Mission: Impossible

1966 – 1973Show7 seasons171 episodesTV-14

79
GreatGoodWatch score

A nostalgic, intriguing crime series about history and crime, with standout score.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

Set your services
What's new on Paramount+

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, big ideas or scares.

Shows with

Episodes

7 seasons · 171 episodes · best: S2E21 "The Town" 8.6

Episodes

7.4
7.7
7.8
7.5
7.4
7.4
7.3

Story

Failure impossible.

Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.

Feels like

  • Classic Espionage Thriller
  • Icic Theme Music
  • Procedural Heist Structure
  • Retro Techno-Spy Aesthetic
  • Team-Based Strategy
  • Self-Destructing Messages
  • Mid-Century Cool
  • Formulaic but Satisfying
  • Iconic TV Legacy

Cast

Crew

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 17, 1966 · March 30, 1973 · Ended

First aired
September 17, 1966
Last aired
March 30, 1973
Status
Ended
Length
7 seasons · 171 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence
Genres
Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Available in
12 countries

Tropes

Fanservice, Karmic Death, Town with a Dark Secret +9

  • Fanservice
  • Karmic Death
  • Town with a Dark Secret
  • Sadistic Choice
  • Safecracking
  • Nitro Express
  • Faked Rip Van Winkle
  • Endangered Soufflé
  • Evil Counterpart
  • Amnesia Danger
  • Worthy Opponent
  • No Name Given

12 of 313 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Mission: Impossible?"

Questions about Mission: Impossible

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Mission: Impossible?

In the United States, Mission: Impossible streams on Paramount+. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 8 other countries.

Is Mission: Impossible worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79 (IMDb 7.9).

Which season of Mission: Impossible is best?

Season 3, with an IMDb average of 7.8. Season 7 is the weakest at 7.3. The highest-rated episode is The Town (season 2, episode 21) at 8.6, and the lowest is Zubrovnik's Ghost (season 1, episode 11) at 6.1.

Is Mission: Impossible okay for kids?

TV-14Violence

Yes: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Can I half-watch Mission: Impossible?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 6 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Is Mission: Impossible plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly plot-driven: intrigue (8 of 10) and mystery (6 of 10) carry it more than its characters do.

What tropes does Mission: Impossible use?

FanserviceKarmic DeathTown with a Dark SecretSadistic ChoiceSafecrackingNitro ExpressFaked Rip Van WinkleEndangered SouffléEvil CounterpartAmnesia DangerWorthy OpponentNo Name Givenand 301 more

TV Tropes lists 313 tropes for it, including Fanservice, Karmic Death, and Town with a Dark Secret.