It is tough to sort out the best amongst 27 films on the James Bond franchise so scroll down for an easy list of the best 007 films to watch from best to worst according to the public and critic.
When I’m preparing a film franchise marathon, I spend almost as much time researching the best films to include as I do actually watching them. But you don’t have to!
According to rotten tomatoes, the best of the series is Goldfinger (1964) with a 99% rate, followed by Dr No (1962) and From Russia With Love (1963) both with 95%. Up next are Casino Royale (2006) with 94% and Skyfall (2012) with 92% followed by No Time to Die (2021) has 84% and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) 81%.
Here are the best ranked James Bond films according to the public and critic.
GOLDFINGER (1964)
99% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the critics: this is where the most famous James Bond tropes were formed. “A martini. Shaken, not stirred”, the famous gadgets and Sean Connery become the franchise staples.
Plot: James Bond investigates a foul gold-smuggling activity by Auric Goldfingers discovering a sinister plan to attack For Knox’s gold reserves.
Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Frobe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Directed By: Guy Hamilton
DR. NO (1962)
95% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the critics: The first film of the franchise was dubbed by The Guardian as “a modest thriller with a tough and stylish hero”. It has a funny script, lots of action and escapist thrills.
Plot: 007 travels to Jamaica to battle against Dr No, an eccentric scientist who wants to ruin the US space programme.
Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord
Directed By: Terence Young
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
95% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the Critics: In the franchise’s second film, a downbeat and witty thriller takes place although less gadgety and less action-based than the films which followed – and the one that preceded it.
Plot: Bond is after a Lektor cryptographic device that can ruin the world. Whilst looking for the device, he stumbles on secret crime organisation SPECTRE and action ensues.
Starring: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya
Directed By: Terence Young
CASINO ROYALE (2006)
94% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the Critics: Fewer gadgets and smirking and more emotion and reinvention. Daniel Craig’s performance has also been acclaimed.
Plot: With the support of side-kick Vesper Lynd from the British Treasury, 007 must prevent mob banker Le Chiffre from winning a poker game to save the world.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Directed By: Martin Campbell
SKYFALL (2012)
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the Critics: In spite of the lower rank, this is considered one of the best 007 films to date. It celebrates the franchise’s 50th anniversary and showing-off the marvelous performances of Judi Dench and Javier Bardem.
Plot: Special Agent 007 must face his past to save M as an MI6 agent blackmails him with stolen top secret information.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes
Directed By: Sam Mendes
NO TIME TO DIE (2021)
84% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the Critics: The last film with Daniel Craig that still delivers even if not as bold as some others in the franchise.
Plot: Felix Leiter asks James Bond for help to rescue a kidnapped scientist which leads the sexy spy to the trail of a mysterious villain who is armed with dangerous new technology.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch
Directed By: Cary Joji Fukunaga
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
81% on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the Critics: Considered the best of the Roger Moore era for its sleekness, wit and menacing villains with hints for the absurdity that will be further developed in later instalments.
Plot: Bond teams up with Major Anya Amasova – whose lover he had killed in Australia – to find the Royal Navy Polaris submarine which mysteriously disappeared whilst carrying sixteen nuclear warheads.
Starring: Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curt Jurgens, Richard Kiel
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
