July 27: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Milestone Years

• 10th Anniversary: July 27, 2028
• 15th Anniversary: July 27, 2033
• 20th Anniversary: July 27, 2038

Inspiration Behind the Movie

Christopher McQuarrie crafted the story as a direct continuation of previous Mission: Impossible films, especially Rogue Nation. He aimed to explore Ethan Hunt’s internal struggle between saving the world and those he loves. Though fictional, the plot was driven by real concerns over nuclear threats and espionage themes, blended with globe-trotting action and complex loyalties.

You Might Not Know

• Tom Cruise performed the famous HALO jump himself, making over 100 jumps to get it right.
• Cruise broke his ankle during a rooftop stunt but returned to set just weeks later.
• Henry Cavill’s mustache couldn’t be shaved for Justice League reshoots due to his Fallout contract.
• This was the first Mission: Impossible movie to have a returning director—Christopher McQuarrie.
• The bathroom fight scene took four weeks to shoot and involved intense choreography and real impacts.

Food Ideas

• Spy-themed martinis or mocktails (shaken, not stirred)
• Viennese schnitzel to honor the opera house scene from the series
• Fallout trail mix for action-packed snacking
• Mission: Impossible chili with “nuclear” spice
• Helicopter rotor cupcakes with edible blades

Ways to Celebrate

• Host a Mission: Impossible marathon night
• Create your own spy mission scavenger hunt
• Try stunt-inspired workouts for a Cruise-style fitness challenge
• Recreate the iconic HALO jump scene with green screen fun
• Make spy dossiers for your friends with playful bios

Filming Locations

Main filming took place in Paris, London, Norway, and New Zealand. The HALO jump was filmed in Abu Dhabi, while the stunning helicopter scenes were shot over New Zealand’s Southern Alps, standing in for Kashmir. The streets of Paris provided real chase scenes with minimal CGI, adding to the movie’s visceral realism.