For nearly three decades, Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible‘ franchise has been a pillar of Hollywood’s blockbuster culture. With eight action-packed installments, $4.7 billion in global box office receipts, and countless jaw-dropping stunts, the series has long stood as proof of Cruise’s dedication to spectacle and performance.
Yet, behind the franchise’s daredevil thrills and big-screen appeal, new reports suggest that its future has never been more uncertain.
‘Mission: Impossible’ Greatest Strength Is Also Its Weakness
A survey conducted by Variety reveals troubling signs for the long-running spy saga. While ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ grossed close to $600 million worldwide, its staggering production budget, reportedly near $400 million, has sparked debate about whether the franchise can sustain itself financially. When placed against newer, younger-skewing cinematic universes like Marvel and DC, the outlook appears particularly grim.
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The survey’s findings raise two major concerns: the mounting costs of making Mission: Impossible movies and the near-total dependence on Tom Cruise’s star power. It’s clear, without Cruise at the helm, Ethan Hunt’s adventures may not have much of a future at all. Since 1996, Cruise has not only been the face of ‘Mission: Impossible’ but also its backbone. From dangling off the Burj Khalifa to performing real HALO jumps, Cruise’s willingness to risk it all has become the franchise’s identity.
As one screenwriter bluntly put it in the survey: “Its greatest strength is Tom running, but what happens when Tom can’t run anymore?” The numbers highlight the problem. The Final Reckoning’s domestic box office rose modestly by 16.4% compared to earlier installments. However, the worldwide gross actually dipped by 2.1%. That’s despite Cruise performing some of his most death-defying stunts to date. Adding to this financial headache is the generational gap in its audience.
Hollywood executives surveyed by Variety observed that ‘Mission: Impossible’ skews older. Younger viewers, who have flocked to superhero films and streaming franchises, aren’t connecting with Ethan Hunt. “That franchise is suffering from a generational divide,” one executive remarked. And then there’s the elephant in the room: Cruise himself. At 63, he remains an astonishingly agile and committed action star. However, even his most ardent fans know he cannot lead ‘Mission: Impossible’ forever.
Tom Cruise Almost Broke His Back While Filming ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’
While the franchise’s financial future might be in jeopardy, there is no questioning the almost superhuman lengths Tom Cruise has gone to in order to keep audiences entertained. The digital release of ‘The Final Reckoning’ includes behind-the-scenes revelations that are as astonishing as they are painful. During the movie’s climactic plane sequence, Cruise’s fingers endured a terrifying ordeal.
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As director Christopher McQuarrie explains, Cruise had to cling to a seatbelt strap while hanging off a biplane that flipped upside down mid-air. The sheer force was so intense that the joints in Cruise’s fingers separated. By the end of the sequence, his hands were visibly swollen. “Oh, this almost broke my back,” Cruise admitted in the commentary. McQuarrie added: “This separated the joints in Tom’s fingers from the force… it was so painful to watch.”
For fans, these stories have always been part of the franchise’s allure. Knowing that Cruise performs these stunts for real makes the films feel more visceral, more authentic. However, at the same time, the injuries reveal the toll such dedication takes. Moreover, as of now, there are no concrete plans for another ‘Mission: Impossible‘ installment beyond ‘The Final Reckoning’, which was designed as a finale.
