Tom Cruiseis back as Ethan Hunt inMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Oneand while his latest adventureisthe longest entry in the franchise to date, coming in at two hours and 43 minutes, you won’t have to wait for an end-credits or scene. NoMission: Impossiblefilm has ever had an end credits scene, soDead Reckoning Part Onekeeps that tradition intact, despite this one instance where a post-credit scene might have been appropriate, as this is the first part of a two-part adventure.
SinceIron Manstarted makingpost-credit scenesmore popular in 2008, they have become more commonplace in big summer movie blockbusters, especially in sequels. However, director and co-writerChristopher McQuarriecontinues to embrace the lack of an end-credits scene with his third entry in the film franchise. While this is a two-part adventure, and there is no end-credit sequence, it’s clear that Ethan Hunt’s mission will continue inMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two.
Should Mission: Impossible Movies Have End Credit Scenes?
The first theatricalMission: Impossiblefilm starring Cruise in 1996 was a major turning point for modern Hollywood blockbusters.The first film, directed byBrian de Palma, mixed a more traditional spy-thriller style with cutting-edge visual effects, stunts, and action setpieces. The later films continued to up the ante in terms of their stunts and action sequences, making theMission: Impossiblefilms the epitome of slick popcorn action movie blockbusters. McQuarrie’s entries share a good balance between traditional, spy-movie thrills and the more modern-looking action and stunts. His directing style evokes a familiarity to spy thrillers and action movies of the 1960s and 70s, such asBullittandDirty Harry, and his action is always magnificently framed, immersing the audience in the spy world of Ethan Hunt and showcasing the amazing stunts with minimal cuts or frustrating, shaky cam presentational elements.
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With that in mind, it makes sense that there isn’t type of any tease orend-credit sequenceforDead Reckoning Part One. The film is already an incredibly long movie at nearly three hours. McQuarrie rewards the audience by putting all the material before the ending credits, so the audience is free to leave by that point. WhileDead Reckoning Part Oneis an overly long experience, even as the first part of a larger story, it plays in a fulfilling manner, so the lack of an end-credit scene does not feel like a cheat or necessary when it comes to the case of the film. It hues to the more traditional spy-thriller elements and maintains the previous standards set by theMission: Impossiblefilm franchise.Dead Reckoning Part Onewas long enough and didn’t need an end-credit scene. The movie works better without one.
The same holds true for the otherMission: Impossiblefilms since they are self-contained spy thrillers, and there would be no reason to add a teaser to an upcoming sequel. McQuarrie essentially figured out a way to provide a complete experience that will ideally leave audiences fulfilled, but still excited and intrigued for the next installment. AlthoughDead Reckoningis a two-part event, it presents an exciting balance that the previous two-part blockbuster movie events failed to reach in the past. As a result,Dead Reckoning Part Onefollows the beat of its own drum with its ending, doing things in its own unique way rather than following the format of what has come before. Similarly, the sequel avoids adding an end-credit or stinger sequence, avoiding a change to more modern cinematic blockbuster expectations that like to heavily sequel-bait for future installments with end-credit sequences.
The lack of an end-credit sequence is not surprising because McQuarrie has never included them in his films.Dead Reckoning Part Onewas his fourth entry directing Cruise, having directed him inJack Reacher,Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, andMission: Impossible - Fallout. They will also re-team once more forMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two. Additionally, McQuarrie has served as a screenwriter of other Cruise projects, such asValkyrie,Edge of Tomorrow,The Mummy, and last year’sglobal box office smash,Top Gun: Maverick. Coincidentally, none of those other Cruise films have end-credit scenes either. So, it’s something that’s typically avoided in both the credited works of Cruise and McQuarrie.
Ethan Hunt’s Mission Continues
Despite the lack of any type of end-credit scene,Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Oneis still a memorable, exciting summer action movie experience. While the plot has issues, and the movie runs incredibly long, the action scenes and stunts are some ofthe best in the franchise to date. Cruise is still as entertaining as ever, and the rest of the cast continues to exhibit great onscreen chemistry.
Considering that the crew ofMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoningis currently hard at work on finishingDead Reckoning Part Two, it’s not exactly a giant spoiler to say that Ethan Hunt’s mission will continue inthe next film.Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Twomarksthe landmark eighth entryin the franchise, a rare feat for any film series. One could arguably assume that eight movies and a giant two-part adventure would be the best way to give the franchise a proper sendoff and ending, but that may not be the case.
Cruise stated during an interview withThe Sydney Morning Heraldthat he’d like to keep makingMission: Impossiblemovies until he’sHarrison Ford’sage, stating, “Harrison Ford is a legend; I hope to be still going; I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him,” adding, “I hope to keep makingMission: Impossiblefilms until I’m his age.” Ford most recently returned to the role of Indiana Jones at the ripe age of 80 inIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which is out now in theaters. Even at 61 years old, Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down. So, it raises the possibility thatthe franchisemay continue even afterDead Reckoning Part Twohas concluded.
Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part Oneis out now in theaters.Dead Reckoning Part Twoarrives for theatrical release on June 11, 2025.
