In 1996, exactly 30 years after the original Mission: Impossible TV series debuted on CBS, Paramount Pictures brought the espionage franchise to the big screen with Tom Cruise in the lead role. Over the past 27 years, Cruise has anchored the series through eight high-octane spy films, amassing over $4 billion in global box office revenue—solidifying its place as one of the greatest action franchises in cinematic history.
With what may be the final installment now in theaters, we’ve curated a spoiler-free guide to every Mission: Impossible movie, listed in both narrative chronology and release order—from the 1996 original to The Final Reckoning in 2025—so you can watch or rewatch the series in the ideal sequence.
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How to watch in chronological order
How to watch by release order
Mission: Impossible Movies in Order
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How Many Mission: Impossible Movies Are There?
To date, there have been eight mainline Mission: Impossible films since the franchise launched in 1996. The Final Reckoning, released in 2025, was promoted as the conclusion—but more on that later. For details on where to stream each movie, check out our complete guide on where to watch all Mission: Impossible films.
4K UHD + Blu-Ray + Digital
[ttpp]6-Movie Collection[/ttpp]
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Mission: Impossible Movies in Chronological Order
The Mission: Impossible timeline is refreshingly straightforward: the story unfolds exactly as the films were released. From the 1996 original to The Final Reckoning in 2025, watching in release order ensures you follow Ethan Hunt’s journey in perfect sequence.
Below is the definitive viewing order, complete with brief plot summaries and key details on each film’s critical and commercial performance.
*The following sections include character/actor names and general plot outlines.
1. Mission: Impossible (1996)
The film that started it all introduces Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a top agent in the elite Impossible Mission Force (IMF). After being framed as a mole within the agency, Hunt goes rogue to uncover the real traitor and clear his name.
Starring Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, and Henry Czerny alongside Cruise, this entry also marks the first appearance of Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell—the franchise’s most consistent supporting character. It’s the only film in the series directed by Brian De Palma (Scarface).
Box Office: $457,696,391 (Rank: 6/7) | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66% (Rank: 6/7)
Mission: Impossible
Paramount Pictures
PG-13
