What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMission: Impossible II
John Woo · Film · 2000
If you loved Mission: Impossible II, start with Mission: Impossible (Bruce Geller, 1966) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mission: Impossible II across media.
If you enjoyed the high-stakes adrenaline of Mission: Impossible II, these thrillers capture that same relentless pursuit of global safety.
Start with the source
The source
Mission: Impossible
Bruce Geller · Series · 1966
Adaptation
Mission: Impossible
Film · 1996
Adaptation
Mission: Impossible III
J.J. Abrams · Film · 2006
Books on the same thread
Congo
Michael Crichton · Book · 2003
Explores: Expedition, Corporate Espionage, Primatology.
Like the race to secure the Chimera virus in Mission: Impossible II, this story centers on a high-stakes expedition where corporate motives and dangerous discoveries collide on a global scale.
Shibumi
Trevanian · Book · 1983
Shares a thread with Mission: Impossible II: Espionage Thriller.
Fans of the stylish, elite operative dynamic in Mission: Impossible II will appreciate this deep dive into the shadowy world of professional assassins and complex, high-stakes international intrigue.
Pursuit of Honor
Vince Flynn · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Mission: Impossible II: Espionage Thriller.
This novel mirrors the relentless intensity of Mission: Impossible II, focusing on a lethal protagonist who operates outside standard boundaries to neutralize massive threats to national security.
James Bond
Ian Fleming · Book · 1953
Explores: International Intrigue, British Intelligence, Gadgets.
These foundational spy tales provide the same blueprint for suave, gadget-reliant espionage that defined the core appeal of the iconic action sequences found in Mission: Impossible II.
Series on the same thread
Spooks
David Wolstencroft · Series · 2002
Shares 2 threads with Mission: Impossible II: Betrayal, Espionage Thriller.
This series captures the ticking-clock pressure of Mission: Impossible II, putting you directly into the high-stakes environment where intelligence officers must act quickly to prevent catastrophic national disasters.
Person of Interest
Jonathan Nolan · Series · 2011
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Surveillance State, Moral Ambiguity.
Just as Ethan Hunt uses specialized training to stop global crises in Mission: Impossible II, this show follows a former operative using his unique skills to fight injustice.
Strike Back
Jed Mercurio · Series · 2010
Explores: Redemption, International Intrigue, Covert Operations.
Much like the mission-driven narrative of Mission: Impossible II, this series highlights the grit and moral ambiguity of covert operatives tackling dangerous, large-scale international security threats.
MacGyver
Lee David Zlotoff · Series · 1985
Explores: Ingenuity, Problem-solving, Non-violence.
If you admired the ingenuity Ethan Hunt displayed in Mission: Impossible II, you will enjoy this hero who relies on resourcefulness and quick thinking to resolve impossible situations.
Podcasts on the same thread
The MeatEater Podcast
MeatEater · Podcast · 2026
Explores: self-reliance, ethical hunting, environmental stewardship.
While different in tone, this podcast provides the same sense of self-reliance and environmental awareness that underscores the high-stakes, global-scale threats depicted in Mission: Impossible II.
The Rest Is Classified
Podcast
Explores: Cold War, Intelligence agencies, Covert operations.
This podcast explores the real-world intelligence operations that inspire the fictional tension of Mission: Impossible II, offering a grounded look at the high-stakes world of modern espionage.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the series if I just finished Mission: Impossible II?
You should watch the series in the order of release. Start with the 1966 television show, followed by the 1996 film. Mission: Impossible II is the second film in the series, and you should proceed to Mission: Impossible III after completing it.
Is Mission: Impossible II a direct sequel to the 1996 film?
Yes, Mission: Impossible II is the cinematic sequel to the 1996 film. Both movies feature the character Ethan Hunt as he navigates international crises, though the second film introduces a new plot involving the biological weapon known as Chimera.
Should I watch Mission: Impossible III after Mission: Impossible II?
If you enjoyed the high-stakes international action in Mission: Impossible II, you should watch Mission: Impossible III. It continues the franchise following the events of the second film, maintaining the focus on Ethan Hunt and his work for the IMF.
How does Mission: Impossible II relate to the 1966 television show?
Mission: Impossible II is based on the premise established in the 1966 television series. While the film features modern agents like Ethan Hunt and Luther Stickell, it shares the core concept of an IMF team working to resolve international crises of terrifying magnitude.