Mission: Impossible is a series of American action spy films based on the television series of the same name created by Bruce Geller. The series is mainly produced by and stars Tom Cruise, who plays Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). The films have been directed, written, and scored by various filmmakers and crew, while incorporating musical themes from the original series by Lalo Schifrin. Starting in 1996, the films (taking place starting six years after the events of the previous TV sequel series) follow the missions of the IMF's main field team, under Hunt's leadership, to stop an enemy force and prevent an impending global disaster. The series focuses on Hunt's character, as opposed to the television series's ensemble cast structure, although some characters, such as Luther Stickell (played by Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (played by Simon Pegg) have recurring roles. The series has been positively received from critics and audiences. It is the 18th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $3.5 billion worldwide,[1] and is often cited as one of the best action franchises to date. The sixth and most recent film, titled Fallout, was released on July 27, 2018 and is currently the series's highest-grossing entry. The seventh and eighth films, two feature-length parts titled Dead Reckoning, will serve as a bookend to the series. Part One will be released in July 2023, and Part Two in June 2024. The films are co-produced and released by Paramount Pictures.