If you thought Top Gun: Maverick was the peak of Tom Cruise's daredevilry, wait until you see him scale the world's tallest building. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is landing on Pluto TV for free in June 2026, bringing one of the franchise's most breathtaking stunts straight to your living room. And yes, it's as insane as it sounds.
Directed by Brad Bird, the animation legend behind The Incredibles, this fourth installment follows Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his disavowed IMF team as they're framed for a devastating attack on the Kremlin. With no backup and a nuclear threat looming, they must go rogue to clear their names and save the world. It's pure popcorn entertainment, and Cruise—who famously loves his popcorn—would be thrilled to hear that.
The film's centerpiece is, of course, Cruise's real-life climb up the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. No green screen, no CGI—just the star dangling 2,700 feet above the ground. It's a moment that will leave your palms sweaty and your jaw on the floor. Hopefully, it won't trigger vertigo.
Who's in the cast? Alongside Cruise, Ghost Protocol boasts a stellar ensemble: Jeremy Renner as analyst William Brandt, Simon Pegg as tech whiz Benji Dunn, Paula Patton as field agent Jane Carter, Michael Nyqvist as villain Kurt Hendricks, Léa Seydoux as assassin Sabine Moreau, Anil Kapoor as a shady businessman, and Ving Rhames as the ever-reliable Luther Stickell. It's a team that clicks perfectly.
Was 'Ghost Protocol' a hit?
Absolutely. Financially, it grossed nearly $695 million worldwide on a $145 million budget—making it the highest-grossing Mission: Impossible at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that's over $970 million today. Audiences flocked to IMAX theaters to see Cruise's death-defying stunt, and the gamble paid off big time.
Critically, it scored a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for Bird's seamless transition from animation to live-action spectacle. More importantly, the film reshaped the franchise's identity, shifting from spy intrigue to jaw-dropping practical stunts—a formula that would define every sequel that followed.
If you haven't seen it yet, or just want to relive the madness, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is streaming free on Pluto TV throughout June 2026. Pair it with another Cruise classic like Spielberg and Cruise's Sci-Fi Masterpiece 'Minority Report', also free on Pluto this month, for a double feature of top-tier action. And if you're craving more adrenaline, check out Jason Statham's Underrated Action Thriller 'Safe'—another Pluto gem.
So grab your popcorn, settle in, and watch Tom Cruise do what he does best: risk it all for our entertainment. Just don't look down.
