As the clock ticks down to 2026, the Mission: Impossible franchise is making a dramatic return to the spotlight, with both longtime fans and newcomers reliving the adrenaline-pumping exploits of Ethan Hunt. This New Year's Eve, BBC One is offering viewers a nostalgic thrill ride by airing the original 1996 Mission: Impossible film starring Tom Cruise at 8:30pm, with the movie also becoming available for streaming on BBC iPlayer for the next five months, according to the Express. For many, it’s the perfect way to close out the year—a legendary spy blockbuster that, even after nearly three decades, is still hailed as one of the best in the genre.
Directed by Brian De Palma, the inaugural Mission: Impossible film introduced audiences to Cruise’s daring IMF agent Ethan Hunt, a character who would become synonymous with high-stakes espionage and jaw-dropping stunts. Fans continue to praise the film’s blend of action, suspense, and special effects, with one enthusiastic IMDb reviewer proclaiming it “the best spy movie ever.” The reviewer elaborated, “The movie derives its power from a fine mix of action, suspense, thrill, special effects, and an amazingly crafted impossible mission. All the characters fit in their roles well. It all starts as a regular spy mission movie, but the unbelievable turn of events leave the viewers as much amazed as the main characters.”
It’s not just nostalgia that keeps the original film at the top of many fans’ lists. The movie features a now-iconic 15-minute sequence in which Hunt attempts to steal the NOC list, a scene widely regarded as a masterclass in tension and cinematic craft. As another fan put it, “The film strikes a perfect balance between tense situations and action scenes. De Palma’s prowess in directing a thriller is evident in the scene where Ethan Hunt steals the NOC list—a fantastic sequence that holds your attention for a good 15 minutes without becoming tedious.”
Critics and fans alike have showered the film with praise over the years. One passionate viewer declared, “This is the best film in the world. I absolutely love it and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It’s a truly excellent film. The plot is intelligently crafted and easy to follow. Tom Cruise delivers a stellar performance as Ethan Hunt of the Impossible Mission Force, brilliantly portraying his character’s journey back into the IMF’s good graces.” On Letterboxd, another admirer noted, “No director today can really compare to De Palma at his finest, who was perhaps the most accomplished cinematic craftsman to emerge out of the new Hollywood. Nothing today outside of maybe Spielberg looks and feels THIS good, it’s like visual candy, such a rich array of colors and atmosphere and rightfully iconic moments, united by neo-classical style and a playful spirit—every setpiece is 110% perfect, there are no wasted shots, all of it is beautiful and technically adept. It’s not possible for them to make something this precise anymore.”
While the original Mission: Impossible continues to win hearts, the franchise itself has gone through its own rollercoaster journey. Released in 2006, Mission: Impossible III is often cited as the most underrated installment. It marked the directorial debut of J.J. Abrams, who was handpicked by Tom Cruise after Cruise watched Abrams’ work on the spy series Alias. The film introduced crucial elements that would echo throughout the series, such as the Rabbit’s Foot plot device and Michelle Monaghan’s character. It also welcomed Simon Pegg to the franchise and featured a chilling performance by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain.
Despite earning mostly positive reviews and holding a solid 73% on Rotten Tomatoes—where the critics’ consensus reads, “Fast-paced, with eye-popping stunts and special effects, the latest Mission: Impossible installment delivers everything an action fan could ask for. A thrilling summer popcorn flick”—Mission: Impossible III underperformed at the box office, grossing just under $400 million worldwide against a $150 million budget, as reported by Collider. By comparison, the first film had pulled in around $460 million, and its sequel nearly $550 million. This financial disappointment led to a period of uncertainty for the franchise.
The series regained its footing with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, directed by Brad Bird, which grossed nearly $700 million globally and received exceptional reviews. Christopher McQuarrie then took the reins, directing a string of successful entries—Rogue Nation, Fallout, Dead Reckoning, and The Final Reckoning. However, the most recent films have faced their own challenges, with ballooning production costs and box office returns that have not kept pace, leaving the franchise’s future in limbo once again.
Yet, the Mission: Impossible brand remains a cultural touchstone, a benchmark for action filmmaking and star-driven spectacle. The enduring popularity of the original film is a testament to the franchise’s ability to captivate audiences across generations. BBC One’s decision to broadcast the 1996 classic this New Year’s Eve is more than just a nod to nostalgia—it’s a celebration of a film that set the standard for modern spy thrillers and continues to inspire passionate debate among fans about which installment truly reigns supreme.
Adding to the excitement, the official trailer for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning dropped on December 31, 2025, further fueling anticipation for what’s next in the saga. And in a delightful twist, Simon Pegg—who has become a staple of the series—was recently caught on camera reacting in disbelief to Tom Cruise’s daring submarine sequence in The Final Reckoning. Pegg’s genuine astonishment, shared in a video published on December 31, 2025, reminds viewers that even those closest to the action are sometimes left awestruck by Cruise’s relentless pursuit of cinematic thrills.
For those looking to ring in the new year with a dose of high-octane adventure, the Mission: Impossible franchise offers both a trip down memory lane and a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. Whether you’re revisiting the neo-classical style and visual flair of De Palma’s original or marveling at the ever-escalating stunts of the latest entries, it’s clear that Ethan Hunt’s impossible missions still have the power to captivate and entertain.
As fans old and new settle in for an evening of espionage, betrayal, and breathtaking action, one thing is certain: the legacy of Mission: Impossible is far from over. With new installments teasing ever more ambitious feats and the classics finding fresh audiences on streaming platforms, the franchise continues to prove that, sometimes, the most impossible mission is staying out of the spotlight for long.
