This film franchise is among the greatest ever made, in any genre, and James Bond is the definitive icon of action-spy films. All by itself, this franchise paved the way for the success of an entire genre. One of my favorite franchises, but if there is any film franchise I appreciate the most, this one just might be at the top. Make yourself a medium dry vodka martini while I kick this pig into gear.
#24
A View to a Kill (1985)
Previous Ranking: #23
This one doesn't waste any time getting weird. The opening action sequence consists of Bond being chased on a snowboard down a mountain in Siberia to the tune of California Girls, by The Beach Boys. There are loads of unrealistic events occurring in this movie. One being a car cut in half by a routine pit maneuver. Although, I'll admit, it was pretty fun seeing Bond driving half a car on two wheels. Too many things went wrong, though. The most awkward sex scene ever, Half-assed plot and a pretty weird fire truck theft. Not even Christopher Walken could help save this one. A View to a Kill really didn't even feel much like a Bond film.
They get way better, I promise. :p
Favorite Quote:
"You slept well?"
"A little restless, but I got off eventually."
#23
Die Another Day (2002)
Previous Ranking: #19
Die Another Day marks the end of the franchise before it gets a reboot in 2006 with Casino Royale. This one has always been a basement dweller in my list. It used to grow on me just slightly with each viewing, but after finishing yet another Bondathon, it completely lost that aspect. There is plenty to keep you entertained in the first half, but the story slows down and just kind of fizzles out in the second. After infiltrating a North Korean military base suspected of illegally trading weapons in exchange for African conflict diamonds, Bond is captured and held prisoner in North Korea for 14 months before being released in exchange for another prisoner. The North Koreans obtained confidential information, causing MI6 to believe Bond leaked information. Convinced he was set up by a fellow 00 agent, Bond attempts to seek out the prisoner he was exchanged for in hopes to discover a possible traitor in MI6. Definitely a solid concept, but a bit of cheesiness and slow-going in the last half of the movie keeps it deep on the bottom half of this list. Just a poorly made movie.
Favorite Quote:
"You will not live to see the day all Korea is ruled by the North."
"Then you and I have something in common."
#22
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Previous Ranking: #21
I think Quantum of Solace, as a film, represents a standard that the current era doesn't want to sink to. It isn't a terrible film, but it certainly isn't up to par with its predecessor. There is a real lack of excitement in the action sequences, the villains were pretty poor and failed to dazzle and the overall plot wasn't exactly a memorable one. It is the first Bond film where the plot involves perfectly clear continuity of the previous one, but the drop in quality was pretty massive. Like every Bond film, it has its good moments, but this one is overshadowed by what it could have been.
Favorite Quote:
"Bond, I need you back."
"I never left."
#21
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Previous Ranking: #22
I've said it before, Pierce Brosnan is the definitive example of a great Bond who was dealt a shit hand of films. There were a couple of fun moments, but other than that, it felt like a pretty bland action flick with a special guest appearance by that James Bond fellow. If it weren't for Pierce Brosnan, I may have legitimately compared it to A View to a Kill for the worst installment of the franchise. Brosnan did pretty well with what he was given to work with, same with Judi Dench (M) and Desmond Llewelyn (Q), but the remainder of the supporting cast was less than impressive and the direction was pretty subpar. A shame, since the plot was almost SPECTRE-esque in terms of attempting to provoke a big national conflict to start a war. Early Bond films also benefited from this idea during the Cold War, which added a little extra suspense to the plot if you know a bit about history. Tomorrow Never Dies isn't the worst one, but probably the most disappointing in terms of the expectation after Goldeneye. It had a lot going for it, but failed to deliver.
Favorite Quote:
"I used to look in the papers every day for your obituary."
"Sorry to disappoint."
#20
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Previous Ranking: #20
Every past Bond before Craig who played Bond more than twice (Connery, Moore, Brosnan) got shafted in terms of the last film they did. Connery's last was nothing spectacular, but he still put on another great performance as Bond that elevates the movie higher than what it would have been without him. Diamonds Are Forever had its good moments. A pretty bitchin car chase, a crafty elevator entrance to the top of the Whyte House, but at times the film seemed lazily strung about. There was also too much homo-eroticism and villain cross-dressing that brought the movie down a bit, too. Not only was it weird, but it was pretty out of place.
Favorite Quote:
"I give up. I know the diamonds are in the body, but where?"
"Alimentary, Dr. Leiter."
#19
Moonraker (1979)
Previous Ranking: #18
Moonraker is quite possibly the most bizarre of all the Bond films. Bond is sent to Drax Industries to investigate the disappearance of one of their missing shuttles on loan to the U.K., which was presumably high-jacked during its transportation. Bond then teams up with a female American agent he encounters during the investigation. Hard to rank this one. You've got a "Hey-let's-break-everything-imaginable-in-this-room" fight scene, the reappearance of Jaws, a cheesy space exploration plot and a completely random, old-west style entrance to MI6 headquarters in Brazil with Bond in a poncho on horseback. Moonraker managed to have a stereotypically bizarre outer space movie while still managing to make it feel like a Bond movie. However, lots of cheesiness will have to be ignored if you are to take this movie seriously. I understand the mixed reviews it receives. Super fun, but extremely odd for a Bond film.
Favorite Quote:
"My God, what's Bond doing?!"
"I think he's attempting reentry, sir."
#18
The World is Not Enough (1999)
Previous Ranking: #16
Although it falls among the bottom half, I consider this one to be a fairly big step above its previous entry, Tomorrow Never Dies. Brosnan rocks again as Bond, but is also substantially held back by the overall poor supporting cast and film direction. Denise Richards is a great looking Bond girl, but her acting is probably the worst of all of them. Couple that with the fact that the way her character is written only dampens the way I feel about her, and drags the movie down a little bit as well. I am mostly just glad that Bond is in top form, thanks to Brosnan. This is also the last appearance by Desmond Llewelyn, who played Q throughout the franchise up to this point. His absence has been felt since, and he's proven to be an irreplaceable icon. He's still got a few tricks up his sleeve for his final appearance.
In The World is Not Enough, we get a plot revolving around a KGB agent turned terrorist, who is completely impervious to pain thanks to a bullet lodged in his noggin, and is set on utilizing a nuclear weapon to blow everything to Hell. What motivates him, however, would be too revealing of the plot.
Favorite Quote:
"You wouldn't kill me, you'd miss me."
"I never miss."
#17
Octopussy (1983)
Previous Ranking: #17
After the death of a fellow 00 agent, Bond is sent to an auction in London involving a Faberge egg, identical to the fake one found in the dead agent's hands. Cheesy in the style of Moonraker, a bit. I really enjoyed the opening action sequence here. The film was a really fun one and I dug the first half quite a bit, but it started to drag its feet as the film started to get into the closing half. Hard to ignore some cheesy bits like the Tarzan shout-out and Bond in a clown costume. Still a fun entry, despite the goofiness.
Favorite Quote:
"Is he still there?"
"You must be joking. 007 on an island populated exclusively by women? We won't see him till dawn."
#16
Spectre (2015)
Previous Ranking: ----
Spectre may have personally been the most highly anticipated Bond movie in my lifetime. With Casino Royale being the official reboot of the franchise, which acts as a sort of prequel, once we get to Skyfall, we start to see it setting up Spectre to be where the reboot technically occurs. The SPECTRE organization is introduced and we get to see a lot of Blofeld in this entry. It is an overall solid entry, but I was expecting a bit more out of it than what we were given. The orchestra in the film score was severely over-used, playing in scenes where music wasn't even remotely necessary, which watered down some of the actual suspenseful and action-packed scenes. But this is a gripe I have with most movies of modern day. Too "cinematic". Less is more, but it was extremely interesting to see Blofeld back in the reboot after a 35 year absence in the franchise. I am also not a fan of the new-found "brother" angle. Completely unnecessary, it's been done to death in movies and was only added for shock value. I liked Spectre, but as evidenced with the quality of Skyfall, it could've been better.
Favorite Quote:
"Here you are sir, one proleptic digestive enzyme shake."
"Do me a favor. Throw that down the toilet. Cut out the middle man."
#15
You Only Live Twice (1967)
Previous Ranking: #13
You Only Live Twice introduces us to the man in charge of SPECTRE, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. In addition to a solid plot, You Only Live Twice did a lot of subtle things properly. Made during the time where the Cold War was at its peak, we see each side butting heads as no nation is certain who is responsible for the mysterious activity in space, causing tension in an already precarious situation. It helps to have some history knowledge with these older Bond films, and it increases the quality knowing they got it right. The opening scene is sorely underrated, and I'd imagine Sci-Fi nerds the world over would appreciate the opening sequence to You Only Live Twice. The special effects in this space scene were outstanding and probably made George Lucas blush, especially considering it is 10 years older than Star Wars. This film also did a phenomenal job capturing Japanese culture, specifically when Bond attended a sumo wrestling match. Most other countries all over the world would have a very loud and rowdy crowd at sporting events, but Japan has historically been silent, especially in martial arts events and it is displayed in the sumo wrestling scene. The film started coming back down to Earth once we got to the Japanese makeover scene, but still finished strong and did a fine job with the final conflict.
Favorite Quote:
"Little Nelly got a hot reception. Four big shots made improper advances toward her, but she defended her honor with great success."
#14
Licence to Kill (1989)
Previous Ranking: #15
Licence to Kill has a relatively brand new scenario, here. Bond is now officially unemployed and retreats from MI6 in an act of pure vengeance against a team of men who attempted to assassinate long-time friend and partner of the CIA, Felix Leiter. Licence to Kill isn't quality of the highest tier for me, as it deflects a bit from what we're generally used to seeing with these films, but it still has that element of suspense and an action-packed showdown that didn't disappoint. Originally, I loved the idea of seeing Timothy Dalton do at least two more films during that six year gap before Brosnan took over, but he was brought so much energy and intensity to the role that I think two was just right, maybe even three. Better to burn out than to fade away. He brought a great intensity to the Bond character that nobody else did.
Favorite Quote:
"I help people with problems."
"Problem solver."
"More of a problem eliminator."
#13
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Previous Ranking: #12
On Her Majesty's Secret Service marks the first non-Connery Bond film. I have pretty conflicting emotions with this entry. Bond feels out of character, here. He is not one to display emotion or give in to commitment, but in multiple occurrences, it is displayed. It feels too distant from the rest of the films. On a positive note, disregarding the character issue I have with Bond, I do enjoy the film overall and feel it is borderline fantastic. It did a great job of keeping you locked in to the progression of the plot. My favorite Blofeld is here, as well, and the ending is probably the most unexpected in the franchise. Always a tough one to rank.
Favorite Quote:
"She likes you, I can see it."
"You must give me the name of your oculist."
#12
Thunderball (1965)
Previous Ranking: #11
The famous jetpack escape opening! Although this may be one of the most bizarre opening fight sequences, it is still fun and relative to the plot. Thunderball is where we see SPECTRE in full form. Emilio Largo (SPECTRE No. 2) is put in charge of the NATO project, where after a detailed plan is complete, SPECTRE will demand a ransom of 100 million pounds. Bond notices something odd about the Nassau case and requests to be sent there for his next mission. This is where Bond and Largo meet each other and the movie takes off. Beware the pet sharks. Thunderball had a lot going for it, with some of the most iconic scenes in the entire franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"Someone has to lose."
"Yes, I thought I saw a 'specter' at your shoulder."
#11
The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)
Previous Ranking: #14
The Man With the Golden Gun is another rad entry in the Bond franchise. Some parts are corny and a little over the top, but it was pretty easy to ignore, given the plot and pace of the movie. The story is really fun and pulls you in from the get-go. A highly famed assassin is believed to have sent a specially made golden bullet with "007" engraved on it to MI6 headquarters as a threat to James Bond. Bond soon discovered that a specially made golden gun was created for said assassin, and the hunt for him begins. There's a pretty interesting martial arts fight scene (which I believe was in reference to Bruce Lee, who dies a year before the movie was released) and a pretty extensive boat chase. This one has a lot of action and certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard. The Golden Gun itself is one of the most interesting objects/weapons in the entire franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"Who knows? He may even use one of those little golden bullets on you. And that would be a pity... Because they're very expensive."
#10
Dr. No (1962)
Previous Ranking: #8
Dr. No, the Bond film that started it all, and one that's grown on me with repeat viewings despite its small drop in the rankings. I simply enjoy the Bondathon more and more with every sitting. There were a lot of subtle things in the movie I pick up with every go-around that I tend not to notice in previous viewings and they only make the film more enjoyable. Dr. No doesn't waste any time setting the tone for the future of the entire franchise. I immediately feel right at home when I start a new Bondathon. Dr. No is a brilliant introduction to one of the greatest movie franchises of any genre that ends with an assurance that we're only getting started and that something even bigger lies in store for James Bond.
Favorite Quote:
"It's a Smith & Wesson... and you've had your six."
#9
Goldfinger (1964)
Previous Ranking: #9
Like Dr. No, this is an entry I enjoy even more with every viewing. Some may be bothered by a rather slow start, but I really enjoyed the card game scene near the beginning of the film and the golf match between Bond and Goldfinger a bit later. Watching Goldfinger's attempt to carry out his master plan to break into Fort Knox and drastically increase the worth of his gold was purely brilliant writing and really a treat to watch unfold on screen. This Bond gem is also home to possibly the most suspenseful scene in the entire franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"Do you expect me to talk?"
"No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"
#8
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Previous Ranking: #10
The opening scene in For Your Eyes Only is probably always going to be my least favorite. There has been no bigger rival to Bond and MI6 in the entire franchise than Blofeld and SPECTRE. This opening scene is pretty insulting to such an iconic storyline. That said, though, For Your Eyes Only was a very solid addition, overall, and almost makes you forget about the dreadful opening. Bond is sent to recover an ATAC transmitter from a sunken British spy ship, essentially in a race with the soviets. The transmitter can order attacks from all British Polaris ballistic missiles. Along the way, he encounters a young woman, set out for revenge against the man responsible for the death of her parents, the same man Bond is unknowingly pursuing in his investigation. We got a fun one, here. Perhaps the most fun of the bunch, and one of the best and most exciting final conflicts in the franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"That's détente, comrade. You don't have it, I don't have it."
#7
Casino Royale (2006)
Previous Ranking: #6
Casino Royale, the first novel of the James Bond series and the film marks the official reboot of the franchise. EON couldn't get the rights to the original novel at the time the franchise began, so we never got to see Bond as an up-and-comer and got Dr. No, instead. We get to see Bond as a rookie 00-agent here, and it did a great job of separating itself as a reboot while still maintaining the same characteristics that makes this franchise work so well. After Bond achieves 00 status, he is sent out to investigate Le Chiffre in possibly the most overall suspenseful and fully-loaded Bond film yet. This film really did justice for the legacy of the franchise, with the Poker game being the highlight of the film.
Favorite Quote:
"It doesn't bother you, killing all those people?"
"I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did."
#6
Live and Let Die (1973)
Previous Ranking: #7
Roger Moore's first role as bond and I don't think he could have put on a better performance. He jumped right into the role and performed as though he'd already been doing it for years. We're treated with a unique gem in Live and Let Die. Kananga is the main Bond villain who is producing heroin in the poppy fields of New Orleans and exploiting the locals' fear of Voodoo priest, Baron Samedi, to keep them away. Although he isn't seen much, Baron Samedi steals the show in the scenes he is in and really brings out the fun in the movie. Undoubtedly one of the best Bond villains ever in a very unique, fun and exciting entry of the franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"Oh, a snake, I forgot, I should have told you, you should never go in there without a mongoose."
#5
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Previous Ranking: #5
Roger Moore's finest film as Bond and one of the best films in the franchise. This one was well-thought out with a loaded plot full of fun and exciting characters. We are introduced to Jaws, here. One of the most iconic villains in movie history. He is the henchman of Stromberg, a recluse who plans to destroy the world and create a new underwater civilization. In addition to a superb plot, we are also treated with an interesting conflict between Bond and female Russian agent, Triple-X, who are forced to team up together to locate the plans of a new submarine tracking system in Egypt, despite being citizens of rival countries. Lots of great things to absorb with this entry. A very well-made film and a massive compliment to the Bond franchise.
Favorite Quote:
"Bond! What do you think you're doing?"
"Keeping the British end up, sir."
#4
The Living Daylights (1987)
Previous Ranking: #4
Right away The Living Daylights kicks off by bringing the intensity and excitement to the movie. Timothy Dalton immediately brings a brand new ruthlessness to Bond in his first performance that we hadn't quite seen before. It's almost unbelievable that The Living Daylights succeeded A View to a Kill. The jump in quality between the two is astronomically high and felt as though it hit the refresh button on my excitement for the Bondathon. Extra points were earned with the suspenseful sniper scene, early in the film. The plot was very well-written with great performances from the entire cast and the quality of it all proved that everyone involved in this installment truly cares about the Bond franchise. Something about that cute little Cellist makes her one of my all time favorite Bond girls. The Living Daylights is a gem, easily placing itself firmly with the best of the best.
Favorite Quote:
"That is the first time I've ever been grateful that James Bond is a good shot."
#3
Skyfall (2012)
Previous Ranking: #3
For the direction this franchise seemed to be going after the reboot, I don't think Skyfall could have been done any better than it was. We get a phenomenal villain who almost rivals Blofeld and from the moment he is introduced, sets the tone for the remainder of the film. The films in the Craig era up to Skyfall had been a fore-telling of what we've seen from the beginning of the entire franchise. A bit of Bond's past is revealed, a route the previous films had never taken. Ralph Fiennes' performance was extremely reminiscent of Bernard Lee, the original M, Q Branch has officially arrived and the relationship between Bond and Moneypenny felt very similar to the films of the Connery era. Skyfall seemed to lend a clear perspective on where the franchise is being taken and while its sequel, Spectre, was a bit underwhelming, I think great things are in store for the future.
Favorite Quote:
"Are you ready?"
"I was ready before you were born, son."
#2
From Russia With Love (1963)
Previous Ranking: #1
There are almost too many highlights to even know where to begin. The imagery and setting for specific scenes, alone, already makes From Russia With Love one of the most memorable Bond films. The introduction to SPECTRE couldn't be any more intriguing or captivating as we get a look into how precise and powerful this organization is, which ultimately becomes perhaps the most iconic in cinema history. An almost foolproof plan is put into place by SPECTRE to steal a highly effective encryption device designed by the Soviets, all the while pitting the British and Soviets against each other as SPECTRE flies under the radar in an attempt to become the most secretive and dominant organization in the world. A trained assassin is sent out by SPECTRE to ensure everything goes as planned and to eliminate Bond. It isn't until the 3rd act when we see the full plan of SPECTRE come together in one of the most epic showdowns in all of the Bond films.
On top of being introduced to SPECTRE, we're also introduced to Q Branch, which immediately becomes an important piece of the legacy of the Bond franchise. You really can't ask for anything more from this movie.
Favorite Quote:
"She should have kept her mouth shut."
#1
GoldenEye (1995)
Previous Ranking: #2
This was the first James Bond film I ever saw, and probably the one I've watched more than any other. I could not deny Goldeneye the number one spot any longer. It isn't nostalgia that puts this film at number one, it is the relentless amount of quality seen throughout the duration of it. This film certainly doesn't have to be anybody's #1, but the introduction scene is jaw-dropping and I don't think it will ever be topped. Far and away the best opening sequence in the franchise for me. Bond also displays his utter disregard for personal safety in a bitchin street race with likely the best female villain we've seen throughout the franchise. Bond is investigating the theft of the GoldenEye key from Severnaya, which leads him to an inevitable showdown with a surprise villain who happens to be the mastermind behind the entire plan.
Favorite Quote:
"For England, James?"
"No. For me."
