Top 10 James Bond Movies

Top 10 James Bond Movies

1. Goldfinger (1964)

The third James Bond movie in 1964 firmly establishes the formula for these films for a number of decades. That includes having a super-rich, but evil villain who wants to commit a huge crime. In this case, it’s Auric Goldfinger, played perfectly by Gert Fröbe, who wants to increase his gold supply by any means necessary. Connery is back in full force as 007, and he has to stop Goldfinger, and his dangerous henchmen Oddjob, from accomplishing this caper. He gets some help from his Aston-Martin DB5 “with modifications” like machine guns, oil slicks and more. It’s definitely one of the best James Bond movies. It also has the first truly memorable James Bond song, sung by Shirley Bassey.

2. Skyfall (2012)

Craig returned for his third 007 movie with this 2012 release. This time, he’s playing an older and worn out secret agent who actually gets shot, and is presumed dead, before the opening credits. We see Bond return to duty after MI-6’s headquarters is bombed by a terrorist, and M sends 007 out to find how who did this. Director Sam Mendes does an excellent job mixing high drama with high action, concluding with a major battle at Bond’s Scotland home of Skyfall.

3. Casino Royale (2006)

After a horrible spoof of the James Bond movies with the name Casino Royale was released in the 1960s, the rights to Ian Fleming’s first Bon novel finally got back in the hands of EON Productions, the makers of the official Bond films. They decided to do a soft reboot of the series, starring Daniel Craig who played Bond as a skilled but somewhat reckless younger version of 007. He has to go after a banker for terrorists by playing a game of high-stakes poker. However, there are still some excellent action set pieces in this movie.

4. Dr. No (1962)

The movie that started the longest running film franchise of all time was released in 1962. Producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli bought the rights to most of the James Bond spy novels written by Ian Fleming. However, after having actors like Cary Grant, David Niven, and James Mason pass on the role, the producers picked relative unknown Sean Connery to play 007. In retrospect, it’s hard to see anyone else in this role at this time. Connery was suave, but he was also tough as James Bond. He has to be in his first cinematic adventure as he takes on a plot to destroy America’s space program.

5. From Russia With Love (1963)

The follow-up to Dr. No builds on the strengths of that film by tossing in James Bond’s first proper romance, and fleshing out the threat of SPECTRE in the form of three truly memorable adversaries. "From Russia With Love" gives us big league creeps who have taken a master-class in villainy. It’s here that we get our first glimpse of Bond’s ultimate foe—terrorist kingpin Ernst Stavro Blofeld—and he’s ably (or not so ably, as it turns out) abetted by the venomous Rosa Klebb (with her dagger-tipped kicks) and psychopathic strongman Red Grant: A triumvirate of evil that’s so despicable, you’ll be cheering their demise at the film’s conclusion.

6. Thunderball (1965)

Pioneering underwater camerawork aside, "Thunderball" is a rollicking ride that sees Bond comfortably riding the wave of its ’60s popularity. Sean Connery is at the height of his powers, and even the slightly over-long first act, which sees his Bond recuperating at a health spa, is carried off with such style that you don’t even mind that it’s pure padding. The cinematography as the action shifts to the Bahamas (site of the aforementioned underwater battles, which earned the flick an Oscar for special effects) is breathtakingly beautiful, and more than makes up for the curiously low-key opening.

7. GoldenEye (1995)

Pierce Brosnan hits the ground running in his debut as 007. Frankly, it’s the part he was born to play something he reportedly would have done a decade earlier, if it weren’t for his commitments to TV’s Remington Steele. Charming, confident and totally in-control, Brosnan’s James Bond banishes the dreary Dalton in favour of non-stop action, sparkling dialogue and a refreshingly straightforward plot. Too bad he peaked early with GoldenEye his subsequent three entries are relegated to the bottom-quarter of this list.

8. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Slick, sexy and sublimely directed, "The Spy Who Lived Me" is easily the best James Bond film of the seventies—and one that still manages to impress to this day. For the first time in the Moore era, it looks as though no expense has been spared. From the impressive sets to the globe-spanning nature of the narrative (which takes Bond from the ruins of ancient Egypt to Sardinia, with some filming in Nunavut thrown in, would you believe!), this is Bond as a big-budget blockbuster and one of the defining action flicks of the decade.

9. You Only Live Twice (1967)

Although he’s largely remembered for penning kiddie-lit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, writer Roald Dahl also contributed this gem of a story to the James Bond saga. And the wordsmith’s brilliant ideas for "You Only Live Twice" are so iconic they’ve become cliche: The big-bad’s lair in a hallowed-out volcano? Check. An evil third party stirring up war between the East and the West by gobbling up their respective spacecraft? Check. Heck, even the defining image of SPECTRE’s Blofeld as bald and hideously scarred was established in this ambitious flick.

10. For Your Eyes Only (1981)

A genuine oddity, "For Your Eyes Only" has earned the distinction of being the Roger Moore James Bond flick that actually takes itself seriously. Not only does Bond dispose of Blofeld once and for all (in the pre-credits sequence, no less!), but he also seems more “secret agent” than “superhero” for the first time in ages. Toss in some expertly choreographed ski chase scenes and spectacular location filming in Greece and Italy, and you’ve got a recipe for premium Bond.