Mission: Impossible (film series)

The series began with Mission: Impossible (1996), directed by Brian De Palma, which adapted the TV series' concept of a team of secret agents. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $457 million worldwide, and spawned a franchise that has become one of the most enduring in Hollywood.¹ The second film, Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), was directed by John Woo and introduced a more stylized action aesthetic. Subsequent films were directed by J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III, 2006), Brad Bird (Ghost Protocol, 2011), and Christopher McQuarrie, who directed the last three films and is set to direct the eighth.²

The films are characterized by elaborate heist sequences, double-crosses, and the use of high-tech gadgets. A signature element is the "mask reveal," where characters don lifelike masks to impersonate others. The series is also known for its practical stunts, with Tom Cruise performing many himself, including scaling the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol and hanging from a plane in Rogue Nation.³ The music, composed by Lalo Schifrin for the TV series, has been adapted by various composers, with the iconic theme becoming a staple of the films.

Tom Cruise has portrayed Ethan Hunt in all films, making it one of the longest-running action franchises with a single lead actor. Other recurring characters include Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). The films have also featured notable antagonists, such as Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) in the first film, who was a twist on the TV series' protagonist. The series has seen a rotating cast of directors and co-stars, but Cruise's involvement has been a constant.⁴

The series has been both a critical and commercial success, with later installments receiving particularly strong reviews. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) was praised as one of the best action films of the decade. The franchise has influenced other spy films and is often cited for its commitment to practical effects. It has also been a significant box office draw, with the series grossing over $4 billion worldwide.⁵ The films have been nominated for several Academy Awards, primarily for sound and visual effects.

Despite its success, the series has had notable behind-the-scenes challenges. The first film's director, Brian De Palma, clashed with Cruise over the script, and the second film's production was troubled, with Woo and Cruise disagreeing on the tone. The series also has a unique connection to the TV show: the character Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves in the series, was killed off in the first film, which Graves publicly criticized. Additionally, the films have featured several actors who later became famous, such as Henry Cavill, who appeared in Fallout, and Hayley Atwell, who joined in Dead Reckoning. The franchise has also spawned video games and a prequel novel series, expanding its universe beyond the films.

IMF

Impossible Missions Force, the fictional espionage agency in the series.

Ethan Hunt

The protagonist, portrayed by Tom Cruise, an IMF agent.

Practical stunt

A stunt performed physically without CGI, often by the actor himself.