For nearly three decades, Tom Cruise has been leading the Impossible Mission Force, but that chapter is coming to a close this week with Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. There may be Mission: Impossible movies in the future, but Cruise swears it's his last ride as Ethan Hunt.

Cruise originated the role in 1996's Mission: Impossible movie, which was based on the 1960s TV series of the same name. That first film had more overt ties to the show, but as the cinematic series continued, the films gradually became their own thing. Now, the franchise is synonymous with some of the best action movies ever made.

But not every Mission: Impossible film is created equal. To celebrate the end of an era, we’re ranking the first seven Mission: Impossible movies, from worst to best.

Read: ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ instant Oscar predictions

7. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

In theory,...