Who directed the first Mission: Impossible film?

Brian De Palma directed the first Mission: Impossible film.

The 1996 movie marked De Palma’s entry into the franchise and adapted the premise of the 1960s television series for a contemporary theatrical audience. His direction emphasized suspense, visual misdirection, and the uncertainty of knowing which characters could be trusted.

De Palma was already known for films such as Carrie, Dressed to Kill, The Untouchables, and Carlito’s Way. His version of Mission: Impossible uses classic spy ingredients, but it also carries his recognizable interest in surveillance, divided loyalties, and carefully controlled points of view.

The film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and features major supporting performances from Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Ving Rhames, and Vanessa Redgrave. Later installments changed directors repeatedly before Christopher McQuarrie became the first filmmaker to direct several consecutive entries. That makes De Palma’s 1996 film both the franchise’s starting point and a distinct directorial interpretation.