Which is the best-rated film in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series? Even made it to the top of the International Film Critics List!
Top 7: ‘Mission: Impossible III’ (2006). Despite director JJ Abrams’ efforts to humanize Ethan by providing a commoner romantic interest, it is no surprise that this is the lowest-grossing installment in the entire series (so far).
Top 6: ‘Mission: Impossible II’ (2000). Although quite limited when compared to director John Woo’s previous films with their bombastic style and dizzying momentum (“The Killer”, “Hard Boiled”, “Face-Off”, etc.), the sequel is underrated.
Top 5: ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996). Years later, the most striking thing about director Brian De Palma’s kick-off series is the strangely retro look of its cutting-edge technology. And there’s still something incredibly fun about Tom Cruise and Vanessa Redgrave’s befuddled arms dealer.
Top 4: ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (2011). It debuted with a bang, with thrilling sequences like Tom swinging to death off the top floor of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (aka “”The World’s Tallest Structure””) and a climactic showdown on multiple levels of a Mumbai car park.
Top 3: ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015). Writer-director Christopher McQuarrie keeps the series running at full speed while emphasizing, to a greater extent than in previous ‘M:I’ films, the teamwork of the IMF as well as Ethan’s lone heroism.
Top 2: ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018). A cinematic class reunion, with clear references to imagery and incidents from previous ‘M:I’ films (note the Ethan rock climbing scene in the opening of ‘M:I 2’) and welcome returns from series regulars and newcomers. As Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise has aged gracefully into something resembling seriousness while maintaining his boundless and infectious enthusiasm.
Top 1: ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ (2023). The chase scenes, both high-speed and racing, are both exhilarating and heart-pounding (and sometimes both at once), plus the scenes that have Tom Cruise eschewing CGI and defying death, take the rating to 12, then a few notches higher. Along the way, Ethan Hunt has become a more compelling, conscience-stricken hero—without losing his cockiness. That’s right—the “Mission: Impossible” series has become that rare (if not unprecedented) franchise where each new installment seems bigger, bolder, and better than the last. Tune in for Mission: Impossible 8 this May!