In a recent episode of The Town podcast, Matt Belloni confirmed that the upcoming film Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning carries a staggering production budget of $400 million. This makes it more expensive than any of the films in the Avatar franchise and positions it as one of the most costly films ever produced.
Reports first surfaced last summer, suggesting that Final Reckoning was nearing this eye-watering sum. Belloni reiterated that if the film's budget is indeed $400 million, it would then need to gross a whopping $1 billion globally just to break even—a tall order by any estimate. This would make the film's financial requirements more daunting than those of its predecessor, Mission: Impossible — Fallout, which managed a global box office tally of $791 million in 2018.
Should Final Reckoning maintain its $400 million budget, it will become the fourth most expensive film ever made, trailing behind titles like The Force Awakens ($447 million), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ($432 million), and The Rise of Skywalker ($379 million).
After facing production hurdles—including delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes that halted filming in mid-July 2023—the movie resumed production in March 2024. Those delays included reshoots, rewrites, minor injuries on set, and reported malfunctions while filming on a $25 million submarine, all contributing to a complex production environment.
Adding to the financial pressure, the previous installment, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, released in 2023, reportedly lost Paramount Pictures over $200 million. With Final Reckoning now set to serve as a conclusion to the franchise that has featured Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, the stakes have never been higher.
In recent weeks leading up to March 25, 2025, a three-hour cut of Final Reckoning was privately screened in multiple U.S. cities, generating buzz among fans and critics alike. The film is set for a nationwide theatrical release on May 23, 2025, with whispers suggesting that a world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival could be on the horizon.
The anticipation surrounding this film not only hinges on its substantial budget and potential financial returns but also on the legacy it aims to create within the Mission: Impossible cinematic universe. As the finale approaches, fans eagerly await to see if it can achieve the box office success needed not only to justify its expenses but to leave a lasting mark on a franchise that has been a major player on the global movie stage.
