Ranking James Bond movies is always going to spark debate, and this list is no exception. Rather than relying purely on personal preference, this ranking considers both fan consensus and the overall quality of each film.
While a nostalgia-driven list might have put Octopussy at the top, a closer look at story, acting, and impact means it doesn’t make the TOP 10. That said, the list includes a mix of classic favorites and some surprising picks, ensuring that every Bond actor—from George Lazenby to the often underrated Timothy Dalton—gets their moment in the spotlight.
Whether you agree with these choices or have your own favorites, this list is designed to spark discussion and celebrate the rich history of the James Bond franchise. Join the conversation and let us know what you think!
Number 10: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
This was a departure for Roger Moore. At one point, it looked like Roger Moore wasn’t even going to return to the franchise after Moonraker, despite that film being a huge hit. It seemed he just wanted more money. For a while, Michael Billington—who was actually Major Anya Amasova’s love interest in The Spy Who Loved Me, and who gets killed in the opening teaser—was actually signed to play James Bond. Stills were even taken of him on location, so he came very close to becoming the new James Bond in For Your Eyes Only. In the end, Roger Moore decided to return at the 11th hour. The creative team behind For Your Eyes Only had changed slightly. Albert R. Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who were producing at the time, realized they had gone overboard in Moonraker. The decision was made to bring James Bond back down to Earth. As a result, For Your Eyes Only is a lot more grounded compared to other James Bond films of the era, with Roger Moore giving one of his grittiest portrayals as 007.
For Your Eyes Only features amazing stunts and strong action sequences. Roger Moore’s portrayal of James Bond is especially notable for being cool and measured. For example, he passes up Bibi—played by Lynn-Holly Johnson as a skater—and offers to buy her some ice cream instead of jumping into bed with her. This film presents Roger Moore’s nicest, yet still tough, take on James Bond, such as when he kills the assassin who murdered his buddy Ferrara by throwing the pin and then booting his car off a cliff. The movie also includes a great sidekick, Topol, and Carole Bouquet as Melina Havelock, a formidable James Bond heroine. The main drawback is Julian Glover as Kristatos, who comes across as a rather boring villain. Overall, it is a great James Bond film, with an excellent directorial debut by John Glen.
The score by Bill Conti is somewhat mixed, though it would likely rank higher if it weren’t for the unusual disco elements. The theme song by Sheena Easton, however, is widely regarded as one of the best.
Number 9: The Living Daylights (1987)
One of the standout James Bond movies from childhood memories is The Living Daylights. In fact, a VHS copy of the film was once taken away as a punishment, which was quite a traumatic experience at the time. This film marked Timothy Dalton’s debut as 007, and it’s clear that he is still finding his footing. Dalton is a much more serious actor than Roger Moore—possibly even more so than Sean Connery. He plays 007 in a straight-laced manner, though the filmmakers still include some one-liners and Moore-esque touches, which occasionally make him seem slightly uncomfortable, especially in a tuxedo. Dalton appears more at ease in casual clothing, a trend that continues in his next Bond film. He also holds a cigarette in an awkward way, as if performing the act out of obligation rather than habit, reflecting the era when James Bond smoked.
Many aspects of the movie stand out. John Barry provides an exceptional score, A-ha delivers a memorable theme song, and the cast is strong—though the villains are somewhat weak, with Jeroen Krabbé as Koskov and Joe Don Baker as Whitaker. The standout antagonist is Necros, an assassin pursuing Bond, who is involved in several impressive fight sequences. One of the film’s best qualities is its action, which is top-notch throughout. Towards the end, the film takes on an almost James Bond meets Rambo tone during the Afghanistan sequences, where Bond assists the Mujahideen. While not entirely politically correct by modern standards, The Living Daylights remains a solid and entertaining Bond film.
Number 8: Licence to Kill (1989)
Timothy Dalton arguably had one of the strongest runs as James Bond. Although he only starred in two Bond films, both were exceptional. Licence to Kill feels like the first Bond movie truly tailored for Dalton. Minimal time is spent in his tuxedo; instead, Bond wears casual street clothes for much of the film, often sporting unstructured blazers. Dalton appears comfortable and grounded in the role, giving the impression that this is exactly the kind of character he was meant to play. Few other actors could have portrayed a more down-to-earth Bond as effectively.
The film features one of the best villains in the franchise, with Robert Davi as Franz Sanchez, a ruthless drug lord who is simultaneously somewhat sympathetic due to his loyalty to his henchmen. One of these henchmen is played by a very young Benicio del Toro.
Licence to Kill also showcases two of the most memorable Bond girls: Talisa Soto as Lupe, and Carey Lowell as Pam Bouvier, whose short haircut and badass attitude make her stand out as one of the franchise’s strongest female characters. The film’s score by Michael Kamen has a distinctive ’80s jewel-silver sound, complemented by a theme song from Gladys Knight and ending with “If You Asked Me To” by Patti LaBelle, later popularized by Celine Dion.
The movie is considered the most violent Bond film ever made, yet it remains compelling decades later. Licence to Kill was also the first James Bond film to receive a PG-13 rating, and its intensity and grounded tone have allowed it to age remarkably well.
Number 7: Skyfall (2012)
The most critically respected Roger Moore James Bond movie is The Spy Who Loved Me. While the film is somewhat inconsistent—particularly before Bond and Triple X team up in the desert while evading Jaws—it contains numerous classic moments. The opening ski jump performed by Rick Sylvester, featuring the iconic Union Jack parachute, remains a standout sequence. Carly Simon’s theme song, “Nobody Does It Better,” is widely regarded as one of the best in the franchise. Although Marvin Hamlisch’s disco-influenced score has its weaknesses, his rendition of the James Bond theme, “Bond 77,” suits the movie effectively.
The film also showcases the iconic Lotus Esprit, Q delivering sharp one-liners while appearing exasperated with Bond, and Curt Jurgens as Stromberg, complete with his distinctive webbed hands. Of course, Jaws provides one of the franchise’s most memorable villains. Barbara Bach’s portrayal of Anya Amasova, though slightly stiff at times, serves as a compelling foil to Moore’s Bond, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
Number 6: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
From Russia with Love is one of the classic Sean Connery James Bond films. While somewhat slow-paced at times, it is exceptionally well-crafted. Terence Young directs, John Barry provides his first full score for the series, and Robert Shaw delivers one of the franchise’s best villains as Red Grant.
The story is compelling: Bond is lured to Istanbul to recover the Lektor spy decoding machine, guided by a Russian cipher clerk, played by Daniela Bianchi, who is said to have fallen in love with him from a photograph. Unbeknownst to Bond, this is part of a SPECTRE plot orchestrated by Kronsteen, Rosa Klebb, and a shadowy Ernst Stavro Blofeld, whose face is never revealed, only glimpsed with his iconic cat. The film culminates in the thrilling fight on the Orient Express, followed by a tense showdown in a Venice hotel room where Bond faces Klebb’s lethal shoe knife.
The film’s precise editing by Peter Hunt helped shape modern action filmmaking, with many considering From Russia with Love a precursor to the contemporary action movie format. Its combination of compelling story, memorable villainy, and innovative action sequences solidifies its place as a standout entry in the Bond franchise.
Number 5: From Russia with Love (1963)
One of the Sean Connery classics. Now, this is a little bit slow, I’ve always thought, but it’s such a well-crafted James Bond film. You got Terence Young directing, you got an amazing score by John Barry—his first full score for the series—and you have one of the best James Bond villains ever, Robert Shaw as Red Grant. The story is pretty compelling. Sean Connery is lured to Istanbul to recover the Lektor spy decoding machine, and, of course, he’s lured there by a Russian cipher clerk played by the gorgeous Daniela Bianchi, who they say has fallen in love with him based on a picture. Of course, it’s all a plot by SPECTRE—Kronsteen and Rosa Klebb, as well as a shadowy version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, whose face we never see, just his kitty. And it all ends in that amazing fight scene on the Orient Express, and then a later fight scene in a Venice hotel room where James Bond has to take on Rosa Klebb’s pointy shoe with the shoe knife.
I always thought it was really cool. It’s a good movie, it has some good action. I think, in some ways, the editing by Peter Hunt is largely responsible for the current editing that we see in action movies nowadays. In some ways, you could even say that From Russia with Love was the first modern action film.
Number 4: GoldenEye (1995)
Pierce Brosnan’s first and most celebrated performance as James Bond is GoldenEye. Brosnan proved to be an excellent Bond, though many of his later films did not provide the strongest material. GoldenEye, however, showcased his full potential. Martin Campbell directed, demonstrating a clear understanding of how to craft a compelling Bond film. The cast includes Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, and Sean Bean as one of the franchise’s best villains, 006, who serves as a physical equal to Bond, culminating in a thrilling final fight sequence.
The film also features a distinctive score by Éric Serra and a memorable theme song performed by Tina Turner and Bono. While the pacing is uneven at times, GoldenEye remains a standout entry in the Bond series and the high point of Brosnan’s tenure as 007.
Number 3: Goldfinger (1964)
The James Bond series as it exists today owes much of its foundation to Goldfinger. This film established many of the franchise’s enduring formulas: a larger-than-life villain in Auric Goldfinger, played by Gert Frobe; the memorable character Pussy Galore, portrayed by Honor Blackman; and the iconic “golden girl,” Shirley Eaton. The Aston Martin DB5 also made its debut, complete with Desmond Llewelyn in Q’s first Q-branch gadget demonstration. The car chase, featuring ejector seats and machine guns, remains one of the most memorable sequences in the series. Shirley Bassey’s theme song further cemented Goldfinger as a classic entry in the James Bond canon.
Number 2: Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig’s debut as James Bond in Casino Royale is widely regarded as his best. Director Martin Campbell, who also helmed GoldenEye, demonstrates a remarkable ability to introduce a new James Bond to audiences. Campbell transforms Ian Fleming’s novel—which largely centers on a poker game with a somber ending—into a cinematic action spectacle, incorporating standout sequences such as the opening parkour chase. This approach establishes Craig as a more physically capable and dynamic Bond than any predecessor.
Craig delivers a commanding performance, supported by a strong score from David Arnold. While the theme song, “You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell, has a less traditional Bond feel, it remains memorable. The film features exceptional villains, including Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, and arguably the most compelling Bond girl of Craig’s tenure, Eva Green, who portrays the beautiful yet tragic Vesper Lynd. Casino Royale stands as a nearly flawless James Bond film, combining strong performances, inventive action, and memorable characters.
Number 1: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
A controversial pick, but On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is widely regarded as one of the best James Bond films. George Lazenby may not be remembered as the strongest James Bond, yet he delivers a striking performance in a film that excels on nearly every level. He looks the part, fights convincingly, and the action sequences are exceptional. The film features the late Diana Rigg as Tracy, one of the most memorable Bond girls, and includes the rare event of James Bond getting married.
The movie runs just under two and a half hours, showcasing breathtaking location photography in Switzerland and Piz Gloria. John Barry’s score is among the franchise’s finest, and Louis Armstrong’s “We Have All the Time in the World” adds a beautiful, romantic touch. The film captures all the elements that define James Bond, from glamour to action, while maintaining a romantic and epic atmosphere. Directed by Peter Hunt, the film demonstrates masterful pacing and vision, creating a Bond movie that remains a standout entry despite Lazenby’s limited tenure.
