From the iconic one-liners to the action thrills, the Aston Martins, and even the womanizing ways, there can be little doubt that James Bond is one of cinema’s most definitive on-screen icons. Ranging from Sean Connery’s debonair portrayal of Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy to Daniel Craig’s cool yet coarse and combative iteration, the series has produced a staggering 27 films to date.
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Going so far as to include the two non-Eon Bond films in 1967’s Casino Royale and 1983’s Never Say Never Again, Rotten Tomatoes makes it easy to compile a list of all the James Bond movies ranked according to the Tomatometer, an aggregate score based on critics’ reviews. With seven “rotten” films, seven fresh, and an impressive 13 certified fresh with praise from the industry’s top critics, the franchise has had its share of ups and downs. Whether you love the grit of the new-age Bond or cherish the charm of the old-school entries, make yourself a Martini – shaken, not stirred – and discover where your favorite 007 flick ranks among the best Bond movies.
27 ‘Casino Royale’ (1967)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 26%
Image via Columbia Pictures
Not only a disastrous film but also a huge missed opportunity, 1967’s spy parody Casino Royale is by far the lowest-rated James Bond film with a woeful score of just 26%. On paper, assembling major Hollywood names like Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, David Niven, and Woody Allen to lampoon espionage thrillers was a fantastic idea, but Casino Royale’s messy execution left plenty to be desired.
It follows a peacefully retired 007 (Niven) as he is called back into action to combat the criminal organization SMERSH. Increasingly bizarre occurrences begin to unfold as Bond interacts with a web of ridiculous characters, including a veteran gambler, a villainous banker, Ursula Andress’ millionaire spy Vesper Lynd, and even his own bumbling, insipid nephew. It wasn’t received well upon release and hasn’t won many admirers since.
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26 ‘A View to a Kill’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 37%
While Roger Moore’s seven Bond films tie him with Connery as the equal most prolific Bond actor in terms of total appearances, it is fair to say that his Bond movies didn’t always rise to such illustrious heights. His final Bond outing, A View to a Kill, did little to improve his legacy in the role, with the then 57-year-old Moore clearly being too old for the part and the film widely being viewed as the worst of Eon Productions’ Bond pictures.
It follows 007 as he investigates a mysterious microchip which leads him to Christopher Walken’s Max Zorin, a crazed tech billionaire plotting to destroy Silicon Valley to wipe out his competition. Teaming up with Zorin’s bodyguard and lover, May Day (Grace Jones), Bond tries to thwart the villain’s scheme before it is too late. Overly camp and ridiculously absurd, the film marks an abysmally low point of the franchise despite a couple of iconic villainous performances.
A View to a Kill
Release Date May 24, 1985
Director John Glen
Cast Roger Moore , Christopher Walken , Tanya Roberts , Grace Jones , Patrick Macnee , Patrick Bauchau
Runtime 131
25 ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ (1974)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%
While exceptional villains have been a defining trait of many of the best James Bond movies, not even the sublime Sir Christopher Lee could spare the otherwise deplorable The Man with the Golden Gun. It opened in enticing fashion, with Lee’s masterful gunman, Francisco Scaramanga, facing off against a gangster thug before revealing that his ultimate target was none other than James Bond (Moore) himself. As Bond attempts to recover a powerful solar energy device, he finds himself in battle with the formidable hitman.
Hampered by lousy dialogue, a deflating lack of gadgetry, and Bond operating at his chauvinistic worst, the film failed to appease audiences or critics and has not held up well retrospectively. The fact that many viewers were actively hoping Scaramanga would win the climactic duel is as much a testament to Lee’s brilliance as it is an indictment of the rest of the movie.
The Man with the Golden Gun
Release Date December 20, 1974
Director Guy Hamilton
Runtime 125
24 ‘Octopussy’ (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%
Following Bond as he investigates a jewel-smuggling circus operation being used to cover a looming nuclear attack, Octopussy earned plenty of praise for the film’s heart-stopping action sequences. Sadly, it earned criticism for just about everything else. Its slow story ranged from boring to senseless, its comedic beats fell painfully flat, and its desperate attempts to revitalize Bond’s chauvinism were as unflattering as they were outdated (even for 1983).
The film wasn’t at all aided by two uninspired villains whose ridiculous plan to enable the Soviet Union to invade Europe was both uninteresting and overly convoluted. The pitiful image of Moore’s Bond in a sad clown costume was tragically emblematic of the film, ridiculously bad and offering unintentional parody. It signaled the beginning of the end of Moore’s era and has come to be viewed among the worst Bond movies.
Octopussy
Release Date June 10, 1983
Director John Glen
Cast Roger Moore , Maud Adams , Louis Jourdan , Kristina Wayborn , Kabir Bedi , Steven Berkoff
Runtime 131
23 ‘The World Is Not Enough’ (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 51%
While he is often highly regarded when evaluating the best Bond actors, Pierce Brosnan’s tenure as 007 produced some of the franchise’s weaker movies. Marred by poor writing, unbalanced performances, and a rigidly formulaic story, The World is Not Enough was an uneven viewing experience. In it, Bond is tasked with protecting the daughter of a murdered oil tycoon. However, as he investigates the terrorist plot responsible for the assassination, he uncovers a shocking betrayal.
While it had some outstanding action sequences and featured a criminally underrated villainous turn from Sophie Marceau, who remains the only stand-alone female antagonist in the franchise, The World is Not Enough is still forgettable and rather messy. Its jumbled and confused tonal approach hasn’t gotten any better over time.
The World is Not Enough
Release Date November 17, 1999
Director Michael Apted
Runtime 128
22 ‘Die Another Day’ (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%
Despite a clear effort to retrieve the magic of the charm of the earliest Bond films, Brosnan’s final outing as 007 was only marginally better than the one that came before it. Definitely one for those who love their Bond movies as ridiculous and overblown as possible, it follows Bond as he tries to uncover the MI6 mole who handed him to the North Koreans. He teams up with an NSA agent as he investigates a billionaire diamond magnate.
While its 55% rating is far from terrible, Die Another Day has been relentlessly skewered by fans. Its case wasn’t helped by the lingering popularity of fellow spy thriller The Bourne Identity, which was released just a few months prior. Still, it wasn’t all bad as Halle Berry’s Jinx Johnson made for an iconic Bond girl while 007’s fencing bout with Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) was tremendous fun.
Die Another Day
Release Date November 22, 2002
Director Lee Tamahori
Runtime 133 minutes
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21 ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%
Great action being undermined by unimaginative stories was something of a trend throughout Bronson’s era, and while Tomorrow Never Dies doesn’t buck it, it still has a surprising amount to offer. Jonathan Pryce makes for a magnificent and woefully underappreciated villain as Elliot Carver, a media mogul who is confronted by Bond as he tries to incite a third World War just so he can expand his news brand into China and secure a global market.
The prescience of the film teetered on the cusp of satirical genius, while the addition of Michelle Yeoh as Bond girl Wai Lin was another underrated masterstroke. One of the few Bond films that has gotten better with age, Tomorrow Never Dies’ middling score of 57% is reflective of the monotonous drudgery of the formulaic plot progression rather than the nuggets of inspired excellence that were embedded within it.
Tomorrow Never Dies
Release Date December 11, 1997
Director Roger Spottiswoode
Runtime 119
20 ‘Moonraker’ (1979)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
Moonraker remains one of James Bond’s silliest outings, but there is a certain charm to that label. Following the hijacking of a space shuttle, James Bond pairs with CIA agent Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles) to find answers on the vessel’s whereabouts and why it was stolen. The investigation sees the duo venture into space where they clash with Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), a wealthy industrialist with a sinister scheme to eradicate all of humanity.
While the story veered from one unbelievable twist to the next, it did offer plenty of opportunity for Bond to play with some fantastic gadgets and featured some of the franchise’s most wondrous sets. Depending on what audiences crave in a Bond film, Moonraker is either the franchise’s most adventurous entry, or the most frustratingly illogical. It was the highest-grossing film in the franchise for nearly two decades.
Moonraker
Release Date June 26, 1979
Director Lewis Gilbert
Cast Roger Moore , Lois Chiles , Michael Lonsdale , Richard Kiel , Corinne Clery , Bernard Lee
Runtime 126
19 ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (1971)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
The first of Sean Connery’s returns to the role of James Bond, Diamonds Are Forever is the actor’s lowest-rated outing as 007 according to Rotten Tomatoes, but it still boasts a fresh score of 64%. It follows Bond as he investigates irregularities transpiring in the international diamond market, uncovering a smuggling conspiracy linked to his arch nemesis, Blofeld (Charles Grey). Upon learning that the evil mastermind is stockpiling the gems to use in a deadly satellite, Bond readies himself to confront his truest enemy.
While the film had some great action sequences and witty dialogue, Diamonds Are Forever also served as emphatic proof that Connery’s charismatic Bond could carry a film. As entertaining as it was, it was criticized for being derivative and ultimately lacked the exhilarating thrill of Connery’s earlier work.
Diamonds Are Forever
Release Date December 17, 1971
Director Guy Hamilton
Cast Sean Connery , Jill St. John , Charles Gray , Jimmy Dean
Runtime 120
18 ‘Spectre’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
Whereas Daniel Craig’s first three Bond movies presented a daring commitment to gritty action-violence and a more grounded sense of realistic tension, Spectre was an ominous step back towards the Bond films of old. When he receives an obscure message from his past, James Bond begins investigating an international criminal syndicate known as SPECTRE. However, the deeper he pries, the closer he gets to uncovering an ugly truth about his past.
While it started with an engrossing opening sequence, Spectre soon began to meander, with not even the biggest explosion in Bond’s and cinematic history able to ignite the story in the second half. Granted, its financial might made it an impressive spectacle in terms of sheer magnitude, but there was an inescapable feeling that nostalgic callbacks to early Bond films were starting to invade upon the refreshing aura of Craig’s re-imagined 007.
Spectre
Release Date October 26, 2015
Director Sam Mendes
Runtime 145
17 ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
Impeded by the 07-08 writer’s strike, Quantum of Solace had all the attitude and grit of Craig’s other Bond films, but it lacked the polished poise to tie all its elements together. Still reeling from the betrayal and death of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), James Bond seeks vengeance on those who blackmailed her. His investigation directs him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), an environmentalist industrialist buying large plots of land in Bolivia.
Between its frantic action and some gruff emotional beats, it largely overcame its pitfalls to be an entertaining Bond movie, if not a flawless one. Arguably the most crippling obstacle it came up against was having to escape the shadow cast by 2006’s Casino Royale. With 16 years having passed since its release, Quantum of Solace is viewed by many to be one of the most underrated films in the Bond saga.
Quantum of Solace
Release Date October 31, 2008
Director Marc Forster
Runtime 106
16 ‘Live and Let Die’ (1973)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%
While some of Roger Moore’s Bond movies missed their mark pretty horrendously, his debut outing was quite a success upon release, though it hasn’t aged as elegantly as some other Bond films. Set predominantly in America, it follows Bond as he investigates the deaths of British agents in New York City and New Orleans, discovering the sinister Dr. Kananga (Yaphet Kotto), a Caribbean dictator who also works as a drug kingpin.
Above everything else, it offered emphatic proof that the franchise wasn’t completely reliant on Sean Connery to produce a major box-office hit. As such, it stands as arguably the single most important movie in the context of the franchise’s longevity. Flashy and intelligent while boasting a compelling voodoo mystique, Live and Let Die remains a quintessential Bond film, even if its pacing and sensitivities make it blatantly of its time.
Live and Let Die
Release Date July 5, 1973
Director Guy Hamilton
Cast Roger Moore , Yaphet Kotto , Jane Seymour , Clifton James , Julius Harris , Geoffrey Holder
Runtime 121
15 ‘For Your Eyes Only’ (1981)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
The fifth of Roger Moore’s seven Bond movies, For Your Eyes Only served as the actor’s last accomplished highlight in the role, offering a return to basics following the polarizing reception to the preceding Moonraker. It evicted many of the more absurd and comical tendencies that had crept into the franchise, receding back to the more grounded (yet, still flamboyant) espionage thrills that first defined the Bond movies, all while maintaining the brand’s penchant for action excitement.
Following the sinking of a British spy submarine, James Bond is tasked with retrieving the lost encryption device before it falls into enemy hands. With 007 forced to navigate a complex web of deception, For Your Eyes Only may not be the greatest Bond film ever, but it is far from the worst. It has become an overlooked and underrated picture within the Bond franchise.
For Your Eyes Only
Release Date June 23, 1981
Director John Glen
Cast Roger Moore , Carole Bouquet , Topol , Lynn-Holly Johnson , Julian Glover , Cassandra Harris
Runtime 127
14 ‘Never Say Never Again’ (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Image via Warner Bros.
Amid the see-sawing quality of Moore’s Bond era, Never Say Never Again saw Sean Connery return to the role that he first made famous some 21 years prior. Just the second Bond film not to be overseen by Eon, it effectively ran as a rehash of Thunderball, tracking an aging Bond as he is reinstated to recapture two stolen warheads and kill the terrorists who took them.
While it did attract criticism for being derivative of the franchise’s past achievements, Never Say Never Again had enough panache to get by as a pleasant if not pristine 007 adventure. It served as Kim Bassinger’s breakout and also saw Max von Sydow co-star as Blofeld, but there was no doubt that it was Connery’s picture. A joyous last hurrah for the actor which proves that, when it comes to Bond, nobody does it better, the film has an appeal to lovers of the original movies.
Never Say Never Again
Release Date October 7, 1983
Runtime 134
13 ‘The Living Daylights’ (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
Image via MGM/UA Communications Co.
While his films weren’t fully appreciated upon release, Timothy Dalton’s tenure as Bond has come to be viewed in a much higher regard retrospectively. As the first of his two Bond movies, The Living Daylights held no reservations about what Dalton’s 007 would be. When Bond helps a KGB officer defect, he is forced to seek out Soviet spies sent to kill the informant. However, as he explores the apparent threat, he learns that the defective Russian may have an ulterior motive.
Taking on Russian assassins and an American arms dealer, The Living Daylights sent Bond on a thrilling yet cynical adventure which was a major turning point for the franchise, even if its true impact wasn’t immediately apparent. Certified fresh with a 73% Tomatometer score, The Living Daylights still stands as one of the more daring Bond movies and paved the way for the coarser tone of Daniel Craig’s era.
The Living Daylights
Release Date July 31, 1987
Director John Glen
Runtime 130
12 ‘You Only Live Twice’ (1967)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
Image via United Artists
The fifth film in Connery’s tenure as James Bond, You Only Live Twice marked a point where the creative and refreshing effervescence of the actor’s earliest films began to fade as a formulaic rigmarole began to take root in the franchise. That being said, the 1967 film still boasted an abundance of Bond tropes, stunning locales, scintillating special effects, and Donald Pleasance’s iconic portrayal of Blofeld to overcome its flaws with a wondrous sense of heightened adventure.
While a script penned by Roald Dahl, it follows Bond as he fakes his own death and goes to Japan to investigate the re-appearance of a stolen spacecraft as tensions in the Cold War begin to escalate. The film has some difficult moments to digest – namely Bond adorning a Japanese disguise – but it is easy to enjoy and has been celebrated retrospectively for its genre-defining sense of fun.
You Only Live Twice
Release Date June 13, 1967
Director Lewis Gilbert
Cast Sean Connery , Akiko Wakabayashi , Mie Hama , Tetsurô Tanba , Teru Shimada , Karin Dor
Runtime 117
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11 ‘Licence to Kill’ (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Timothy Dalton’s second Bond film delved even deeper into the character’s dark intensity which made his portrayal of the character so unique. Just as much a revenge thriller as it was a Bond flick, Licence to Kill sees Bond go rogue to take down the vicious Bond villain, a Miami drug kingpin who maimed retiring DEA agent Felix Leiter (David Hedison) and brutally murdered his new wife. Bond teams up with ex-Army pilot Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) to help him carry out his personal vendetta.
Licence to Kill was very much a response to the evolution action blockbusters had gone through during the 80s, imbuing its sense of spectacle with a violent intensity that has seen it endure as the darkest movie in the franchise. Progressively brutal, it signaled the brand’s willingness to evolve to appeal to audience interests and stands as another criminally underrated film in the Bond canon.
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10 ‘GoldenEye’ (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
While some of his ensuing films were lackluster, to say the least, Pierce Brosnan’s long-awaited Bond movie debut breathed new life into the franchise which many thought would become obsolete after the resolution of the Cold War. GoldenEye sees Bond work with a Russian computer programmer to prevent Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), an ex-MI6 spy and the former 006, from using a powerful satellite weapon to attack Britain and collapse the global economy, all while getting rich himself.
The film is littered with exceptional characters, from Famke Janssen’s sadistic Xenia Onatopp to Robbie Coltrane’s duplicitous yet lovable Valentin Zukovsky, and, most notably, to Dame Judi Dench’s debut as M. It also struck a terrific balance between espionage grit, action thrills, and well-place, contemporary comedy to appeal to a new generation of Bond fans.
GoldenEye
Release Date November 16, 1995
Runtime 130
9 ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
Marking Australian actor George Lazenby’s only appearance as Bond, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is an often-overlooked addition to the franchise. In the film, 007 ventures to the Swiss Alps to face Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas) who plots to threaten the world’s food supply with a bacterial agent so he can hold all of humanity to ransom. Along the way, Bond is acquainted with Contessa Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) and finds himself falling in love.
Upon initial release, the absence of Sean Connery made for too drastic a shake-up for the film to be received fairly, but the film has found high praise retrospectively. Armed with a devastating finale, arguably the best Bond girl the franchise has seen, and some visually stunning sequences, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is an underrated and easily rewatchable entry to the Bond saga.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Release Date December 12, 1969
Director Peter R. Hunt
Cast George Lazenby , Diana Rigg , Telly Savalas , Gabriele Ferzetti , Ilse Steppat , Angela Scoular
Runtime 142
8 ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ (1977)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Universally heralded as the best of Moore’s Bond movies, The Spy Who Loved Me presented a riveting, globe-trotting adventure as 007 investigates missing submarines carrying nuclear warheads. Receiving assistance from KGB operative Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), Bond soon discovers a link to Swedish shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (Curd Jürgens) and tries to prevent his maniacal plan, clashing with his massive henchman Richard Kiel’s Jaws in the process.
While the film’s underlying absurdity would prove to be a sign of things to come in Moore’s era, The Spy Who Loved Me had a nice enough balance between spy action and sci-fi fantasy to thrive. Complemented by a strong sense of style, witty dialogue, and a captivating central relationship between Bond and Amasova, the film is Moore’s most timeless Bond movie as well as his finest.
The Spy Who Loved Me
Release Date July 7, 1977
Director Lewis Gilbert
Cast Roger Moore , Barbara Bach , Curd Jürgens , Richard Kiel , Caroline Munro , Walter Gotell
Runtime 125