Tom Cruise Sets New Stunt Record: 140 MPH Winds and 8,000 Feet in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Tom Cruise’s status as a bona fide movie star continues to soar to new heights—quite literally. With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning set to premiere on May 23, 2025, Cruise has once again stunned audiences with a jaw-dropping stunt that leaves no room for doubt about his commitment to pushing the boundaries of action cinema.
In a moment that defies both logic and safety regulations, Cruise was filmed gripping the wing of a flying plane at 8,000 feet while facing 140 mph winds. And here’s the kicker: no CGI was involved—just Cruise, doing what he does best. The incredible stunt was posted to the Mission: Impossible X Instagram page on April 17, 2025, where it instantly went viral. The clip quickly garnered over 250,000 views, with fans flooding the comments to express their awe.
“Tom is the GOAT of cinema stunts!” one fan wrote, while another commented, “Pushing filmmaking to the limit each and every time.” It’s clear that Cruise’s death-defying stunts are a hallmark of the Mission: Impossible series, and this latest moment only adds to his legacy of jaw-dropping action.
This stunt was just one of the heart-stopping moments featured in the latest trailer for The Final Reckoning, which has already racked up over 25 million views. The trailer features not only the perilous plane stunt but also intense underwater sequences and a variety of gravity-defying action scenes that emphasize the franchise’s knack for delivering unforgettable thrills. In a final, emotional moment, Cruise’s character says, “I need you to trust me, one last time,” signaling that this installment will mark the end of an era for Mission: Impossible fans.
The Sketch That Almost Had Cruise Flying Again
As fans eagerly await the release of The Final Reckoning, another intriguing piece of Cruise’s legendary status recently resurfaced, adding yet another layer to his reputation as a larger-than-life figure in Hollywood. Comedy writer Michael Schur shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdote on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast about a nearly-missed opportunity for Cruise to make a surprise cameo on Saturday Night Live in 2000.
The sketch, which featured Cruise’s Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, had Kilmer playing Iceman as a Delta Airlines pilot in the midst of a power trip, barking orders at his coworkers. Cruise, who happened to be in the building at the time, was set to appear at the end of the sketch with a perfect walk-on punchline. However, in a case of impeccable timing gone wrong, Cruise arrived just eight seconds too late to make his entrance, missing the window for the cameo.
Even though Cruise didn’t make it into the sketch, the story only further cements his legendary status in Hollywood—his influence and charisma seemingly able to fill any role, even if it’s just a momentary appearance. Whether in stunts or comedy, Cruise’s larger-than-life presence continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Cruise’s Legacy: The Stunt King of Hollywood
With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning shaping up to be the ultimate thrill ride, Cruise is poised to once again prove why he’s the undisputed king of cinematic stunts. From gripping planes at 8,000 feet to the countless other death-defying feats throughout his career, Cruise continues to take his craft—and his fans—to new heights. As the Mission: Impossible franchise wraps up, it’s clear that Tom Cruise’s legacy will forever be defined by his relentless pursuit of cinematic perfection.
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