In 1966, CBS debuted a thrilling new series about a team of secret agents handling high-risk cases, often targeting dictators or organized crime syndicates. Featuring the Impossible Missions Force (known as the IMF) and its iconic self-destructing tape briefing, the show Mission: Impossible was an instant hit, ran for seven seasons, and in 30 years, would inspire one of the most successful film franchises of all time.
In 1996, the first Mission: Impossible film starring Tom Cruise was unleashed on moviegoers. Featuring unbelievable stunts, mind-blowing action sequences, and edge-of-your-seat thrills, the film was a hit and paved the way for a franchise in which each installment would go on to raise the bar in scale, spectacle, and sheer daring.
But not all Mission: Impossible films are created equal. While each entry features Cruise doing what he does best — pulling off jaw-dropping stunts and leading a ragtag team of IMF agents into near-impossible situations — fans have long debated which installments deliver when it comes to story and substance. For those looking to revisit the series, with many of the films now available on Netflix, here is a definitive ranking of the entire Mission: Impossible franchise.
Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible II, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Streaming on April 1, Netflix
Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Now streaming, Paramount+