Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- propulsive
- sardonic
- action movie night
- spy thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the sweeping spectacle and suspenseful action while finding the conspiracy plot convoluted.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ethan Hunt becomes the agency's prime suspect after the Prague mission fails and works outside official channels to uncover the setup.
The Langley vault infiltration and train-top pursuit turn technical movement, timing, and exposed space into the film's central thrills.
The failed mission causes Ethan to distrust the intelligence agency and its leadership while he searches for the person responsible.
The narrative moves through Prague, London, Paris, and the CIA's American headquarters during undercover missions and arms dealings.
Films like Mission: Impossible, and why
The Bourne Identity
Shared espionage conspiracy, disavowed-agent premise, international locations, and elaborate practical action set pieces.
GoldenEye
Shared secret-agent intrigue, shifting loyalties, glamorous European locations, and high-stakes thriller momentum.
Snake Eyes
Shared Brian De Palma suspense techniques, undercover criminal networks, betrayal, and spectacular set pieces.
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Release Date
- 1996-05-22
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (10298)
Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Jon Voight
- Emmanuelle Béart
- Henry Czerny
- Jean Reno
- Ving Rhames
- Kristin Scott Thomas
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
- Valentina Yakunina
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mission: Impossible about?
- A disavowed IMF agent races across Europe and beyond to expose the conspiracy that framed him after a disastrous covert operation.
- What is Mission: Impossible like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mission: Impossible as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mission: Impossible violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mission: Impossible as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mission: Impossible?
- Critics broadly admired the sweeping spectacle and suspenseful action while finding the conspiracy plot convoluted.
- Which films are like Mission: Impossible?
- Films with a similar feel include The Bourne Identity, GoldenEye, and Snake Eyes.
- How long is Mission: Impossible?
- Mission: Impossible runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mission: Impossible?
- In United States, Mission: Impossible streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
