Netflix just added the first 5 ‘Mission Impossible’ movies — here’s my ranking from best to worst – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

By Rory Mellon

Tom’s Guide

Search Tom’s Guide

View Profile

Newsletters

Best Picks

Entertainment

Prime Day Deals
Switch 2 Restock

Galaxy Z Fold 7
Wordle Today

Best Mattress
Best laptops

You may like

Stream the first 5 ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies for free this month — here’s how

How to watch the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies in order online

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ review — a flawed thriller with some of the best on-screen action I’ve ever seen

To celebrate Netflix becoming the new streaming home for (most, but not quite all eight of) the “Mission: Impossible” movies, I decided to rank them from best to worst. But to be honest, they’re all worth watching, so even my bottom pick (no spoilers) should be in your watchlist.

‘Mission: Impossible’ movies ranked
1. ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015) | Official Trailer – Tom Cruise – YouTube

Selecting my top pick of the “Mission: Impossible” movies added to Netflix this month was tricky, but I went with “Rogue Nation” in the end.
That’s largely because I think the thrilling opera scene is perhaps the series’ peak, and because it marks Rebecca Ferguson’s first appearance as former MI6 agent, Ilsa Faust. Plus, Sean Harris’ Solomon Lane remains “Mission: Impossible’s” best villain, and the lead into the iconic theme tune is exquisite.
In “Rogue Nation,” Ethan Hunt faces off against The Syndicate, a clandestine network of operatives seeking to create a new world order. The shadowy group represents a fantastic foe for Hunt and his team to battle against, and “Rogue Nation” sees the series comfortably in its groove following the standard-setting “Ghost Protocol.” It’s a phenomenal action spy movie.
Watch on Netflix now
2. ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Official Trailer #1 – Tom Cruise Movie (2011) HD – YouTube

By the fourth entry, most franchises are running on fumes, but “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” bucked the trend and delivered a popcorn spy flick with more memorable moments than I can list here.
The fan-favorite sequence that sees Hunt scale the Burj Khalifa in Dubai often gets all the plaudits, but I think my highlight is the Kremlin infiltration scene as Hunt and Benji (Simon Pegg) break into the securely guarded Russian complex before the fortified landmark is blown up with Cruise in full sprint.
After this terrorist attack, Hunt and his team are blamed for the fallout, and so the IMF team must go on the run to locate those truly responsible and bring them down. The whole disavowed by the government and left without any backup shtick is a bit routine for the spy genre, but it’s well-worn ground for a good reason. Plus, Jeremy Renner’s inclusion as William Brandt gives Cruise an extra playmate. It’s a shame he only stayed around for one more sequel.
Watch on Netflix now
3. ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Mission: Impossible III (2006) | Official Trailer – Tom Cruise – YouTube

The third “Mission: Impossible” movie hooks you from the very start with an opening scene that makes it very clear that new villain Owen Davian (an ever-excellent Philip Seymour Hoffman) is not playing around.
From here, the situation escalates further, and while director J. J. Abrams creates plenty of well-constructed firefights, they lack the memorable nature of future installments in the franchise. Still, “Mission: Impossible III” has aged well.
The flick opens with Ethan Hunt having retired from the IMF team, but naturally, this doesn’t last all that long, as he’s drawn back into the world of espionage to bring down international arms broker Davian. There’s a larger focus placed on Hunt’s relationship with Julia (Michelle Monaghan), which adds even higher stakes as his wife gets caught up in the dangerous situation.
Watch on Netflix now
4. ‘Mission: Impossible’

Mission: Impossible (1996) | Official Trailer – Tom Cruise – YouTube

The movie that started it all, and while it’s set to celebrate its 30th birthday next year, it remains a gripping watch.
The events of the recent “The Final Reckoning” have recontextualized some of the first “Mission: Impossible”, making now a great time to (re)watch. And while it’s relatively quaint in comparison to some sequences that would follow, Hunt’s mission to infiltrate the CIA headquarters at Langley remains a fantastic sequence that is still referenced and parodied in movies and shows to this day.
That iconic scene, which sees Hunt dangling on a thin wire, with one wrong move sure to alert the authorities to his presence, may be the movie’s enduring moment, but the opening, a mission in Prague gone wrong with disastrous consequences, shouldn’t be overlooked either.
Ultimately, this is the movie that introduced the world to Ethan Hunt, and its place in Hollywood history is secured for that reason alone. The fact that it’s a seriously enjoyable watch in its own right is a bonus.
Watch on Netflix now
5. ‘Mission: Impossible II’

Unquestionably the most divisive “Mission: Impossible,” the 2000s sequel saw director John Woo bring his trademark frenetic style to the series with somewhat mixed results.
For those who just want explosive action above all else, you’ll find enough to satisfy here, but the narrative is flawed, and the characters are significantly less compelling than future installments. Even Hunt himself seems to lack some of his usual gravitas. There’s perhaps a reason that it’s the sole entry in the franchise with a rotten score on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
This time, Hunt is attempting to locate and destroy a deadly virus known as Chimera, and that involves coming face-to-face with a rogue IMF agent who has stolen the only antidote.
Even if it’s the worst of the bunch, it’s far from a complete disaster, with enough well-choreographed Woo action to hold your attention, just don’t expect it to match up to the standard set by future installments in the long-running blockbuster franchise.
Watch on Netflix now
More from Tom’s Guide

New on Netflix in July 2025
All 8 ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies, ranked
Netflix drops first trailer for new monster movie sequel

Streaming device deals not to miss

Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021)

$43.17View Deal
See all prices

Google Chromecast with Google TV

$55.99View Deal
See all prices

Apple TV 4K (2022)

$135.49View Deal
See all prices

Roku Express 4K+ (2021)

$34.99View Deal
See all prices

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023

$34.99View Deal
See all prices

Deal ends Sat, Jul 12, 2025

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Rory Mellon

Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Stream the first 5 ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies for free this month — here’s how

How to watch the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies in order online

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ review — a flawed thriller with some of the best on-screen action I’ve ever seen

When is ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ coming to streaming? Here’s our best guess

7 best Tom Cruise movies to stream right now

Prime Video top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now

Latest in Netflix

Netflix is adding the NASA channel featuring live space missions — and my inner space nerd has never been happier

Netflix drops first trailer for new monster movie sequel — and it already looks like a colossal hit

Netflix drops first trailer for new romantic comedy — and this movie looks like pure comfort wrapped in charm

Netflix drops major ‘Squid Game’ spoiler on social media 72 hours after season 3 debuts — because screw you if you haven’t finished it yet, I guess

Netflix drops first look at new thriller series with Jude Law and Jason Bateman — and it’s already on my must-binge list

Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now

Latest in Opinion

This is the one upgrade that will get me to switch my Pixel Watch 3 for a Pixel Watch 4

I asked Google Gemini to build a 5-move dumbbell workout to grow full-body muscle — here’s what happened

I tried Shark’s new HydroGo misting fan at a family BBQ — and it ended up drenching my in-laws

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — these 5 rumored upgrades could be game-changing

I review laptops for a living, and I’d buy these 3 to go back to school

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE tipped for Unpacked — and it could be the cheap foldable we’ve all been waiting for