Mission: Impossible (film)

The 1996 film Mission: Impossible is an American action spy film directed by Brian De Palma, serving as the first installment in the Mission: Impossible film series. It is based on the 1966 television series of the same name, created by Bruce Geller. The film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, the leader of a team of Impossible Missions Force (IMF) agents who are framed for the murder of their entire team during a mission in Prague.

The plot follows Hunt as he attempts to clear his name and uncover the real mole within the IMF. He and two other disavowed agents, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Franz Krieger (Jean Reno), must break into CIA headquarters to steal a list of undercover agents. The film is known for its elaborate stunts, particularly the vault scene at CIA headquarters, which has become iconic.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $457 million worldwide. It launched a successful film franchise, with numerous sequels released since. The success of Mission: Impossible is attributed to its combination of suspense, action, and international espionage, along with Cruise's star power. The film is generally considered a classic of the action genre.