The James Bond Movies from Best to Worst – RT Critics

James Bond is a British-American spy film series that’s been released since 1962.  The franchise is inspired by the novels by Ian Fleming, and has grossed $6,839,650,053, becoming the 4th-highest-grossing film series (and when combined with two stand-along productions – not listed here – the 6th-highest-grossing film franchise) of all time.  The following are the 24 films in the series, arranged in order from “best” to “worst” according to the collective opinions of Rotten Tomatoes critics.  Contained is each film’s critical approval, average rating, and critical consensus (if there is one).

Goldfinger (1964)

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97% – 8.61/10 (61 reviews)

Goldfinger is where James Bond as we know him comes into focus – it features one of 007’s most famous lines (“A martini. Shaken, not stirred”) and a wide range of gadgets that would become the series’ trademark.

From Russia with Love (1963)

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96% – 8.02/10 (56 reviews)

The second James Bond film, From Russia with Love is a razor-sharp, briskly-paced Cold War thriller that features several electrifying action scenes.

Dr. No (1962)

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96% – 7.82/10 (55 reviews)

Featuring plenty of the humor, action, and escapist thrills the series would become known for, Dr. No kicks off the Bond franchise in style.

Casino Royale (2006)

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94% – 7.87/10 (254 reviews)

Casino Royale disposes of the silliness and gadgetry that plagued recent James Bond outings, and Daniel Craig delivers what fans and critics have been waiting for: a caustic, haunted, intense reinvention of 007.

Skyfall (2012)

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92% – 8.18/10 (368 reviews)

Sam Mendes brings Bond surging back with a smart, sexy, riveting action thriller that qualifies as one of the best 007 films to date.

Thunderball (1965)

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87% – 6.83/10 (46 reviews)

Lavishly rendered set pieces and Sean Connery’s enduring charm make Thunderball a big, fun adventure, even if it doesn’t quite measure up to the series’ previous heights.

A man in a dinner jacket on skis, holding a gun. Next to him is a red-headed woman, also on skis and with a gun. They are being pursued by men on skis and a bobsleigh, all with guns. In the top left of the picture are the words FAR UP! FAR OUT! FAR MORE! James Bond 007 is back!

81% – 6.76/10 (48 reviews)

George Lazenby’s only appearance as 007 is a fine entry in the series, featuring one of the most intriguing Bond girls in Tracy di Vincenzo (Diana Rigg), breathtaking visuals, and some great ski chases.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

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80% – 7.18/10 (50 reviews)

Though it hints at the absurdity to come in later installments, The Spy Who Loved Me‘s sleek style, menacing villains, and sly wit make it the best of the Roger Moore era.

GoldenEye (1995)

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78% – 7/10 (72 reviews)

The first and best Pierce Brosnan Bond film, GoldenEye brings the series into a more modern context, and the result is a 007 entry that’s high-tech, action-packed, and urbane.

Licence to Kill (1989)

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77% – 6.09/10 (53 reviews)

License to Kill is darker than many of the other Bond entries, with Timothy Dalton playing the character with intensity, but it still has some solid chases and fight scenes.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

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73% – 6.49/10 (48 reviews)

For Your Eyes Only trades in some of the outlandish Bond staples for a more sober outing, and the result is a satisfying adventure, albeit without some of the bombastic thrills fans may be looking for.

 

You Only Live Twice (1967)

Cinema poster showing Sean Connery as James Bond sitting in a pool of water and being attended to by eight black-haired Japanese women

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

72% – 6.54/10 (47 reviews)

With exotic locales, impressive special effects, and a worthy central villain, You Only Live Twice overcomes a messy and implausible story to deliver another memorable early Bond flick.

The Living Daylights (1987)

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71% – 6.36/10 (52 reviews)

Newcomer Timothy Dalton plays James Bond with more seriousness than preceding installments, and the result is exciting and colorful but occasionally humorless.

Live and Let Die (1973)

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67% – 5.8/10 (45 reviews)

While not one of the highest-rated Bond films, Live and Let Die finds Roger Moore adding his stamp to the series with flashes of style and an improved sense of humor.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

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65% – 6.16/10 (288 reviews)

Brutal and breathless, Quantum Of Solace delivers tender emotions along with frenetic action, but coming on the heels of Casino Royale, it’s still a bit of a disappointment.

Spectre (2015)

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63% – 6.42/10 (347 reviews)

Spectre nudges Daniel Craig’s rebooted Bond closer to the glorious, action-driven spectacle of earlier entries, although it’s admittedly reliant on established 007 formula.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

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64% – 6.31/10 (45 reviews)

Diamonds are Forever is a largely derivative affair, but it’s still pretty entertaining nonetheless, thanks to great stunts, witty dialogue, and the presence of Sean Connery.

Moonraker (1979)

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63% – 5.67/10 (48 reviews)

Featuring one of the series’ more ludicrous plots but outfitted with primo gadgets and spectacular sets, Moonraker is both silly and entertaining.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

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58% – 6.24/10 (85 reviews)

A competent, if sometimes by-the-numbers entry to the 007 franchise, Tomorrow Never Dies may not boast the most original plot but its action sequences are genuinely thrilling.

Die Another Day (2002)

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The World Is Not Enough (1999)

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52% – 5.72/10 (139 reviews)

Plagued by mediocre writing, uneven acting, and a fairly by-the-numbers plot, The World Is Not Enough is partially saved by some entertaining and truly Bond-worthy action sequences.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

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44% – 5.33/10 (45 reviews)

A middling Bond film, The Man With the Golden Gun suffers from double entendre-laden dialogue, a noteworthy lack of gadgets, and a villain that overshadows 007.

Octopussy (1983)

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42% – 5.2/10 (45 reviews)

Despite a couple of electrifying action sequences, Octopussy is a formulaic, anachronistic Bond outing.

A View to a Kill (1985)

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37% – 4.92/10 (57 reviews)

Absurd even by Bond standards, A View to a Kill is weighted down by campy jokes and a noticeable lack of energy.

[What do you think of these films?  Be sure to let me know in the comments!  Also, send me your review of any film – in the comments section of any post, as I don’t respond to emails – and I’ll post it on this site.]

Index of films

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