Ranking the Mission:Impossible films

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

Mission: Impossible is one of my all-time favorite film franchises and, with a new entry in the series now in theaters, it seemed like a good time to take a look back, rewatch, and rank the films.

#6 Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

By far the low point of the franchise, Mission: Impossible 2 at times doesn't feel like it belongs among the other films. I still enjoy it, but wouldn't call it good.

#5 Mission: Impossible 3 (2006)

M:I 3 is a good movie and there is a lot to like. It's well paced with some fun action scenes and a solid villain. While it's a nice addition to the Mission: Impossible franchise, it's also the most forgettable.

#4 Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

I've gone back and forth on where this one should rank. When I first saw it I didn't like it as much as Mission: Impossible 3 and after a second viewing I would've put it above the original. Over time though it settled into the #3 slot.

#3 Mission: Impossible (1996)

The first in the series still holds up as one of my favorites. Rogue Nation is probably a better movie overall, but it's my list and when I feel like watching a Mission: Impossible film I'm more likely to put on the original. 



#2 Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) 
The latest Mission: Impossible film is one of the best yet. It takes a lot what I liked about Rogue Nation and builds on it to deliver a fun, action-packed flick.

#1 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

This is the high water mark of the franchise for me. The film is exciting, Simon Pegg gets a bigger role than he had in M:I 3, and Tom Cruise climbing the Burj Kalifa is still my favorite Mission: Impossible sequence.

10 Tom Cruise Movies Everyone Should See

With Tom Cruise's latest film having just come out recently (You can check out my review of that here: 'The Mummy' 2017) it seemed like a good time to add a new entry to my '10 Movies Everyone Should See' series. I have previously written similar posts about Sean Connery, Tom Hanks, Alfred Hitchcock, and others and I'll leave links to those at the bottom of this one. If you're not familiar with how I make these lists, they aren't necessarily a 'Best Of' or 'Top 10', It's merely 10 films that I feel would be the best representation of someone's total career.


#10 Knight and Day (2010)

'Knight and Day' isn't a fantastic movie, in fact parts of it are kinda dumb. However, I think the goal the filmmakers were shooting for was to make a fun, action-filled, romp with a couple bankable movie stars. That is exactly what they achieved.

#9 The Last Samurai (2003)

If you like war movies then this one has some pretty good battle scenes between those who still practice the ways of the ancient Samurai and a Japanese military that is trying to adapt to the type of weaponry the U.S. was using at the time. I thinks it's also one of Tom's more complex performances.

#8 Risky Business (1983)

The oldest movie to make this list, 'Risky Business' was a breakout film for Cruise and it's still a pretty entertaining watch.

#7 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

You won't find many sequels on Tom Cruise's filmography but, the 'Mission: Impossible' series has been going strong since '96 and this one is certainly in the discussion for best 'Mission: Impossible' film.

#6 Far and Away (1992)

The plot is a little thin and Tom's attempt at an Irish accent is a bit dodgy but, it's directed by Ron Howard, there's some really good cinematography, a solid John Williams score, and great chemistry between the two leads.

#5 Days of Thunder (1990)

If you've ever seen Top Gun and thought "I'd like to see a version of this, but with race cars instead of fighter jets" then you'll probably enjoy Days of Thunder.

#4 Rain Man (1988)

Even though most people associate Cruise with action movies, he is capable of putting in solid performances in critically acclaimed films as well. The best example of this is the multi-Oscar winning film 'Rain Man' (winner of the 1989 Oscars for Best Picture, best Screenplay, Best Leading Actor: Dustin Hoffman, and Best Director: Barry Levinson).

#3 Mission: Impossible (1996)

The first film in the 'Mission Impossible' franchise may not have as much over the top action as some of the later entries in the series but, its still a really enjoyable flick.

#2 Top Gun (1986)

If I were just ranking film quality, then 'Top Gun' wouldn't have landed as high as #2. However, it is one of Tom Cruise's most iconic roles. Yes, parts of it are dumb and cheesy but it's also just an overall fun movie.

#1 Minority Report (2002)

It was a bit of a close call on some of these and there were a few films that I went back and forth on. That was not the case with the #1 spot. I think this one is hands down the best film starring Cruise.


Honorable Mentions: A Few Good Men (1992), Jerry Maguire (1996), Jack Reacher (2012), and Edge of Tomorrow (2014)


 If you have a suggestion for another "10 Movies Everyone Should See" leave it in the comments below.

Also, check out these other entries:
 10 Sean Connery Movies Everyone Should See
10 James Stewart Movies Everyone Should See
10 Alfred Hitchcock Movies Everyone Should See
10 John Travolta Movies Everyone Should See
10 Tom Hanks Movies Everyone Should See
10 Chuck Norris Movies Everyone Should See 
10 Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies Everyone Should See