As Tom Cruise’s spy film franchise is supposedly coming to a close with “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” we uncover secrets of the classic theme song.

— Mission: Impossible (@MissionFilm) June 27, 2025 The countdown begins. The fuse lights. The music hits and suddenly, you’re in it. That was the genius of Lalo Schifrin.

However, the Mission: Impossible theme song has been used throughout the franchise within both the opening credits sequences and some of the most exciting stunts. 2015’s Mission: Impossible ...

Four different composers have scored the Mission: Impossible stories on the big screen. All have had to contend with the iconic music Lalo Schifrin wrote for the TV series.

A double bass adds a bit of depth. Then in comes a 290-year-old violin. That's the theme from Mission Impossible as it's never been heard before, without a trace of the usual drums, horns and flute.