Tom Cruise made a grand entrance at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," captivating audiences and creating a buzz that extended beyond the film itself. The actor, known for his dedication to pushing cinematic boundaries, was warmly received by fans and industry professionals alike.
The premiere was held at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, where Cruise and the film received a five-minute standing ovation. Videos circulating on social media captured Cruise's arrival, highlighting a live performance of the iconic "Mission: Impossible" theme as he ascended the Palais steps. He was joined by director Christopher McQuarrie and cast members including Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff and Greg Tarzan Davis. Cruise expressed his gratitude for the audience's support and for the opportunity to entertain them for three decades. He also acknowledged McQuarrie's talent and dedication, noting that McQuarrie had directed five of the eight films.
Adding a touch of playful rebellion to the event, Cruise and his team broke Cannes Film Festival protocol by taking selfies on the red carpet. Since 2018, Cannes has banned selfies, deeming them disruptive and detrimental to the festival's prestige. Artistic director Thierry Frémaux had cautioned that such behavior slowed down proceedings and tarnished the event's image. However, Cruise, known for his maverick spirit, disregarded the rule with a smile. A photo shared on the Mission: Impossible X account, captioned "Mission: Selfie. Accomplished," featured Cruise, McQuarrie, Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Zhen Lei, and Greg Tarzan Davis.
"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" picks up where "Dead Reckoning Part One" (2023) left off, with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team racing against time to stop a rogue AI known as the Entity. The film is packed with high-octane stunts and action sequences, which is a signature element of the "Mission Impossible" franchise.
While the film received a positive response at Cannes, initial reviews have been somewhat mixed. As of May 16, 2025, "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" has a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 136 reviews. While praised for its stunts and thrilling plot, some critics have expressed mixed feelings about the balance between nostalgia and a perceived lack of closure. The film's debut score places it as the fifth-highest-rated film in the franchise, trailing behind "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" (94%).
"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" is slated to release in India on May 17 and will be released in US theaters on May 23.