Tom Cruise’s blockbuster Mission: Impossible series is widely known not only for its engaging stories but also for its stylish music.
The theme from the original TV series, Mission: Impossible, composed by Lalo Schifrin, is famous for its distinctive 5/4 time signature.
It’s so iconic that even people who haven’t seen the films have likely heard it somewhere.
This time, we’re highlighting tracks used across the various Mission: Impossible films.
In addition to the film scores, we’ve selected songs played over the end credits and insert songs used in memorable scenes, so even those who’ve seen the movies might discover something new!
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Popular Songs and Insert Tracks from the Mission: Impossible Series (1–10)
Theme from Mission: ImpossibleAdam Clayton & Larry Mullen
When it comes to music from the Mission: Impossible series, this is the one that comes to mind for many people, right? In the TV drama Mission: Impossible, the distinctive phrase of the 5/4 theme composed by the renowned Lalo Schifrin is something almost everyone has heard at least once.
For the film adaptation, that ultra-famous theme was reborn in a new form by U2’s rhythm section: bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.
With a distinctly late-’90s digital rock feel—and considering that U2 proper also released many works in the ’90s that incorporated techno elements—it’s a track that becomes especially intriguing when you revisit it.
Of course, even without getting into the details, it’s an incredibly cool and stylish classic that instantly brings back memories of the movie itself.
By the way, this track was released as a single, including in Japan, and the remixes included are excellent as well—so be sure to check them out alongside the original version!
Mission: Impossible ThemeMichael Giacchino
The theme song for “Mission: Impossible,” created by Lalo Schifrin for the original series, has been repeatedly used—albeit in different forms—throughout the “Mission: Impossible” film franchise.
Each installment features arrangements that reflect the unique style of the artist involved, which is fascinating.
Here, let’s highlight the version used in 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III.” It’s a dynamic orchestral arrangement by Michael Giacchino, an Academy Award–winning composer who scored the film itself.
The arrangement exudes the quintessential spirit of classic action-entertainment film music—truly cool and spot-on.
As an aside, director J.J.
Abrams and Giacchino have a long-standing collaboration; Giacchino has scored many of Abrams’s television shows and films.
Take A Look AroundLimp Bizkit
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, Limp Bizkit tore up the charts worldwide.
While they sold explosively with a style dubbed nu metal and rap metal—and faced heavy criticism from music media—they’re still active well into the 2020s, and I feel there’s a growing movement of younger bands reevaluating them.
Their 2000 release Take A Look Around was a massive hit—just listen to that distinctive riff—and it was used as the theme song for the film Mission: Impossible 2.
It’s a signature Limp Bizkit arrangement and a live show staple that always gets the crowd hyped.
The music video interweaves scenes from the movie with band performance shots and even plays like a short film starring the members, fully conveying the momentum they had at the time.
Main Title ThemeDanny Elfman
The classic TV drama Mission: Impossible was remade as a feature film, with Tom Cruise himself serving as both producer and star, turning it into a massive hit series.
Fans will know that in every installment of the series, Lalo Schifrin’s score from the original Mission: Impossible is used in various arranged forms.
The theme, in particular—famous for its unconventional 5/4 time and a melody everyone has heard at least once—continues to serve as the main theme in the Mission: Impossible films.
The version featured here is the one used in the landmark first theatrical release from 1996.
Danny Elfman’s thrilling orchestral arrangement, who scored the film, delivers a sound befitting a big, action-packed blockbuster.
Just listening to it makes you feel the tense excitement of being the film’s protagonist!
FalloutLorne Balfe
As of 2022, the latest installment in the Mission: Impossible series is Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sixth film, released in 2018.
Compared to the composers who worked on previous entries, Lorne Balfe—a Scottish composer who could be considered relatively young—handled the music for this film.
As you can tell from the fact that “Fallout” is taken directly from the movie’s subtitle, this track serves as the main theme.
While the arrangement follows a classic, straight-ahead orchestral approach typical of action film scores, the way the music swells from a quiet intro into an intense, driving buildup is simply cool.
Balfe has frequently collaborated with Hans Zimmer, who scored the second Mission: Impossible film, and his background also includes video game music—experience that clearly informs this score.
ImpossibleKanye West Featuring Twista,Keyshia COle & Bryan “BJ” Sledge
The Mission: Impossible series is not only known for its excellent film scores, but also for its great taste in featured songs, which makes listening to the soundtracks all the more enjoyable.
This track, Impossible, is the official theme song, and it’s by the ever-controversial yet undeniably brilliant Kanye West.
It features artists like Twista, Keyshia Cole, and BJ, and its memorable recurring phrase samples a song by THE NEW BIRTH released in 1971.
The production was handled by Michael Giacchino, who composed the film’s music, and apparently Kanye himself was not involved in the actual songwriting.
Perhaps because of that, the track is extremely poppy and catchy—as if Kanye is simply having a blast enjoying the guest performances to the fullest.
As an aside, Tom Cruise is said to be a fan of Kanye.
Ain’t that a kick in the headDean Martin
This oldies, moody track that just screams the ’60s might ring a bell if you’ve watched the Mission: Impossible series.
In the fourth installment from 2011, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the song that plays when the protagonist Ethan escapes from a Moscow prison is “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.” Originally written for the 1960 classic, comedy-tinged heist film Ocean’s 11, the song is performed by Dean Martin, who also appears in the film.
Knowing that background, it’s pretty clever—and amusing—that they chose this song for a scene where prisoners and guards are clashing, isn’t it?