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A Detailed Breakdown Of The Mission Impossible Timeline

From Ethan Hunt's first mission to his latest adventure, explore the thrilling Mission Impossible timeline— find how you can create your own timeline with EdrawMax.

Edraw Team
Edraw Team Jul 18, 25
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The Mission Impossible universe has captivated audiences for nearly three decades with its high-stakes action-spy movies. The first movie, released in 1996, starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, introduced viewers to the fictional spy agency, IMF. IMF is a covert operations agency responsible for neutralizing extreme international threats.

Since then, the franchise has managed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with escalating terrorist plots, daring missions, and jaw-dropping twists.

Today, the Mission Impossible series stands as one of the most popular and successful action franchises in film history, earning over $4 billion worldwide. It is loved by fans and critics alike for its thrilling action sequences, exciting plotlines, and star-studded cast.

The eighth instalment, Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, is set to release in May 2025, and audiences can’t wait for the alleged final chapter in the series. But before you sit down to watch this new release, here’s a quick look at the Mission Impossible timeline.

In this article
  1. Who is Ethan Hunt?
  2. Chronological Order Of Mission Impossible Movies
  3. How to Make a Timeline With EdrawMax?
  4. Conclusion

Who is Ethan Hunt?

Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise, is the lead character in the Mission Impossible series. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, in August 1964, Ethan is two years younger than the character who plays him. After finishing High School, he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a double major in Engineering and International Relations.

After graduation, Ethan joined the U.S. Army, where he met Lieutenant Colonel Daniel David Briggs, the founder and team leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). Ethan served five distinguished years in the military before receiving an honorable discharge at the end of his term.

Committed to serving his country, he initially tried to join the Central Intelligence Agency. However, Colonel Briggs, who was well aware of Ethan’s abilities, had other plans for him. Briggs recruited Ethan into the IMF, where he underwent intense training to become one of the most skilled spies the cinematic world has ever seen.

Once his training was complete, Ethan was assigned to a five-person team, led by Senior Agent James Phelps. Their mission was to neutralize dangerous threats by any means necessary, as long as the operation was successful. The only downside was that if Ethan or any of his team members were captured or killed, the IMF would refuse any responsibility.

Chronological Order Of Mission Impossible Movies

In Ethan’s world, the stakes are always high. That’s why each movie in the series is packed with thrill, suspense, and heart-pounding action. But, keep in mind that all movies are connected through a continuing storyline. So if you want to fully experience Ethan’s journey, it’s best to watch all the releases in order, following this Mission Impossible timeline.

The first movie opens with a plot steeped in betrayal, as an entire team of IMF agents is killed during a covert mission. The only agent to survive was Ethan Hunt, which leads to suspicion about him being a mole within the organization. Determined to prove his innocence, Ethan sets out on a mission of his own: to uncover the real traitor within the IMF.

Mission Impossible 2 (2000)

The second release of the spy-thriller series introduces viewers to a new mission. It is to track down and neutralize a deadly biochemical weapon known as Chimera. The villain in this movie is Sean Abrose, a rogue former IMF agent who develops both the weapon and its antidote in hopes of profiting from a global pandemic.

Mission Impossible III (2006)

In the third movie, we see Ethan tired of his secret life and looking for a way out of the IMF. However, the organization isn’t ready to let him go and ropes him in for a high-risk rescue mission. Realizing that quitting wasn’t an option for him, Ethan tries to shield his fiancée, Julia, from the dangers of his world. Unfortunately, she gets caught in the crossfire despite his best efforts.

Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Following a botched mission with the Kremlin blowing up, Ethan and his team are left stranded in what is known as the “Ghost Protocol.” Now, Ethan must prevent a nuclear war without any backup from the IMF. The fourth movie really steps up the action set-pieces and sets the tone for the franchise’s future movies.

Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

The Rogue Nation revolves around the Syndicate, a rogue organization that wants to reconstruct the world through a series of violent terrorist attacks. Trouble arises for Ethan when he is blamed for the attacks carried out by the Syndicate. He finds himself on the run for crimes he never committed. This movie also introduces viewers to Ilsa Faust, an MI6 agent, who helps Ethan escape the Syndicate’s torture cell.

Mission Impossible – Fallout (2018)

This movie is set two years after Rogue Nation and introduces viewers to a new leader of the Syndicate, known as John Lark. Ethan, along with Faust and his core team, must secure stolen plutonium cores and fight off Lark and the White Widow.

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

In the Dead Reckoning, Ethan has to face an AI-powered enemy designated “the Entity.” This advanced technology is controlled by a two-piece cruciform key. World powers are all competing against one another in hopes of controlling this Entity. Ethan finds one part of the key with the help of Faust and must find the other piece to avoid a global catastrophe.

Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

The Final Reckoning picks up two months after the last movie’s plot. In this final instalment, Ethan continues his search for Gabriel and the Entity.

How to Make a Timeline With EdrawMax?

A timeline is a great way to keep track of your favorite movie universes, but creating one can be tricky. Connecting all the series with background aesthetics requires advanced tools like EdrawMax. This powerful, all-in-one diagramming tool makes it easy for anyone to create timelines like a pro.

With support for over 200 diagram types, EdrawMax offers a vast library of templates and symbols, along with intuitive customization features. So, if you want to make a timeline like the one above, download and launch the EdrawMax app. Follow the steps given below.

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Step 1Open A Blank Page
  • Sign in to EdrawMax using your social media account.
  • Select New > Blank Drawing to get started.
step 1
Step 2Insert Background
  • Click Insert on the top toolbar..
  • Choose Picture > Local pictures and upload an image you want to use as the background.
step 2
Step 3Insert Timeline
  • Click Insert and select Timeline from the options below.
  • Navigate to Vertical Timeline and select the timeline with image containers.
  • Click Okay to insert the drawing.
step 3

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Step 4Customize The Timeline
  • Click the inserted timeline for customization options.
  • Select a color for the timeline from the palette displayed below.
  • On the editing panel, change the Number to 8 for Mission: Impossible movies.
  • Select Horizontal interval and change the number to 202 so the diagram spreads evenly across the page.
step 4
Step 5Edit Image Containers
  • Click Picture Size
  • Select Large to change the image containers’ size.
step 5
Step 6Insert Text
  • Locate Text on the left editing panel and select for more options.
  • Use Click to Add Title to insert the timeline heading.
  • Select Click to Add Body Text and add movie names and timeline details.
step 6
Step 7Upload Movie Thumbnails
  • Click Insert > Picture > Local pictures to upload more images to the timeline.
  • Drag and drop images into their respective empty image containers.
step 7

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Step 8Save The Timeline Image
  • Continue adding movie names and thumbnails to the timeline until it's complete.
  • Locate Export on the top toolbar and click for download options.
  • Select Graphics to save the timeline as an image.
  • You can choose between 9 different image formats like Word, PPT, and PDF.
step 8

Conclusion

The Mission Impossible universe is filled with unexpected plot twists and adrenaline-fueled action sequences. It is one of the most popular franchises in modern cinema. The upcoming eighth release promises even bigger stunts, along with a star-studded new cast. It’s shaping up to be the grandest film in the series, both in terms of cast and scope.

Are you ready to dive back into Ethan Hunt’s dangerous world? But remember, “should you or any member of your team be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions”.

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