13 best James Bond films: from classics to the present day.

For the release of the 25th film about agent 007, “No Time to Die,” we recall the main images of the famous spy.

The secret agent film franchise has been on the big screen for over 50 years. During this time, both the presentation style and the leading actor changed several times.

It can be difficult for a novice viewer to figure out which films to start watching and which James Bond to choose to get acquainted with the universe. Therefore, ProPedia briefly talks about all the incarnations of the spy and recommends the best films with each actor.

James Bond films with Sean Connery

The first and generally accepted most canonical agent 007. Sean Connery's Bond appears to be a resilient womanizer: he understands alcohol, can seduce any woman and is ready to make sarcastic remarks even in the most dangerous situation. It was these films that set the tone for the entire franchise for many years.

Dr. No

Dr. No

• Great Britain, 1962.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

The story of James Bond began with this picture. MI6 secret service agent code number 007 is looking for the source of interference that is causing American missiles to go off course and fall. For the first time, he encounters the powerful criminal organization Specter, as well as the sinister Doctor No.

Many actors auditioned for the role of Bond in the debut film: from Cary Grant to Richard Burton. Ian Fleming, the author of the secret agent books, even suggested his half-cousin Christopher Lee. But the filmmakers relied on charm and sexuality and invited Sean Connery. The writer was dissatisfied with the choice, but the audience was delighted with the charismatic Scot.

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Goldfinger

Goldfinger

• Great Britain, 1964.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.7.

Millionaire Auric Goldfinger plans to detonate a nuclear bomb in the US gold reserve storage facility. So he wants to increase the value of his wealth. But secret agent James Bond comes out against the villain.

Two years after the start, the franchise reached the peak of its popularity. And in many ways, it was “Goldfinger” that became decisive for her further style. For example, in this film, for the first time, a catchy song was played during the opening credits, referencing the title and plot of the film.

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James Bond film with George Lazenby

Having gained popularity as Agent 007, Sean Connery asked for too much money for the next part of the franchise, and the producers had to urgently look for a replacement for him. George Lazenby played Bond in just one film, and at first the audience was not delighted with the new image of the spy. However, over time, it was his only film that became one of the most unusual and lively stories about 007.

Lazenby showed the humane side of Bond. His hero dreams of leaving the service, giving up murder and improving his personal life. And the film itself is more reminiscent of noir detective stories than an adventure movie about spies.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

• Great Britain, 1969.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

James Bond is pursuing his longtime enemy - the head of the Specter organization, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. However, in Portugal, the agent meets the incredibly beautiful daughter of a local crime boss. Now Bond must not only prevent another attempt to destroy humanity, but also prove to his beloved the seriousness of his intentions.

In this film, literally all the components are strikingly different from the films with Connery. James Bond looks more like a real spy, rather than just a tough guy, and the fights look more realistic. And what’s even more important is that the girl doesn’t rush into the arms of the main character. On the contrary, he himself takes care of the unapproachable beauty, and at a certain moment she even saves his life.

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James Bond films with Roger Moore

After the experiment with Lazenby, Sean Connery returned to the franchise for one more film (Diamonds Are Forever), and then the actor was replaced by Roger Moore. In this version, Bond began to use all kinds of spy gadgets more often and found himself in ridiculous situations. He expressed all emotions only by raising an eyebrow.

But as portrayed by Moore, the special agent had the most unusual adventures: he became a professional in martial arts, sailed on submarines and even flew to the moon.

Live and let die

Live and Let Die

• Great Britain, 1973.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.8.

007 is hunting for a drug lord who has decided to distribute a huge amount of heroin throughout the United States for free. With the help of a CIA agent and a fortune teller, Bond tracks down the criminal. But then the spy almost dies because of the villain’s assistant.

During the era of Roger Moore, the authors of the franchise tried to make films that corresponded to the social agenda. “Live and Let Die” was released during the heyday of the “blaxploitation” genre, which grotesquely tells about the culture of dark-skinned ghetto inhabitants. Therefore, in the film, Bond goes to Harlem, and one of his companions was played by Gloria Hendry.

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The Spy Who Loved Me

The Spy Who Loved Me

• Great Britain, 1977.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

Millionaire Stromberg steals Soviet and British submarines, planning to start a world war. To confront the villain, James Bond has to team up with KGB agent Anna Amasova.

Of course, this plot became a reflection of the Cold War between the USSR and Western countries. Special agents of warring states flirt here, but do not hide their hostility towards each other.

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James Bond films with Timothy Dalton

They are often forgotten. However, it was in the two films with Timothy Dalton in the image of Bond that dramatic changes occurred. The actor, who is very fond of Ian Fleming's books, initially agreed to the role only on the condition that Agent 007 would be made darker and more realistic.

In these films, James Bond first challenges the orders of his superiors, and then completely plunges into personal revenge. In addition, he often relies on traditional weapons and his strength rather than on spy gadgets.

Sparks from the eyes

The Living Daylights

• UK, USA, 1987.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

James Bond helps a disgraced KGB general escape from Czechoslovakia to Austria. At the same time, the agent violates the order and does not kill the sniper girl who is trying to stop them. But in the end, it will be she who will reveal an important secret to 007.

Sparks from the Eyes is the last Bond film made during the Cold War. Therefore, here the action is also devoted to the confrontation with Russian spies . But the main villain is shown more realistically: he is not a multimillionaire with a crazy plan, but simply a cunning double agent.

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License to Kill

License to Kill

• UK, Mexico, USA, 1989.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

James Bond and his friend CIA agent Felix Leiter catch drug lord Franz Sanchez. However, due to corruption in the system, the villain is soon released. He kills Leiter's wife and cripples the man himself. Then Bond decides to take revenge on the scoundrel, although his superiors prohibit unauthorized investigations.

“License to Kill” is the apotheosis of mundane stories about agent 007. Here Bond acts solely for reasons of personal revenge and even leaves the service for this. And his opponent is an ordinary gangster.

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James Bond films with Pierce Brosnan

After Dalton's experimental films, the franchise went on a long hiatus due to copyright issues. During this time, both the topics that were usually raised in films and the filming themselves changed. Therefore, for the next reboot of the James Bond story, a new actor was needed.

Pierce Brosnan fit the description of Agent 007 perfectly in the original books. At the same time, initially his version of Bond was supposed to continue the image established in the two previous films. But soon the plots returned to the style of classic films with Connery and Moore.

golden eye

GoldenEye

• USA, UK, 1995.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

The secret weapons complex "Golden Eye" falls into the hands of terrorists. To neutralize criminals, James Bond goes to Russia. But his investigation takes him to the very top of a government that plans to change the international banking system.

It is noticeable from this film that in the new stories the authors had difficulties with the villains. The confrontation with Russia was again brought back into the plot - now the mafia is involved in the matter. And the main antagonist turns out to be Bond's former colleague. By the way, this cannot be called a spoiler: the twist was shown in the trailers.

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Tomorrow will never die

Tomorrow Never Dies

• UK, USA, 1997.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.5.

Media tycoon Eliot Carver plans to start an international conflict. To do this, he creates the illusion that China is attacking British ships. MI6 sends James Bond to find out Carver's true motives.

"Tomorrow Never Dies" clearly shows the changes in the themes and presentation of stories about 007. The main villain now uses completely different methods and relies on the media. In addition, new films increasingly show strong women who help the agent and even command him. Thus, for the first time in the history of the franchise, the head of MI6, codenamed M, is played by a woman - Judi Dench.

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James Bond films with Daniel Craig

Many fans initially perceived the next reboot of the franchise extremely negatively. The new Bond was played by Daniel Craig, a blond man whose face did not at all resemble the usual image of a British aristocrat. But gradually it became clear that the new character seemed to continue the ideas of the times of Timothy Dalton. This is again a living and realistic Bond who makes mistakes, suffers and does not want to blindly obey orders.

The new 007 experiences an almost filial affection for his boss, and women not only become his assistants, they also console the agent in the most difficult moments.

Casino Royale

Casino Royale

• Great Britain, Czech Republic, USA, Germany, 2006.
• Action, thriller.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

Newly licensed to kill, young agent James Bond must confront criminal mastermind Le Chiffre. In this case, the heroes will not meet in a fight or shootout, but at the card table.

It is ironic that the very first book about James Bond, written back in 1953, was filmed as part of the official franchise only in the 21st century. But it turned out to be a great move for the reboot: Craig's character was given a full-fledged story from the very beginning of his agent's career.

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007: Skyfall coordinates

Skyfall

• UK, USA, Türkiye, 2012.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

A hard drive with a dossier of secret agents Mi-6 falls into the hands of the villains. M herself is suspected of treason, but James Bond, who is considered dead, decides to restore his boss’s good name. The search for the real criminal leads him to a former intelligence agent.

The film by Sam Mendes successfully develops the trends set in Casino Royale. Much of the action revolves around the closeness of James Bond and M. And the villain, played by Javier Bardem, looks realistic and dangerous.

By the way, the song Skyfall performed by Adele turned out to be the first composition from the entire franchise to receive an Oscar . Previously, films were only nominated for this award.

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Films not included in the main series

In addition to the official franchise, which was produced by EON Productions, several films from other studios were released at different times. Some of them also deserve attention.

Casino Royale

Casino Royale

• UK, USA, 1967.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.1.

This parody adaptation of Ian Fleming's classic novel has a very different plot from the original. But the viewer is introduced to several agents under the name James Bond.

Representatives of various intelligence agencies gather at the house of the former 007 to persuade him to return to work. And then Bond and his colleagues go through many different, often very ridiculous, tests to defeat the villains.

Never say never"

Never Say Never Again

• Great Britain, USA, Germany, 1983.
• Action, adventure.
• Duration: 134 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

The already slightly aged Sean Connery once again returned to the image of James Bond. In fact, this film repeats the plot of the film “Thunderball”, but in a more ironic way.

After failing a training mission, Agent 007 is sent to the hospital to recover. Meanwhile, the villains steal two nuclear warheads and blackmail the governments of different countries.

What James Bond films do you like? Are you closer in spirit to the stylish Connery, the gloomy Dalton or the realistic Craig? Tell us in the comments what you would add to this list.