You know you’re in for an adrenaline-pumping ride when the iconic Mission: Impossible soundtrack plays in the intro! Tom Cruise has kept the franchise alive for years through death-defying stunts, and an unwavering commitment to delivering a truly memorable performance in each film.
We’ve followed the journey of secret agent Ethan Hunt for almost three decades, and each time the series makes a return, you know that Cruise is about to perform a thrilling action set piece that will be etched in cinematic history. He’s pushed his physical limit in every movie, which makes one question, just how old he was during the release of each film from his magnum opus franchise. So, let’s look at the franchise’s evolution and map Cruise’s age as we go along.
The Start of the Journey: Tom Cruise’s Age in Mission: Impossible (1996)
The first Mission: Impossible premiered in 1996 and the epic saga began, at that time, Tom Cruise was a 34-year-old global superstar. His portrayal of Ethan Hunt brought a new form of action cinema to the screen, intelligence, resourcefulness, and determination, his character had it all!
Two of the most iconic scenes in the film were the CIA vault heist where he dangled above ground in silence, and the high-speed train chase. The first part earned over $457.7 million worldwide, and also received critical acclaim, which made it the foundation for the franchise that would impress the audience for decades (via Movieweb).
Mission: Impossible 2 (2000): Turning Up the Action
The John Woo directorial Mission: Impossible 2 changed the game with more stylized and high-octane sequences. The sequel saw a 38-year-old Tom Cruise who embodied a more edgier persona and nailed every dramatic standoff.
Some memorable stunt pieces from the film are the motorcycle chase through the Australian outback and the heartstopping rock-climbing scene filmed at Dead Horse Point, which Cruise performed himself. The second installment received some mixed reviews but became a summer blockbuster with a $546.3 million collection globally.
Mission: Impossible III (2006): A New Chapter
Six years after the last film, Mission Impossible III set our screens ablaze. The project was helmed by J.J. Abrams and featured a more grittier and emotionally driven storyline. It focused on Ethan Hunt’s personal life, and we got to see a new side of the character.
Cruise was 44 when the franchise returned and he raised the bar even higher with the action sequences, with standout moments like the daring bridge attack, a face-off against a drone strike, and a leap across the rooftops of Shanghai. The film was well-received on all fronts and earned $398 million worldwide, which didn’t match the numbers of its predecessors but it was praised highly for other aspects.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) revitalized the franchise
In 2011, the fresh and exhilarating energy of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt returned to the screen at 49 years old with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, where he continued to do death-defying stunts. The most famous of them all is the jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa sequence where Cruise scaled the tallest building in Dubai without a stunt double (via Screenrant).
There was no CGI or green screens, and the actor risked his life on the side of a skyscraper, creating an unforgettable moment and a visual spectacle that had us gasping in theatres. The movie grossed the highest in the franchise with $694 million worldwide and also amassed critical acclaim.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015): A Breath of Fresh Air
Christopher McQuarrie stepped in as the director for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and effortlessly brought a new layer of depth to the movie. At 53 years old, Tom Cruise was able to pull off a more nuanced portrayal of Ethan Hunt and gave the character a balance in terms of both physicality and emotions.
The film was packed with suspense and complexity, but the action sequences were still brilliant. The most discussed scene from Rogue Nation is the heart-stopping moment where Cruise clings to the side of a C-130 as it takes off. The underwater bomb-defusing sequence was equally thrilling and kept the viewers on the edge. Unsurprisingly, the movie became a critical and commercial hit with a global box office collection of $682 million.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018): Pushing the Limits at 56
By the time Mission: Impossible – Fallout was released, Cruise was 56 years old, but one could hardly tell because he was so dedicated to his craft. The film was celebrated as the peak of the franchise, as it had some of the most neat and beautiful choreographed action sequences and an interesting storyline.
The HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump and helicopter chase were some of the highlights in Fallout. Cruise also suffered a broken ankle injury while performing a rooftop jump because the perfectionist within him was adamant about creating an authentic scene (via Independent). Once again, the box office records for this one were huge on a global level, with $791 million, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023): Still Going Strong
In 2023, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One hit the theatres, and proved that there was still a lot more to Ethan Hunt’s story. Cruise seemed unstoppable even at 61, as she showcased the same vigor and relentlessness that he did in the previous movies.
His motorcycle jump off a cliff was the talk of the town, as it was filmed without any special effects, in epic Tom Cruise style (via Variety). Dead Reckoning Part One was a global success with $522 million and set the stage for the conclusion of the franchise.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025): The Epic Conclusion
Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning is the highly anticipated eighth installment and perhaps the final one, that will end Ethan Hunt’s saga. At 62, Cruise will once again reprise his role and give us a paramount performance. There will be returning fan-favorite cast members like Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, and fans of the franchise can’t wait to see what the action star will do this time around!
Mission Accomplished: Tom Cruise’s Impact on Action Cinema
Tom Cruise is the most influential actor of our times when it comes to the action genre because he redefined the whole scene. He proved that age is just a number because even in his 50s and 60s, he’s more than ready to take his stunts and his career to new heights!
With the franchise nearing its end, Mission: Impossible will go down in history as a cornerstone of modern action cinema. It will leave a goldmine for future filmmakers who will revive bits and pieces from these movies, and so Cruise’s impact on cinema will remain lasting.
You can watch all Mission: Impossible movies on Paramount+