Tom Cruise Sets Guinness World Record with Fiery Parachute Stunts

Record-Breaking “Burning Parachute” Jumps

June 6, 2025: Tom Cruise has officially earned a Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual, performing a daring 16 jumps while filming Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

High-Risk Aerial Feat in South Africa

The breathtaking stunts took place above the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa, where Cruise leapt from a helicopter at at least 7,500 ft, each time with a fuel-soaked parachute ignited mid-air. After deploying the flaming chute for just three seconds, he cut it away and relied on his backup chute to land safely.

Filmed Up Close for Maximum Impact

For authenticity, a 50-pound camera rig was attached to Cruise during some jumps to capture jaw-dropping first-person footage, placing the audience directly in the freefall experience.

Guinness Praise for Fearless Dedication

Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records, applauded Cruise’s commitment to realistic action sequences, calling him “the most successful leading action hero at the box office”.

A Legacy of Iconic Stunts

This latest achievement adds to Cruise’s long list of extreme on-screen feats, including scaling the Burj Khalifa (Ghost Protocol), HALO jumps (Fallout), and clinging to moving aircraft (Rogue Nation).

“The Final Reckoning” Marks a Cinematic Peak

The film premiered at Cannes in mid-May and has earned over $389 million worldwide, marking it the biggest opening for the franchise. This record-breaking sequence adds one more layer of legacy to what many believe is Ethan Hunt’s thrilling swan song.