So, you want to binge-watch Tom Cruise sprinting for a few dozen hours? I get it. Honestly, there is something deeply satisfying about watching a man who refuses to age jump off increasingly high objects. But if you’re trying to figure out what is the order of mission impossible movies, it’s actually less complicated than the plot of the first film. Basically, the release order and the chronological order are the exact same thing.
You don’t have to deal with weird prequel jumps like Star Wars or multi-timeline headaches like the MCU. It’s a straight shot from 1996 to the present day. However, the series has changed a lot. It started as a moody, noir spy thriller and somehow morphed into a high-octane stunt showcase that feels like a miracle it even got made.
The Mission Impossible Movies in Order
If you're sitting down for a marathon, just follow the calendar. The story follows Ethan Hunt’s life in real-time, meaning the grey hairs he gets in the later movies are just as real as the stunts.
1. Mission: Impossible (1996)
This is the one that started it all. Directed by Brian De Palma, it feels very "90s spy." It’s less about the big explosions and more about the tension—think the famous "vault scene" where Ethan is dangling from the ceiling. You’ve probably seen the parodies, but the original still holds up. It also introduces Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), who is the only person besides Cruise to appear in every single movie.
2. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
Okay, let’s be real—this one is the "black sheep." Directed by John Woo, it’s full of slow-motion doves, motorcycle chases, and Ethan Hunt having very, very long hair. It’s more of a stylized action flick than a spy movie. Some fans skip it, but if you want the full experience, it’s a fun, albeit campy, time capsule of the year 2000.
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3. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
J.J. Abrams took the wheel here, and he grounded the series. He gave Ethan a fiancé, Julia, and a terrifying villain played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. This is also where we meet Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), who starts as a tech nerd in a lab and eventually becomes a core field agent.
4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
This is where the franchise shifted into its current "mega-stunt" era. Brad Bird (who did The Incredibles) directed this, and he had Tom Cruise literally climb the Burj Khalifa. It’s arguably the best jumping-on point if you find the older movies too dated. The IMF is disavowed (again), and the team has to go rogue to stop a nuclear war.
The Christopher McQuarrie Era
Starting with the fifth movie, the series found its "forever" director in Christopher McQuarrie. This is where the continuity starts to get really tight. Characters like Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) come in, and the story begins to feel like one long, continuous epic.
5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
Ethan hangs off the side of a cargo plane while it’s taking off. That’s the opening. This movie introduces the "Syndicate," an anti-IMF group that haunts Ethan for the next few films.
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6. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Many people consider this the peak of action cinema. It’s a direct sequel to Rogue Nation. Henry Cavill joins the cast (with his famous "arm reload" moment), and the stakes feel incredibly personal. If you only watch one, make it this one—though you’ll be confused if you haven't seen the others.
7. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
Originally titled Dead Reckoning Part One, the "Part One" was eventually dropped from the digital titles, but the story is very much the first half of a finale. Ethan fights a sentient AI called The Entity. It’s creepy, relevant, and features a motorcycle jump off a cliff that Tom Cruise actually did. Multiple times.
8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
This is the big one. Released in May 2025, it picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of the previous film. It was originally going to be called Dead Reckoning Part Two, but they changed the name to emphasize that this is likely the end of the road for Ethan Hunt.
Wait, Is There a TV Show?
Sorta. The movies are actually based on a 1966 TV series. You don't need to watch it to understand the movies, but there is a big "twist" in the 1996 film regarding a character named Jim Phelps that really upset fans of the original show back in the day. If you're a completionist, the show is cool 60s kitsch, but the movies are very much their own beast.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Timeline
The biggest misconception is that you can just watch these as standalone adventures. While the first four are somewhat episodic, the shift from Rogue Nation through The Final Reckoning is basically one giant story arc. If you skip Rogue Nation and go straight to Fallout, you won't understand why everyone is so mad at Solomon Lane or who Ilsa is.
Pro Tip: If you're short on time, you can technically start at Ghost Protocol. It reboots the "vibe" of the series and everything from that point forward flows together much more naturally than the first three films.
Actionable Strategy for Your Binge-Watch
- The "Purest" Order: Watch them 1 through 8. No skips.
- The "Modern" Order: Start at Ghost Protocol (4), then watch 5, 6, 7, and 8. Go back to 1 and 3 if you want the backstory on Luther and Julia.
- The "Stunt-Only" Order: Just look up the Burj Khalifa climb, the plane hang, and the cliff jump on YouTube. (Just kidding, watch the movies.)
The best way to experience these is to pay attention to the recurring faces. Seeing how Ethan’s relationship with Luther and Benji evolves is what actually gives the movies heart. Without that, it’s just a very fit man running away from explosions.
If you're planning to watch The Final Reckoning, make sure you've at least seen Dead Reckoning first—the two are inextricably linked by the "Entity" plotline.
Grab some popcorn, clear your weekend, and prepare for a lot of running. Seriously, so much running.