Your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to return to the heart-pounding world of Mission: Impossible one last time. With the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, released on May 23, set to dominate theaters this summer, fans are bracing for what promises to be the most explosive and possibly the most emotional entry in the franchise yet.
But let’s face it: after nearly three decades of espionage, betrayal, gravity-defying stunts, and plot twists that rival the best spy thrillers, keeping track of everything that’s happened across the previous seven films can feel like… well, an impossible mission. Fortunately, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Before you witness Ethan Hunt take on his most dangerous adversary yet, here’s everything you need to remember to be fully prepped for the final reckoning.
Here’s a delightful refresher of the Mission: Impossible universe so far…
#1. Mission: Impossible (1996)
The franchise launched with a literal bang when a top-secret IMF mission went catastrophically wrong. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) finds himself framed for the deaths of his entire team and is forced to go on the run. Determined to clear his name, he recruits tech specialist Luther Stickell and pilot Franz Krieger to pull off a daring infiltration of the CIA. The real shock comes when Ethan uncovers the true traitor: his trusted mentor, Jim Phelps (Jon Voight).
This first film laid the groundwork for much of the Mission: Impossible universe, introducing key players like arms dealer Max—whose daughter reemerges in later installments—and IMF Director Eugene Kittridge, both of whom make long-awaited returns in Final Reckoning.
#2. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
Ethan’s next mission takes a biological turn: prevent a deadly virus from being unleashed on the world. Teaming up once again with Luther Stickell and new ally Billy Baird, a fearless helicopter pilot, Ethan goes head-to-head with Sean Ambrose—a former IMF agent gone rogue.
While Mission: Impossible II leans heavily into action-romance, it subtly introduces a recurring theme in the franchise: the danger of rogue operatives. That thread comes full circle in Final Reckoning, as Ethan is once again forced to confront a former IMF insider who’s turned into his deadliest adversary yet.
#3. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
The third installment raised the emotional stakes like never before. Ethan Hunt is semi-retired, engaged to Julia (Michelle Monaghan), and training new IMF recruits. But his quiet life unravels when he’s called back into action to track down arms dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Davian’s relentless pursuit of a mysterious object known as the Rabbit’s Foot leads to devastating personal consequences.
This film also marked the debut of Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), the quick-witted tech expert who would go on to become a franchise staple. Final Reckoning draws heavily from the emotional tension introduced here, especially Ethan’s ongoing battle to balance love, identity, and duty.
#4. Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)
After a devastating bombing at the Kremlin, the IMF is disavowed, forcing Ethan and his team to operate off the grid to clear their names. Julia, now believed to be dead, quietly slips out of focus. Meanwhile, new team members Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) step into the spotlight.
This installment is best remembered for Ethan’s nerve-shredding climb up Dubai’s Burj Khalifa—one of the franchise’s most iconic stunts. It also marked a tonal shift, embracing a leaner, more agile team dynamic that continues to shape the mission in Final Reckoning.
#5. Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (2015)
With the IMF officially shut down, Ethan is forced to confront a new threat: the Syndicate—a covert network of rogue agents from international intelligence agencies. Along the way, he crosses paths with Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), a former MI6 operative embedded deep within the organization. Their uneasy alliance—and undeniable chemistry—quickly becomes a cornerstone of the franchise’s emotional arc. Moreover, the film’s focus on rogue systems and hidden allegiances lays the groundwork for the emerging AI-driven threat in Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning.
#6. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)
The stakes grow nuclear in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, as Ethan races against time to recover stolen plutonium before it triggers a global catastrophe. However, his mission becomes even more complex with the arrival of August Walker (Henry Cavill), a CIA operative whose true identity as a terrorist disrupts the entire operation.
Meanwhile, the emotional undercurrent deepens. Julia—Ethan’s former love—returns, now remarried and living a quiet life, underscoring the weight of the sacrifices Ethan continues to make for the greater good. The film also introduces Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett), whose promotion to U.S. President in Final Reckoning adds continuity and gravity to the political stakes. And notably, the enigmatic White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) makes her debut—an arms dealer with murky loyalties, perfectly poised to be a wildcard in the franchise’s final chapter.
#7. Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning (2023)
In the lead-up to Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, the enemy isn’t human—it’s digital. Ethan Hunt faces off against a rogue AI known as “the Entity,” a powerful force capable of hijacking global systems. Along the way, he teams up with Grace (Hayley Atwell), a skilled thief-turned-reluctant ally.
Meanwhile, a familiar threat returns. Gabriel (Esai Morales), a ghost from Ethan’s past, emerges as a key figure tied to the Entity’s rise. Then comes a devastating blow: the death of Ilsa Faust in Venice. Her loss adds a personal edge, fueling Ethan’s resolve. By the end, he recovers both halves of a key said to unlock the Entity’s destruction. With that, the final chapter is set. And this time, the mission is more than impossible—it’s existential.
What to Expect in Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning
Set just two months after Dead Reckoning, the last installment brings Ethan Hunt’s decades-long saga to a thrilling close. Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning weaves together storylines from across the franchise, reviving key characters like William Donloe, reuniting us with original IMF director Eugene Kittridge, and confronting the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence.
This final mission goes beyond saving the world. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and bringing long-buried truths to light. With trusted allies like Luther, Benji, Grace, and Kittridge by his side, Ethan must face his past, outmaneuver the Entity, and finish what he started—all while carrying the emotional weight of his journey.
Whether you’ve been following Ethan Hunt since day one or are just catching up, brushing up on these key story threads will elevate your experience. Expect full-circle revelations, devastating betrayals, and, of course, jaw-dropping stunts that only Tom Cruise could deliver.
The mission is set. Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning will dominate theaters this summer—don’t miss the epic conclusion.
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Featured image: Christian Black/Paramount Pictures
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