A Look at Some of the Best James Bond Movies to Date

James Bond is a literary creation, however, most know him as a film legend. The most prominent super spy has had 27 films made about him, and there are more to come in the future, from what we can gather. But, out of the 27 films, which ones are the cream of the crop?

It is tough to say which of the Bond films is the definitive best. However, there are certainly some that resonate with fans more than others. In this article, we’d like to examine five of the best films that tell the adventures of one of cinema’s most iconic characters.

Casino Royale

A lot of controversy came about when Daniel Craig was announced as the next James Bond. Joke articles even mockingly referred to him as “James Blonde.” However, when Casino Royale hit theaters in 2007, a lot of the critics were silenced.

The film was an absolute masterpiece of James Bond cinema, with Craig masterfully capturing a grittier, yet still charismatic James Bond. Adapting the first Ian Fleming novel, Casino Royale featured masterful performances, not just from the main star, but also the villain, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen. 

As the name suggests, Casino Royale is set in a world-famous casino. Perhaps now is the perfect time to revisit the film. The gambling industry is thriving after all. The emergence of Mother’s Buffalo and similar sites have helped new players get heavily involved in the growing market.

Dr. No 

When most people think of James Bond, they think of Sean Connery. And why not, he was the first to ever slip into the role. The first film to feature Bond was the now classic Dr. No, in which the super spy goes against the titular mad scientist. 

For some, Dr. No may not have aged well. But, this movie is the trope codifier for all of the original Bond films. It features the intense action, dry, sexually-charged comedy, and incredible thrills that the franchise has come to be known for. 

From Russia with Love

While Dr. No is the first Bond film, it is not often thought as the best. To be sure, plenty of critics would rate it highly. But, of the first three Sean Connery films, Dr. No would have to be ranked last, at least according to most fans and critics.

From Russia With Love improves on the first film in all aspects. Sean Connery is back, and better than ever. This time, he must go against SPECTRE, a secret crime organization, headed by two Russian agents. 

The film doubles down on all of the tropes of Dr. No, yet, never once feels like a parody of the franchise. Instead, it truly does seem like an improvement over the original, which is why it is so fondly remembered by most film critics of the era.

GoldenEye 

One of the most fascinating aspects of the James Bond character is that he is always portrayed by a different actor. In 1995, Pierce Brosnan was selected to play the role, and he quickly became a fan favorite. There are two major reasons for why GoldenEye, starring Brosnan, became such a hit. 

The first is the film itself. Released in 1995, the movie looked better than ever. On top of that, it also dealt with issues that concerned pop culture at the time. Failing satellites, turncoats, and extreme sports are all part of this film. Of course, the plot of going against a former ally is always enticing. 

The second reason for GoldenEye’s success has a lot to do with the video game released by Nintendo a few years later. The game was one of the first hit games that were based on a movie. To this day, it stands out as an excellent adaptation, which many games based on movies fail to do. 

Goldfinger 

Finally, Goldfinger, must get a mention on any list of best James Bond films. It is often regarded as the cream of the crop by critics and fans alike. Goldfinger should be the one James Bond movie you watch if you wish to dip your toes into the spy franchise. 

The movie has some of the most iconic scenes in the Bond franchise, as well as some of the most iconic lines in movie history. After all, this is where the “we aren’t so different.” line comes, which has been copied, parodied, and satirized by so many films since.

Sean Connery returns in Goldfinger, for the third time, and gives just as incredible a performance as you can expect from the most iconic Bond actor. This time, he is backed by an incredible cast, with Gert Frobe in the role of the megalomaniacal Goldfinger, and Honor Blackman as one of the most iconic “Bond girls.”

Honorable Mentions

The superspy has been gracing cinema for close to 80 years now. With 27 movies (and counting) it is impossible to select just five that stand out. Though the five we’ve brought up in this article are often regarded as some of the best, they are not the only Bond films worth checking out. 

For example, we had to leave 2012’s impeccable Skyfall off of the proper list. In this film, Daniel Craig returns in the role of the super spy, and is hot on the trail of Silva, a mysterious man who is closely tied to “M,” Bond’s handler and boss. 

In 1969, Sean Connery did not return to the role of Bond, and was replaced by George Lazenby. Though the public did not take kindly to the change, years later, many are giving Lazenby’s Bond a chance. They are finding that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is quite a fantastic film, with the actor giving a spectacular performance. 

Closing Thoughts

Who knows what the future of James Bond has in store for us. The globe-trotting secret agent has faced off against mad scientists, terrorists, super criminals, and even plain old mobsters. He has been shot, stabbed, imprisoned and more. With news of a new movie coming out, many of the Bond faithful are excited to see what comes next.