The much-loved Mission: Impossible franchise might be drawing to a close. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures is contemplating making Mission: Impossible 8, officially known as Dead Reckoning Part 2, the final chapter of the iconic series. Since its start in 1996, the franchise has seen Tom Cruise’s character, superspy Ethan Hunt, take on some of Hollywood’s most jaw-dropping stunts, from hanging off the side of a plane to scaling the Burj Khalifa. These breathtaking feats have helped the series earn over $4 billion globally.
However, Dead Reckoning Part One, the franchise’s seventh installment, brought in lower-than-expected box office returns in 2023, making only $570.6 million against a $200 million budget. Despite a positive critical reception — a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes — and a strong audience rating, the film’s minimal profit margin has prompted Paramount to consider ending the series on a high note with Mission: Impossible 8.
What’s Next for Mission: Impossible?
Although Tom Cruise has expressed interest in playing Ethan Hunt for another two decades, financial realities might push Paramount to rethink the future of the series. Labeling Mission: Impossible 8 as the “final” chapter could be a way to boost anticipation and ticket sales for this upcoming release, especially if Cruise’s stunts and thrilling sequences continue to captivate fans one last time.
Could the Spirit of Mission: Impossible Live On?
Even if Ethan Hunt’s story concludes, the legacy of Mission: Impossible may continue. Cruise is already exploring new high-stakes projects with longtime collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, including an ambitious, untitled space movie. It’s also possible that, in time, Paramount could reboot the series, introducing a new generation to the espionage action that fans have loved for decades. For now, audiences eagerly await what might be the final — and most daring — chapter of Mission: Impossible.
