20 Action Films From The 1990s You Must Watch

1996 was a very successful year for Tom Cruise. In mid December, he starred in Jerry Maguire, which came out to huge financial and critical success and earned him an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. But earlier that same year, Cruise starred in another film that became the 3rd highest grossing film of the year and would start one of the most successful action film franchises of all time.

Tom Cruise was the producer and lead actor for Mission Impossible; a film following Ethan Hunt and his mission to uncover the mole who has framed him for the murders of most of his Impossible Missions Force team. The plot may sound pretty standard for most action films, but it was the action sequences of Mission Impossible that set a new standard for other action films to follow.

The CIA break-in and final chase sequence are frequently referenced not only as the best scenes in the film, but as some of the most iconic sequences in any action film. With many incredible moments and a lead actor willing to do all of his own stunts, it's no surprise that Mission Impossible delivers the cinematic experience that most audiences adore.