Summer 2025 in Vietnam marks the grand return of the blockbuster franchise, Mission: Impossible, with its latest installment titled The Final Reckoning (Part One). Although the official release date is set for May 30, early ticket sales on May 27 show a strong demand, quickly attracting audiences to theaters.
Despite the official release on May 30, according to Box Office Vietnam statistics from May 27, just 24 hours after ticket sales opened, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Part One) has made a significant impact, quickly surpassing several competitors such as Lilo & Stitch to take the second position in the box office rankings, just behind the animated film Doraemon Movie 44: Nobita and the Mysterious Adventure in the World of Paintings. On its opening day, Tom Cruise’s blockbuster grossed over 1.5 billion VND with more than 15,000 tickets sold, marking a strong start for the summer 2025 film season.
Tom Cruise Returns with a Bang
In this latest return, Tom Cruise not only brings thrilling high-octane action sequences but also delves into a deeper narrative that explores the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). In an increasingly tech-dependent world, AI manifests as an invisible force capable of manipulating global information systems and data networks. Ethan Hunt, once again, finds himself racing against time and facing an omnipresent, intangible threat.
One of the standout moments in the film includes an underwater segment, treated with a cinematic style that creates a tense atmosphere, leaving the audience on edge as the actors experience a sense of anxiety during filming. Director Christopher McQuarrie successfully weaves a gripping narrative that blends intense action with moments of introspection, creating a cinematic experience that resonates.
On the international stage, Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning (Part One) is making a significant mark. After its first weekend of release, the film has grossed a total of 206 million USD globally, with 79 million USD from the North American market, marking Memorial Day as the highest-grossing in U.S. box office history. This demonstrates that Tom Cruise remains a reliable name for global box office success, despite aging and the continuously changing dynamics of the film industry.
The film has received strong positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 80% positive rating, while Metacritic scores it 67/100, a solid rating for an action film.
Tom Cruise Faces Tough Competition from Disney’s Live-Action Adaptations in Vietnam
Despite receiving high praise in international markets, Tom Cruise’s latest installment has faced stiff competition in Vietnam, where it struggles against the release of Disney’s live-action adaptations. This isn’t due to the film’s quality but rather the strong pressure from competitors that tend to dominate the cultural landscape.
Before Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Part One) officially premiered in Vietnam, the Japanese animated franchise Doraemon had already set a “box office benchmark” that would be hard to surpass. With its latest film Doraemon: Nobita and the Mysterious Adventure in the World of Paintings, it not only retained its number one spot in Vietnamese box offices but also reported impressive earnings of 60 billion VND, establishing a new record for animated films in the country.
At the same time, another “contender” from Disney, the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch, is also generating significant interest. As of May 26, the film has grossed 361.2 million USD globally, with the North American market contributing 183 million USD, and the remainder from international markets at around 178.6 million USD. In Vietnam, according to data from Box Office Vietnam, Lilo & Stitch has achieved approximately 3.3 billion VND in earnings after nearly two weeks of release, a notable achievement for a live-action film not based on a superhero franchise or high-octane action sequences.
The strong presence of the Doraemon franchise, coupled with the release of Lilo & Stitch, poses a challenge for any film that premieres in Vietnam during this period. Notably, the appeal of Doraemon extends to audiences of all ages, as both children and their parents seek to experience the stories together.
Meanwhile, Lilo & Stitch, despite its moderate box office success in Vietnam, has generated significant buzz in social media. The CGI animated character Stitch, with its vibrant colors and engaging personality, has quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, seen as a remedy for audiences seeking alternatives to traditional entertainment options.
Despite being a leading brand in the global animated film industry, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Part One) faces a tough road ahead due to the prevailing dominance of animated films in the market. Tom Cruise’s film is praised for its thrilling action, compelling storytelling, and character depth, but it does not break new ground in terms of content. Familiar tropes like racing against time, saving the world, and intense global stakes may leave audiences feeling secure but not necessarily challenged to engage in a unique viewing experience. While the action genre continues to appeal, the creativity in visuals and relatability to younger audiences remains a significant factor.
Although facing off against competitors like Disney’s popular franchises, the early ticket sales and initial box office figures for Mission: Impossible indicate a promising start. With positive feedback on a global scale and growing interest in Vietnam, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Part One) still has the potential to surpass its competitors and become a major hit in Vietnamese theaters.
