Did Your Favorite Make The Top 10?
James Bond, the world’s most famous British spy, has captivated audiences for over six decades with a series of high-octane films. From Sean Connery’s suave debut in Dr No to Daniel Craig’s gritty portrayal in No Time to Die, each installment of the Bond franchise brings its own flare to audiences worldwide.
With a legacy that spans 27 films, ranking all the James Bond movies is no small feat—luckily, we had some help from the folks over at Rotten Tomatoes. Join us as we rank the 007 movies, from worst to best, as based on their score on the Tomatometer.
27. Casino Royale (1967)
Tomatometer: 26%
Starring: Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, David Niven, Orson Welles
Directed By: Val Guest, Ken Hughes, John Huston, Joe McGrath
Critics Consensus: The original iteration of Casino Royale was a far cry from the suave and cunning 007 we know and love today. Filled with goofy spy movie clichés, the film ultimately wasted the talent of its all-star cast.
Famous Artists Productions, Casino Royale (1967)
26. A View To A Kill (1985)
Tomatometer: 37%
Starring: Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, Grace Jones, Tanya Roberts
Directed By: John Glen
Critics Consensus: We know James Bond often tests the boundaries of imagination but A View to a Kill is ridiculous even by 007’s standards. In addition to one too many campy jokes, the actors’ lack of passion for the movie is reflected on the big screen.
Eon Productions, A View To A Kill (1985)
25. The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
Tomatometer: 42%
Starring: Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams
Directed By: Guy Hamilton
Critics Consensus: Perhaps one of the most glaring issues with this 007 flick is that the villain outshines Bond. Pair that with a glaring lack of gadgetry and a script full of double entendres and The Man With The Golden Gun makes for a subpar Bond movie.
Eon Productions, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
24. Octopussy (1983)
Tomatometer: 42%
Starring: Roger Moore, Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan, Kristina Wayborn
Directed By: John Glen
Critics Consensus: We’ll give credit where it’s due: Octopussy does have some awesome action scenes. However, the rest of the film was unoriginal, and left fans wanting more.
Eon Productions, Octopussy (1983)
23. The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Tomatometer: 51%
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Denise Richards
Directed By: Michael Apted
Critics Consensus: With a fairly predictable plot, uneven acting, and mediocre dialogue, audiences weren’t too impressed by The World Is Not Enough. At least it had some genuinely exciting action scenes that were worthy of the franchise.
Eon Productions, The World Is Not Enough (1999)
22. Die Another Day (2002)
Tomatometer: 55%
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rosamund Pike
Directed By: Lee Tamahori
Critics Consensus: For the most part, Die Another Day had great cinematography and contained beloved themes from earlier Bond movies. It lost some points, though, for the action sequences, which were a bit too exaggerated for many people.
Eon Productions, Die Another Day (2002)
21. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Tomatometer: 57%
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher
Directed By: Roger Spottiswoode
Critics Consensus: Tomorrow Never Dies is your run-of-the-mill Bond film. Yet while the plot lacks originality, it scores points for its exciting action scenes.
Eon Productions, Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
20. Moonraker (1979)
Tomatometer: 60%
Starring: Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michaël Lonsdale, Richard Kiel
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
Critics Consensus: The silliness in Moonraker works to the movie’s advantage. It has one of the franchise's more outrageous plots, but when paired with top-notch gadgets and excellent sets, it’s an entertaining watch.
Eon Productions, Moonraker (1979)
19. Spectre (2015)
Tomatometer: 63%
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Critics Consensus: While Spectre’s plot sticks to the tried-and-true Bond formula, the movie was reminiscent of the earlier action-driven entries in the franchise, scoring points with audiences.
Columbia Pictures, Spectre (2015)
18. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Tomatometer: 64%
Starring: Sean Connery, Jill St John, Charles Gray, Lana Wood
Directed By: Guy Hamilton
Critics Consensus: Sean Connery steals the show in Diamonds Are Forever. It’s a classic Bond flick with entertaining, witty dialogue, and thrilling stunts.
Eon Productions, Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
17. Quantum Of Solace (2008)
Tomatometer: 64%
Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench
Directed By: Marc Forster
Critics Consensus: Quantum of Solace is one of the more brutal 007 films, and it doesn’t skip on high emotions and intense action. Unfortunately, as a follow-up to Casino Royale (2006), it was a little underwhelming.
Eon Productions, Quantum Of Solace (2008)
16. Live And Let Die (1973)
Tomatometer: 67%
Starring: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James
Directed By: Guy Hamilton
Critics Consensus: This may not be one of the best-rated Bond movies, but it’s entertaining to watch. In Live and Let Die, Roger Moore makes his mark on the franchise as a more stylish and humorous Bond.
Eon Productions, Live And Let Die (1973)
15. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Tomatometer: 69%
Starring: Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson
Directed By: John Glen
Critics Consensus: For Your Eyes Only is one of the more realistic Bond movies, but there’s no shortage of adventure and thrilling action here.
Eon Productions, For Your Eyes Only (1981)
14. Never Say Never Again (1983)
Tomatometer: 71%
Starring: Sean Connery, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Barbara Carrera, Max von Sydow
Directed By: Irvin Kershner
Critics Consensus: From a critical point of view, the story of Never Say Never Again isn’t too original and can feel rehashed. However, the film is still a favorite among fans as it sees Sean Connery return to the role of 007.
TaliaFilm II Productions, Never Say Never Again (1983)
13. The Living Daylights (1987)
Tomatometer: 73%
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Maryam D'Abo, Jeroen Krabbé, Joe Don Baker
Directed By: John Glen
Critics Consensus: The Living Daylights was Timothy Dalton’s first turn as James Bond. He brought more seriousness to the role than earlier movies which, while sometimes a little humorless, was exciting to watch.
Eon Productions, The Living Daylights (1987)
12. You Only Live Twice (1967)
Tomatometer: 74%
Starring: Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi, Donald Pleasence, Tetsurô Tanba
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
Critics Consensus: This unforgettable Bond flick has an absurd storyline, but it makes up for that with stunning special effects, exotic backdrops, and a superb villain.
Eon Productions, You Only Live Twice (1967)
11. Licence To Kill (1989)
Tomatometer: 80%
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Talisa Soto
Directed By: John Glen
Critics Consensus: License to Kill sees Timothy Dalton playing another intense version of Bond and is notably one of the darker movies in the series. However, it has some great fight and chase scenes.
Eon Productions, Licence to Kill (1989)
10. GoldenEye (1995)
Tomatometer: 81%
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen
Directed By: Martin Campbell
Critics Consensus: This is Pierce Brosnan’s first—and best—Bond movie and sees 007 enter the modern age. The contemporary atmosphere is exemplified by the high-tech gadgetry and non-stop action.
Eon Productions, GoldenEye (1995)
9. 007 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Tomatometer: 81%
Starring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti
Directed By: Peter Hunt
Critics Consensus: This may be the only time we see George Lazenby step into the role of James Bond, but it’s one of the better entries in the franchise. In addition to thrilling ski chases and stunning visuals, the movie features one of the most interesting Bond girls: Tracy di Vincenzo, played by the late, great Diana Rigg.
Eon Productions, On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
8. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Tomatometer: 82%
Starring: Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curd Jürgens, Richard Kiel
Directed By: Lewis Gilbert
Critics Consensus: The ridiculousness in this one hints at some of the more far-fetched Bond movies that followed it, but it’s wittiness, style, and intimidating villains make it one of Roger Moore’s best appearances as 007.
Eon Productions, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
7. No Time To Die (2021)
Tomatometer: 83%
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch
Directed By: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Critics Consensus: Daniel Craig’s final Bond movie is definitely not the most action-packed in the franchise. In many ways, it doesn’t quite feel like a 007 flick, but it makes for an interesting and satisfying end to this iteration of our favorite spy.
Eon Productions, No Time To Die (2021)
6. Thunderball (1965)
Tomatometer: 85%
Starring: Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi
Directed By: Terence Young
Critics Consensus: The incredible sets and Sean Connery's charm make Thunderball a great Bond movie. And while some may think it's not quite as stellar as some of the earlier movies in the series, it's chock full of action and adventure.
Eon Productions, Thunderball (1965)
5. Skyfall (2012)
Tomatometer: 92%
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Critics Consensus: Skyfall is everything you’d want a 007 movie to be: smart, sexy, and packed with edge-of-your-seat action. It’s been hailed as one of the best films in the Bond series.
Columbia Pictures, Skyfall (2012)
4. Casino Royale (2006)
Tomatometer: 94%
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Directed By: Martin Campbell
Critics Consensus: Daniel Craig puts a new spin on 007, revealing a more haunted, bitter Bond—but that’s exactly what fans were looking for. Casino Royale also sees our hero without many of his gadgets, leaving us with a more realistic—yet wildly entertaining—007.
Columbia Pictures, Casino Royale (2006)
3. Dr No (1962)
Tomatometer: 95%
Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord
Directed By: Terence Young
Critics Consensus: Dr No begins the 007 series with a bang and is still regarded as one of the greatest Bond movies of all time. The wild plot, witty humor, and thrilling action featured in this movie would become core themes of the franchise.
Eon Productions, Dr. No (1962)
2. From Russia With Love (1963)
Tomatometer: 97%
Starring: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya
Directed By: Terence Young
Critics Consensus: The second entry into the Bond series was even better than the first. Audiences were particularly impressed by the breathtaking action scenes in this fast-paced Cold War thriller.
Eon Productions, From Russia With Love (1963)
1. Goldfinger (1964)
Tomatometer: 99%
Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Directed By: Guy Hamilton
Critics Consensus: Goldfinger gives us the quintessential James Bond, featuring one of 007’s most iconic lines: "A martini. Shaken, not stirred". It also showcases the cool gadgetry Bond uses, which would go on to become a staple of the franchise.
