The 1966 series was created by Bruce Geller and produced by Desilu Productions, later Paramount Television. It was canceled in 1969 but gained a cult following through syndication. The show's visual style, featuring masks, disguises, and high-tech gadgets, directly inspired the tone and structure of the later film series, even before Tom Cruise took the lead.
1996 Film Reboot and Tom Cruise's Role
The 1996 Mission: Impossible film was a reboot of the TV series, produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Brian De Palma. Tom Cruise starred as Ethan Hunt, a new IMF agent framed for the murder of his team. The film grossed over $457 million worldwide and launched a long-running franchise with Cruise as the consistent lead actor.
Unlike the TV series, the 1996 film introduced a more cinematic, action-driven style while retaining the core concept of an elite espionage team. Cruise's casting shifted the focus to a single protagonist, and the film's success led to multiple sequels, with Cruise serving as producer and lead actor across all installments.
Legacy and Franchise Evolution
The Mission: Impossible franchise has grown into one of the highest-grossing action series, with the latest entries, including Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, continuing to break box office records. The series has grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide across all films, with Cruise's Ethan Hunt becoming one of the most enduring characters in modern cinema.
The franchise has expanded beyond the original TV series and 1996 reboot, with spin-offs, video games, and theme park attractions. The films are known for practical stunts, real-world locations, and a focus on team dynamics, echoing the original series' emphasis on specialized IMF operatives. The franchise remains a flagship property for Paramount Pictures and a defining example of a long-running action series built around a single lead actor.