The first Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise as superspy Ethan Hunt started the highly successful action franchise in 1995 that continues through to this day. Known for its impressive action sequences, big budgets, and breathtaking stunts, the Mission: Impossible films have earned their stripes as some of the best films in the action-spy genre.
With the release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 in 2023, and the upcoming Part 2 set to be released in 2025, now is the perfect time to catch up on all current seven instalments in the franchise, and explore a whole host of movies like Mission: Impossible in preparation. So check out these 10 movies like Mission: Impossible and find out how (and where) to stream them all using platforms like Prime Video and Netflix below!
Casino Royale
The James Bond franchise is perhaps the best known spy-thriller franchise in history. Jumping from the pages of Ian Fleming books series to screens in 1954, Bond has known many iterations, with actors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig taking on the iconic British spy mantle.
The 2006 version of Casino Royale featuring Daniel Craig’s Bond is one of the best 007 movies of all time. Like Mission: Impossible, the film succeeds in capturing the suspense, drama, and sweeping action of the genre while showcasing a magnetic protagonist’s impressive skills and charisma.
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne franchise is another iconic spy film series that is sure to thrill any action movie fan. With five films starring Matt Damon as the CIA operative Jason Bourne, the franchise serves as a grittier and more dramatic addition to the genre.
The first film, 2002’s The Bourne Identity, focuses on Jason Bourne after he survives an attempt on his life, awakening with amnesia but still in possession of his top-notch spy skills. As he unravels what happened to him and who he was, he realises his enemies are still out there.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
The Kingsman franchise got its start in 2014 with the first film, Secret Service, which introduced audiences to director Matthew Vaughn’s take on the spy genre. Featuring Taron Eggerton as Agent Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin, and Colin Firth as Agent Harry Hart, the Kingsman films take a more lighthearted approach than most spy films. Kingsman: Secret Service follows the story of the rough young Eggsy, who is plucked from a housing estate by the dapper agent Hart, to become a member of the secret service.
If you love Mission: Impossible, but also want a few more laughs in the mix, make sure to check out Kingsman: Secret Service and the other instalment in the franchise.
Munich
Stepping away from franchises, Munich is a 2005 standalone film starring Eric Bana as an Israeli Mossad operative tasked with leading a mission to hunt down and assassinate those allegedly responsible for the deaths of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team in Munich in 1972. The film is directed by celebrated director Steven Spielberg, and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Writing for an Adapted Screenplay.
The film is historical fiction and adopts a much more serious tone than the others on this list, but if you’re looking for a spy film like Mission: Impossible that shows the darker side of being a spy, including the real-life consequences, this is the film for you.
Ocean’s Eleven
Ocean’s Eleven is a 2001 action-heist film featuring an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Andy Garcia. The film is a fast-paced, quippy actioner that follows a team assembled by Clooney’s Danny Ocean as they attempt to carry out one of the most dangerous casino heists ever attempted.
If you like Mission: Impossible for the action and stunts, but want a bit more lightness and humour, Ocean’s Eleven is the film for.
Body of Lies
Body of Lies is a 2008 spy-action-thriller directed by Ridley Scott and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as CIA operative Roger Ferris, Russell Crowe as his boss Ed Hoffman, and Mark Strong as the head of Jordanian intelligence Hani Salaam. When Ferris catches a wild plan to lure the infamous terrorist Al-Saleem out of hiding by creating a fake terrorist organisation, he finds himself and Hoffman playing a dangerous game of truth and lies.
Like Mission: Impossible, Body of Lies features some great action sequences, and the escalating tension between the characters as the stakes get higher makes it well worth a watch.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
This 2015 film stars Henry Cavill, Alicia Vikander, and Armie Hammer as CIA and KGB operatives at the height of the Cold War. When a shadowy organisation intent on destroying the tentative balance of power emerges, these operatives from both sides must put their differences aside to put a stop to it. This action-packed action-spy movie has all the hallmarks of the genre, from the high stakes espionage mission to the betrayal, twists, and thrilling action sequences. If you love Mission: Impossible, make sure to check out The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Argo
Like Munich, Argo is also based on a true story. The 2012 film shows a fictionalised account of how CIA operatives in 1979 were able to carry out a plan to rescue American hostages in Iran by pretending to make a Hollywood sci-fi film in that country. The film is directed by Ben Affleck, and stars Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, and others. Argo was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Make sure to check out Argo if you love Mission: Impossible’s high stakes subterfuge and razor thin close calls.
Jack Reacher
This 2012 film also stars Tom Cruise as the title character, this time a US Army police investigator called Jack Reacher. Reacher is brought in after an ex army sniper who is seemingly responsible for a mass shooting asks for him to be brought in to solve the case. While Jack Reacher might be more of an investigative cop film than a spy-thriller, if you love seeing Tom Cruise at work in an action role, you won’t be disappointed by Jack Reacher.
The Italian Job
This 2003 film stars Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron, Seth Green, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland in a high-octane heist film that takes place across several international locations, including (obviously) Italy and the United States. After a heist, one of the members of the team betrays the rest and makes off with all of the gold. The team reassembles to seek revenge and steal their money back from their old comrade. While The Italian Job is more of a heist than a spy film, it features some incredible action sequences that rival the quality of any Mission: Impossible film.
Where to watch movies like Mission: Impossible online
Check out where to watch all the best movies like Mission: Impossible using our trusted streaming guide below!
