‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning': a travel guide to the globe-spanning blockbuster
Behind the scenes, the film's production story was not a lot less bananas, with the film's shoot overlapping with that of previous instalment Dead Reckoning, Hollywood strikes and about a bajillion moving parts for director Christopher McQuarrie and his stuntman star Cruise to corral into place. Here's how – and where – they did it, and how to visit the movie's incredible locations.
Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning filming locations
Trafalgar Square, London
If there's one thing the Mission: Impossible franchise loves even more than self-destructing messages and fast-burning fuses, it's the city of London. From Brian De Palma's opening entry back in 1996, which had a key scene inside Liverpool Street Station, to Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which featured a nutso foot chase across the city's rooftops, Ethan Hunt has been parking his tanks on 007's lawn for years. Liberties, however, have been taken. Hunt's sprint across Westminster Bridge under the shadow of Big Ben is strictly by the A-to-Z, but Final Reckoning also cheekily invents an entirely new Tube station. The film opens with Hunt and his team emerging from 'Trafalgar Square Station' and into the eye of a storm. Good luck with that IRL. Nearby Charing Cross Station's agent will be having words.
Travel tip: London needs little introduction but visitors looking to push the boat out and get close to the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning action should check into the opulent Corinthia Hotel a short spring away from Trafalgar Square. It even has an espionage past of its own. A wander through Trafalgar Square will take you to The National Gallery and the historic St Martin-in-the-Field church. For extra Cruise heritage, it's here that the star hopped off that chopper in Edge of Tomorrow.
Middleton Mine, Derbyshire
Derbyshire hasn't had too much airtime on the big screen but this Mission: Impossible two-parter has been busy putting that right. Dead Reckoning 's climactic train crash was filmed in Darlton Quarry in the Peak District and Final Reckoning returned to the area in March 2024 to film a series of key tunnel sequences 15 miles away in Middleton Mine.
Travel tip: To visit Middleton Mine you probably need to be making a blockbuster of your own – the 26 miles of limestone tunnels are not open to the public – but the mines are situated in an area of outstanding beauty that's still well worth a visit. The nearby town of Matlock, a Peak District oasis full of independent shops and restaurants, is a perfect base for walking the local limestone valleys.
Longcross Studios, Surrey
It's not open to the public but England's busy Longcross Studios plays a crucial role in the movie's production. The underwater scenes involving Hunt boarding sunken Russian sub The Sevastopol were all filmed in the studio's water tanks, with director Christopher McQuarrie donning scuba gear and diving in to join his star underwater.
Svalbard, Norway
The new Mission: Impossible also heads to the roof of the Earth for a key sequence involving a CIA listening station and that missing submarine. The scenes were filmed on the startlingly beautiful Norwegian island of Svalbard, a previously unfilmed location that brings a frostbitten isolation to the movie's middle stretch. Temperature reached -40 and hairdryers were employed on set to keep hands from freezing. 'It's a very difficult landscape to shoot in,' remembers Hayley Atwell. 'That kind of adds to the suspense and the drama of it. The sense of risk and stakes just to be able to be there filming – I think it translates beautifully on camera.'
Travel tip: Far more hospitable in real life, Svalbard boasts the world's most northerly food festival and an annual jazz fest. There are flights to the island from Oslo (three hours) and Tromsø (90 minutes), and it'll take about seven hours from London. There are six hotels to pick from in the island's main town of Longyearbyen. Head to the official Visit Svalbard website for the full low-down
Blyde River Canyon, South Africa
The spectacular 26km-long river canyon, the third largest green canyon in the world, is the backdrop for Final Reckoning 's extraordinary aerial sequence in which Hunt and Gabriel grapple for control of a biplane – the only mode of transport that can't be hacked by the busybody AI. 'That sequence is almost like Top Gun meets Mission: Impossible – the best of both worlds,' notes stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood stunt coordinator who first suggested the location.
Travel tip: The area is home turf for Eastwood – the movie's legendary stunt coordinator hails from Durban – and he recommends Kapama River Lodge as a luxe base to strike out for the area. The lodge even has its own private aircraft and airstrip for high-altitude sightseeing, although wing-walking is not encouraged.
The Wild Coast, South Africa
The plane sequence actually uses a patchwork quilt of South African landscapes. Alongside Blyde River Canyon, where the scene opens, the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal Province form the backdrop for the middle stretch, before the two adversaries soar out over the Indian Ocean above the Wild Coast. Including prep time and hundreds of hours of rehearsals at England's Duxford Airfield, the sequence took four and half months to film.
Travel tip: A 155-mile stretch of dunes, rocky cliffs and plunging waterfalls, the Wild Coast is a lesser-known gem on South Africa's tourist map. Book into Mbotyi Lodge, an affordable, beachside family hotel right that's a great base for visiting Waterfall Bluff, a stunning set of falls which appear in the movie. A more opulent alternative base is Umngazi hotel and spa.
When is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in cinemas?
You can catch it in worldwide cinemas – and in IMAX – now. Watch the trailer below.
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Daily Mail
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World's largest cruise ship proves to be a navigation nightmare
Royal Caribbean is a veteran in the realm of voyage holidays - and it recently unveiled its new crowning glory. The Star of the Seas is a 20-deck, 1,196-foot long vessel that accommodates a staggering 5,610 guests at a time - earning it the title of world's largest cruise ship. 'The world's best family vacation turns up the volume on family fun with unbelievable thrills, chill and wows for the whole crew,' the company proudly states. In addition to 'six record-breaking waterslides and a fear-inducing challenge high,' the ship also boasts 'seven unique pools' and more than '40 ways to dine and drink'. Daily Mail was invited aboard for an exclusive three-night preview excursion from Orlando, Florida, to the company's own resort in the Bahamas ahead of The Star's official maiden voyage on August 31 - and the new cruise offering was staggering. Tickets for the seven-night Western Caribbean adventure - beyond its maiden voyage for which prices are inflated - start at $1,272 per person ($2,544 per room) for the most 'budget-friendly option.' The 'Interior' room is compact with no window of its own and is not suitable for those who get easily claustrophobic. However, The Star's most popular room option is the 'Balcony' offering - coming in at $1,514 per person ($3,027 per room) - which offers sweeping views of the ocean for a true experience out at sea. Various other options are available - all the way through to a luxury $11,926 for a Royal Suite - but every offering appears to have the necessities covered. But is The Star really worth the price tag? The most striking thing about Royal Caribbean's new vessel is its size. It dominated Port Canaveral in Orlando even before setting sail, with approaching passengers struck by its overwhelming proportions from the outset. It protruded high into the skyline and later comfortably dwarfed one of its sister ships - Symphony of the Seas - when docked. The size - although visually impressive - does have its downsides. The amount of walking required to navigate from front to back as well as up and down was not lost on passengers. And the distances, along with the addition of corridors being long and slightly too narrow for maneuvering around each other with ease, left some, including myself, feeling drained. For example, the walk to the main Dining Hall on Deck 3 from a room on Deck 10 took five minutes (and 19 seconds) from door to door - not exactly grueling but a little impractical. Casual lift discussions as early as day two heard one passenger joke: 'My feet are sweating' and 'I think I've got blisters already.' There are two lift lobbies - one at either end of the ship - but wait times often proved to be longer than hoped and may only be further delayed when The Star reaches full capacity. But it isn't all bad. The monstrous size does mean there is a lot packed on board to keep almost all passengers busy. The Star is proudly presenting itself as having 'adventures for all ages' as it attempts to keep up with the shift in demographic of cruise passengers, which has evolved in recent years. While it used to be a market for retired customers (65 years and older), the average age of cruisers was 46.7 in 2018. And, in an updated report about cruise passenger age groups in 2024, shockingly the largest proportion of customers were aged 20 to 39. Just 33 percent were over 60 years old, 31 percent were between the ages of 40 and 59, and 36 percent were 39 or under, according to State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025. Entertainment on The Star is wide ranging and includes a stage show of Back to the Future as well as others featuring magic, comedy, ice skating and aqua stunts. Despite the latter being plagued with several technical issues before being pulled completely for the evening during the preview voyage, it is clear that Royal Caribbean has spared no expense for all of its on-board performances. For those who wish to enjoy adventure on their own time, there are several pools, jacuzzis and water slides - as well as a surfing machine, mini golf, games arcade and basketball court to name just a few of the amenities. One unfortunate realization was the pools are mostly very shallow - or featured sunken bar stools and tables - meaning none were appropriate for anyone hoping to go for a proper swim. Most were also tightly packed throughout the day and nabbing a sun lounger nearby often took some negotiation - a scene presumably going to get even busier when the ship does reach full capacity. Finding an appropriate spot to leave valuables or clothes poolside was also tricky and perhaps many would have benefitted from having a bank of lockers near each hotspot rather than the open cubbyholes for shoes and towels. Eateries and bars are also packed on board in abundance, with The Star boasting more than 40 across a range of cuisines from American to Thai to Mediterranean. It is essential for guests to keep up with the opening and closing times - which differ across the establishments - at the risk of trekking across the ship only to realize the preferred restaurant has in fact closed for the evening. Many are complimentary or 'help-yourself' food bars but others require reservations well in advance. As an example, Chop Grille, which prides itself on its steak, was a pre-booked restaurant and every table was packed full of guests. The food came out promptly - and cooked to perfection - but one noticeable quirk about the eatery was that there were no restrooms inside. Despite it presenting as a fully-functioning independent restaurant in every imaginable way, guests requiring the bathroom had to leave entirely and walk back to the communal toilets located around the elevator lobby. It was a small (and slightly inconvenient) peculiarity that was echoed around the rest of the ship. The dining and drinking spots throughout the ship were reasonably priced but, notably, the Starbucks on board had the most consistent daily queues. The Star is set to become one of the most popular cruise ships of the future but that does not mean it has not suffered its own setbacks. Back in June, Diana Ross was named as Godmother for The Star - a role that is steeped in maritime tradition. In modern day, cruise lines often choose women who embody inspiration, achievement, and global appeal. Royal Caribbean has previously selected stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Ross, who recently finished a UK arena tour, told People at the time of being named: 'I've always felt a deep connection to the ocean and the magic it represents - peace, adventure and awe. When Royal Caribbean reached out to invite me to be the godmother of Star of the Seas, I knew it was something truly special. The family has been invited and all the grandkids. That's really what this ship is all about joy and family fun.' But Royal Caribbean suffered a blow just last week when Ross, 81, suddenly stepped down from her role. The hitmaker's representative stated that she will no longer be able to appear on the showcase cruise due to 'unforeseen circumstances.' A Royal Caribbean spokesperson has since said it is 'disappointed' but that The Star will announce a new godmother soon. So, as many are already looking ahead for what's coming next in the industry, Daily Mail wonders if ships should really get any bigger. Perhaps The Star should be allowed to keep its title indefinitely.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
World's LARGEST cruise ship proves to be a navigation nightmare as monstrous boat sets sail for first time
Royal Caribbean is a veteran in the realm of voyage holidays - and it recently unveiled its new crowning glory. The Star of the Seas is a 20-deck, 1,196-foot long vessel that accommodates a staggering 5,610 guests at a time - earning it the title of world's largest cruise ship. 'The world's best family vacation turns up the volume on family fun with unbelievable thrills, chill and wows for the whole crew,' the company proudly states. In addition to 'six record-breaking waterslides and a fear-inducing challenge high,' the ship also boasts 'seven unique pools' and more than '40 ways to dine and drink'. Daily Mail was invited aboard for an exclusive three-night preview excursion from Orlando, Florida, to the company's own resort in the Bahamas ahead of The Star's official maiden voyage on August 31 - and the new cruise offering was staggering. Tickets for the seven-night Western Caribbean adventure - beyond its maiden voyage for which prices are inflated - start at $1,272 per person ($2,544 per room) for the most 'budget-friendly option.' The 'Interior' room is compact with no window of its own and is not suitable for those who get easily claustrophobic. However, The Star's most popular room option is the 'Balcony' offering - coming in at $1,514 per person ($3,027 per room) - which offers sweeping views of the ocean for a true experience out at sea. Various other options are available - all the way through to a luxury $11,926 for a Royal Suite - but every offering appears to have the necessities covered. But is The Star really worth the price tag? The most striking thing about Royal Caribbean's new vessel is its size. It dominated Port Canaveral in Orlando even before setting sail, with approaching passengers struck by its overwhelming proportions from the outset. It protruded high into the skyline and later comfortably dwarfed one of its sister ships - Symphony of the Seas - when docked. The Star's most popular room option is the 'Balcony' offering - coming in at $1,514 per person ($3,027 per room) - does offer sweeping views of the ocean for a true experience at sea The size - although visually impressive - does have its downsides. The amount of walking required to navigate from front to back as well as up and down was not lost on passengers. And the distances, along with the addition of corridors being long and slightly too narrow for maneuvering around each other with ease, left some, including myself, feeling drained. For example, the walk to the main Dining Hall on Deck 3 from a room on Deck 10 took five minutes (and 19 seconds) from door to door - not exactly grueling but a little impractical. Casual lift discussions as early as day two heard one passenger joke: 'My feet are sweating' and 'I think I've got blisters already.' There are two lift lobbies - one at either end of the ship - but wait times often proved to be longer than hoped and may only be further delayed when The Star reaches full capacity. But it isn't all bad. The monstrous size does mean there is a lot packed on board to keep almost all passengers busy. The Star is proudly presenting itself as having 'adventures for all ages' as it attempts to keep up with the shift in demographic of cruise passengers, which has evolved in recent years. While it used to be a market for retired customers (65 years and older), the average age of cruisers was 46.7 in 2018. And, in an updated report about cruise passenger age groups in 2024, shockingly the largest proportion of customers were aged 20 to 39. Just 33 percent were over 60 years old, 31 percent were between the ages of 40 and 59, and 36 percent were 39 or under, according to State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025. Entertainment on The Star is wide ranging and includes a stage show of Back to the Future as well as others featuring magic, comedy, ice skating and aqua stunts. Despite the latter being plagued with several technical issues before being pulled completely for the evening during the preview voyage, it is clear that Royal Caribbean has spared no expense for all of its on-board performances. For those who wish to enjoy adventure on their own time, there are several pools, jacuzzis and water slides - as well as a surfing machine, mini golf, games arcade and basketball court to name just a few of the amenities. One unfortunate realization was the pools are mostly very shallow - or featured sunken bar stools and tables - meaning none were appropriate for anyone hoping to go for a proper swim. Most were also tightly packed throughout the day and nabbing a sun lounger nearby often took some negotiation - a scene presumably going to get even busier when the ship does reach full capacity. Finding an appropriate spot to leave valuables or clothes poolside was also tricky and perhaps many would have benefitted from having a bank of lockers near each hotspot rather than the open cubbyholes for shoes and towels. Eateries and bars are also packed on board in abundance, with The Star boasting more than 40 across a range of cuisines from American to Thai to Mediterranean. The dining and drinking spots throughout the ship were reasonably priced 'The world's vest family vacation turns up the volume on family fun with unbelievable thrills, chill and wows for the whole crew,' the company site reads upon booking It is essential for guests to keep up with the opening and closing times - which differ across the establishments - at the risk of trekking across the ship only to realize the preferred restaurant has in fact closed for the evening. Many are complimentary or 'help-yourself' food bars but others require reservations well in advance. As an example, Chop Grille, which prides itself on its steak, was a pre-booked restaurant and every table was packed full of guests. The food came out promptly - and cooked to perfection - but one noticeable quirk about the eatery was that there were no restrooms inside. Despite it presenting as a fully-functioning independent restaurant in every imaginable way, guests requiring the bathroom had to leave entirely and walk back to the communal toilets located around the elevator lobby. It was a small (and slightly inconvenient) peculiarity that was echoed around the rest of the ship. The dining and drinking spots throughout the ship were reasonably priced but, notably, the Starbucks on board had the most consistent daily queues. The Star is set to become one of the most popular cruise ships of the future but that does not mean it has not suffered its own setbacks. Back in June, Diana Ross was named as Godmother for The Star - a role that is steeped in maritime tradition. In modern day, cruise lines often choose women who embody inspiration, achievement, and global appeal. Royal Caribbean has previously selected stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Ross, who recently finished a UK arena tour, told People at the time of being named: 'I've always felt a deep connection to the ocean and the magic it represents - peace, adventure and awe. When Royal Caribbean reached out to invite me to be the godmother of Star of the Seas, I knew it was something truly special. 'The family has been invited and all the grandkids. That's really what this ship is all about joy and family fun.' But Royal Caribbean suffered a blow just last week when Ross, 81, suddenly stepped down from her role. The hitmaker's representative stated that she will no longer be able to appear on the showcase cruise due to 'unforeseen circumstances.' A Royal Caribbean spokesperson has since said it is 'disappointed' but that The Star will announce a new godmother soon. So, as many are already looking ahead for what's coming next in the industry, Daily Mail wonders if ships should really get any bigger. Perhaps The Star should be allowed to keep its title indefinitely.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Inside the world's LARGEST cruise ship as Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas prepares for its maiden voyage
Royal Caribbean is a veteran in the realm of voyage holidays - and it recently unveiled its new crowning glory. The Star of the Seas is a 20-deck, 1,196-foot long vessel that accommodates a staggering 5,610 guests at a time - earning it the title of world's largest cruise ship. 'The world's best family vacation turns up the volume on family fun with unbelievable thrills, chill and wows for the whole crew,' the company proudly states. In addition to 'six record-breaking waterslides and a fear-inducing challenge high,' the ship also boasts 'seven unique pools' and more than '40 ways to dine and drink'. Daily Mail was invited aboard for an exclusive three-night preview excursion from Orlando, Florida, to the company's own resort in the Bahamas ahead of The Star's official maiden voyage on August 31 - and the new cruise offering was staggering. Tickets for the seven-night Western Caribbean adventure - beyond its maiden voyage for which prices are inflated - start at $1,272 per person ($2,544 per room) for the most 'budget-friendly option.' The 'Interior' room is compact with no window of its own and is not suitable for those who get easily claustrophobic. However, The Star's most popular room option is the 'Balcony' offering - coming in at $1,514 per person ($3,027 per room) - which offers sweeping views of the ocean for a true experience out at sea. Various other options are available - all the way through to a luxury $11,926 for a Royal Suite - but every offering appears to have the necessities covered. But is The Star really worth the price tag? The most striking thing about Royal Caribbean's new vessel is its size. It dominated Port Canaveral in Orlando even before setting sail, with approaching passengers struck by its overwhelming proportions from the outset. It protruded high into the skyline and later comfortably dwarfed one of its sister ships - Symphony of the Seas - when docked. The Star's most popular room option is the 'Balcony' offering - coming in at $1,514 per person ($3,027 per room) - does offer sweeping views of the ocean for a true experience at sea The size - although visually impressive - does have its downsides. The amount of walking required to navigate from front to back as well as up and down was not lost on passengers. And the distances, along with the addition of corridors being long and slightly too narrow for maneuvering around each other with ease, left some, including myself, feeling drained. For example, the walk to the main Dining Hall on Deck 3 from a room on Deck 10 took five minutes (and 19 seconds) from door to door - not exactly grueling but a little impractical. Casual lift discussions as early as day two heard one passenger joke: 'My feet are sweating' and 'I think I've got blisters already.' There are two lift lobbies - one at either end of the ship - but wait times often proved to be longer than hoped and may only be further delayed when The Star reaches full capacity. But it isn't all bad. The monstrous size does mean there is a lot packed on board to keep almost all passengers busy. The Star is proudly presenting itself as having 'adventures for all ages' as it attempts to keep up with the shift in demographic of cruise passengers, which has evolved in recent years. While it used to be a market for retired customers (65 years and older), the average age of cruisers was 46.7 in 2018. And, in an updated report about cruise passenger age groups in 2024, shockingly the largest proportion of customers were aged 20 to 39. Just 33 percent were over 60 years old, 31 percent were between the ages of 40 and 59, and 36 percent were 39 or under, according to State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025. Entertainment on The Star is wide ranging and includes a stage show of Back to the Future as well as others featuring magic, comedy, ice skating and aqua stunts. Despite the latter being plagued with several technical issues before being pulled completely for the evening during the preview voyage, it is clear that Royal Caribbean has spared no expense for all of its on-board performances. For those who wish to enjoy adventure on their own time, there are several pools, jacuzzis and water slides - as well as a surfing machine, mini golf, games arcade and basketball court to name just a few of the amenities. One unfortunate realization was the pools are mostly very shallow - or featured sunken bar stools and tables - meaning none were appropriate for anyone hoping to go for a proper swim. Most were also tightly packed throughout the day and nabbing a sun lounger nearby often took some negotiation - a scene presumably going to get even busier when the ship does reach full capacity. Finding an appropriate spot to leave valuables or clothes poolside was also tricky and perhaps many would have benefitted from having a bank of lockers near each hotspot rather than the open cubbyholes for shoes and towels. Eateries and bars are also packed on board in abundance, with The Star boasting more than 40 across a range of cuisines from American to Thai to Mediterranean. 'The world's vest family vacation turns up the volume on family fun with unbelievable thrills, chill and wows for the whole crew,' the company site reads upon booking It is essential for guests to keep up with the opening and closing times - which differ across the establishments - at the risk of trekking across the ship only to realize the preferred restaurant has in fact closed for the evening. Many are complimentary or 'help-yourself' food bars but others require reservations well in advance. As an example, Chop Grille, which prides itself on its steak, was a pre-booked restaurant and every table was packed full of guests. The food came out promptly - and cooked to perfection - but one noticeable quirk about the eatery was that there were no restrooms inside. Despite it presenting as a fully-functioning independent restaurant in every imaginable way, guests requiring the bathroom had to leave entirely and walk back to the communal toilets located around the elevator lobby. It was a small (and slightly inconvenient) peculiarity that was echoed around the rest of the ship. The dining and drinking spots throughout the ship were reasonably priced but, notably, the Starbucks on board had the most consistent daily queues. The Star is set to become one of the most popular cruise ships of the future but that does not mean it has not suffered its own setbacks. Back in June, Diana Ross was named as Godmother for The Star - a role that is steeped in maritime tradition. In modern day, cruise lines often choose women who embody inspiration, achievement, and global appeal. Royal Caribbean has previously selected stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Ross, who recently finished a UK arena tour, told People at the time of being named: 'I've always felt a deep connection to the ocean and the magic it represents - peace, adventure and awe. When Royal Caribbean reached out to invite me to be the godmother of Star of the Seas, I knew it was something truly special. 'The family has been invited and all the grandkids. That's really what this ship is all about joy and family fun.' But Royal Caribbean suffered a blow just last week when Ross, 81, suddenly stepped down from her role. The hitmaker's representative stated that she will no longer be able to appear on the showcase cruise due to 'unforeseen circumstances.' A Royal Caribbean spokesperson has since said it is 'disappointed' but that The Star will announce a new godmother soon. So, as many are already looking ahead for what's coming next in the industry, Daily Mail wonders if ships should really get any bigger. Perhaps The Star should be allowed to keep its title indefinitely.
