James Bond movies ranked in order from best to worst – NEWS.com.au

The new James Bond film, No Time To Die, is just around the corner.

Given this long tradition of pig-headed, opinionated debate over which Bond film is the best, we thought it would be appropriate to mark its upcoming release by going back through every previous Bond flick and ranking them all from worst to best.

All 24 Bond movies are now available to stream on Foxtel Now, with a pop up channel starting at 6am tomorrow and finishing on February 2.

Please note: We havent included the abomination of 1967, aka the original Casino Royale, or the unofficial remake of Thunderball, because theyre stupid and unnecessary.

24. DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002), Pierce Brosnan

Where to start with the absolute shocker that is Die Another Day? The overblown and unnecessarily complicated plot? The waste of talent that was Halle Berry? The aurally offensive Madonna theme song? Or the ludicrous giant laser sunbeam-type thingumabob?

Die Another Day is easily the worst of all the Bond movies for relying too heavily on CGI and ridiculous ice castles and not enough on actual story or character such as actually explaining Miranda Frosts motives for betraying every sane person in the world. The 57 per cent the movie has on Rotten Tomatoes is much too generous.

23. MOONRAKER (1979), Roger Moore

Moonraker was essentially the producers way of cashing in on the Star Wars phenomenon when they really shouldve left Bonds feet firmly planted on Earth, sans laser guns. The plot is too outlandish to detail other than to say Roger Moore spends much of the time running around in a yellow balloon suit.

Where the metal-teethed Jaws was effective and kind of terrifying in The Spy Who Loved Me, here hes played as a complete caricature, falling in love with his opposite and skipping through a metaphoric daisy field like a lovesick puppy. Ugh.

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22. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971), Sean Connery

A colossal pay cheque lured original Bond Sean Connery back to the franchise for Diamonds Are Forever. Sadly, his bored performance lacks the lustre of previous efforts, and the supporting cast doesnt sparkle either.

Blofeld is back again. Yep, that old chestnut, with emphasis on the nut. This time hes smuggling diamonds to use in an orbiting laser satellite, and for some reason that requires him to pose as the cowboy-imitating owner of a Las Vegas casino. The only thing lamer than Blofelds plan is the bland performance of Charles Gray, the actor playing him.

Weird, hand-holding henchmen Mr Wint and Mr Kidd are supposed to act as comic relief we think. But the only relief youll feel watching this film comes courtesy of the closing credits.

Shirley Bassey nailed the theme song though.

21. TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997), Pierce Brosnan

Media mogul Elliot Carver is trying to provoke an international war to give his TV news network some juicy headlines. Wait, why didnt we think of that? World War III, coming right up. Catch it all on news.com.au.

This film does have a couple of highlights. Actress Michelle Yeoh kicks Pierce Brosnans arse as a kickarse Chinese spy. Teri Hatcher plays Bonds old flame, Paris, and she briefly threatens to give him a hint of *gasp* backstory, and even some *gulp* emotional depth, before promptly dying.

The problem here isnt the Bond girls or even Bond himself, its the villain. Jonathan Pryce, who plays Carver, goes way over the top, which is jarring and frustrating, because a more serious portrayal could have turned Tomorrow Never Dies into something genuinely interesting.

Also, hes more obsessed with touchscreens than those weirdos who camp outside Apple stores in the rain.

20. OCTOPUSSY (1983), Roger Moore

In the best Bond movies, 007 is engaged in do-or-die games of poker or intense helicopter chases. But in Octopussy, he partakes in a little game of backgammon. Backgammon. And thats not the worst of it. The movie involves some Soviet plan to smuggle bombs hidden in stolen treasures that are bootlegged by a circus troupe owned by a woman whos the head of an octopus cult. Um OK. That makes sense.

Moore in full sad clown make-up to disguise himself from the cops is pretty much how every moviegoer felt when the end credits rolled like someone stole all the happiness in the world.

19. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974), Roger Moore

What a colossal waste. This film took one of the worlds greatest actors, Christopher Lee, gave him a villainous role he was born to play, and then sabotaged him with a ridiculous screenplay.

Francisco Scaramanga should be the ultimate Bond baddie. Hes a dark reflection of 007: a deadly assassin with unmatched skills, who also happens to be the quintessential English gentleman.

So far, so good. But then, for some unfathomable reason, Scaramanga gets a third nipple, a random, solar-powered laser gun and a treacherous little manservant with a pixies voice. Thats how a deep, intriguing baddie gets transformed into a joke.

The rest of the movie is no better. Designated Bond girl Mary Goodnight is a clutz. Moore is forced to partake in a stupid karate fight. Urgh.

It still manages to be entertaining, but The Man With The Golden Gun was botched.

18. SPECTRE (2015), Daniel Craig

Its hard to believe that Spectre and its predecessor was made by the same director, Sam Mendes. The two movies couldnt be further apart. Where Skyfall was thrilling, Spectre was boring. Where Skyfall had emotional resonance, Spectre had as much resonance as constipation brought on by a bad burrito.

For one thing, the introduction of Blofield (Christoph Waltz) as some Wizard of Oz puppetmaster pulling the strings over the past three Bond movies was a silly bit of retcon that defied logic and worthy of every groan and eyeroll such a clumsy rewrite deserves. What shouldve been a triumphant return of a classic Bond villain was squandered by bad writing.

Then there was the lack of screen chemistry between Craig and Lea Seydoux, which is particularly apparent given he sizzled onscreen with Monica Bellucci earlier in the movie. How can you root for their pairing when it theyre like an estranged brother and sister? No thanks.

The only saving grace is the kinetic opening sequence in Mexico, a chaotic chase through a Day of the Dead parade. Shame everything went downhill from there.

17. QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008), Daniel Craig

Quantum of Solace is both confusing and utterly confused. It begins as a direct sequel to Casino Royale, with Daniel Craigs heartbroken Bond hungry for vengeance. By the end, its about a random villains plot to create a water monopoly in Bolivia or something.

It manages to confuse more than a few viewers along the way but, more importantly, this film confuses its own characters. Bonds accomplice, Camille Montes, is an unshakeable revengebot until she suddenly turns into a terrified mess at the most important moment. Bond himself flits between two different personalities: the conscientious, loyal agent and the merciless killing machine gone rogue. Pick one character arc and stick to it.

This film could have amounted to something more than a collection of explosions and other assorted loud noises. It could have been the spiritual successor to Casino Royale. Instead, everyone had to wait for the next film.

16. LICENCE TO KILL (1989), Timothy Dalton

Supposedly inspired by Pablo Escobar and the Medillin cartel, Licence to Kill was Timothy Daltons second and final time in the role.

The films title refers to Bond losing his get-out-jail-free card after hes suspended and turns rogue to seek revenge against drug lord Sanchez, whos fed his friend and frequent colleague Felix Leiter to a shark. This darker, edgier Bond is an avenging angel with a gun.

Its also refreshing to have a Bond girl, ex-CIA agent Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell), whos quick-witted and, at least at first, immune to Bonds charms. Bonus: Licence to Kill features a then-little-known Benicio Del Toro in his first of many drug trade films.

15. YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967), Sean Connery

With a screenplay penned by Roald Dahl, the fifth Bond movie, also known as The One in Japan really shouldve been more memorable than it was. Despite a decent start, the second half of You Only Live Twice descends into chaos with an absurd set piece about a rocket launch pad hidden inside a disguised volcano.

But it still has many redemptive aspects its the first time nemesis and Spectre head Ernst Blofeld is seen in his full visage, all scar-faced and shiny pate. And Aki, one of the Bond girls, actually rescues him from several scrapes, before getting killed in Jamess place during an assassination attempt.

14. LIVE AND LET DIE (1973), Roger Moore

Live and Let Die has one of the best Bond ditties with Paul McCartneys Wings rock anthem consistently topping lists of theme songs.

This is Moores first turn as Bond and he puts in a solid performance. Its also the first time Bond villains are drug traffickers rather than your typical megalomaniac bent on world domination.

Far, far from perfect, several aspects of Live and Let Die voodoo and pimpmobiles when viewed in the post Blaxploitation-era are highly problematic, while Solitaire losing her psychic abilities after shedding her virginity to Bond is just silly.

13. GOLDENEYE (1995), Pierce Brosnan

Spoiler alert: Sean Bean dies.

Good for him. Hes found something he does well, and hes sticking to it. GoldenEye, meanwhile, does all the classic Bond stuff competently without adding anything unexpected to the formula.

Punny quips? Check. Mildly insane villain with a superweapon? Check. Fun but implausible action sequence? Here, have a tank chase through Moscow. Hench(wo)man with a distinctive quirk? Take a lady who derives sexual pleasure from murdering people with her thighs.

Brosnan slides effortlessly into the role like the smooth fox he is. Hes joined by Judi Dench (enough said) and Izabella Scorupco, who plays the resourceful, intelligent computer programmer Natalya Simonova. Beans villain, former 006 Alec Trevelyan, is essentially the series latest attempt to pit Bond against a dark reflection of himself.

These are all good ingredients, and mixed together they form a solid movie, but GoldenEye never really surpasses the sum of its parts. Its competent. Its entertaining. Its just nothing special.

12. A VIEW TO A KILL (1985), Roger Moore

Roger Moore was truly ancient when he starred in A View To A Kill. Well, he was 57. In dashing secret agent years, thats ancient. The movie undoubtedly suffers as a result, but it does have some redeeming features, the most obvious of which is Christopher Walkens delightfully insane performance as Max Zorin.

Heres the thing about Bond films: the villain is just as important as the hero. Think of Rosa Klebb, Auric Goldfinger, Le Chiffre, or even Telly Savalass Blofeld. Zorin isnt quite in that bracket, but he comes close, and in the process he elevates a movie thats otherwise pretty mediocre.

Throw in one of the series best theme songs, from Duran Duran, and a climactic fight atop the freaking Golden Gate Bridge, and youre left with something thats surprisingly watchable.

11. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981), Roger Moore

A British sub equipped with the technology to order missile attacks is sunk in the Mediterranean. Bond goes in after a failed attempt to retrieve the wreckage ends up with a dead British marine biologist. The super sleuth chases after the men responsible along with the peeved-off daughter of the killed biologist, who happens to be handy with a crossbow, culminating in a fight-out in a monastery atop a mountain.

The fifth out of seven films with Moore in the lead, Moore played this one with a lot less camp thank god while a car chase in a little yellow Citroen and a scene where Moore and Carole Bouquet is tied up and dragged behind a speeding boat are genuinely thrilling.

10. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999), Pierce Brosnan

It may be hard to overlook Denise Richards playing a nuclear scientist called Christmas Jones but if you do, there are solid double crosses in a politically charged plot about oil pipelines, plus an enjoyable and intense high-speed boat chase on the Thames.

But what makes The World Is Not Enough the best Pierce Brosnan-era Bond is the depth of the villains. Sophie Marceau as oil heiress Elektra King is ambitious and duplicitous, but also burdened with a childlike vulnerability and daddy issues, while Renard (Robert Carlyle), the man who cant feel pain, is brought down by his feelings and emotions. Oh, the irony.

9. THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977), Roger Moore

The movie Jaws was released in 1975. It was about a gigantic shark that killed people with its, you know, jaws. Two years later, the Bond series introduced a gigantic new henchman called Jaws, who killed people with his jaws. Make of that what you will.

The Spy Who Loved Me represents the peak of Roger Moores era. Its cheeky without being utterly stupid (most of the time), and Bond is still quite a few years away from qualifying for the pension. It also includes perhaps the coolest Bond gadget of all time: a car that turns into a submarine.

Barbara Bachs Russian agent is called Agent XXX, which is about as cringe-worthy as Pussy Galore, and villain Karl Strombergs plan to steal a pair of nuclear missiles feels like a poor mans Spectre plot, but otherwise this is a solid entry in the series.

8. THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987), Timothy Dalton

Timothy Daltons debut as Bond sought to rein in the ridiculousness of the Moore years, and the result was a film that went back to basics. Theres no wild plot for world domination here, just an arms dealer double crossing people to get rich.

Some have called Dalton the Daniel Craig prototype, and you can certainly see why. His Bond is surlier and colder than previous versions of the character. Sadly, hes also less charismatic, but that doesnt grate as much here as in the humourless Licence to Kill.

Maryam dAbos professional cellist has some good chemistry with Grumpy Bond, and she saves The Living Daylights from its generic villains. But theres an awkward sequence near the end, as Bond allies himself with the leader of the Mujahideen who is essentially Osama bin Laden. Oops.

7. THUNDERBALL (1965), Sean Connery

Modern audiences may find the extended underwater sequences a tad overlong but when Thunderball came out in 1965, it was something never before seen on the screen synchronised scuba divers in a full-on harpoon battle. Add a frenzied shark attack, a manic chase through a street parade in the Bahamas and villain Emilio Largo holding the world at gunpoint with stolen atomic bombs for 100 million ransom (chump change, today).

Thunderball was remade, outside of the official Bond canon, as Never Say Never Again with Connery in 1983, but the original is definitely the best.

6. DR NO (1962), Sean Connery

The first Bond flick holds up remarkably well, given its age. Some of the series classic elements are already there: a weird, evil guy with an overelaborate plan, for instance.

But the one thing everyone remembers is Ursula Andress, in that bikini, on that beach. It makes us forget about things like the slow-moving plot, or the unspeakably lame dragon that pops up for no apparent reason.

Having said that, the more iconic moment is actually right at the start of the film, when were introduced to Bond James Bond for the first time. Hes playing cards in a casino, and winning easily. Half of the films since have included a seemingly obligatory casino scene.

Dr No is the ultimate trend setter, and for that reason alone, it deserves a place high on our list.

5. SKYFALL (2012), Daniel Craig

From Adeles sultry voice in the opening sequence to that fight against the neon billboards in a Shanghai skyscraper, Skyfall had no shortage of thrills or high calibre action.

But its actually a deeply personal chapter and, more than anything else, its Judi Denchs film. In her valedictory appearance, Denchs M is targeted by a rogue former MI6 spy under her tutelage (a deliciously devilish Javier Bardem) and Bond has to pull out all the stops to try to save his mother-figure/boss.

Skyfall also peels back the layers on Bonds elusive background and childhood, giving the audience a better understanding of what drives the secret agent.

4. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963), Sean Connery

From Russia With Love plays on the Cold War-era distrust between the Western powers and the Soviet Union. Or should that be Spectre plays on that distrust by using the two against each other as the evil organisation tries to get its hands on a Russian decoder device. Its a classic espionage film that treks across Turkey, Croatia and Venice, picking up more than a few visual cues to Hitchcock along the way. The showdown aboard the Orient Express is a particular highlight.

Sean Connery is absolutely on-form as the smooth and charismatic 007 in his second go in the Bond chair while villains Klebb and Red Grant are some of the most memorable in the franchise.

3. GOLDFINGER (1964), Sean Connery

Goldfinger boasts the best Bond actor at his peak, alongside the series greatest villain. If Sean Connery spent more time doing stuff instead of lounging around as a pampered prisoner for a huge chunk of the movie, it would probably be at the top of our list.

Thats a criticism of the writers, not of Connerys performance. Hes indecently suave here. His puns are at their punniest. Hes ordering his first dry martini, unzipping his wetsuit to reveal an unspoilt tuxedo, and calmly explaining the science of a plane cabins air pressure while someone points a freaking gun at him. Smoooooth.

Meanwhile, Auric Goldfinger is a brilliant, intriguing character, far removed from the list of cardboard cutouts who have appeared so often in Bond films. His plot to raid Fort Knox and screw up the worlds economy is actually kind of original. And he gets an iconic line of dialogue too: No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.

Throw in Oddjob, the hat-throwing henchman, plus a woman named Pussy Galore who somehow manages to avoid becoming a joke, and youre left with a piece of cinematic gold.

2. ON HER MAJESTYS SECRET SERVICE (1969), George Lazenby

Highly underrated, the tightly paced OHMSS follows Bond as he tracks down Blofeld to the Swiss Alps. There, he has to foil a Manchurian Candidate-style brainwashing operation that threatens the world with a biowarfare event while tearing down the mountainside in an incredible ski chase.

Australian George Lazenby has always been judged too harshly for his sole portrayal as Bond, even though his greatest crime was that he wasnt Sean Connery. Lazenbys Bond was actually more like the athletic, raw and emotional Bond weve come to associate with Daniel Craig. Diana Rigg as Tracy Bond is arguably the best Bond girl in the franchise she was classy, sassy and the only woman Bond loved in the pre-Craig era.

1. CASINO ROYALE (2006), Daniel Craig

Plenty of fans doubted Daniel Craigs ability to play Bond when he was announced as Pierce Brosnans replacement. Casino Royale blew those doubts away. Its the most complete film of the franchise, with a perfectly paced plot, gorgeous cinematography, and characters who have compelling depth.

The most important element is Craigs performance. Casino Royale resets the James Bond story, taking it all the way back to his very first days as 007. Craigs Bond is cocky and talented, yes, but hes also rougher around the edges than were used to, and more vulnerable.

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James Bond movies ranked in order from best to worst - NEWS.com.au

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero