The 5 Best Mission: Impossible Trailers Ranked

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When considering the artistry of the Mission: Impossible series, people often think of grand stunts and Tom Cruise running. However, these elements are just part of what makes the Mission: Impossible franchise exceptional. For instance, iconic characters like Luther (played by Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) play significant roles in the series. Additionally, the trailers for each movie have been consistently strong and effective at building anticipation for a new Mission: Impossible installment. The hype leading up to these films is always heightened by a well-crafted trailer.

Over three decades, trailers for the Mission: Impossible movies have undeniably changed with the times. What was effective in promoting a massive blockbuster in 1996 wouldn’t necessarily work in 2025, but the top five Mission: Impossible trailers showcase the exceptional marketing this series has consistently delivered. With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hitting theaters, we witness the pinnacle of their promotional strategies.

5) Mission: Impossible

The initial trailer for the new Mission: Impossible film begins subtly. Scenes from the movie unfold on-screen, accompanied by a well-known voiceover repeating the iconic phrase “your mission, should you choose to accept it…” Suddenly, the tone shifts dramatically, with even the font in the trailer becoming larger and more impactful – a style reminiscent of trailers for big 90s blockbusters. This contrast between quiet beginnings and grand endings makes watching this Mission: Impossible trailer an intriguing journey. Admittedly, it might give away too much about the movie itself, but as a piece of standalone promotional material, this first glimpse at Mission: Impossible is nothing short of spectacular.

4) Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Trailer #1

14 months prior to the release of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”, a trailer was unveiled alongside Tom Cruise’s other major sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick”. This set the stage for the 2023 blockbuster, and despite the wait, the first “Dead Reckoning” trailer was packed with thrilling footage. The second half of the trailer was mostly dialogue-free and was further enhanced by a powerful orchestral track by Lorne Balfe, which eventually morphed into a grand rendition of the classic “Mission: Impossible” theme. Cleverly, this track ends with what seems to be ominous electronic heartbeats, hinting that the sinister Entity had possibly invaded the franchise’s iconic leitmotif. The trailer was filled with numerous moments that made the 14-month wait for the final film feel like an eternity.

3) Mission: Impossible III Trailer #1

Instead of typical Mission: Impossible trailers that center around Ethan Hunt as “the personification of destiny,” the 96-second announcement trailer for Mission: Impossible III takes a unique approach by focusing on the villain, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Owen Davian. This shift in focus hints at an unprecedented challenge for Hunt and showcases Hoffman’s exceptional acting skills in the movie’s more personal scenes. This change makes this trailer stand out among others in the Mission: Impossible series, but in a positive way.

2) Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Trailer #1

2011 presented a challenge for Paramount’s marketing team, a problem that seemed inconceivable earlier: how to reinvent Tom Cruise’s cool image? Any film associated with him since 2004 faced issues stemming from his controversial Oprah Winfrey Show incidents and box office flops like “Knight & Day”. The initial trailer for “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” decided not to shy away from showcasing Cruise’s performance but rather immersed viewers in a thrilling, fast-moving environment. This high-energy mood was skillfully set by Eminem’s intense drum and cymbal track, “Won’t Back Down”. The trailer, brimming with rapid cuts and breathtaking visuals of Hunt battling enemies and outrunning a sandstorm, aimed to win back Cruise’s lost popularity.

This sudden insertion of the needle brought a crucial boost of self-assurance to the events that followed. Concluding with stunning previews of the Burj Khalifa scene, the trailer for “Ghost Protocol” left no doubt in anyone’s mind that the editors had successfully completed their task. It revitalized Tom Cruise’s cool persona once more.

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout Trailer #1

In a surprising twist, incorporating an Imagine Dragons song into the first trailer for Mission: Impossible – Fallout could have replaced Limp Bizkit’s theme from Mission: Impossible II as the most cringe-worthy musical moment in the series. Incredibly, this move ended up elevating the best trailer in the entire Mission: Impossible franchise. Fortunately, the creators of this trailer chose not to contrast Ethan Hunt’s actions with “Radioactive” or “It’s Time.” Instead, they opted for the edgier, energetic track “Friction.” This song, with its strong rhythm, complements well the suspenseful yet thrilling tone of the Fallout trailer.

Apart from the tune, the first trailer for “Fallout” is exceptionally well-crafted and brimming with delightful, action-packed elements. For instance, the iconic “dun-dun” sound that echoes when Henry Cavill clenches his fists for the first time adds a thrilling touch. Moreover, the gripping climax portrays Hunt being flung around like a doll, skillfully showcasing both the impressive stuntwork of “Fallout” and the palpable humanity of the world-saving protagonist. The action sequence concludes with glimpses of the helicopter chase scene, featuring an exclusive trailer moment of Hunt flying his chopper head-on into a truck. Essentially, the “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” trailer can be described as a masterpiece in modern movie trailers, offering an electrifying artistic experience that will leave you breathless.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout is now streaming on Prime Video and Paramount+.

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2025-05-20 05:10