Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the upcoming installment in the Mission Impossible franchise, has set a new record for its runtime, creating anticipation among fans before its release.

After captivating audiences for nearly three decades, Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible 7 is set to mark the end of an era for this thrilling spy franchise. As the curtain falls on this iconic series, audiences are eagerly awaiting the final adventure.

Dead Reckoning Part One brings back the familiar faces that fans have grown to love, while also introducing new additions to the cast. Notably, Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff, known for their roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, join the mission, adding fresh excitement to the mix.

Mixed Reactions From Test Screenings

Reports indicate that the film has generated “insane” reactions from test screenings. However, the studio has also received feedback suggesting that the movie is “still too long.” Balancing these contrasting opinions presents a challenge for the filmmakers.

Setting A New Franchise Record

According to IGN, Mission Impossible 7 will claim the title for the longest film in Tom Cruise’s globe-trotting franchise. Dead Reckoning Part One will have a runtime of 2 hours and 36 minutes, excluding credits, surpassing the previous record held by any Mission: Impossible film.

For reference, let’s take a look at the runtimes of the previous Mission: Impossible films, including credits:

• Mission: Impossible – 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Mission: Impossible 2 – 2 hours and 4 minutes
• Mission: Impossible III – 2 hours and 6 minutes
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – 2 hours and 13 minutes
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation – 2 hours and 11 minutes
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout – 2 hours and 27 minutes

With reports of a nearly three-hour initial cut being shown to test audiences, the studio, along with Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, have worked to trim the film’s length, though not by much. This raises the question: is Dead Reckoning Part One too long?

The Trend Of Epic Runtimes

Recent years have seen a trend of success with longer runtime films, dubbed super-sized popcorn epics. Movies like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2 hours, 29 minutes) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2 hours, 49 minutes) have embraced longer durations without hindering their popularity.

Audiences’ Verdict

As Mission Impossible 7 prepares to hit theaters in a few weeks, the ultimate judgment on its runtime will rest with the viewers. If the film follows the trajectory set by its recent predecessors, audiences might find themselves wishing for an even longer experience, despite the record-breaking length.

Mark your calendars for July 12, as Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One arrives in theaters. In the meantime, fans can enjoy streaming the first six Mission Impossible movies on Paramount+.