Below are Jon Lott’s rankings of all the James Bond films, from the best on down. Catch his rankings on each Bond actor at the end of this article!
THE GREATS:
- From Russia With Love
Tightly paced, with a compelling plot and the terrific enemy Red Grant, From Russia With Love is an enduring classic. It balances intrigue with action in a thrilling adventure.
2. Skyfall
The opening itself is a masterpiece and a taste of what’s to come in this emotional Bond film. The technical culmination of years of buildup, Skyfall will not disappoint.
3. Die Another Day
I know it has a lot of hate, but Die Another Day is perfect popcorn-fueled gadget crazy action in a quick, satisfying flick. So what if the plot is convoluted; this is James Bond, not Oscar bait. And that fencing scene was cool!
4. Goldfinger
“No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!” Goldfinger is an all-around great example of the spy genre, with a memorable villain and great suspense.
5. Casino Royale
It has one of the best chase scenes of all time made on film in my opinion, and was a bold, thrilling start for Daniel Craig.
6. Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace receives undo criticism for a lot of reasons, and it’s difficult to follow at times, partially because it’s the shortest Bond film (at 107 minutes), but it’s fun and wild as hell. And it’s sparely scored opening minute catches you right from the start.
THE GOODS:
7. Thunderball
Jetpacks, an ambitious 1960s underwater battle, sharks, gorgeous Bond girls, Spectre henchmen, and old-fashioned spy intrigue keep Thunderball looking good.
8. Dr. No
The first is not always the best, but Dr. No is a classic that holds up better than most 1960s films. It’s iconic scene is better than most entire movies today, and it single-handedly molded the spy genre.
7. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Lazenby was a one-flick Bond, but he wasn’t bad. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (that’s a mouthful) develops characters more than we’re used to finding in a 007 film, but it’s emotional note rings fairly flat. On the plus side, it features Diana Rigg, and takes place mostly in one location.
10. The World Is Not Enough
This is my list, and I’m allowed to have opinions that conflict with yours, and I liked The World Is Not Enough. So what if the boat chase doesn’t make any sense, it’s fun!
11. Goldeneye
Ahhh, at last we get to Goldeneye. For me, it isn’t even one of Pierce Brosnan’s greats. Still great, though, and Sean Bean elevates any movie he’s in. A trecherous 00 agent and a superweapon equal an entertaining outing.
12. Tomorrow Never Dies
A sinister and chaotic plot, a remote-controlled car, and a bike chase are only a few highlights of this explosive movie.
THE OKAYS:
13. Octopussy
Don’t you just love scenes with Q? Octopussy, the first Roger Moore flick on this list, is campy and fun and a little dated. It’s the best of the Roger Moore films, which should say something.
14. You Only Live Twice
A passable film with Sean Connery, Japan, piranhas, Blofeld, and the dying of 007 make this an unusual adventure for agent James Bond.
15. The Man With the Golden Gun
The Man With The Golden Gun has a fantastic villain, but comparatively low stakes for a 007 film. It gets a little strange at times, but it’s still a worthwhile movie, and among Roger Moore’s best.
16. Spectre
It has its moments (like the orchestral long-take illusion opening), but Spectre gets convoluted and silly early (and at 143 minutes, it runs the longest), and ends on an improper note, collapsing under the weight of its narrative failures.
17. For Your Eyes Only
Opening with the pathetic and rushed death of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, this film cares not for justifying old material, flowing in a jumbled mess of a script.
THE CRAP:
License to Kill, Never Say Never Again, Live and Let Die, The Living Daylights, A View to a Kill, The Spy Who Loved Me, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker
Once you start inflating villains like balloons to pop, start dealing with C-list Central American cartels, set piece laser battles in space, and bizarre Christopher Walken supervillains, James Bond films really jumped the shark (almost literally). It’s impossible to determine which one is worse than another; they are all simply scattered aimlessly in the garbage bin.
007 Actor Rankings:
- Sean Connery
Sean Connery defined James Bond and molded the spy genre irreversibly. There can be no greater Bond than he who set the example.
2. Daniel Craig
A new Bond for a new era, Daniel Craig surprised many when he first came onto the screen as agent 007. He brings a restrained emotionality to the films he’s been in, as well as powerful action qualities.
3. Pierce Brosnan
I grew up on Brosnan as Bond, and his sophisticated, almost sarcastic portrayal coupled with stylish action make him a close #3.
4. George Lazenby
He’s not really what you’d expect from a James Bond, but he played the part well in his only film. Strange outfit, though.
5. Roger Moore
He looks almost as embarassed as I am when I’m watching Moonraker. Roger Moore was charming, but too campy. He stuck around for the most Bond films (seven!) and was getting on in years when he finally took the hint and stopped.
6. Timothy Dalton
Fortunately for Roger Moore, his successor to the James Bond franchise was worse than he was, and made people long for the days of Roger Moore. It’s not all Dalton’s fault; the scripts were rubbish in the late 80s, and people weren’t sure where 007 was going as a franchise. Still, it’s better if you just ignore the Dalton films altogether.
~Jon Lott
If you liked this article, and want to see more from Jon Lott, subscribe to his feed and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
