my image Image: Mission Impossible (Wikipedia)

Author: VANAS Team

How Tom Cruise Made 'Mission Impossible' Legendary

What Is the Mission: Impossible Franchise?
When Tom Cruise Took Over the Franchise
List of All Mission: Impossible Movies in Order
Why This Franchise Is a Masterclass in Action and Storytelling
How Animation and VFX Shape Mission: Impossible Movies
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Mission: Impossible Franchise?

Even if you've never seen a single Mission: Impossible film, you've probably heard its famous theme song or watched clips of Tom Cruise doing death-defying stunts.

What started as a TV show in the 1960s eventually became a massive action movie franchise. It's full of spies, gadgets, betrayals, action scenes that defy gravity—and yes, a lot of running from Tom Cruise.

The franchise is known for smart plots, real-life stunts, and high-quality production. From exploding messages to spy tech, these movies have influenced everything from video games to Animation design.

When Tom Cruise Took Over the Franchise

Tom Cruise didn’t just star in Mission: Impossible—he took full control of it.

In 1993, Cruise acquired the rights to turn the classic TV show into a movie. That’s right: he bought the franchise through his production company, Cruise/Wagner Productions. He wasn’t just the actor—he was the producer too.

According to several reports, he was fascinated with the idea of reinventing an old property for modern audiences. It was one of the first times a major Hollywood actor made a bold move like that.

Because of that move, Tom Cruise has been the face of the franchise since its very first film in 1996. Every movie has him doing something even more daring—from hanging off cliffs to holding onto airplanes mid-flight.

List of All Mission: Impossible Movies in Order

Here’s a full list of all Mission: Impossible movies in the order they were released, including some cool facts about each one.

1. Mission: Impossible (1996)

Directed by: Brian De Palma
Fun Fact: This was the first time Tom Cruise played Ethan Hunt. He also produced it.
Big Scene: Tom Cruise dangling silently in a high-security CIA vault.

2. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Directed by: John Woo
Fun Fact: Full of slow-motion action and wild motorcycle chases.
Big Scene: Ethan Hunt escapes a building with doves flying dramatically in slow motion.

3. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Directed by: J.J. Abrams (his movie directorial debut)
Fun Fact: More emotional storyline focused on Ethan Hunt’s personal life.
Big Scene: The bridge attack sequence with rockets and helicopters.

4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Directed by: Brad Bird
Fun Fact: Introduced mind-blowing stunts, including the famous Burj Khalifa climb.
Big Scene: Tom Cruise climbs the tallest building in the world for real.

5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Fun Fact: Cruise held onto a real plane during takeoff—no green screen.
Big Scene: The underwater scene with no air tank.

6. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Fun Fact: Added Henry Cavill as a new villain and introduced major consequences for past missions.
Big Scene: HALO jump (High Altitude Low Opening) from a real airplane.

7. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Fun Fact: Set up the final chapter in the franchise.
Big Scene: Cruise rides a motorcycle off a cliff and skydives—all in one take.

8. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two (Expected 2025)

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Fun Fact: Expected to be the conclusion of the Ethan Hunt saga.
Big Scene: To be revealed—but expect something wild.

Why This Franchise Is a Masterclass in Action and Storytelling

What makes the Mission: Impossible franchise stand out from other action films is its blend of practical effects, emotional stakes, and relentless creativity. It’s not just about explosions—it’s about tension, character, and clever plots.

Tom Cruise’s commitment to doing real stunts adds something no animation or visual effects can fully recreate. And yet, these films rely heavily on post-production to polish the magic.

Each movie feels like a global adventure, taking viewers to Dubai, Rome, Paris, Vienna, and more. That world-building approach mirrors the design process behind great animation. Just like animators create environments from scratch, directors in Mission: Impossible carefully craft each setting to feel cinematic and alive.

VANAS Online Animation School offers Animation, Visual Effects, and Video Game programs. To launch your career, visit https://www.vanas.ca

How Animation and VFX Shape Mission: Impossible Movies

Even though the movies focus on practical effects, the animation and visual effects work behind the scenes are crucial.

Here’s how Animation and VFX power Mission: Impossible:

1. Pre-visualization

Before Cruise even steps on set, animated mockups of the stunt are created. These allow the director to plan every movement, explosion, or jump.

2. Digital doubles

Some scenes need to replace Tom Cruise’s body with a 3D model when safety becomes a concern. That’s Animation at work.

3. Set extensions

If you thought the cities in these movies looked massive, that’s because artists used visual effects to expand the scenery.

4. Invisible VFX

The best effects are the ones you don’t notice. Safety wires are erased, skies are corrected, and colors are enhanced.

Animation isn’t always about cartoons. In Hollywood, it’s a serious art that helps make action movies unforgettable.

If you’re inspired by movies like these, studying Animation or Visual Effects could be your first mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first Mission: Impossible movie Tom Cruise made?

Tom Cruise starred in and produced the first Mission: Impossible movie released in 1996. He bought the rights in 1993 through his production company and launched the film three years later.

How many Mission: Impossible movies are there?

As of 2025, there are eight Mission: Impossible films. The final chapter, Dead Reckoning Part Two, is expected to be released in 2025.

Why is Mission: Impossible so popular?

It mixes smart plots, global adventures, real stunts, and high-quality visuals. Tom Cruise’s dedication to authenticity and thrilling storytelling keeps fans coming back.

Does Mission: Impossible use animation?

Yes, but not in the traditional sense. Animation is used in pre-visualizations, digital doubles, and post-production effects that enhance realism.

Where can I learn the skills used in Mission: Impossible?

If you want to learn Animation, Visual Effects, or how video games are designed, VANAS Online Animation School offers programs that can help you start your creative career.