Tom Cruise Wows Cannes with 5-Minute Ovation at ‘Mission: Impossible’ Finale

Tom Cruise bid farewell to the Mission: Impossible series in thrilling fashion at the Cannes Film Festival, where Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was met with a five-minute standing ovation—largely due to Cruise’s fearless dedication to jaw-dropping, real-life stunts showcased on the big screen. The premiere at Cannes was a grand affair, complete with a 40-piece orchestra playing the franchise’s iconic theme as guests entered the theater ahead of the screening.

The crowd relished the movie’s dazzling practical effects, although the lengthy runtime left some viewers visibly fatigued. During the film’s final, action-heavy stretch—featuring Cruise’s signature daredevil moves—a few attendees exited the Palais, seemingly overwhelmed.

While Cruise’s penchant for risking life and limb for Mission: Impossible has long been well-documented, the Cannes audience wasn’t prepared for how much he’d reveal—literally. At 62, the star powered through a three-minute knife fight sequence aboard a submarine wearing nothing but tight boxer briefs. He remained similarly underdressed for part of the film’s eye-popping underwater scene. And truthfully? For someone in his fourth decade on screen, he still cut quite the figure.

As the ovation continued, Cruise clutched his heart and nodded in appreciation. He and director Christopher McQuarrie shared kisses and thanks with guests Zoe Saldaña and Marco Perego-Saldaña. As applause echoed through the theater, the camera spotlighted the entire ensemble cast, including Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, and Hayley Atwell.

“This kind of response is exactly why we do this. You are the reason we do this. It’s all about the big screen experience,” said McQuarrie during a speech that lasted even longer than the standing ovation. “Thank you for being here and supporting us. I want to express deep gratitude to this incredible cast — and when I say incredible, I mean it. This wasn’t just about showing up for work. We made this film during a global pandemic and through two major industry strikes. It took seven years to complete both parts of this story, filled with uncertainty and delays. The dedication, hard work, and unwavering belief of every person up here made it possible. This cast is truly one-of-a-kind.”

McQuarrie went on to praise Cruise, saying: “As a kid, I always felt out of place. Much of my life was driven by imagination. And now, I’ve grown up and found myself with my very own action figure.”

He then handed the microphone to Cruise. “Being here in Cannes, having moments like this—honestly, as a kid growing up, I never even dreamed something like this was possible,” Cruise said. “I think McQ said it all. I’m just really grateful to have entertained you with this franchise for the past 30 years.”

Turning to McQuarrie, Cruise added, “Thank you, my friend. You’ve taken this journey and pushed it beyond anything we could have imagined. I’m excited to create a whole new range of films with you—I can’t wait.”

Cruise and Paramount clearly hope The Final Reckoning mirrors the success of Top Gun: Maverick, which stunned Cannes in 2022 with a similar five-minute standing ovation before raking in $1.46 billion globally. That premiere was a spectacle, complete with eight fighter jets soaring over the Palais as Cruise and the cast hit the red carpet. Cruise even received a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or before the film screened.

Whether The Final Reckoning can replicate Top Gun: Maverick’s box office triumph remains uncertain. Cruise’s previous installment, Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), wrapped up with a relatively modest $571 million in global earnings—a noticeable drop from Fallout’s $791 million in 2018. Still, Cruise’s track record for delivering crowd-pleasing blockbusters remains unquestioned.

Joining Cruise in The Final Reckoning are longtime franchise regulars Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames. The cast also features Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, and Rolf Saxon, all of whom have appeared in earlier Mission: Impossible films. New additions to the lineup include Janet McTeer, Hannah Waddingham, and Nick Offerman. The film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed three previous entries in the franchise.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is set to release in theaters on May 23 via Paramount Pictures.