The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Mission: Impossible
Entertainment • Film

Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible is a 1996 American spy thriller film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mission: Impossible is a 1996 American spy thriller film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. It is the first film in the Mission: Impossible film series and is based on the 1966 television series of the same name. The film follows Hunt after he is framed for the deaths of most of his IMF team and must uncover the real traitor.

Plot

Ethan Hunt, an IMF agent, is blamed for the deaths of most of his team after a mission in Prague goes wrong. He becomes a fugitive and works to uncover the real mole, leading to a confrontation with the traitor.

Production

The film was directed by Brian De Palma from a screenplay by David Koepp and Robert Towne. It was produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner for Paramount Pictures.

Release and reception

Mission: Impossible was released in 1996 in the United States with a PG-13 rating. The film was distributed in Canada by Paramount Pictures, and the Mission: Impossible franchise has had wide theatrical and home-entertainment release in Canada. It became the first entry in a long-running franchise.

Legacy

The film established Ethan Hunt as the central character of the franchise and led to multiple sequels. It also helped define the series’ blend of espionage, action, and stunt-driven spectacle.

Key facts

  • Mission: Impossible was released in 1996 and launched the film series.
  • Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, an IMF agent framed for his team's deaths.
  • The film is based on the 1966 television series created by Bruce Geller.
  • It was directed by Brian De Palma and produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada by Paramount Pictures, and the Mission: Impossible franchise has had wide theatrical and home-entertainment release in Canada, making it familiar to Canadian audiences.[8][9]

Frequently asked questions

What is Mission: Impossible (film)?
It is a 1996 American spy thriller directed by Brian De Palma and the first film in the Mission: Impossible series.
Who stars in Mission: Impossible?
Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, with supporting roles from Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Vanessa Redgrave.
What is the plot of Mission: Impossible?
Ethan Hunt is framed for the deaths of his IMF team and must find the real traitor while avoiding capture.
Is Mission: Impossible based on a TV series?
Yes. It is based on the 1966 television series Mission: Impossible and its 1988 sequel series.
When was Mission: Impossible released?
It was released in 1996; listed theatrical release dates include May 22, 1996 in the United States.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film)
    Supports: Director, cast, release year, series position, and basic plot.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)
    Supports: Franchise context and plot setup for the first film.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117060/
    Supports: Release date and short plot description.
  4. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/mission-impossible
    Supports: Year, rating, running time, and synopsis.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriters, runtime, release date, and plot summary.
  6. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mission-Impossible-film-francise
    Supports: Franchise overview and first-film sequence description.