Mission: Impossible movies in chronological order (2026)
8 released titles (8 movies), about 18 hours of viewing.
Last verified 24 Oct 2026.
Story order. The two TV series come first because they are set in the 1960s–1990s, decades before Ethan Hunt; the eight films then follow in release order, with Dead Reckoning Part One and The Final Reckoning as a continuous two-parter.
8 titles · chronological order · 8 count towards completion
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How to watch Mission: Impossible: the short version
Mission: Impossible is eight films made over twenty-nine years, all starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, plus the two television series the films grew out of: the original CBS show (1966–1973, 171 episodes) and a short-lived ABC revival (1988–1990, 35 episodes). The films were released in the order the story happens, so there is only one order to worry about. Watch them as they came out: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Ghost Protocol (2011), Rogue Nation (2015), Fallout (2018), Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) and The Final Reckoning (2025).
The first three films each had a different director and were made as self-contained stories; you could watch any of them cold. From Ghost Protocol onward the series settles into a continuous story with a recurring team (Luther, Benji, later Ilsa Faust and Grace) and recurring villains, and from Rogue Nation Christopher McQuarrie directs every film. Rogue Nation and Fallout form a pair, with Fallout picking up Solomon Lane's story two years later, and Dead Reckoning Part One and The Final Reckoning are a single story in two halves: the first ends mid-chase and the second opens two months later, so watch them close together.
If you want to trim a first run, Mission: Impossible 2 is the one most fans would let you skip. It is a stylish John Woo action film but it stands apart in tone, nothing from it is needed later, and it has the weakest reviews in the series. Mission: Impossible III is worth keeping because it introduces Ethan's wife Julia, who matters again in Fallout, and Benji, who is in every film from then on. The 1996 original is essential, both for the Langley vault scene and because Fallout and The Final Reckoning call back to its characters, including Eugene Kittridge.
Time commitment: the eight films run 1,103 minutes in total, which is 18 hours 23 minutes, with the films steadily getting longer (the first is 110 minutes, The Final Reckoning 170). The two TV series are optional and enormous: around 143 hours for the original and 27 hours for the revival. They are episodic heist stories with almost no continuity between episodes, so if you are curious, sample a handful of season 1 episodes rather than committing to all 206.
Orders explained
The order the films came out, which is also the order the story happens. The only order anyone needs.
Story order. The two TV series come first because they are set in the 1960s–1990s, decades before Ethan Hunt; the eight films then follow in release order, with Dead Reckoning Part One and The Final Reckoning as a continuous two-parter.
The eight Tom Cruise films with no television. Release order and story order are identical.
Optional extras
The 1966 series and 1988 revival that the films were based on. Include them only if you want the whole franchise; the films never depend on them and the Jim Phelps of the 1996 film is a different character in all but name.
Frequently asked
What order should I watch the Mission: Impossible movies in?
Release order: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Ghost Protocol (2011), Rogue Nation (2015), Fallout (2018), Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) and The Final Reckoning (2025). The story happens in the same order the films were released, so there is no separate chronological order to learn.
How many Mission: Impossible movies are there?
Eight, all starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and all released by Paramount Pictures between 1996 and 2025. There are also two television series: the original (1966–1973, seven seasons, 171 episodes) and a revival (1988–1990, two seasons, 35 episodes).
How long does it take to watch all the Mission: Impossible movies?
The eight films run 1,103 minutes, which is 18 hours 23 minutes. Runtimes are 110, 123, 126, 133, 131, 147, 163 and 170 minutes in release order. The original TV series adds roughly 143 hours and the revival roughly 27 hours.
Can I skip Mission: Impossible 2?
Yes. It is the most self-contained film in the series and the one with the weakest reviews; no later film depends on its plot, and the villain and love interest never return. If you only skip one, make it this one. Mission: Impossible III, by contrast, introduces Julia and Benji, who both matter in later films.
Do I need to watch Dead Reckoning before The Final Reckoning?
Yes. They are one story in two halves. Dead Reckoning Part One ends with Ethan holding the key to the Entity, and The Final Reckoning picks up two months later and assumes you know who Gabriel, Grace and Paris are. The Final Reckoning was originally announced as Dead Reckoning Part Two and renamed in November 2024.
Why is Dead Reckoning sometimes listed without 'Part One'?
When the sequel dropped its 'Part Two' subtitle, Paramount retitled the 2023 film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning on streaming and home video. The cinema release was called Dead Reckoning Part One; it is the same film.
Is The Final Reckoning really the last Mission: Impossible film?
Tom Cruise said in May 2025 that it was his final film as Ethan Hunt, and as of October 2026 Paramount has not announced a ninth film, a spin-off or a date. Christopher McQuarrie has said the team had ideas for more, so the door is not locked, but nothing is confirmed.
Do I need to watch the original TV series first?
No. The films borrow the theme tune, the self-destructing briefing, the masks and the name Jim Phelps, but they tell a new story. Phelps in the 1996 film is written very differently from the TV character, which annoyed the original cast; treat the series as a separate, optional franchise.
Where can I stream the Mission: Impossible movies in the UK?
All eight films are on Paramount+ in the UK, and they are usually also available through Sky Cinema and NOW. The Final Reckoning joined Paramount+ on 4 December 2025. Availability changes, so check the service before you start.