Summary
There has been plenty of discussion as of late about the development of the next installment in theGrand Theft Autofranchise. While players are likely years away from experiencingGTA 6, it is worth noting that the latest iteration is still alive and well.
And while the online mode inGrand Theft Auto 5has kept many players busy, the game’s main story mode still stands out as one of the best the series has ever seen. One aspect of the main story that stood out was how incredible the story missions were, no matter how simple at times. Here is a look at a few of thebest missions inGTA 5’s single-player mode.
Updated Jun 23, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest video games ever made. Players control three protagonists in missions that range from comedic to death-defying as the trio unite to take out their foes and complete heists.
The storytelling in Grand Theft Auto 5 is as cinematic as it comes, courtesy of the missions that are constructed with great care, regardless of how linear they may be. Some of thebest missions in GTA 5are a joy to complete, featuring everything from memorable interactions to adrenaline-pumping set pieces.
1Chop
A Fun Mission That Fleshes Out Franklin’s Bond With Chop
Despite Chop being Lamar Davis' dog, he stays with Franklin most of the time for safety reasons. The first mission featuring the debut of this dog is a memorable one as players are tasked with hunting down a Ballas member, a mission that fans ofSan Andreaswill appreciate.
Chop gets his time to shine as he sniffs down D, hunts him down, and gives him a painful bite for good measure. It’s a great mission for building up the bond between Franklin and Chop, even if the action present here is relatively muted compared to some ofGTA 5’s best missions.
2Franklin And Lamar
The First Mission Of The Game That Introduces Franklin
After the prologue is over and done with, players get their first taste of Los Santos when they step into the shoes of Franklin Clinton, a man trying to earn a living while living at his thankless aunt’s place. His best friend, Lamar, can be a bit too much to handle, but Franklin is close to this man as he interacts with Simeon Yetarian andagrees to a repossession job.
They acquire the cars and are subsequently chased by the police, with players being introduced to Franklin’s supreme driving skills as they avoid unwanted attention and lose the heat before finally bringing the cars over to Simeon. It’s one of thebest missions inGTA 5that adeptly introduces Franklin and sets the stage for his eventual rendezvous with Michael.
3By The Book
A Controversial Mission Depicting Torture
At the time of its release,Grand Theft Auto 5was the subject of much controversy because of this mission, which involves Trevor torturing an innocent person to gain information. It’s a hard moment to digest, and most people would agree that the mission could’ve been developed without this controversial touch.
However,Grand Theft Auto 5fans know that this series loves to feed itself on controversy of all shapes and sizes. As a result, one can surmise that Rockstar intended for this mission to be controversial. Barring this torture section, this mission may not be all that noteworthy, but the buzz generated by its infamous inclusion is enough to establish it as one of the mostnotable missions inGTA 5.
4Fame Or Shame
Features A Tense Reunion Between Michael And Trevor
After the heist at the jewel store, a loudmouthed Michael leads to Trevor figuring out that his ex-partner in crime was alive and well after all. This leads to a tense reunion where the duo reunite at Michael’s house when familiar tempers are flaring. However, their reunion has to be cut short once Michael finds out that his daughter is going to perform at an audition for Fame or Shame.
Not wanting her to embarrass the family on live television, the duo heads to the audition, where they see Lazlow Jones getting a bit too comfortable with Tracey. Her father is enraged, leading to a chase where the duo corner Lazlow and force him to humiliate himself before promising to never lay his hands on Tracey again.
5Daddy’s Little Girl
A Tumultuous Time With Michael’s Family
Michael’s dysfunctional family is a highlight in the early goings ofGrand Theft Auto 5. Players love seeing his hilarious mid-life crisis play out, with his wife being a cheater, his daughter being a rich spoiled brat, and his son being a weed-huffing gamer. This is one of thebest missions inGTA 5where Michael tries to enjoy some valuable family time, only to see his daughter exhibiting problematic behavior on a luxurious yacht.
This prompts Michael to go on a rage-fueled tirade and disturb the party, enraging the party-goers who chase him on the water as Michael tries to make it to safety. Instead of bonding with his family, Michael ends up alienating them and adds fuel to the flames instead of extinguishing the tension.
6Trevor Philips Industries
Protect Trevor’s Meth Lab
After a successful heist with Frankin and other members of the gang, Michael gets a bit loose and utters a line that Trevor hears on the news, making him realize that the man he concocted numerous heists was alive and well all along. Players finally get to controlthe craziestGrand Theft Autoprotagonistof all time, with his off-the-wall ventures including a meth lab that funds his lifestyle of debauchery.
One such mission involves players having to defend said meth lab from the Aztecas, a rival gang that hates Trevor’s guts. The shootout is memorable and helps one of thebestGTA 5missionsstand out even more, but his erratic way of conducting business doesn’t impress a prospective partner, who leaves after seeing how unhinged Trevor is.
7Prologue
Shows Michael And Trevor’s Past
It’s only fitting thatGTA 5starts with a heist that introduces players to two of the game’s three main characters. Both Michael and Trevor are criminals at odds with each other, leading to the former staging his death just to get away from the craziness of Trevor’s antics.
Before that point, players are introduced to the game’s many mechanics and have to run away from the law as they flee with the haul they’ve stolen. It’s a fun mission set against a snowy backdrop that serves as a strong and impactful introduction to the world and characters ofGTA 5.
8Mr. Philips
Introduces Players To The Madman, Trevor Philips, After A Brief Appearance Early On
After a series of mishaps forces Michael to stage a heist and get the money required to fix a powerful rich man’s house, news of his exploits reaches his former companion who had believed Trevor to be dead for the longest time. While in the middle of something not PG, Trevor hears one of Michael’s iconic lines: “You forget a thousand things every day, pal. Make sure this is one of them.”
This line makes it clear to Trevor that his former partner in crime is still alive, letting players finally control this psychopath after the longest time. Trevor is one of the most entertainingGTAprotagonists of all time, and this mission is memorable simply because of the unique nature of his re-introduction into the game’s main narrative.
9Complications
Michael And Franklin Meet For The First Time
Most of the early missions of the game revolve around Franklin repoing cars for his boss Simeon Yetarian. This mission asks the player to sneak into a fancy house and drivea yellow SUVout of the garage and back to the dealership.
Part of the way through, however, Michael awakes from the back seat and points a gun at Franklin, telling him to drive the car into the dealership. It’s a fun stealth mission, which leads to cutting ties with an annoying boss. The player even gets to beat up Simeon as Michael.
10Friend Request
Michael Gets A Job At Lifeinvader
Sometimes, the best missions are the ones where most of the activities are small and mundane but lead to a funny series of events. That is the premise of “Friend Request,” which is the player’s introduction to Lester in the main story. Here, Michael will be asking for Lester’s help with a heist, but Lester wants a favor in return.
Michael then is tasked with going to the Lifeinvader office to bug a phone prototype that will explode if a certain number is called. The mission involves Michael getting dressed up in casual work clothes and hanging out in an office of weird tech dudes as he is asked to clear viruses off a desktop and pretend that he’s just one of them.
