For nearly 30 years, Mission: Impossible has delivered some of the most thrilling, jaw-dropping moments in modern action cinema.

What started in 1996 as a stylish reboot of a classic TV show has become one of the most consistently exciting franchises in Hollywood, largely thanks to Tom Cruise’s relentless dedication to outdoing himself in every installment.

Now that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has hit theaters, it's the perfect time to rank every film in the series—from the weakest to the all-time best.

8. Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Despite being helmed by action legend John Woo, M:I II is often seen as the franchise’s low point. While the film opens strong with Cruise scaling a cliff barehanded (of course), the story quickly devolves into a muddled plot about a bioweapon. Over-the-top slow-mo, flying doves, and endless stylized gunplay can’t make up for weak pacing and a lackluster villain.

Best Stunt: The motorcycle joust—completely bonkers, but very on-brand for Woo.

7. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

J.J. Abrams made his directorial debut with M:I III, bringing emotional stakes and intensity, but the result is a mixed bag. Philip Seymour Hoffman is chilling as villain Owen Davian, and Cruise’s performance is raw and gritty. However, the story is uneven, and the final act falls flat. Still, this installment introduced Simon Pegg’s beloved character Benji and started modernizing the franchise.

Best Stunt: Ethan’s sprint through Shanghai—a showcase of Cruise’s famous full-throttle running.

6. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

The newest film suffers from a clunky start, as it tries to tie up too many threads from previous movies (Dead Reckoning, M:I III, and more). The death of longtime ally Luther Stickell feels forced and emotionally hollow. Yet, the film recovers in its second half with some impressive sequences, including a tense underwater infiltration and a thrilling vintage biplane chase.

Best Stunt: The Sevastopol submarine infiltration — visually stunning and pulse-pounding.

5. Mission: Impossible (1996)

The original set the tone with espionage, betrayal, and one unforgettable heist. Director Brian De Palma's style elevated the film above typical '90s action fare. The now-iconic CIA vault scene with Cruise dangling from wires is legendary. While its final act feels dated due to weak CGI, this film still stands as a strong and suspenseful start.

Best Stunt: The silent Langley vault break-in — timeless and nerve-wracking.

4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

This is where the franchise kicked into high gear. With Brad Bird directing and Christopher McQuarrie assisting behind the scenes, Ghost Protocol blended humor, slick pacing, and jaw-dropping stunts. Hunt scaling the Burj Khalifa is a heart-stopping highlight and ushered in the era of “Did Cruise really do that?” disbelief.

Best Stunt: Climbing the Burj Khalifa — vertigo-inducing and unforgettable.

3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023)

Big swings and bigger stunts. Dead Reckoning introduces an AI villain called “The Entity” and delivers massive action scenes: an intense airport chase, a daring motorcycle jump, and a spectacular train sequence. It’s a bit long and leans on exposition, but Hayley Atwell’s introduction as Grace adds fresh energy, and the return of classic characters adds nostalgia.

Best Stunt: The motorcycle cliff jump — filmed practically and truly jaw-dropping.

2. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

This film brings all the elements together — strong ensemble, clever plotting, and one of the best new characters in the franchise: Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust. The Vienna opera scene is an elegant standout, while Cruise’s plane hang-on stunt became a defining image for the series. McQuarrie’s tight direction and narrative cohesion shine throughout.

Best Stunt: Ethan clinging to the side of a military plane as it takes off — yes, that really happened.

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

The peak of the franchise. Fallout is a masterclass in action filmmaking, with one exhilarating set piece after another. From the HALO jump to the brutal bathroom brawl, to the helicopter chase finale, every moment is crafted with intensity and precision. Henry Cavill brings serious villain energy, and Cruise is in top form. It's the most complete and satisfying M:I movie to date.

Best Stunt: The climactic helicopter chase and cliff fight — edge-of-your-seat brilliance.

Final Thoughts

While the franchise has had its ups and downs, Mission: Impossible continues to raise the bar for action filmmaking. With Tom Cruise showing no signs of slowing down, and each movie pushing the limits of what's possible (literally), fans can only expect more impossible missions—and even more unforgettable moments—in the years to come.