Ever since the first "Mission: Impossible" dropped in the year 1966, the franchise has only grown and come to be associated with nail-biting, heart-pounding stunts and large-scale filming productions. Recently, the trailer of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning" was unveiled at the Super Bowl 2025 and fans could not contain their excitement. It is said that the move was made with a budget of USD 400 million. Overtime, the series has travelled around the world to capture some adrenaline-pumping action sequences against the backdrop of some of the world's most iconic sites. As "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning" unveils, we take a moment and revisit some of the memorable sites that have made it to the "Mission: Impossible" runtime over the years.
Tom Cruise's daring ascent of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, is arguably the most memorable scene in the franchise. Using high-tech gloves that break halfway through, his character Ethan Hunt scales the building's 2,717 feet-high facade in the 2011 film "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol." It’s an interesting to note that Cruise did the stunt himself, hanging from the glass facade while gusty winds threatened to ruin the scene so the filming was as authentic as it appeared. This famous moment solidified forever the place that the iconic Burj Khalifa holds in the world of film. The Burj Khalifa segment was one of the most visually spectacular scenes in the series because of the expansive views of the future cityscape and the bleak desert in the background.
A large portion of the 1996 original "Mission: Impossible" was filmed amid the dramatic streets of Prague, introducing viewers to Ethan Hunt's world of espionage. Locations including Lichtenstein Palace and Charles Bridge were used to film the opening scenes, which show a clandestine mission at the American Embassy going awry. The film's eerie mystery and deceit were well complemented by Prague's mediaeval architecture and winding streets. Prague became a character in and of itself owing to director Brian De Palma's use of authentic settings to create the film's gritty, grounded tone.
With multiple important action scenes filmed in the City of Light, Paris plays a significant part in the 2018 film "Mission: Impossible – Fallout." Ethan Hunt is involved in a fast-paced motorbike chase around the Arc de Triomphe in one of the most captivating moments. From the Seine River to the cobblestone lanes of the 16th arrondissement, the scene highlights some of Paris' most famous sites. Despite the logistical difficulties of filming in such a crowded city, the end product was an exciting scene that blended amazing stunts with gorgeous photography. The picture has a distinct flavour thanks to the contrast between the action and Paris' beauty.
Mumbai made for a colourful, albeit chaotic, setting for several pivotal scenes in "Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol." The film was shot in places like Bora Bazaar and the suburb of Versova for its climactic vehicle chase through the city's busy streets. The scene perfectly captures the tempo and energy of Mumbai, showcasing the city's thumping personality and well-managed mayhem. Mumbai's reputation as a top filmmaking venue was further cemented when Cruise visited India during the shoot, causing a media frenzy. The film's fast-paced, high-energy portrayal of India went hand-in-hand with the story's building tension.
The final helicopter battle in "Mission: Impossible – Fallout" was set against the breathtaking cliffside setting of Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) in Norway. This striking natural landmark, which sits more than 600 metres above the Lysefjord, served as the ideal backdrop for the film's spectacular conclusion. Several weeks of filming in difficult weather conditions and careful planning were needed for the sequence. One of the most unforgettable scenes in the whole series, Pulpit Rock's unadulterated beauty stood out against the fierce action. Because of Cruise's audacious actions, hiking to Pulpit Rock has become a must-do pilgrimage for adventure seekers.
