The Mission: Impossible franchise has become one of the most lucrative and recognizable in the world. Originally a television show, it was adapted for the big screen with the first outing in 1996. Since then, there have been five directors, multiple villains, love interests, and face masks, but one thing has remained constant: Tom Cruise, human superhero.

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At 58, he's long been one of the biggest movie stars in America, still doing his own stunts, and he's not slowing down. The action that's had audiences on the edge of their seats not only works because of the choreographers and special effects artists, but because when the camera cuts to Cruise's face, there's no doubt of the intensity and single-minded focus that the actor shares with the character he's played for 22 years. But of all the films that make up the franchise, which are the absolute, best, and which is the weakest mission... according to IMDb ratings, anyway?

Mission: Impossible II (6.1)

Four years after a successful first outing, director John Woo brought his penchant for action films to Mission: Impossible II. The plot revolves around the prevention of a deadly virus being spread, and Ethan and his team must compete with villains who wish to acquire the virus for their own nefarious purposes. Thandie Newton joins Ethan this time around, and the film received great financial success. Many loved the stylistic approaches to the many action sequences, but felt that the plot often suffered as a result.

Mission: Impossible III (6.9)

Mission- Impossible 3 Cropped

Many fans of the franchise consider Mission: Impossible III to be the entry with the best villain. The stakes are higher for Ethan this time around, as the villain (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) takes advantage of Ethan's weaknesses by putting his wife in danger in order to manipulate him. Ethan's gotten married in the time that's passed since the last installment, and he's tried to put his former job behind him. Upon its release, it was widely considered the best of the franchise so far, with a better plot to back up the typically great action sequences.

Mission: Impossible (7.1)

The first Mission: Impossible, directed by Brian De Palma, introduced Tom Cruise's protagonist Ethan Hunt and Ving Rhames' Luther, another character who would reappear throughout the series. Ethan's mentor is killed and he must prove he had nothing to do with his death. The success of this first film allowed for the five sequels (two more are currently being made) that cemented the franchise's success, as well as Tom Cruise's status as an action star. The action sequences are the main draw of this first film, which rebooted the story with high energy.

Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol (7.4)

Brad Bird stepped in to direct Ghost Protocol, which once again had Ethan and his team on the run after being falsely accused and disavowed. It was by far the most well-reviewed movie in the series. Director Brad Bird, in his live-action debut, took the action and stepped it up a notch. The stakes seem higher, the tension is greater, the gadgets are even more high-tech, and yet the film maintains a humor that provides levity and keeps the series feeling fun.

Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation (7.4)

Tom Cruise looking shocked in Mission Impossible Rogue Nation

Prior to Rogue Nation, each film in the Mission: Impossible series had a distinct vibe of its own that reflected the sensibilities and style of the director at the helm. When Christopher McQuarrie stepped in to direct the fifth entry, it seemed as though it would be another case of a director coming in to do their thing before letting someone else take the reins. But with Rogue Nation, McQuarrie took things up a notch in such a way as to warrant being hired on for three more films (two of which are currently in the making and supposedly the last of the series).

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It's clear from this movie why that choice was made. Ethan is at his best when he's got his back against the wall, and his agency has once again disavowed him. This time, he's found an equal in Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who shares with Ethan a vocation and a betrayal from the agency she worked for. It might have been the best in the series, until...

Mission: Impossible- Fallout (7.7)

As a nuclear threat looms, Ethan is forced to team up with CIA agent August Walker (Henry Cavill, whose arms are so massive they require reloading). The franchise makes the brilliant decision to bring back McQuarrie and Ferguson's Isla, perhaps the greatest additions from Rogue Nation. The film really checks every box for what you want an M:I movie to be: the performances are good, the action is insane, there's a good deal of humor, and an emotional core that these kind of films can often lack. Interesting questions are asked of the audience and the characters, with some left unanswered by the end. Luckily, McQuarrie has returned to finish off the series with two more sure-to-be thrilling sequels.

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