Mission: Impossible Movies Ranked from Worst to Best

This film is often considered the weakest entry in the franchise. While it has some thrilling action sequences, it suffers from a convoluted plot and weaker character development.

Plot: With computer genius Luther Stickell at his side and a beautiful thief on his mind, agent Ethan Hunt races across Australia and Spain to stop a former IMF agent from unleashing a genetically engineered biological weapon called Chimera. This mission, should Hunt choose to accept it, plunges him into the center of an international crisis of terrifying magnitude.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Dougray Scott,Thandiwe Newton

Directed by J.J. Abrams, this film brought a more personal touch to Ethan Hunt’s story. However, it didn’t quite reach the heights of the later films and was criticized for its lack of originality.

Plot: Retired from active duty to train new IMF agents, Ethan Hunt is called back into action to confront sadistic arms dealer, Owen Davian. Hunt must try to protect his girlfriend while working with his new team to complete the mission.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Philip Seymour Hoffman,Ving Rhames

This film marked Brad Bird’s directorial debut in live-action filmmaking and received critical acclaim. It introduced memorable set pieces, like the Burj Khalifa sequence, and showcased Tom Cruise’s dedication to performing his own stunts.

Plot: Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt to stop him ends in an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF to be implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to disavow them. No longer being aided by the government, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks around the globe, although they might still be too late to stop a disaster.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Paula Patton,Simon Pegg

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this film continued the series’ upward trajectory. It delivered intense action sequences, a compelling story, and introduced Rebecca Ferguson as a standout addition to the cast.

Plot: Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet—eradicating ‘The Syndicate’, an International and highly-skilled rogue organization committed to destroying the IMF.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Jeremy Renner,Simon Pegg

The film that started it all remains a fan favorite. Brian De Palma’s direction and the iconic theme music created a solid foundation for the franchise. It introduced Ethan Hunt and the IMF team, setting the stage for future installments.

Plot: When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he’s surprised to learn that he’s the No. 1 suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Jon Voight,Henry Czerny

Widely regarded as the best Mission: Impossible film, Fallout combines breathtaking action, complex storytelling, and outstanding performances. Christopher McQuarrie returned as director and delivered an exhilarating experience that left audiences wanting more.

Plot: When an IMF mission ends badly, the world is faced with dire consequences. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill his original briefing, the CIA begin to question his loyalty and his motives. The IMF team find themselves in a race against time, hunted by assassins while trying to prevent a global catastrophe.

Starring: Tom Cruise,Henry Cavill,Ving Rhames

From Ethan Hunt’s high-stakes espionage to explosive set pieces and mind-bending plot twists, the Mission: Impossible franchise has captivated audiences around the world for decades. We hope our guide has provided you with useful insight on which movies are worth watching and which ones should be skipped over – so get ready for a wild ride of nail-biting action and endless excitement!

Are you brave enough to take on this mission?