There are only two movies left for Mission: Impossible to end for good. Or that is more or less what we have been told, since in 2024 with the premiere of the second part of Dead Reckoning , the Ethan Hunt and other intelligence agents will start doing other things. Do not rule out a spinoff or a reboot with another protagonist, even some more delivery if Tom Cruise feels strong. But while those moments arrive, we are going to review everything that the film saga has given.
This franchise was released in theaters in 1996, with a really interesting proposal, which turned the saga into a kind of updated James Bond: tripping intelligence services, special operations and a lot of action, not without a good amount of plot twists that are always welcomed by viewers and that take place in any corner of the planet that you can imagine.
The film, directed by Brian de Palma, managed to collect almost 458 million dollars worldwide, compared to the 80 it had cost. From then on, the profits multiplied and it became clear that the formula released 30 years after the original series had a place in the cinematographic panorama of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Of course, the franchise had a setback with the third installment, substantially reducing the collection of the second: 397 compared to 546 million dollars, respectively.
Still, before we get to the movies, let’s briefly review where Ethan Hunt and the rest of the IMF (IMF) come from, aka the Mission Impossible Force . Here it is.
Mission Impossible on TV
It was in 1966 when the American network CBS turned on the light bulb to create a series that, clearly influenced by the success of James Bond four years earlier, would allow the free world to combat the threats that came from the other side of the curtain. Steel. The Cold War made its way onto the small screen thanks to a cast of characters led by some of the best actors of that time: from Peter Graves in the role of the boss, to Greg Morris in the technical part or the mythical Martin Landau in the role of what they called Actor, that is, one of those responsible for impersonating other people to get closer to the objectives.
Nor could the specific role of beauty be missing at that time, as a femme fatale destined to seduce whoever got in front of her and who, in this case, was also part of the IMF: Barbara Bain would fulfill her role to perfection in the same way that Peter Lupus took over from the strongman, the team member who can break bones if need be.
In any case, if the series was remembered for something, it is for the great intro of all its chapters and, above all, for the extraordinary musical theme composed by the Argentine Lalo Schifrin, which Tom Cruise respected for being one of the best-known melodies Hollywood of the last 60 years. Here below you have the chords of that wonder that few can resist when they listen to it for the umpteenth time. What are you humming it to?
The path of Mission Impossible on television was somewhat strange because, although it had a very clear first period between 1966 and 1973, later a few more seasons were added that were not strictly official, that is, made by the original team. The cast changed in many cases, Martin Landau and Barbara Bain did not return to their roles and little by little that attempt to revive it lost steam until it ended practically without making a sound. What’s more, in the case of the two 1980s seasons, production took place not in the US but in Australia, with Peter Graves in the lead role of the boss and even Leonard Nimoy playing Paris.
The protagonists of Mission Impossible
Although countless characters have appeared around Ethan Hunt, the truth is that his team is very small. We tell you what the main roles in the franchise are as well as some of the ones that will be key in the films that will arrive in 2023 and 2024.
Ethan Hunt
What to say about the absolute protagonist of the franchise, played by Tom Cruise, has been present in all the films. His life and adventures will be the axis of everything that we are told in the saga: betrayals, traps, deadly threats to the entire planet, loves… it doesn’t stop!
Luther Stickell
Another veteran of the saga, played by Ving Rhames, has also appeared in all the Mission: Impossible movies . In his case, he is a specialist in computer systems and is capable of hacking any system that comes his way. So he still has rope for a while.
benji dunn
Played by Simon Pegg, he joined the IMF in Mission Impossible 3 helping Ethan rescue his wife and hasn’t stopped until now. His specialty is getting everyone on and off the team out of trouble, though he’s especially careful when Tom Cruise’s character is involved. With the passing of the movies, his role has become more relevant.
julia meade
Although she hasn’t been in all the movies, this role played by Michelle Monaghan is basic to understand Ethan Hunt : she is his great love, his wife and wife and he will try to keep her safe. He appeared in Mission Impossible 3 , Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol , Mission Impossible Fallout and the next two in 2023 and 2024.
Ilsa Faust
In these movies there always has to be a character that drives us crazy, in the sense that we don’t know if he goes with the good guys or the bad guys. The actress Rebecca Ferguson makes us not know when she goes hand in hand with the British MI6 and when with the famous Syndicate that is putting peace in the world in check. She joined the saga in Mission Impossible Rogue Nation , then Mission Impossible Fallaout and will also appear in Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1 and Part 2 .
Alanna Mitsopolis
Also known as the White Widow, the role of Vanessa Kirby is uncertain since, although she has helped Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible Falllout, we cannot rule out that for the next films she will return her loyalty to the side of evil. We will see what the future holds for this character.
All Mission Impossible movies
Below you have all the Mission Impossible movies released in theaters, waiting for Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1 that will arrive in July 2023 and its continuation in 2024.
Mission Impossible (1996)
The IMF comes under direct attack, exposing all agents in enemy territory. Ethan Hunt is accused of orchestrating everything , so he will have to create his own intervention group to prove that he was the one who suffered the betrayal.
Mission Impossible 2 (2000)
The IMF is faced with an unexpected threat that could wreak havoc around the world. It is a modified virus called Chimera that someone tries to move around the market. The danger of it falling into the wrong hands drives Ethan Hunt into a relentless race to get the antidote from him as well.
Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
Ethan Hunt doesn’t want to continue working for the IMF so he decides to focus on training other agents. He wants to live with Julia but he will soon discover that there is someone interested in him not getting it. Soon we will know who pulls the strings so that our protagonist has to find himself between a rock and a hard place.
Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)
Ethan Hunt is cornered by a conspiracy that accuses him of having planted a bomb in the Kremlin itself, which causes the so-called Ghost Protocol to be launched . With no means and completely abandoned, he will have to turn the situation around and prove that everything is a conspiracy that someone has orchestrated against him.
Mission Impossible Secret Nation (2015)
The Syndicate appears for the first time in the saga, an organization made up of special agents from different places who want to change the world order in only one way: by organizing bigger and bigger terrorist attacks that force all powers to bow before them.
Mission Impossible Fallout (2018)
The Syndicate continues to search for ways to influence decisions made in the world and unleashes one last deadly plan , involving a nuclear device. The members of the IMF will have to work hard to avoid a disaster of apocalyptic dimensions.