Mission: Impossible
“Expect the impossible.”
Synopsis
When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.
Part of the Mission: Impossible Collection
Stream the entire interconnected saga and experience every installment in chronological storyline order.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-02-17
Top Cast
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Tom Cruise
Ethan Hunt
Jon Voight
Jim Phelps
Emmanuelle Béart
Claire
Henry Czerny
Kittridge
Jean Reno
Krieger
Ving Rhames
Luther
Kristin Scott Thomas
Sarah Davies
Vanessa Redgrave
Max
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
Hannah
Valentina Yakunina
Drunken Female IMF Agent
Marek Vašut
Drunken Male IMF Agent
Nathan Osgood
Kittridge Technician
John McLaughlin
TV Interviewer
Rolf Saxon
CIA Analyst William Donloe
Karel Dobrý
Matthias
Andreas Wisniewski
Max's Companion
David Shaeffer
Diplomat Rand Housman
Rudolf Pechan
Mayor Brandl
Release History & Theatrical Window
Westwood, California
Festival / Special Debut
May 22, 1996
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 3, 2012
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$80M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$457.7M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
5.72x
+$377.7M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Screenplay & Story
- David Koepp, Robert Towne
- Original Score
- Danny Elfman
- Original Title
- Mission: Impossible
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, French, Czech
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Production Budget
- $80M
- Worldwide Gross
- $457.7M
- Production Studios
- Paramount Pictures, Cruise/Wagner Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Brian De Palma
David Koepp, Robert Towne, Bruce Geller, Steven Zaillian
Danny Elfman
Stephen H. Burum, Ernest Day
Paul Hirsch
Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Paul Hitchcock
Department Leadership Roster
Brian De Palma
Director
David Koepp
Screenplay
Robert Towne
Screenplay
Tom Cruise
Producer
Paula Wagner
Producer
Stephen H. Burum
Director of Photography
Paul Hirsch
Editor
Norman Reynolds
Production Design
Penny Rose
Costume Design
Greg Powell
Stunt Coordinator
Danny Elfman
Original Music Composer
Timothy Everest
Costume Design
John Knoll
Visual Effects Supervisor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Mission: Impossible.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Mission: Impossible.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mission: Impossible
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Mission: Impossible about?
When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.
Who directed Mission: Impossible?
Mission: Impossible was directed by Brian De Palma.
Who stars in Mission: Impossible?
The principal cast of Mission: Impossible includes Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno.
When was Mission: Impossible released and how long is it?
Mission: Impossible was released in 1996 with a total runtime of 1h 51m.
What was the box office and production budget of Mission: Impossible?
Mission: Impossible had a reported production budget of $80M and grossed $457.7M at the worldwide box office (5.72 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Mission: Impossible?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Mission: Impossible was composed by Danny Elfman.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Mission: Impossible?
Mission: Impossible holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: TP; GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).