The Mission: Impossible movie franchise has been around since 1996 and is based on the 1960s TV show of the same name. Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt has become one of the most iconic action heroes in film. While sharing several story elements with other spy series, like the Jason Bourne and James Bond series, Mission: Impossible finds ways to differentiate itself.
Most of the films in the series are box office successes and have received generally good reviews. Thanks to the success of the previous films, Tom Cruise is returning for seventh and eighth installments, confirmed for release within the next few years.
6 Mission: Impossible II Focuses Heavily On Stunts - 6.1
After the massive success of Mission: Impossible, a sequel was inevitable. Sean Ambrose served as the villain of the film, a former agent of the IMF who is after a bioweapon called "Chimera." With help from Luther Stickell, Billy Baird, and professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall, Ethan stops Ambrose from using the bioweapon.
Additionally, Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins makes a cameo appearance as Mission Commander Swanbeck. While Mission: Impossible II received mixed reviews, it generated over half a billion dollars and was the highest-grossing movie of 2000.
5 Mission: Impossible III Shows Ethan As A Husband - 6.9
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Mission: Impossible III sees Ethan Hunt getting married to Julia Meade. Shortly after their marriage, Julia is kidnapped by Owen Davian, a dangerous arms dealer who was arrested by Ethan. In exchange for Julia's life, Ethan steals a mysterious device known as the Rabbit's Foot and travels to Davian's location.
After an intense battle, Ethan kills Davian and tells Julia the truth about his job as an Impossible Mission Force agent. The film also introduced Simon Pegg's character, Benji Dunn.
4 Mission: Impossible Started The Series On A High Note - 7.1
The movie that started it all is well-liked by most fans of the series. The film introduced both Ethan Hunt and Luther Stickell into the franchise. After a mission goes wrong at the beginning of the film, most of Ethan's team is seemingly killed, including Jim Phelps, the team leader. With the CIA believing that he is responsible for the deaths of his team members, Ethan goes on the run.
After breaking into CIA headquarters to steal a non-official cover (NOC) list, Ethan reunites with Jim Phelps, the IMF leader he believed to be dead. Realizing that Jim Phelps was the one that killed his team, Ethan alerts the CIA and defeats Phelps.
3 Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Introduces William Brandt - 7.4
The first act of the film sees the Kremlin being bombed by a terrorist known as "Cobalt." The IMF is framed for this action and the team, made up of Ethan Hunt, along with Jane Carter, Benji Dunn, and Jeremy Renner's William Brandt, go on a mission around the world to locate "Cobalt."
The team eventually finds out that the terrorist's real name is Kurt Hendricks, and Ethan stops him before Hendricks deploys a missile targeted at San Francisco. Both Luther Stickell and Julia Meade make cameo appearances at the end of the film.
2 Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Sees Ethan Investigate The Syndicate - 7.4
On the run from the IMF, Ethan attempts to learn more about the Syndicate, a group of mercenaries responsible for several terrorist attacks around the globe. Aided by Luther Stickell, Benji Dunn, William Brandt, and newcomer MI6 agent Ilsa Faust, Ethan finds Solomon Lane, the leader of the Syndicate, and has him arrested.
Most of the Syndicate dismantles, but a few members of the organization form to create the Apostles, the villains of Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation also introduced the character of CIA Director Alan Hunley, who becomes the new Secretary of the IMF.
1 Mission: Impossible – Fallout Stands Above The Rest - 7.7
The most recent entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise is also its best. Releasing in 2018, Mission: Impossible – Fallout sees the members of the IMF teaming up to take on Solomon Lane once again, as well as a new foe known as John Lark.
CIA assassin August Walker, as portrayed by Henry Cavill, also joins the team, later revealed to be the elusive John Lark. Ethan Hunt and his team take down both villains and stop 2 nuclear bombs from detonating. The final scene in the film shows Ethan saying goodbye to his ex-wife, Julia.