Tom Cruise’s next Mission: Impossible movie will be released five months ahead of schedule.

Mission: Impossible 5 has been moved up from its planned date of December 25 to July 31 in the UK and America, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The initial release date would have pitted the film against JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opens in US cinemas on December 18. JJ, who directed Mission: Impossible III, is a producer on the fifth instalment of the action franchise.

Tom will reprise his role as agent Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 5, alongside returning co-stars Simon Pegg (Benji Dunn), Jeremy Renner (William Brandt) and Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell), as well as his Jack Reacher director Christopher McQuarrie.

Alec Baldwin has been cast as the head of the CIA.

Filming has taken place over the last six months in Austria, Morocco, Monaco and the UK.

Channing Tatum in character as Michael 'Magic Mike' Lane
Channing plays stripper Michael ‘Magic Mike’ Lane (Lionsgate)

The Magic Mike sequel, Magic Mike XXL, Tarsem Singh’s drama Selfless and Gil Kenan’s Poltergeist remake will also open on July 31 in the UK.

Paramount has also pushed back the release of live-action/CGI hybrid Monster Trucks from May 29 to MI5′s previous Christmas Day slot.