Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning continues to thrive at the box office, yet it faces challenges in matching the financial success of its franchise predecessors. This eighth installment, a direct sequel to Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, who now races against time to stop an artificial intelligence from wreaking havoc globally. The previous film earned $571.1 million, raising concerns about the sequel that came with a staggering $400 million budget. In order to turn a profit, it must dominate the box office, and while some positive momentum is palpable, the climb remains steep.
After securing third place at the box office during its third weekend, The Final Reckoning grossed $15 million, bringing its global total to $450 million, bolstered by a $149 million intake from North America. Although this is a remarkable figure, it still lags behind many previous entries in the series. To date, it has only surpassed Mission: Impossible III (2006), which made $399 million, not adjusted for inflation. Considering inflation rates, Final Reckoning currently stands as the lowest-grossing film in the franchise, although possibilities for increased earnings still linger.
What This Milestone Means For The Final Reckoning
It Still Desperately Needs More Growth
Like the other films in the Mission: Impossible series, Final Reckoning relies heavily on increasingly elaborate stunts to engage audiences and drive box office sales. However, this reliance has come at a considerable cost. With a budget of $400 million, it ranks among the most expensive films ever made. In fact, it would need to topple $1 billion in earnings just to break even, a target that appears increasingly elusive as the third weekend concludes. Historically, no Mission: Impossible film has crossed the billion-dollar mark without inflation adjustments.
Title | Budget | Worldwide Box Office | Adjusted for Inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
Mission: Impossible (1996) | $80 million | $457,697,994 | $949 million |
Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) | $120 million | $549,588,516 | $1 billion |
Mission: Impossible III (2006) | $150 million | $399,387,745 | $645 million |
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) | $145 million | $694,713,230 | $1 billion |
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) | $150 million | $688,858,992 | $945 million |
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) | $178 million | $786,626,183 | $1 billion |
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) | $290 million | $565,755,394 | $604 million |
Only a few films in the franchise, such as Mission: Impossible 2, Ghost Protocol, and Fallout, have shattered the billion-dollar ceiling, and all achieved this feat before the pandemic changed the landscape of cinema. As of late, the box office has been fraught with unpredictability, exacerbated by the rise of streaming platforms that have significantly decreased theater attendance. Final Reckoning has thus far earned $450 millionâ€â€a figure that may appear impressive, but with the film’s trajectory, crossing the billion-dollar mark seems improbable. However, it still has the potential to eclipse Dead Reckoning and the raw earnings of both Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible 2.
Our Take On Final Reckoning’s Box Office Milestone
Hollywood Needs To Start Being Careful
The escalating budgets for blockbuster films signal a crucial challenge for Hollywood to confront. A $450 million gross should be a reason to celebrate, especially in a film’s third weekend, but the astronomical $400 million price tag casts shadows over its profitability outlook. While critics like ScreenRant‘s Mary Kassel have described Final Reckoning as “a well-deserved victory lap,” the reality is that without manageable costs, this film cannot take its victory lap at the box office. As its run continues, a careful approach to budget management could have significantly altered the fate of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, positioning it as a more sustainable part of a beloved franchise.
Source: Variety