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There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who would argue to the death that Sean Connery is the only real James Bond and everyone else.
I fall into the latter camp.
There are six actors who have played Ian Fleming’s legendary spy onscreen, and they’ve each brought something unique to the role.
Everyone knows the James Bond movies. They’re a cultural touchstone and have been for decades.
It’s been more than 60 years since the first film — Dr. No — was released in 1962, and only six actors have played the role of the debonair MI6 agent.
But which are the best? Which are worth your time, and which aren’t? Over the course of his career, 007 has had a lot of ups and downs.
Best James Bond Movies
Let’s jump right into our guide to the best James Bond films.
Die Another Day (2002)
Die Another Day is a flawed but entertaining entry in the James Bond franchise.
Pierce Brosnan delivers a solid performance as the iconic spy, but the film’s over-the-top action sequences and convoluted plot detract from its overall impact.
The film’s opening sequence in North Korea sets the stage for a high-stakes adventure, but the plot quickly becomes convoluted with the introduction of diamond smugglers and an invisible car.
The film’s villain, played by Toby Stephens, lacks the depth and menace of previous Bond villains.
Despite these flaws, the film delivers on the action front, with impressive set pieces including a sword fight on a plane and a chase scene on an ice lake.
The film also features a standout performance from Halle Berry as Jinx, a fellow spy who proves to be a worthy partner for Bond.
Die Another Day may not be the strongest entry in the Bond franchise, but it delivers on the entertainment front with thrilling action sequences and strong performances from its cast.
Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy here, even if the film falls short of the franchise’s best entries.
Licence To Kill (1989)
Licence to Kill is a gritty and intense entry in the James Bond franchise that sees 007 going rogue in a personal vendetta against a drug lord.
Timothy Dalton delivers a more ruthless and serious portrayal of Bond, which is a refreshing departure from the suave and charming persona of previous actors in the role.
The action sequences are top-notch, with the climactic tanker truck chase being a standout moment of the film.
The locations are also stunning, with the film taking us from the glamour of Key West to the dangerous drug trade in Latin America.
The supporting cast also shines, with Robert Davi giving a menacing performance as the main villain and Carey Lowell bringing a strong female presence as Bond’s ally and love interest.
However, the film’s darker tone and lack of gadgets may not appeal to fans who prefer the more lighthearted and gadget-filled Bond films.
Additionally, some of the plot points and character motivations may come across as convoluted and confusing.
Quantum Of Solace (2008)
Quantum Of Solace is a sleek and stylish follow-up to the highly successful Casino Royale.
Daniel Craig continues to impress as James Bond, delivering a performance that is both rugged and refined.
The action sequences are fast-paced and exhilarating, with director Marc Forster showing a keen eye for detail and a flair for the dramatic.
One of the highlights of the film is the chemistry between Craig’s Bond and Olga Kurylenko’s Camille.
Their relationship is complex and nuanced, adding an emotional depth to the film that is often lacking in action blockbusters.
The supporting cast, including Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, and Mathieu Amalric, all deliver solid performances as well.
However, the film’s biggest flaw is its convoluted plot. The story is overly complex and at times difficult to follow, with too many characters and subplots vying for attention.
This detracts from the film’s overall impact and leaves the viewer feeling somewhat disconnected from the action.
Despite its flaws, Quantum Of Solace is still an entertaining and visually stunning film.
Its sleek style and high-octane action sequences make it a worthy addition to the James Bond franchise.
Who Is James Bond?
The James Bond film series is a British series of spy films based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond, 007, who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming.
It is one of the longest continually-running film series in history.
James Bond, the literary character who first appeared in a 1953 novel written by Ian Fleming — and who Fleming named after an American ornithologist — is one of the most recognizable characters in all of pop culture, and probably the longest-lasting.
Bond has evolved over the years, both in the novels and on the big screen, but while some aspects of his character have changed, other things remain constant.
He’s still a British spy, he still works for MI6, and he still drives cool cars and drinks martinis (shaken, not stirred). And he’ll always be a bit of a dashing rogue who gets into trouble with women.
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
The World Is Not Enough is a classic James Bond film that delivers all the action, suspense, and intrigue that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
Pierce Brosnan shines as the suave and sophisticated secret agent, effortlessly balancing his charm with his deadly skills.
The plot centers around Bond’s mission to protect a wealthy heiress named Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) from a dangerous terrorist who is targeting her family’s business.
Along the way, Bond teams up with the alluring and capable Dr. Christmas Jones (Denise Richards) and faces off against the sadistic and cunning Renard (Robert Carlyle).
The film is a rollercoaster ride of exciting set pieces, including an intense boat chase through the canals of London and a thrilling showdown on a nuclear submarine.
The chemistry between Brosnan and Marceau is electric, and Carlyle’s performance as the villain is chillingly effective.
While some may criticize the film for its reliance on gadgets and over-the-top action sequences, The World Is Not Enough succeeds in capturing the essence of the Bond franchise and delivering a satisfying and entertaining experience.
Live And Let Die (1973)
Live and Let Die is a classic Bond film that has everything you could want – action, adventure, and a killer soundtrack.
The film sees Roger Moore’s Bond sent to New York and the Caribbean to investigate a drug lord, and he encounters a series of thrilling set-pieces along the way.
Moore’s debut as Bond is a strong one, bringing his own unique charm and humor to the role.
The film also features a standout performance from Jane Seymour as the Bond girl Solitaire, who brings depth and nuance to her character.
The action sequences are top-notch, with a memorable boat chase through the Louisiana swamps and a tense finale on a train.
The film also boasts a killer soundtrack, with the title song by Paul McCartney and Wings becoming an instant classic.
A View To A Kill (1985)
A View To A Kill may not be the most memorable Bond film, but it still has its moments.
Roger Moore’s final outing as 007 sees him teaming up with the beautiful yet deadly Stacey Sutton (Tanya Roberts) to stop Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) from destroying Silicon Valley.
While the plot may be a bit convoluted at times, the action sequences are still entertaining, with the highlight being the tense chase scene on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Walken is a standout as the villain, bringing his signature brand of creepiness to the role. However, Moore’s age is starting to show and his performance can feel a bit tired.
Moonraker (1979)
James Bond (Roger Moore) is sent to investigate the hijacking of an American space shuttle. The trail leads to Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), who plans to wipe out humanity with a nerve gas released from a hidden space station, then repopulate the Earth with a master race.
The only way to stop Drax is to destroy that station and the poison globes, which means Bond joining forces with Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), a NASA astronaut who is also a CIA agent.
Meanwhile, the villainous henchman Jaws (Richard Kiel) also returns to plague Bond once again, having survived his encounters from the previous film.
Moonraker (1979) is the eleventh James Bond film produced by Eon Productions and the fourth to star Roger Moore as 007. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert, his third and final Bond film, from a screenplay by Christopher Wood, and was produced by Albert R. Broccoli.
The film was shot primarily in France, with further filming in Italy, Brazil, Guatemala, and the United States. Pinewood’s soundstages were used for the special effects, and the space-station sequences pushed the franchise’s budget and visual-effects ambitions further than any Bond film before it.
Released in the wake of Star Wars, Moonraker leaned hard into science fiction to capitalize on the era’s space-adventure craze, and it became the highest-grossing Bond film at the time of its release.
Never Say Never Again (1983)
Never Say Never Again is a Bond film that tries to be something different, but ultimately falls short. It sits outside the Eon Productions series: a separate adaptation of Thunderball, made because Kevin McClory still held the rights to that story.
The film marks the return of Sean Connery as Bond, but the years have not been kind to him, and his performance feels lackluster.
The plot is also uninspired, with Bond having to stop a wealthy villain from detonating two stolen nuclear bombs.
The action scenes are decent, but nothing stands out as particularly memorable. Kim Basinger’s character is underdeveloped and serves only as a love interest for Bond.
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