30 Years Ago, One of the Greatest Action Franchises Ever Started (& Its Future Is Unclear)

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By the mid-1990s, Tom Cruise was firmly established as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He’d already earned critical acclaim and a strong reputation thanks to memorable roles in films like Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, and A Few Good Men. However, 1996 was an especially successful year for him. He starred in Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his performance. That same year, Cruise also proved his ability to lead blockbuster action films, launching a hugely popular franchise a decade after first becoming a major star with Top Gun.

The movie Mission: Impossible came out in theaters on May 22, 1996. It was a huge success, earning $457.7 million worldwide despite only costing $80 million to make. This success led Paramount Pictures to develop Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, into a major action hero, similar to James Bond, and they’ve continued to release new Mission: Impossible films for over three decades.

Why Mission: Impossible Is One of the Best Action Franchises Ever

Looking back, it’s surprising to remember that the Mission: Impossible films didn’t immediately become the blockbuster action series they are today. While always financially successful, the first few movies received mixed reviews. In fact, none of the first three films are considered “fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes, with Mission: Impossible III earning the highest score at 73% (compared to 65% and 57% for the earlier films). Many believe the series really hit its stride with 2011’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, which started a streak of critically praised movies. Even during those earlier, less enthusiastic reviews, though, there were hints that Mission: Impossible had the potential to become a truly iconic franchise.

From the start, the success of Mission: Impossible relied heavily on Tom Cruise’s dedication. He wasn’t just a celebrity face for the films; he was deeply committed to making them truly unforgettable. This meant doing his own stunts, which became a defining feature of the series. While early stunts like dangling from ceilings now seem simple compared to later feats – hanging off airplanes or jumping motorcycles – each one raised the stakes and excited audiences. People eagerly anticipated each new Mission: Impossible film, turning its release into a major event.

The Mission: Impossible films stayed fresh by giving each installment a different director. This allowed filmmakers to bring their own creative style to the series while still maintaining the core Mission: Impossible feel. Each movie felt unique, successfully blending big-budget action with the director’s personal vision. For example, Brian De Palma’s first film and Brad Bird’s Ghost Protocol have very different tones, reflecting each director’s approach, but both still deliver the exciting spy action audiences expect.

Even after Tom Cruise started working with director Christopher McQuarrie, who directed the last four Mission: Impossible films, the series remained consistently thrilling and innovative. The creative team continually pushed boundaries with the action sequences, culminating in the spectacular biplane stunt in The Final Reckoning. McQuarrie also introduced memorable new characters. Ilsa Faust quickly became Ethan Hunt’s partner, creating a fun and engaging relationship that lasted several movies. Henry Cavill’s appearance as August Walker, complete with the famous “arm guns” scene from the bathroom fight in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, was a standout. Hayley Atwell’s Grace added a charming presence to the last two films. Over time, Mission: Impossible focused more on the relationships between characters, with a growing number of recurring cast members. This was a clever move, allowing audiences to connect with and care about the friendships that developed, especially those between Luther and Benji, who became beloved favorites.

What Does the Future Hold for Mission: Impossible?

The Mission: Impossible franchise has been successful for three decades. The latest film, The Final Reckoning, released last summer, was well-received by critics (earning an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes) and performed well financially, grossing $598.8 million worldwide. However, the series’ future is currently uncertain. The Final Reckoning was promoted as the culmination of the story, intended to wrap up the ongoing plotlines and character development from the previous seven films. Although the movie ends with Ethan Hunt still alive and prepared for more adventures, the title and storyline strongly suggested this would be the last installment.

There aren’t any plans for another Mission: Impossible movie at the moment. Tom Cruise is still very busy, focusing on sequels to Top Gun and Days of Thunder with Paramount. While things could change, the recently finalized merger between Paramount and Skydance means the studio is prioritizing well-known franchises. Mission: Impossible is one of Paramount’s biggest brands, so it’s unlikely to be shelved indefinitely. However, a new Ethan Hunt adventure isn’t a priority right now.

While it’s been exciting to watch Tom Cruise perform incredible stunts in the Mission: Impossible films, it might actually be a good thing that a new one isn’t currently in the works. We’re seeing so many movie franchises, like Marvel, Star Wars, and DC, stretch on indefinitely, and sometimes it’s best to simply let a series end. Even a premise as strong as Mission: Impossible – a team saving the world – has limits. Plus, Tom Cruise will naturally age, which will eventually restrict the kinds of physical feats he can perform. And honestly, he is Mission: Impossible, making it nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the lead role.

The Mission: Impossible series seemed to be losing some steam before The Final Reckoning came out. While an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes is still good, it was the lowest the franchise had received since Mission: Impossible III, especially after four previous films were almost universally praised. Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning also didn’t perform as well at the box office as Fallout, which had been a huge success. Ending the series now feels like a smart decision, allowing Mission: Impossible to finish strong and avoid becoming stale.

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2026-05-22 21:41