Mission Impossible has become one of the most iconic action franchises in cinema, with hero Ethan Hunt embarking on dangerous globe-trotting missions filled with jaw-dropping stunts and edge-of-your-seat suspense. With the highly anticipated Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One set to premiere in 2023, viewers might be wondering – just how long are these blockbuster spy movies?
The upcoming Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One has a runtime of 2 hours and 43 minutes. This runtime was recently revealed by director Christopher McQuarrie, making Dead Reckoning the longest Mission Impossible film to date.
Keep reading for how long is Mission Impossible.
Key Takeaways:
- The upcoming Mission Impossible by Paramount Pictures- Dead Reckoning Part One will be the longest film in the series yet at 2 hours and 43 minutes.
- Previous Mission Impossible movie runtimes have ranged from 1 hour 50 minutes up to 2 hours 27 minutes.
- Dead Reckoning’s extended length can likely be attributed to its two-part story, packed action sequences, ensemble cast, and anticipation.
- After 25 years, the Mission Impossible franchise continues to raise the stakes and set new records as Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt battles to save the world from catastrophe.
How Long is Mission Impossible – Overview of Dead Reckoning Part One
Dead Reckoning Part One is the seventh installment in the Mission Impossible film series based on the 1960s TV show. The popular franchise focuses on the missions of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a covert operations team that undertakes dangerous missions against ruthless criminals and terrorists.
Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is the main protagonist and team leader who has appeared in all the Mission Impossible films since 1996. Other key returning characters include Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson).
Dead Reckoning Part One sees the IMF team take on their most lethal adversary yet – a new terrorist syndicate armed with alarming technological capabilities and mysterious motives.
To have any hope of saving humankind from catastrophe, Ethan and his allies must embark on a globe-trotting pursuit to unravel the mysterious Apostles’ endgame before it’s too late.
McQuarrie, who previously directed Rogue Nation and Fallout, has emphasized that Dead Reckoning will be Ethan’s darkest mission with the highest stakes yet. The film’s ominous tagline sums it up: “the end begins”.
A Look Back at the Runtimes for All the Mission Impossible Movies
Let’s take a nostalgic walk back through the Mission Impossible franchise and see how the runtimes stack up:
Mission Impossible (1996)
The first Mission Impossible movie that started it all had a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. This explosive debut directed by Brian De Palma introduced the world to Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Missions Force (IMF) team as they uncover a dangerous mole in their organization.
Mission Impossible 2 (2000)
Mission Impossible 2 clocked in at 2 hours and 3 minutes, with Ethan Hunt facing off against rogue agent Sean Ambrose as they race to acquire a deadly virus.
Directed by John Woo, this sequel upped the action ante with intense slow-motion gunfights and motorcycle stunts.
Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
The third Mission Impossible ran for 2 hours and 6 minutes. Ethan Hunt tries to balance his spy life with his fledgling romance in this J.J. Abrams-directed entry, which adds a personal twist to Hunt’s impossible mission to take down arms dealer Owen Davian.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)
Ghost Protocol had a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. Directed by Brad Bird, this film saw Ethan Hunt go rogue to clear the IMF’s name after they are implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin.
Standout scenes like Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa make this a fan favorite.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)
Rogue Nation came in at 2 hours and 11 minutes. Ethan and his team go underground to expose the mysterious Syndicate organization led by the calculating Solomon Lane.
Christopher McQuarrie’s first directorial outing in the franchise enthralled with intricate spy games and an epic underwater heist.
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
The most recent Mission Impossible before Dead Reckoning was Fallout, with a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes. This critical darling brought back old foes and familiar faces as Ethan races to secure stolen plutonium cores, resulting in the franchise’s most personal and explosive mission yet.
Why is Mission Impossible 7 So Long?
So what accounts for Dead Reckoning’s whopping 2 hour and 43 minute runtime, making it a full half hour longer than previous franchise entries?
A few key factors are likely in play:
- It’s a two-part story – Dead Reckoning is the first installment of a two-part Mission Impossible saga, so the extended runtime allows more time to establish the stakes and threat.
- Packed with action set pieces – Previews have teased ambitious action sequences including a deadly train bridge jump. These elaborate stunts require more screen time.
- Bringing back fan-favorite characters – In addition to the core IMF team, Dead Reckoning features returns from Eugene Kittridge, Erika Sloane, and other memorable figures that add depth.
- Building anticipation – After pandemic delays, Paramount likely wanted to deliver an exceptionally epic first chapter that leaves fans on the edge for Part Two.
Whatever the reasoning, Mission Impossible fans can expect their most jampacked impossible mission yet when Dead Reckoning hits theaters in 2023.
Ethan Hunt is back, and he’s here to save the world in true stick-it-to-the-bad-guys style – even if it takes almost 3 hours.
Mission Impossible Movies Ranked Shortest to Longest Runtime
To recap Tom Cruise’s decades of impossible missions, here are all the Mission Impossible movies ranked from shortest to longest runtime:
| Movie | Release Year | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Mission: Impossible | 1996 | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Mission: Impossible II | 2000 | 2 hours 3 minutes |
| Mission: Impossible III | 2006 | 2 hours 6 minutes |
| Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol | 2011 | 2 hours 12 minutes |
| Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation | 2015 | 2 hours 11 minutes |
| Mission Impossible: Fallout | 2018 | 2 hours 27 minutes |
| Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One | 2023 | 2 hours 43 minutes |
It will be exciting to see if Dead Reckoning’s extended runtime allows for even more heart-pounding action and intrigue as Ethan’s team takes on their most world-threatening mission yet.
While Tom Cruise continues defying age, the Mission Impossible movies get bigger, bolder, and longer with each new installment.
What to Expect from Mission Impossible 7
Based on everything we know about Dead Reckoning so far, here’s a preview of what fans can expect from the nearly 3-hour long spy blockbuster:
- Jaw-dropping stunts – Previewed in the trailers, Ethan rides a motorcycle off a cliff, flies a biplane through tunnels, and trains take down helicopters. It wouldn’t be M:I without death-defying stunts.
- Exotic global settings – Chase scenes and action set pieces set in beautiful European cityscapes and African landscapes.
- High stakes – With the world’s future at risk, Ethan faces his most impossible mission battling lethal apostles to save humankind.
- Familiar faces – Alongside Cruise, Pegg, Rhames and Ferguson return as Ethan’s closest allies.
- New characters – Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, and Henry Czerny join the ensemble as mysterious new allies and foes.
- Emotion and drama– McQuarrie promises rich character development and emotional depth as Ethan confronts his past and grapples with personal toll of his missions.
- A thrilling cliffhanger – Dead Reckoning will end on a nail-biting cliffhanger that leaves Ethan in mortal peril and sets the stage for the eighth and final film in 2024.
FAQs
How long is Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1?
163 minutes or 2 hours and 43 minutes, making it the longest Mission Impossible film so far.
Why is Dead Reckoning so long?
Factors like its two-part storyline, abundance of action, large cast, character drama, and impactful ending contribute to the extended runtime.
How does Dead Reckoning’s length compare to other Mission Impossible movies?
It’s 16 minutes longer than the previous longest entry, Fallout (2018). Most other M:I films are around 2 hours.
Should I watch all the previous Mission Impossible movies before seeing Dead Reckoning?
It’s not essential, but viewing the previous films will help you appreciate characters’ backstories and recognize returning figures from Ethan Hunt’s past missions.
Which Mission Impossible movie is the shortest?
The original 1996 Mission Impossible starring Tom Cruise is the shortest with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Conclusion
That’s all about how long is Mission Impossible. With a runtime of 163 minutes, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One promises to be an action-packed spy adventure of truly epic proportions.
The extended length is likely due to the film’s globe-spanning story, abundance of set pieces, massive cast, dramatic character depth, and setting up an impactful cliffhanger finale.
While undeniably long, the expanded runtime seems necessary to do justice to Ethan Hunt’s last mission as the IMF’s greatest hero.
