We are sharing every explosive stunt and action sequence in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and ranking them from the underwhelming to unforgettable.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning brings the legendary action franchise to what appears to be a high-octane close, with seven edge-of-your-seat stunts that push the boundaries of what’s possible in blockbuster filmmaking. With Tom Cruise once again risking life and limb, and Christopher McQuarrie behind the camera, the eighth installment delivers both spectacle and intensity. From underwater tension to aerial insanity, here’s how every major stunt and action sequence stacks up in this globe-trotting thriller.
7. Ethan breaks Paris out of Graz-Karlau prison
The film’s first action beat sees Ethan and Benji infiltrating an Austrian prison to break out Paris, last seen stabbed in Dead Reckoning Part One. Disguises, hand-to-hand combat, and a tense reunion make up this short, somewhat underwhelming sequence. While Pom Klementieff shines with her physicality, the scene feels more like setup than spectacle, lacking the punch fans expect from the franchise’s openers.
6. Gabriel, Ethan, Kittridge, and Briggs face off
A remote bunker in South Africa becomes the battleground for three factions vying for control of the Entity. Tensions escalate when a nuclear device is introduced and alliances are tested. While the stakes are immense, the action is disappointingly brief, and much of the scene leans on dialogue and power plays rather than adrenaline. Still, it effectively sets the stage for what’s to come.
5. Ethan goes down to the Sevastopol wreck
This underwater sequence trades punches for pulse-pounding suspense. Ethan explores the sunken submarine Sevastopol in search of the module, dodging torpedoes and corpses as the wreck threatens to collapse around him. It’s slow-paced but visually stunning, and the tension is palpable. It’s a standout example of the franchise’s ability to create gripping action without a single explosion.
4. Ethan is attacked on the USS Ohio
Inside the tight confines of the USS Ohio, Ethan is ambushed by a rogue crew member. What follows is a gritty, claustrophobic fight that’s both brutal and startling. With no weapons and barely clothed, Ethan fends off his attacker in one of the most grounded, intense sequences of the film. It’s short but shockingly visceral, offering a stark contrast to the film’s grander moments.
3. Ethan and Grace escape Gabriel
Captured by Gabriel, Ethan and Grace face a lethal ultimatum. What begins as a tense standoff erupts into one of Ethan’s most savage fights yet. Pretending to swallow a cyanide capsule, Ethan breaks free and unleashes a flurry of lethal force, resulting in shocking off-screen kills and a metal cleaver to the back of one enemy. The horror-tinged brutality here is unforgettable—and Grace’s reactions only heighten the impact.
2. Ethan’s team against the Russians at St. Matthew Island
On the icy St. Matthew Island, Ethan’s team must protect Donloe and the vital coordinates he’s transmitting. As Russian forces descend, every member of the team—from Benji to Paris—gets their moment to shine in a fast-paced, multi-pronged battle. Flames, bullets, and strategy collide in one of the film’s most ensemble-driven sequences. High tension and high stakes make this a standout scene.
1. The plane fight
Nothing tops the jaw-dropping climax: Ethan’s midair biplane chase of Gabriel. This isn’t just a spectacle—it’s a stunt masterclass. Tom Cruise, who trained for over a year and a half, literally hangs from an inverted plane flying at 140 mph. From leaping between planes to fighting at dizzying altitudes, it’s a show-stopping achievement in action cinema. It’s the kind of moment that defines not just a movie, but a legacy.
With its bold ambition and relentless execution, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a fitting finale for Ethan Hunt’s death-defying journey. Whether creeping through wreckage or soaring through the skies, the film proves once more that in the world of Mission: Impossible, the action is anything but ordinary.
