After decades of redefining spy cinema, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible saga prepares to launch the franchise’s boldest adventure yet. Arriving in theatres on May 23, 2025, the 8th installment officially claims the title of the longest runtime in the history of the film series. With tension and daring action at its peak, the next mission is poised to leave an enduring mark. Let’s dive into how Mission: Impossible (M:I) 8 - The Final Reckoning elevates the thrilling legacy to new heights.

Direction, Cast, and Plot of Mission: Impossible 8 

Subtitled ‘The Final Reckoning,’ this spy action film thrives under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie, who co-wrote its screenplay with Erik Jendresen.

Picking up the pieces after ‘Dead Reckoning Part One,’ the next chapter in the M:I saga dives deeper into Ethan Hunt’s high-stakes battle against the formidable AI known as the Entity. Armed with vital knowledge, Hunt races to reunite his loyal team and track down the sunken Russian submarine rumoured to hold the Entity’s source code — the only hope to dismantle it.

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Cruise once again leads the charge, joined by returning forces Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. Alongside them, Pom Klementieff adds new energy, while Vanessa Kirby returns to continue her arc from the first Reckoning film.

McQuarrie and Cruise drive production under the banner of Skydance Media and TC Productions, respectively.

Franchise’s Latest Film 'The Final Reckoning' with the Longest Runtime

According to Paramount Pictures, The Final Reckoning is set to deliver an epic runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes (169 minutes). This marks a major jump from the first Mission: Impossible film (1996), which kept things tight at just 110 minutes, the shortest in the entire saga. Even ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’ slightly trailed behind, clocking in at 2 hours and 43 minutes (163 minutes).

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M:I 2 (2000) ran for 124 minutes, M:I 3 (2006) stretched to 126 minutes, and Ghost Protocol (2011) reached 133 minutes. Rogue Nation (2015) slightly dipped to 131 minutes, while Fallout (2018) expanded to 147 minutes. Aside from the small exception of Rogue Nation, each installment has steadily grown in length.

Now, the Reckoning duology has formed a two-part story. Fans gearing up for this grand finale should set aside a combined 5 hours and 2 minutes (332 minutes) of pulse-pounding adventure.

Longest Film of Ethan Hunt’s, Not Tom Cruise’s

Despite its impressive length, MI’s eighth installment does not claim the title of Cruise’s longest film. That distinction belongs to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, the 1999 psychological drama. It unfolds over a sweeping 3 hours and 8 minutes (188 minutes).

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Still, this M:I movie secures a strong second place in Cruise’s filmography, edging just ahead of Dead Reckoning Part One.

Tom Cruise’s Legacy as Ethan Hunt

The trailer for ‘The Final Reckoning’ offers more than just action-packed sequences; it cleverly weaves in moments from previous films, creating a sense of closure. Fans can expect a culmination of storylines, including unresolved threads from ‘MI3,’ tying up decades of narrative threads.

There’s speculation that this could be Cruise’s final appearance as Ethan. If that’s the case, the extended runtime of the upcoming movie seems entirely fitting. This sheer length allows for a comprehensive, satisfying conclusion to his iconic journey of nearly 30 years. In his 60s, Cruise still performs his stunts, a hallmark of the movie series. It would be a prolonged tribute to his prowess and contribution to the M:I universe.

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The trailer’s emotional undertones add weight to the possibility of this being the end. In a poignant moment, Luther, played by Ving Rhames, tells Ethan, “This was your calling; your destiny.” Then, implying the destruction of the Entity, Ethan’s statement subtly yet powerfully includes “one last time” instead of “again.” All signs suggest that this longest epic could mark Cruise's final journey.

Despite these clues, director Christopher McQuarrie has made it clear that the Reckoning duology will not define the end of the M:I universe. There are already talks of future installments, leaving the door open for more high-octane action in the future.

Wrap Up

With its unprecedented runtime, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 8 - The Final Reckoning stands as the longest film in Ethan Hunt's saga. As per the trailer, hints emerge that this film might be the final chapter of Cruise’s iconic portrayal of the legendary spy. After all the three-decades-long journey, the franchise remains a thrilling force, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what comes next.

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