All 8 'Mission: Impossible' Movies, Ranked by RT Critics — One Scored Just 57%

It’s hard to think of a modern action franchise more relentless — or more literally running — than Mission: Impossible. What began in 1996 as a sleek De Palma spy thriller evolved into a high-octane stunt showcase with Tom Cruise dangling off everything from cliffs to planes. But not every mission was a critical success. With eight films spanning nearly three decades, critics have had their fair share of highs — and one notable low with just a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Here’s how all eight films stack up, based on their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores and IMDb ratings.

8. Mission: Impossible II (2000)

RT Critics: 57% | IMDb: 6.1

Directed by John Woo, the second instalment swapped espionage for operatic slow-motion and airborne doves. While it delivers stylish action and Cruise’s most wind-swept hair, critics panned its incoherent plot and melodramatic tone.

7. Mission: Impossible (1996)

RT Critics: 66% | IMDb: 7.1

Brian De Palma’s original outing is a sleek and suspenseful introduction to Ethan Hunt, best remembered for the Langley vault heist scene. Though its plot twists left some puzzled, it remains a stylish start to the saga.

6. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

RT Critics: 71% | IMDb: 6.9

J.J. Abrams reinvigorated the franchise with emotional stakes and a chilling villain played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Despite a strong antagonist and the debut of fan-favourite Benji (Simon Pegg), the film’s grim tone and uneven pacing held it back.

5. Mission: Impossible 8 (2025)

RT Critics: 81% | IMDb: 7.2

The latest entry tries to tie together years of lore with mixed results. While the Russian submarine infiltration and biplane chase are highlights, critics noted the film’s sluggish pacing and overreliance on exposition.

4. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

RT Critics: 94% | IMDb: 7.4

Brad Bird brought energy and humour to the franchise, with the Burj Khalifa climb becoming an instant classic. The plot falters slightly in the third act, but the gadgets-gone-wrong gag and Cruise’s performance shine throughout.

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

RT Critics: 96% | IMDb: 7.6

This chapter mixes breathless set pieces — the motorcycle cliff jump, train finale — with a more convoluted narrative. While critics praised the scale, some noted it felt like a remix of earlier highlights.

2. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

RT Critics: 94% | IMDb: 7.4

Rogue Nation introduced Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), a standout addition to the cast. With a tense Vienna opera sequence and solid pacing, it’s widely viewed as a return to form — if not quite the pinnacle.

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

RT Critics: 98% | IMDb: 7.7

Universally acclaimed, Fallout hits every mark: sharp storytelling, stunning stunts, and a scene-stealing villain in Henry Cavill. With the HALO jump, bathroom fight, and helicopter chase, it’s everything a modern action film should be.

Whether you're here for the tension, the tech, or just to watch Tom Cruise run like his life depends on it — the Mission: Impossible saga has offered it all. And if critics are any guide, some missions were clearly more impossible than others.