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Tom Cruise has spent nearly three decades running, climbing and free-falling as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. The missions stand largely on their own, but recurring characters and an ongoing arc make release order the best way to watch.
You can dip into the early films on their own, but recurring characters and an ongoing story build over time — so watch in release order, especially from Rogue Nation onward.
Mission: Impossible in release order
Mission: Impossible1996Brian De Palma's twisty original — Ethan is framed and goes on the run.
Mission: Impossible 22000John Woo's stylish, slow-motion-heavy sequel.
Mission: Impossible III2006J.J. Abrams raises the stakes with a chilling personal villain.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol2011The Burj Khalifa stunt sends the series into a new gear.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation2015Ethan takes on the shadowy Syndicate.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout2018Widely called the series' best, with a jaw-dropping helicopter chase.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One2023Ethan faces a rogue artificial intelligence known as the Entity.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning2025The two-part finale brings the saga to a close.
Track every mission in Cinopsys
Eight films of escalating set pieces is a great binge. In Cinopsys you can build a Mission: Impossible list, tick each one off as you watch, and see your total runtime and highest-rated entries. It's free, with no ads.
Accept the mission
Press play on the 1996 original, and let Cinopsys keep your dossier in order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order to watch Mission: Impossible?
Use release order, from Mission: Impossible (1996) through The Final Reckoning (2025). The films are largely standalone, but recurring characters and an ongoing plot make later entries best watched in sequence.
How many Mission: Impossible movies are there?
There are eight films in the main series, from the 1996 original to The Final Reckoning (2025).
Is Dead Reckoning Part Two the same as The Final Reckoning?
Yes. The eighth film was originally announced as Dead Reckoning Part Two and was later retitled Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
How can I track which Mission: Impossible movies I've watched?
Use Cinopsys: build a Mission: Impossible list, mark each film as watched, and see your progress and stats. It's 100% free with no ads.