May 19, 2025: With a bang that echoes across continents, Mission Impossible 8: The Final Reckoning is making waves even before its official release in the United States. The high-octane spy thriller, starring Tom Cruise in what could be his most daring turn as Ethan Hunt yet, launched in select international markets a week early — and it’s already paying off in a big way.
The eighth installment of the blockbuster franchise has raked in an impressive $12 million from just five countries within two days of release. These markets — India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand — have set the stage for what trade experts predict could be a billion-dollar box office run. South Korea led the charge with over 750,000 ticket sales during its opening weekend, the highest for any film this year.
Meanwhile, India Mission Impossible 8 followed closely behind with a ₹33 crore (approximately $4 million) haul, showing that Cruise’s fanbase in Asia remains as loyal as ever.
Mission Impossible 8 Stuns with $12M Pre-U.S. Debut
While the film officially lands in U.S. theaters on May 23, anticipation has already hit a fever pitch. Analysts are projecting a $100 million-plus domestic opening weekend, with international numbers likely to surpass that. China, a major market for Hollywood tentpoles, has also cleared the film for release, slated for May 30. This move is expected to further accelerate its global earnings.
Yet not all is smooth sailing. Despite its commercial success, The Final Reckoning has received a lukewarm reception from a segment of its audience. Indian filmmaker Kunal Kohli took to social media to voice his disappointment, calling the film a “yawn fest” and lamenting what he sees as a weak conclusion to a legendary franchise. “They did the impossible — messed up a Mission Impossible film,” he wrote on Instagram, echoing sentiments shared by some longtime fans.
Still, Cruise’s reputation as the face of edge-of-your-seat action seems intact. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and co-written by Erik Jendresen, Mission Impossible 8 continues the storyline from Dead Reckoning, following Ethan Hunt and his IMF team as they try to stop a rogue AI known only as “The Entity.” The stakes are global, the danger omnipresent, and the stunts — as always — boundary-pushing.
Based on the iconic 1970s television series created by Bruce Geller, this chapter adds Hayley Atwell, Angela Bassett, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Henry Czerny to its all-star ensemble. Produced by Cruise and McQuarrie, and distributed by Paramount Pictures, The Final Reckoning is being positioned not just as a continuation of a beloved saga, but as a pivotal moment for theatrical cinema in 2025.
Whether it marks a glorious high or a divisive finale for the franchise, one thing is certain: Mission Impossible still knows how to make an entrance.