On Her Majesty's Streaming Service
It’s hard to believe there’s been nearly 60 years of James Bond, but the most famous super spy in the world is nearly a senior citizen and somehow still going strong.
From the early days of Connery and '70s craziness of Roger Moore to the latest gritty, moody Daniel Craig outing, there’s been a Bond for every era since 1962. 26 films featuring the character have passed through cinemas, late night TV movies, and, of course, all manner of home video formats. Now, the Bond movies are hitting streaming services, including Hulu and Amazon Prime, so it seemed like the perfect time to rank them from worst to best.
What are your favorites? Which Bond movies do you hate? How badly did we screw this up? Let us know in the comments.
26. Casino Royale (1967)
This isn’t part of the MGM canon of Bond movies, but instead a one-off attempting to satirize the Bond formula. Columbia had license to it for some reason and produced this tone deaf, flat spoof of MGM's Bond with David Niven as the "original" Bond, which is actually an element I wish Skyfall had entertained. Otherwise though, this movie is a near total train wreck.
25. Quantum of Solace (2008)
Maybe, just maybe, this direct sequel to Casino Royale isn't as bad as it felt coming after Craig's first triumphant outing. Or maybe it is. Either way, it pales in comparison and feels like a drab, muddled mess too much of the time, with a story too focused on its own angst--a criticism common to most of Craig's run.
24. Octopussy (1983)
Hey, remember that one time Bond swung through the trees howling like Tarzan, and dressed up as a clown? That's this one. The overly sexualized title also doesn't help, since the movie’s use of sex is remarkably tame even by Bond standards.
23. A View to a Kill (1985)
Moore's last outing as Bond should have been a grand exit with the likes of Christopher Walken as his big baddie and Grace Jones as his main henchwoman. But 80s B-movie flame, Tonya Roberts, doesn't help as a hapless Bond girl and the whole thing is a mess. RIP Roger Moore.
22. Moonraker (1979)
Everyone was loving space in the late 70s thanks to Star Wars and NASA, so why not put Bond up there too? Because it was awful, that's way.
21. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Christopher Lee is the bad guy and his leading henchman is a dwarf. Really, with just that description, Moore's second Bond should be a lot better than it is. Sadly, it isn't.
20. The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Absurdly by the numbers, as if made from a checklist of things Bond films need, there's a few bright points here. Sophie Marceau is stunning and sadistic and there's a fine passing of the torch from beloved long-time Q Desmond Llewelyn to, of all actors, the terrific John Cleese. On the other hand, Denise Richards plays a nuclear scientist named Christmas.
19. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Connery skipped a movie, but came back for this one (with a then record breaking $1.25 million salary lure), but the final (official) Bond for the beloved actor was a sour farewell. Even Connery seemed to have had enough of the series' clichés, and it all felt bored.
18. Spectre (2015)
If Skyfall's villain wasn't quite cartoonish enough, the return of SPECTRE and Blofield (played by Christophe Waltz) might just do you in. There's a lot of creepy in this film beyond Waltz though, including Bond's brief rough treatment of the stunning Monica Bellucci. Largely, the film shoots itself in the foot with some absurd plot holes and ludicrous action sequences. Craig seems to be brooding mostly because he's sorry he took the role again.
17. Never Say Never Again (1983)
Purely for nostalgia of the day when Moore was on his way out and people were still complaining about the glory days of Sean Connery, the then 53-year-old Connery proved he still had the suave demeanor of a super spy. It's really a remake of Thunderball, which is far from the worst thing you could copy, but largely not even considered within the vague canon of the series.
16. Die Another Day (2002)
Brosnan's last Bond is real hit or miss, with scorching Halle Berry as a badass Bond girl and a surprisingly intense POW opening sequence. It's an oddly campy affair though, and while frequently viewed negatively, still a fun run for Bond with some great car action in a hotel made of ice.
15. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
If you could possibly ignore the sheer, disturbing level of product placement in the film, watching Bond fight against the evil of a mega media mogul (played gleefully by Jonathan Pryce) is a hoot. With included love interests like Teri Hatcher and the superb Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese operative, there’s a lot to like. The Hong Kong set pieces are also fantastic.
14. The Living Daylights (1987)
At the height of the AIDS scare, even Bond went monogamous. Timothy Dalton was dirty and gritty long before Daniel Craig and while he didn't last long in the role, he still made a hell of an assassin. He's got only one partner here, but the movie ticks off all the other expected Bond requirements--car chases, skiing shenanigans, and plenty of shoot-outs. Its biggest sin is simply being too serious, especially following Roger Moore's run.
13. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
The most serious of Moore's Bonds, it feels like the odd one out for the actor's run. Certainly one of Moore's best, but its placement between the camp of Moonraker and Octopussy make it oddly unmemorable. The movie is still a solid entry in the series.
12. License to Kill (1989)
The lowest grossing Bond ever, yet I have a soft spot for this frequently absurd spectacle as Dalton's second (and last) Bond goes after a drug kingpin played Robert Davi. It features Wayne Newton as a cult leader, has an insane killer shark trap one step removed from "sharks with frickin' lasers," and mixes cartoonish action with Dalton's over the top gritty demeanor. It's not great by any means, but bizarrely fun.
11. Live and Let Die (1973)
Moore entered into the series with a movie that, when looked at now, is positively bizarre. Featuring a rocking theme song from Paul McCartney and Wings, the movie takes a huge nod from blaxploitation movies, featuring a fantastic Yaphet Kotto as the villain, a beautiful black CIA agent (Gloria Hendry), and the smoldering Jane Seymour (as a psychic!) remains one of the most beloved of all Bond girls.
10. Skyfall (2012)
Four years after Quantum of Solace, Skyfall helped the Bond name bounce back at least somewhat. Delving into Bond's past is an intriguing set up, but Javier Bardem is so over the top absurd he's almost hard to take seriously, and the film utterly wastes Judi Dench's M, both literally and figuratively.
9. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The best Moore Bond with some stunts that still impress--and it had a submersible, transforming Lotus sports car. Better yet, the film featured the gigantic Rickard Kiel as Jaws, a henchmen with steel teeth. Because why not?
8. GoldenEye (1995)
Pierce Brosnan brought Bond back to life with this fun and timely romp featuring one of the best Bond girls ever--Famke Janssen as, wait for it, Xenia Onatopp, who could crush men's skulls with her thighs. Sean Bean is terrific as well, and Bond kills so many Russians here, it's a wonder it didn't reignite the Cold War.
7. Dr. No (1962)
The film that started it all is still a gem, though certainly not the best of the bunch. Connery assured himself legendary star status uttering the words, "Bond, James Bond" for the first time. Filmed on a comparatively shoe string budget, it established much of the tropes this series would rehash for the next six decades.
6. You Only Live Twice (1967)
Famed children's book author Roald Dahl wrote the script for this solid Connery vehicle, which took viewers to a mysterious 1960 Hollywood version of Japan and finally (after four films) gave eager viewers a full look at the evil Blofeld--played with vigor by Donald Pleasence--and his evil cat. Also noteworthy for later spawning Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies.
5. Thunderball (1965)
Stolen nukes, undersea fights, and a shark tank! Thunderball was the fourth outing for Connery, but in many ways feels like the template for most of the Bonds to come, all the way until Craig hit town. It's a fun and breezy action film carried less by all the spy gadgets and exotic locales and more by Connery's sheer charm.
4. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
While Connery held out for more money, one-time Bond George Lazenby managed to slip in one of the best classic entries in the series. Bond gets married and then heartbroken, but in between are some of the most well-made Bond stunts in the series--especially if you really like skiing action. Also, Telly Savales as Blofeld is just inspired casting.
3. From Russia with Love (1963)
Oddly serious for the earlier films and probably the closest to the grim and gritty source material, Connery takes the Cold War by the proverbial balls, along with gorgeous Russian spies and assassins and a superb fight sequence on the Orient Express. While it never had the popular acclaim of other Connery Bonds, it's definitely near the top of his run.
2. Casino Royale (2006)
It's not an exaggeration to suggest that Daniel Craig's entry into the role reignited the series. A sort of soft reboot that showed us a less experienced Bond just starting life as a 00, Casino Royale is gritty, intense, and exciting. It was so well done that it set an impossible standard for its sequels.
1. Goldfinger (1964)
The quintessential Bond film, the one that fans of the series tend to automatically, almost instinctually picture in the mind when anyone says Bond. Goldfinger is the entire series in one package. Odd Job as the killer hat-throwing assassin, the tricked out Aston-Martin, martinis shaken, not stirred, and Connery in his suave, yet dangerous best.
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