Hollywood star Tom Cruise electrified the 78th Cannes Film Festival with the out-of-competition world premiere of Mission: Impossible – Final Countdown, the eighth installment of the blockbuster franchise and direct sequel to Dead Reckoning.
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film was screened at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on Tuesday, drawing thunderous applause and a standing ovation lasting between five and seven minutes, according to reports. The screening marked one of the festival’s biggest Hollywood events this year.
Cruise, known for his signature death-defying stunts, arrived on the red carpet with co-stars as a live orchestra performed the iconic Mission: Impossible theme. Shouting “Bravo!” to the musicians, he entered the theatre to cheers from fans lining the promenade, many of whom had waited for hours for a glimpse of the star and his autograph.
A global story of high-stakes action
Final Countdown continues the franchise’s trademark blend of world-spanning espionage and spectacular set pieces, this time confronting an apocalyptic threat driven by artificial intelligence. Early reactions from Cannes were “mostly positive,” with critics praising Cruise’s charisma and the film’s relentless energy.
In remarks following the screening, Cruise reflected on his three decades with the franchise: “Being here in Cannes and experiencing moments like this is beyond anything I could have imagined. I’m grateful that these films have been able to entertain you.”
The film is slated for release in North American cinemas on May 23.
This marks Cruise’s third major appearance at Cannes – after Far and Away in 1992 and Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, where he received an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement. With Final Countdown, the 62-year-old star reaffirms his status as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and bankable icons.
