossible Reviews". Metacritic.
  36. ^ "Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  37. ^ "Mission: Impossible II Reviews". Metacritic.
  38. ^ "Mission: Impossible III (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  39. ^ "Mission: Impossible III Reviews". Metacritic.
  40. ^ "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  41. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Reviews". Metacritic.
  42. ^ "Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  43. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Reviews". Metacritic.
  44. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  45. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Fallout Reviews". Metacritic.
  46. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  47. ^ "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Reviews". Metacritic.
  48. ^ a b c They Shot, He Scored[dead link‍] by Dave Karger. Published June 7, 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
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