MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – Cannes Goes Wild for Cruise’s Final Mission
The French Riviera reached fever pitch this week as Tom Cruise descended upon the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” potentially the last chapter in his iconic three-decade run as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.
The premiere quickly became one of the hottest tickets at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with dedicated fans going to extraordinary lengths just for the chance to witness movie history. Outside the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the first hopefuls in the “last-minute” line had been waiting for a staggering 12 hours in formal attire under the unrelenting Mediterranean sun, all for the mere possibility of scoring any empty seats that might become available.
“I’m not even a big Mission: Impossible fan, but I knew this would be a huge moment I’d always remember,” said Parisian film student Léonard Baraud-Mysko, who was first in that determined queue. His fellow film student Lucie Vittet added what drew so many to Cruise: “I think he loves his job, and you can feel it when you watch one of his movies, the passion.”
The festival organisers created an electrifying atmosphere worthy of the franchise’s grand finale. As Cruise and his co-stars made their way up the iconic Cannes steps, a 40-piece orchestra performed the instantly recognisable “Mission: Impossible” theme – a rare musical treat not typically seen on the Croisette red carpet. Cruise, ever the crowd-pleaser, took time to sign autographs and pose for selfies with ecstatic fans who had lined the barricades along the Croisette.
Inside the theater, the audience response was nothing short of explosive. The film received a thunderous 7½-minute standing ovation, with cheers and applause erupting throughout the screening itself. The ovation finally concluded only because the team eventually needed to leave after the post-screening speeches.
“I’m just very grateful, very grateful for 30 years to be able to entertain you with this franchise,” an emotional Cruise told the audience. While the film’s title suggests this could be Hunt’s final mission, Cruise remained characteristically coy about whether he’s truly hanging up the spy gear for good.
This marks Cruise’s third time at Cannes, following appearances for “Far and Away” in 1992 and his triumphant return with “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022, which featured fighter jets soaring over the Palais for dramatic effect. That film went on to earn $1.46 billion worldwide, a tough act to follow even for a star known for performing the impossible.
Whether “The Final Reckoning” will match those heights remains to be seen, but advance ticket sales are already pointing to a strong debut. The premiere’s success and the overwhelming fan response demonstrate that when it comes to creating genuine movie spectacle, Tom Cruise remains in a league of his own.
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” opens in theatres on May 23, 2025.
Editor in Chief of Ikon London Magazine, journalist, film producer and founder of The DAFTA Film Awards (The DAFTAs).
