Cannes 2025: Tom Cruise celebrates ‘Mission: Impossible 8' premiere with a hero's welcome

Tom Cruise made a spectacular return to the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, igniting a frenzy for the premiere of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning." The Croisette transformed into a scene of enthusiastic fans, an orchestra's performance, and a vibrant red carpet experience, celebrating Cruise and the "Mission" series.

Cruise was accompanied by Christopher McQuarrie, his frequent collaborator, who has directed or written numerous of his films. The pair engaged with fans, signing autographs and posing for photos. The crowd displayed memorabilia, including posters, DVDs, and even a tribute to Val Kilmer.

As the cast arrived, a live orchestra performed the renowned "Mission: Impossible" theme. Musicians were positioned on the staircase to the Palais, where Cruise greeted the crowd, expressed gratitude, and embraced Thierry Frémaux, the Cannes director. He also acknowledged the orchestra before a DJ began playing music.

Tom Cruise's red carpet appearance was a significant event for Paramount Pictures, which had previously premiered "Top Gun: Maverick" at Cannes in 2022. That film, which boosted box office revenues after the pandemic, received a six-minute standing ovation. Cruise was also awarded a surprise Palme d’Or, presented after a display of fighter jets in the colors of the French flag.

Cruise made a brief but memorable stop at Cannes, as part of a global promotional tour that will include London, Korea, and Japan. Earlier, he surprised fans at a master class event for McQuarrie, calling him a creative force who “understand[s] every single piece" of a Mission film. “It’s a Swiss watch," he said.

"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" continues after "Dead Reckoning," with Ethan Hunt (Cruise) battling Gabriel (Esai Morales), an assassin seeking to control a rogue AI named The Entity. The cast includes Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, Hayley Atwell, Henry Czerny, and Pom Klementieff.

The film will premiere in India on May 17, six days before its global release on May 23.