The consensus is strongly positive, with praise centred on the practical stunt work, Tom Cruise’s physical commitment and Christopher McQuarrie’s control of elaborate action sequences. Most critics find the chases and fights clearly staged and sustained with considerable tension, while Cruise gives the danger an emotional urgency beyond the mechanics of the mission. Several reviews also credit the writing with developing Ethan Hunt’s values and relationships without slowing the action.
The differences concern how much the story contributes, rather than whether the spectacle works. Little White Lies values the character work as highly as the stunts, while The Hollywood Reporter finds the plot indecipherable but considers the action ample compensation. Polygon notes a slow start and flimsy dramatic moments, though it too remains positive. The spread is narrow in sentiment: reservations qualify the enthusiasm rather than amounting to a case against the film.
E
Empire
13 July 2018 · ★★★★★ · Helen O'Hara
100
The critic calls it a stunning piece of action cinema thanks to thrilling stunts, insane daring and clever writing. She highlights the jaw-droppingly effective action sequences and McQuarrie's layered character moments.
Read the full review →L
Little White Lies
24 July 2018 · 3/5/4 · Adam Woodward
100
It is an absolutely top-drawer action flick and comfortably the best addition to the franchise to date. Story and character are prized as highly as the high-wire pyrotechnics.
Read the full review →R
Radio Times
13 July 2018 · ★★★★★ · Alan Jones
100
It sets a new bar for exhilarating escapist adventure with sensational stunt work including a motorbike chase through Paris, a London rooftops chase and a spectacular helicopter battle. This explosive extravaganza is simply impossible to resist.
Read the full review →T
The Telegraph
26 July 2018 · ★★★★★
100
The film is hailed as spectacular and eye-popping, the blockbuster of the summer. McQuarrie's mastery of logistics and the gorgeous helicopter finale in Kashmir are singled out for praise.
Read the full review →T
Time Out
17 July 2018 · ★★★★★ · Dan Jolin
100
This is easily the best, slickest and most daring Mission: Impossible instalment and the finest action movie of the year so far. Writer-director McQuarrie brings continuity and set-piece sophistication, with Cruise committing to an insane degree.
Read the full review →T
Total Film
12 July 2018 · ★★★★★
100
The critic finds the film the finest Mission yet, with McQuarrie bringing grace and grit and Cruise delivering peak performance. She singles out the visceral action sequences and exploratory emotion for praise.
Read the full review →I
IndieWire
12 July 2018 · David Ehrlich
95*
The critic calls it one of the best action movies ever made, lauding the viscerally practical effects and stunts over CGI in the tradition of Fury Road. The verdict celebrates Tom Cruise and McQuarrie delivering deliriously thrilling practical action.
Read the full review →R
RogerEbert.com
27 July 2018 · Brian Tallerico
95*
The critic praises the film's seamless action sequences and rhythm that transcend the genre, comparing it favorably to Mad Max: Fury Road. It singles out the fluid motion, intense set pieces, and strong performances as standout elements that make it one of the best movies of the year.
Read the full review →H
The Hollywood Reporter
12 July 2018 · Todd McCarthy
90*
The critic praises the film's insane, extended action sequences and real stunts performed by Cruise, noting it surpasses the previous entry despite an indecipherable plot. The verdict highlights it as a spectacular, high note for the series with self-aware humor and visceral spectacle.
Read the full review →E
Evening Standard
27 July 2018 · Charlotte O'Sullivan
85*
The critic praises the film as a delightfully knowing and nerve-shredding affair with thrilling set pieces and strong performances. She singles out Tom Cruise's emotional intensity and willingness to perform his own stunts for particular praise.
Read the full review →S
Screen Daily
12 July 2018 · festival review
85*
Tom Cruise remains a force of nature in this outstanding entry delivering stupendous action sequences paired with deft character drama and life-or-death stakes. Writer-director McQuarrie gives witty, sophisticated grandeur while the film belongs to Cruise.
Read the full review →V
Variety
12 July 2018 · Critics Pick · Peter Debruge
85*
The critic notes that the film shrewdly pays off prior installments to deliver the series' most exciting entry yet. It singles out the coherent, geography-respecting action set pieces and Cruise's portrayal of a more experienced, moralistic Ethan Hunt.
Read the full review →L
Los Angeles Times
13 July 2018 · Kenneth Turan
80*
The critic highlights the return of familiar characters and the series of thrilling stunts that keep the franchise fresh. It singles out Cruise's commitment to doing his own stunts and the film's ability to deliver reliable summer entertainment.
Read the full review →S
Sight and Sound
26 July 2018 · Henry K. Miller
The film is thin in plot but packed with astonishing visuals and thrilling action sequences. The critic highlights Tom Cruise's gravity-defying refusal to hang it up as a key appeal, along with the IMAX sensation of the stunts.
Read the full review →The critic praises director Christopher McQuarrie for bringing slick tension and fun to the sixth adventure. Cruise's charismatic command of elaborate set pieces and the film's ticking-clock quality are singled out for praise.
Read the full review →N
The New York Times
25 July 2018 · Critic’s Pick · Manohla Dargis
The critic calls it an entertainment machine par excellence propelled by hyper-human Tom Cruise and his stunts. It singles out the action scenes that transmit character while advancing the story, like song-and-dance numbers in a musical.
Read the full review →T
The Times
20 July 2018 · ★★★★☆ · Kevin Maher
The critic calls it the best Mission yet and the most satisfying instalment. McQuarrie and Cruise deliver cake-and-eat-it mayhem with ever more perilous stunts that are singled out for praise.
Read the full review →C
Collider
26 July 2018 · A- · Matt Goldberg
90
The critic praises the film as raising the bar for the series with exhilarating action and a more fully realized Ethan Hunt character focused on his values and relationships. The plot's twists sometimes confuse, but the practical stunts and overall thrills make it highly rewatchable.
Read the full review →/
/Film
12 July 2018 · 9/10 · Karen Han
90
The critic praises the film for cementing the Mission: Impossible series as the greatest current franchise through its near-demented earnestness and Tom Cruise's physical commitment, particularly his running. It delivers consistent physical reactions from audiences and stands as a complete, delirious delight that bakes suspension of disbelief into the experience.
Read the full review →D
Digital Spy
26 July 2018 · Ian Sandwell
85*
The critic finds it a spectacular outing with impeccable stuntwork, crisp direction, and intense set pieces that deliver the year's best spectacle, though notes it is slightly overlong. They single out the sustained intensity of the climactic sequence and Cruise's commitment as standout elements.
Read the full review →P
Polygon
13 July 2018 · Matt Patches
85*
The review highlights the film's simple, stunt-heavy approach that delivers stunning action sequences and follows film conventions effectively for an exciting time at the movies. It notes some flaws like a slow start and flimsy dramatic moments but concludes that the relentless pace and Cruise's performance make it irresistible.
Read the full review →D
Den of Geek
27 July 2018 · ★★★★ · David Crow
80
The critic calls it a clever spectacle of giddy stunt work and sharp writing that proves plot doesn't matter when executed this well. They single out the in-camera stunts, crisp editing, and the film's knowing embrace of its own ludicrous spy-game fun as highlights.
Read the full review →D
Deadline
23 July 2018 · Pete Hammond
The critic calls it the best in the series, praising the stunt work and set pieces like the skydiving sequence and helicopter duel, as well as the return of director McQuarrie.
Read the full review →W
The Wrap
28 July 2018 · Robert Abele
The critic praises the film as a rousing, old-fashioned humdinger with thrilling stunts and set pieces, highlighting Cruise's commitment and the director's handling of the franchise.
Read the full review →Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate