The 10 Best ‘Mission: Impossible’ Stunts Performed by Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise has turned the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise into a showcase of jaw-dropping action. For nearly three decades, he’s pushed the limits of what’s possible, performing stunts that leave us gripping our seats. From the first film in 1996 to the latest in 2025, Cruise’s commitment to doing his own stunts has made Ethan Hunt a legend in action cinema. Each movie seems to raise the bar, blending raw courage with cinematic magic.

What makes these stunts so thrilling is Cruise’s refusal to rely on doubles or heavy CGI. At 62, he’s still climbing skyscrapers, leaping off cliffs, and defying gravity in ways most wouldn’t dare. Let’s dive into the ten best stunts he’s pulled off in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series, ranked from heart-pounding to downright insane.

10. Aquarium Explosion – ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

Ethan Hunt needs a quick escape in the first film, so he blows up a massive restaurant aquarium. Sixteen tons of water and glass come crashing toward Cruise as he sprints away. The slow-motion shot of him diving through a window with water surging behind is pure action gold. Director Brian De Palma originally used a stuntman, but Cruise stepped in to make it real, narrowly avoiding injury from the flying debris.

This stunt set the tone for the franchise. It showed us Cruise wasn’t just acting—he was ready to risk it all for a single take. The danger of drowning or being cut by glass made this a bold move for a then-34-year-old star launching a new series.

9. Langley Vault Heist – ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

In one of the most iconic scenes, Ethan dangles from a wire to hack a CIA computer, inches above a pressure-sensitive floor. Cruise’s intense focus and perfect balance sell the tension as he avoids touching the ground. He even used coins in his shoes to stay steady, smacking his face on the floor during takes to get it right.

The stunt demanded insane core strength and precision. It’s less about raw danger and more about technical skill, but the suspense it creates is unmatched. We’re still holding our breath every time we watch.

8. Rock Climbing – ‘Mission: Impossible II’ (2000)

The opening of ‘Mission: Impossible II’ sees Ethan free-climbing a jagged Utah cliff with no harness in sight. Cruise leaps between rocks, dangling one-handed over a deadly drop. Though safety ropes were used and digitally erased, he tore his shoulder during filming, proving the real risk involved.

Director John Woo couldn’t bear to watch as Cruise scaled 2,000 feet up. This stunt is all about raw physicality and sets Ethan up as a fearless thrill-seeker, even if the movie itself doesn’t quite match its opening energy.

7. Motorcycle Chase – ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

In ‘Rogue Nation,’ Ethan races through Morocco’s winding roads on a motorcycle, chasing enemies at breakneck speed. Cruise rode without a helmet or protective gear, weaving through traffic on treacherous cliffs. Some cars were added digitally for safety, but the high-speed turns and steep drops were all real.

This stunt shows Cruise’s skill as a rider and his knack for making action feel grounded. The lack of protective gear amps up the danger, making every twist of the road a heart-stopper.

6. Underwater Vault – ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

Ethan dives into a submerged vault to swap a security card, holding his breath for over six minutes. Cruise trained with divers to slow his heart rate and stay calm underwater, performing complex moves while oxygen-starved. The scene’s tension comes from watching him struggle as the clock ticks down.

Six minutes is superhuman for most, and Cruise did it while acting and dodging mechanical arms. It’s a masterclass in endurance, showing his dedication to pushing his body to the limit.

5. Train Chase – ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ (2023)

Ethan battles enemies atop a speeding train, ducking under bridges and leaping between cars. The practical filming meant Cruise was really up there, fighting while the train roared through tight spaces. Harnesses were used for wide shots, but the close-ups show his face in real peril.

This sequence blends old-school action with modern stakes. Cruise’s ability to stay in character while dodging death makes it a standout, proving he can still thrill us at 60.

4. Car Chase in Rome – ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ (2023)

Handcuffed to Grace (Hayley Atwell), Ethan speeds through Rome’s narrow streets in a tiny yellow Fiat 500. The chaotic chase includes flips down the Spanish Steps and dodging a tank-like Land Rover. Cruise and Atwell trained hard to drive one-handed, making the comedy and danger feel seamless.

Director Christopher McQuarrie’s fast cuts and ground-level camera work pull us into the action. It’s a fun, frantic sequence that shows Cruise can still surprise us with creative twists.

3. Burj Khalifa Climb – ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

Ethan scales the 2,722-foot Burj Khalifa in Dubai using high-tech gloves that start to fail. Cruise climbed 1,700 feet up, ran down, and leapt off the building, secured only by a harness erased in post-production. The sheer height and his calm focus make this unforgettable.

The stunt required intense training and trust in the team. It’s one of the most visually stunning moments in the series, cementing Cruise as a fearless action star.

2. HALO Jump – ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

Cruise performs a high-altitude, low-opening jump from 25,000 feet, the first actor to do so on film. He trained for over 100 jumps, wearing a custom helmet to breathe and show his face. The scene, shot in three takes, follows Ethan as he chases a villain through a storm, nearly missing his parachute pull.

The logistics were insane—cameras strapped to skydivers, perfect timing, and real danger. This stunt’s scale and Cruise’s commitment make it a breathtaking highlight.

1. Biplane Stunt – ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ (2025)

In the franchise’s finale, Ethan clings to an upside-down biplane, jumps to another, and fights in a tiny cockpit. Cruise trained for months, enduring G-forces and hypothermia on the wing of a Boeing Stearman. He also set a Guinness World Record for 16 burning parachute jumps, cutting free from a flaming chute mid-air.

Filmed in South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains, this stunt is the ultimate test of Cruise’s skill and nerve. It’s a fitting cap to a series defined by his fearless drive.

Which ‘Mission: Impossible’ stunt blew you away the most, or is there another Cruise moment we missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!