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Mission: Impossible watch order

Mission: Impossible movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch the Mission: Impossible films in release order from Mission: Impossible (1996). The first three are self-contained; from Ghost Protocol (2011) the films build on each other, and Rogue Nation, Fallout, Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning form one continuing story.

How to watch the Mission: Impossible movies in order: the full guide

All 10 films and series in the Mission: Impossible franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Mission: Impossible (1966); the first in chronological order is Mission: Impossible (set in 1996).

Release order

  1. Mission: Impossible (Series, 1966): The original TV series; optional.
  2. Mission: Impossible (Series, 1988): The TV revival; optional.
  3. Mission: Impossible (Movie, 1996): Ethan Hunt's first mission; the Langley vault heist.
  4. Mission: Impossible 2 (Movie, 2000): A standalone John Woo action film.
  5. Mission: Impossible III (Movie, 2006): Introduces Ethan's wife Julia, whose story runs through to Fallout.
  6. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (Movie, 2011): The IMF is disavowed; the Burj Khalifa climb.
  7. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (Movie, 2015): Introduces Ilsa Faust and the Syndicate; leads straight into Fallout.
  8. Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Movie, 2018): The direct sequel to Rogue Nation and a high point of the series.
  9. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (Movie, 2023): Part one of the Entity story.
  10. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (Movie, 2025): Concludes the Entity story and ties back to the first film.

Chronological order

  1. Mission: Impossible (set in 1996): Ethan Hunt's first mission; the Langley vault heist.
  2. Mission: Impossible 2 (set in 2000): A standalone John Woo action film.
  3. Mission: Impossible III (set in 2006): Introduces Ethan's wife Julia, whose story runs through to Fallout.
  4. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (set in 2011): The IMF is disavowed; the Burj Khalifa climb.
  5. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (set in 2015): Introduces Ilsa Faust and the Syndicate; leads straight into Fallout.
  6. Mission: Impossible - Fallout (set in 2018): The direct sequel to Rogue Nation and a high point of the series.
  7. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (set in 2023): Part one of the Entity story.
  8. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (set in After Dead Reckoning): Concludes the Entity story and ties back to the first film.
  9. Mission: Impossible (set in 1966–1973): The original TV series; optional.
  10. Mission: Impossible (set in 1988–1990): The TV revival; optional.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Mission: Impossible movies in?

Watch the Mission: Impossible films in release order from Mission: Impossible (1996). The first three are self-contained; from Ghost Protocol (2011) the films build on each other, and Rogue Nation, Fallout, Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning form one continuing story.

How many Mission: Impossible movies and shows are there?

There are 10 titles in the Mission: Impossible franchise: 8 films and 2 series, released from 1966 to 2025.

How long does it take to watch all the Mission: Impossible movies?

About 177 hours for all 10 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (8 titles) take about 18 hours.

What is the first Mission: Impossible title in chronological order?

Mission: Impossible, set in 1996. In release order the first is Mission: Impossible (1966).

Which Mission: Impossible titles can I skip?

Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.