After nearly 30 years, the Mission: Impossible franchise has reached a milestone that’s a bit heartbreaking. Tom Cruise revitalized the Mission: Impossible IP in 1996, and with the help of Paramount Pictures, the star and studio have built a wildly successful eight-movie series that’s been met with critical acclaim and $4.7 billion in box office receipts.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the latest entry in the series and a culmination of the series in many ways. Amid uncertainty regarding Cruise’s future as Ethan Hunt, the eighth installment was positioned as the last movie in the long-running franchise. Critics and audiences approved of the outing, with it making an impressive $596 million worldwide.
The possibility of this being the end of the Mission: Impossible franchise results in this film being responsible for several unexpected realities. And if you’re like me and have loved experiencing these movies on the big screen, the latest development is a harsh reminder that all good things come to an end.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Is No Longer In Theaters
Following delays and a complicated production, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was finally released in theaters this year on May 23, two days after the franchise’s 29th anniversary. The movie enjoyed a robust theatrical release from that point on, playing in theaters for 84 days. Yet, as of August 14th, The Final Reckoning is not available in theaters.
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Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Key Facts |
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Box Office |
Rotten Tomatoes Scores |
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$596 million |
80% Critics / 88% Audience |
Cruise and writer/director Christopher McQuarrie crafted this film, as is usual for the series, to be seen on the big screen – especially in IMAX. Judging by the box office performance, audiences had no trouble turning up to see the film’s death-defying stunts and, as the marketing hammered home, trust Cruise “one last time” to deliver an exhilarating experience.
Yet, now the only option to watch The Final Reckoning is on digital. Paramount waited 88 days to put the movie on PVOD services for purchase, but not for rent. That’s rare nowadays in Hollywood, as it’s much more common for digital releases to come within 45 days of a theatrical launch.
Instead of giving people the choice between seeing The Final Reckoning in theaters or watching it on digital, Paramount has made that choice for them. Anyone who has the urge to watch the movie right now can’t go to a theater to see it.
Admittedly, I only saw The Final Reckoning once in theaters on opening night. I kept telling myself I needed to go back to see it at least one more time on the big screen, but now I’ve missed my chance. That’s more disappointing to realize than expected, thanks to what the future holds.
There May Never Be A Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible Movie In Theaters Again
It’s only just now hit me that August 14 was the last time I or anyone else could have seized the opportunity to see a new Mission: Impossible movie starring Cruise on the big screen. If that is true, then this is truly the end of an era for the franchise, its star, and even all of Hollywood.
Mission: Impossible has been a consistent performer for nearly three decades. Audiences have grown accustomed, especially in recent years, to seeing Cruise play Ethan Hunt in a new action blockbuster on the big screen every few years.
Whenever a previous entry ended, there was always some thought or expectation that another movie would come. There’s now a very real chance that it will never happen again.
With the actor exploring standalone features, tinkering with new franchise ideas with McQuarrie, and planning a Top Gun 3 return, his plate is already fairly full. There’s no immediate need for him to come back to Mission: Impossible. He even appears somewhat comfortable with leaving his biggest franchise behind at last.
The one way this would’ve been different is if The Final Reckoning‘s box office broke records. That type of performance probably would’ve helped entice Cruise, McQuarrie, and Paramount to find a way for them to make another entry. With the film having a respectable run, this could just be where it all ends for good.
Paramount may ultimately reboot the franchise at some point, but that won’t fulfill the same desire. Cruise is the franchise in a lot of ways, and it’s his commitment to doing daring action scenes practically that makes these movies a big event. Losing him and that element wouldn’t work.
That would also only further signify how The Final Reckoning is the end of an era. Without an official pᴀssing of the baton from Ethan to another character, whatever Mission: Impossible movie would be made without Cruise would be a firm relaunch.
As a result, I’m kicking myself even more that I never made the time to go see The Final Reckoning in theaters one more time. There may never be another chance to see Cruise in one of these movies on the big screen, which has brought me a lot of joy over the years.
Granted, Paramount could do re-releases of all the films in the franchise at some point in the future. That would provide anyone with a chance to see each installment again in theaters, including The Final Reckoning. This still wouldn’t be the same, though.
While we can now experience Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at home on digital, and eventually on physical media and on streaming, it’s meant for the big screen. And if I never get a chance to see a new entry in this franchise in theaters again, that will be a real shame.
