PSA: Most of the Mission: Impossibles Are Streaming for Free

by

This piece was first released on July 12, 2023, and has since been revised to include the most recent information about the availability of the Mission: Impossible series and the latest verified accounts of Tom Cruise’s impressive physical stunts.

If you decide to take on this task, you’ll enjoy watching all the “Mission: Impossible” movies you can find. The latest one, titled “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” is currently playing in theaters – marking almost three decades of Tom Cruise performing death-defying stunts for our entertainment. Before catching up with the new film, it would be wise to refresh your memory about the previous ones. While all the other films can be streamed on Paramount+, you might not know that many are also available on other streaming platforms you may already subscribe to. Some of these services even offer them for free! Why pay extra to watch Tom Cruise narrowly avoid getting stabbed in the eye? As for the movies outside the Tom Cruise series, we’re more than happy to guide you through them.

The Films

Mission: Impossible

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Ohws8y572KE

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the exhilarating journey that began with the Mission: Impossible movie franchise. Originally, it was Brian De Palma who masterfully crafted this high-octane action spectacle tailored for the inimitable Tom Cruise. The film was a masterclass of suspense, intrigue, and betrayal, further solidifying Cruise’s fame for his physical prowess.

While many fans still hail Ethan Hunt’s debut as the series’ pinnacle, it’s worth noting that the cast from the original TV show had their reservations about the action sequences and character portrayals: “It was essentially an action-adventure movie, not Mission, ” Martin Landau, a founding cast member, once remarked. “The ideal mission was getting in and getting out without anyone ever knowing we were there.”

However, I must admit that the film’s enduring success and undeniable spy-fi charm make a compelling case against strict adherence to tradition. You can now stream this cinematic thrill ride on platforms like Paramount+, Prime, Hulu, and PlutoTV (for free).

Mission: Impossible 2

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=vIpqpRuGrq4

In the spotlight, this film was directed by legendary action director John Woo, known for his masterpieces “Hard Boiled” and “Face/Off.” Unfortunately, it marked the franchise’s initial and most significant misstep. In a conversation with Vulture, Woo shared that for each actor in his movies, he seeks unique perspectives or special lighting to enhance their appearance, which is evident here. However, visual style alone doesn’t guarantee a great movie. “Mission: Impossible 2” can be stunningly chaotic, but its quality improved significantly afterward. You can now stream this intriguing blend of action and disappointment on Paramount+, Prime, Hulu, and PlutoTV (for free).

Mission: Impossible 3

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rl2bysiyltg

In the third installment of the Mission series, some awkward dialogue is present (“He’s a goddamn invisible man — Wells, not Ellison, if you’re feeling playful again”) and its marketing campaign was less than stellar (running parallel to Tom Cruise’s Scientology associations becoming a target on South Park). However, it significantly improved the franchise’s critical standing following its second movie. In this film, Ethan emerges from retirement for a confrontation with an arms dealer portrayed by the captivating Philip Seymour Hoffman. You can stream it on Paramount+, Prime, Hulu, and PlutoTV (the last one is available for free).

Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=EDGYVFZxsXQ

This was the pivotal movie, the one featuring Tom’s daring climb up the world’s tallest building on live television, the one that introduced the unaccredited Christopher McQuarrie into the production team, and notably, the one that added a bold hyphen to its title. These elements, along with an exploding Kremlin, transformed this Mission into the blueprint for subsequent films, each of which incorporates at least one jaw-dropping stunt, McQuarrie’s direction, and progressively eccentric punctuation. You can stream it on Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Hulu,, and PlutoTV (for free).

Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=gOW_azQbOjw

In the film titled “Rogue Nation,” a significant element was introduced that had been missing in previous installments: a persistent adversary, the enigmatic Syndicate, providing an intriguing counterpart to Ethan Hunt and his IMF. This Syndicate could be seen as the SPECTRE to MI6. The movie also incorporates nods and rhythmic elements reminiscent of the initial “Mission” film. For instance, instead of a list of IMF agents, the central plot revolves around a list of Syndicate operatives. Instead of riding on top of a train for an action sequence, Tom Cruise dangled from the side of a military transport plane as it took off – quite a thrill compared to the near-drowning scene he endured in this movie. The film is now available for streaming on Paramount+, Hulu, and PlutoTV (for free).

Streaming on Paramount+
Paramount+

Mission: Impossible — Fallout

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=wb49-oV0F78

Perhaps the title Fallout comes from its abundance of plutonium cores, captured nuclear bombs, tense disarmament scenes, and explosions. However, it’s also known as Fallout because in this installment, Tom falls out of a plane. Regardless of the reason, Fallout is fantastic. It’s cherished for its epic bathroom fight featuring Henry Cavill’s quick-witted fists and for the fact that, as critic Bilge Ebiri pointed out last year, it’s remarkable that Tom Cruise, now in his 60s, continues to perform death-defying stunts. (He even broke an ankle while filming a simple stunt for this movie.) The series has also kept us engaged by following not only Cruise but also actors like Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Michelle Monaghan. In the 1996 film, Hunt’s teammates met a tragic end, and each sequel has introduced new allies to take their place. Fallout puts Hunt in a tough position where he must decide between these companions and nuclear annihilation. You can stream it on Paramount+ and Hulu.

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=avz06PDqDbM

In the latest “Mission: Impossible” film, number seven, Tom Cruise confronts an artificial intelligence. This movie seems to pay tribute to earlier installments more than any other in the series. For instance, there’s a long, breathless shot of Cruise running, reminiscent of his exploits in the third mission, and another action scene set on a train, just like the original “Mission: Impossible.” However, it must be said that “Dead Reckoning” takes more liberties with its plot and characters than any previous film in the franchise. The explanatory scenes can be confusing at times. Nevertheless, the movie offers non-stop chase sequences, an impressive signature stunt, and one of the series’ most daring train escapes to date. It sets the stage for “The Final Reckoning.” You can stream it on Paramount+, MGM+, and Prime.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=fsQgc9pCyDU

In the eighth “Mission” movie, Bilge Ebiri, our critic, says it’s quite a jumble, but an entertaining one nonetheless. Once more, Tom finds himself battling against the AI from “Dead Reckoning” in his new action-packed ride, filled with death-defying stunts and, by now, seemingly nonsensical tech talk. Will he manage to take it down? You’ll need to catch this film in theaters to discover the answer.

The TV Series

Mission: Impossible

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=4y9NtHlJvbY

1966 marked the beginning of a groundbreaking television show, long before Tom Cruise turned five. As Leonard Landau predicted, the films and the TV series, including its 1988 reboot that’s not currently streaming, are two distinct entities. Unlike the movies, the show didn’t have the resources for grand action sequences. Instead, it delved into the intricate world of spycraft and strategic planning as they targeted dictators, mobsters, and those attempting to resurrect Nazism during the Cold War era. The main cast consisted of Landau, Barbara Bain, Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, and for two seasons, Leonard Nimoy, along with several rotating guest stars as agents. Interestingly, this show is famed for its most memorable running joke.

Currently, you can stream this classic on Paramount+ and PlutoTV, which offers the content free of charge.

Read More

2025-05-24 00:55