Back in the past 60 years, the supreme super-spy has come into sight in around two dozen movies, hence watching them in the correct and appropriate order is quite tough.
Following is the complete list of the legendary James Bond in order:
Dr. No (1962)
The 007 that started it all. James Bond makes his first film debut when he tangles with the dangerous Dr. No. After a scientist goes missing, he is sent to investigate and stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy. Now, he must use all his skills and wits if he's going to survive. The first film in the James Bond series delivers everything we've come to expect from James Bond. Many 007 films still try to match up, but the first is always the best. The film's slightly rough towards the edges but that makes it more original and unique. It's extraordinary and fun while handling the mystery and suspense pretty well.
From Russia With Love (1963)
The Bond formula is more enhanced and improved than Dr. No. Yet, it denotes enough authenticity and seriousness to maintain the suspense of reality. FRWL is attractive and sophisticated that is worthy of praise in its own stand. The framing of the movie is exotic with Istanbul being its personal character. FRWL takes its time to portray the audience about this wonderful city without hitting boredom. Stepping in this film feels like it's continuously moving without being boring. The antagonists and their portrayals are unforgettable. The viewers get to see more of the inner mechanisms of Spectre, Bond's classical. We also get to see more parts of the Cold War shadow conflicts in this film. There are stakes increased in this film and enemies hiding out in every corner.
Goldfinger (1964)
This is one of the greatest ever films. Without any doubt, this film is in the top two or three in James bond rankings. This is an amazing film. The antagonist, Girl, Henchman, and of course, Sean Connery as bond are stupendous. This is his best performance by far. He shows us in this film why he is the best ever bond. Goldfinger is the ultimate villain and Oddjob is the most huge amongst the Bond henchman. The view of the girl painted gold lying on the bed is an epic and classic movie scene. Even the gadgets and the car are amazing. There is nothing negative to say about this film and this is about as close you will ever get to a perfect action and spy thriller movie.
Thunderball (1965)
This fourth 007 epic is however results to be a slight falling-off from the top watermark of Goldfinger. Even though, it’s the entertaining mixing as before, there’s a fact that the story, includes parts of the previous movies pumped up and attached together, while the nuclear extortion plot is too much standardized to be served for many other 1960s masterminds, down to Dr. Evil. It raises the feel of serial like of the Bond series of the 1960s by getting back the Blofeld (aka Anthony Dawson), head of SPECTRE, and developing that the plots of Doctor No and From Russia With Love were only primary moves in a massive campaign of evil which would go forward, with Blofeld out of the shadows, in the following three movies.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
You Only Live Twice is quite a memorable classic. A hollowed-out volcano, a rocket-firing gyrocopter, an army of ninjas battling the forces of villainous organization SPECTRE headed by Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Donald Pleasance) are all elements that bring to life this often beloved entry in the Bond series. A dapper young Connery plays an authentic suave Bond in a world of old-school colonial Britain. Big budget sets, arch-villains, and the latest tech from an optimistic era come together to produce an odyssey of espionage. A lineup of beautiful yet smart and strong Bond girls adds icing to the cake as they fall for the debonair 007.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
It's an extremely faithful rendition of Ian Fleming's superb source novel and is basically rendered directly to the screen with very few changes. It's perhaps even more faithful than 2005's Casino Royale was to its sourcebook. There are two subplots worthy of mention. The love interest bit although it does see Bond married, is reasonably short with the Louis Armstrong song played which sees the two get involved, and then there is a scene in the stable when the car runs rather quickly out of fuel (given the closeness to Piz Gloria then one might have thought that Tracy would have put more fuel in it before going ice skating). This is without a doubt the finest bond movie.
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Diamonds Are Forever is filled with problems. After such a great start, the story indulges in insanity. The sections about diamond smuggling and wealthy eccentric hiding out in a hotel penthouse are pretty good, but as soon as the script offers Blofeld's double and a laser-shooting satellite, things become laughably ridiculous, even for a Bond movie. The space-oriented science fiction parts, which are on the equal level as those in You Only Live Twice, aren't balanced closely as well as in a pair of coming after entries, Moonraker and Goldeneye. The climax is anticlimactic, with all megalomaniacal plans of Blofeld curbed by the basic practicality of looting a cassette tape.
Live and Let Die (1973)
Probably one of the most exciting 007 films which just happened to be Roger Moore's 1st. Unusually dark, steeped in Voodoo mysticism & rituals. It's a nonstop thrill ride & features one of the best villains Yaphet Kotto as Kananga. Live and Let Die has the precondition action scenes and various attractive women for Bond to woo (including a CIA agent played by Gloria Hendry and Jane Seymour in her initial screen presentation). Looking at Live and Let Die isn't a total waste of time, but there's no paramount reason why anyone should get out of their way to view it unless they're an extremely great Bond fan or are inspecting Roger Moore's first trial in this role.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Man with the Golden Gun is an excellent Bond film with superb action and a good theme song. But the huge thing that held this movie down for me was the character himself, James Bond. The antagonist in this movie was really good and too much interesting, and Christopher Lee played him so well. The visual effects of this movie were very well done and for a movie that was released in 1974, it had some pretty nice effects. This is a great Bond movie, one of the best, most tension-filled storylines, thanks in great part to its brilliant cast. Christopher Lee plays one of the most interesting Bond villains ever, with his Mechano fit-together style, golden gun.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
A great film of Mr. Roger Moore who is in James bond's role acted fantastic exhibiting style with great impact and having a magnetic screen personality. Direction, stunts, properties used in the show were extraordinary particularly land and underwater car chasing, jumping, set enormously well designed. The Spy who loved is a great film to watch. It also installed James Bond into immense success and also developed Roger Moore as the perfect James Bond. The starting Union Jack parachute scene was too fantastic and was very well made and as the film goes forward we can see many amazing scenes, the race between Bond, the fight in the Pyramids, and Anya for the chip, the train fight, the oil tanker scene.
Moonraker (1979)
The opening pre-title sequence is amazing where we get to see some awesome sky diving by Bond and some villains (including Jaws). The movie then follows a nice theme song sung by Shirley Bassey and then we get to see the mission briefing. The movie then starts to be more and more thrilling with Bond's charm and gadgets. Then at the end, we can see Bond going into space battling with Darx and taking Jaws on his side and the whole sequence in space is awesome the massive set, special effects. Then, at the very end, we can see some great humor, and the funniest line is delivered by Q and the film ends.
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
For Your Eyes Only was the attempt to make Moore’s Bond more realistic than 1979’s Moonraker. Roger Moore comes back as the British secret service agent. This time he's searching out for a missile command system and getting combined up in lies and deception with Greek businessmen along with a woman seeking vengeance for the murders of her parents. Moore's best Bond film the action scenes and stunt work are great. It has a forgettable villain, but it has a great plot.
Octopussy (1983)
This film has some engaging, classic Bond moments. Bond matching wits with the villain in a game of backgammon. Bond also matching wits with the villain in Sotheby's, in a tense auction. Beautiful Magda spiraling down from the balcony. Bond sliding down the stair banister, taking out the villain's men. Moore has some great fight sequences against thugs, one with a buzzsaw, in Octopussy's island. A taught action scene played out aboard the train. Great performances by Louis Jordan, Maude Adams. Colorful characters, henchmen. A catastrophic plan by the villains, to ensure Russias strength and smuggle jewels worth millions.
Never Say Never Again (1983)
NEVER Say Never Again offers Sean Connery a massive opportunity to redeem the role of James Bond. With every due respect and warm wishes to Roger Moore, there hasn't been a more contented comeback engagement since Dolly Levi amused the Harmonia Gardens. There may be a natural inclination to overrate an enjoyable as sensational as - Never Say Never Again - in the quick afterglow of a first watch. For the sake of thoughtful argument, let's assume that continuity of the exposure will disclose it as merely one of the best James Bond adventure thrillers ever made instead of the too-best.
A View to a Kill (1985)
As a Bond movie, it ranks in the lower half, but as an entertaining popcorn-eating escapism movie it does just fine. Christopher Walken does a good job at portraying Max Zorin. The Bond theme is great. Roger Moore returns as James Bond 007 going after psychotic Christopher Walken who wants to destroy silicon valley in California and along with California by planting a bomb along the San Andreas fault lines. Awesome, beautifully crafted futuristic spy thriller. Definitely one of Roger Moore's best performances.
The Living Daylights (1987)
This movie is the first and most impactful contribution to the Bond franchise of Timothy Dalton. The final James Bond film to take place wholly during the Cold War deserves some praise. The Living Daylights is a very well-appreciated center back to the novels. Yet, the film has sufficient innovations to provoke later Bond films. For such an under-appreciated film to influence later portrayals of Bond in such ways is one of this film's greater achievements. The Living Daylights is the topmost in all the right places. The story plot and antagonists are down to earth and not some bad supervillains. The twists and turns are intriguing and can be missed out if one isn't paying enough attention.
License to Kill (1989)
License to Kill appears to be a response to the over-the-top action movies of the day. It's an overall enjoyable watch with too much action. Yet, it doesn't seem to stay well with the whole Bond-style spy movie narrative. This film resulted to be Timothy Dalton's intense take on Bond taken to a different level. Gadgets and suavity are minimalism while atrocity turned up a notch. Even if not bad in itself, we've seen how this turned out with Daniel Craig's representation of Bond. Yet, the film ditches the dark intense tone halfway through for some subplot of Bond making attempts to befriend his enemy.
GoldenEye (1995)
Goldeneye is one of the best films in the Bond Franchise. This is also a film that had past precedent taken from Bond films. One of the most important things about it is it shaped the new beginning of how Bond girls are used as stronger, complex characters than their weaker and useless counterparts in the past. James Bond is a British superhero-spy to save the world who is suave, has a sense of humor, wit, dark, and has a dark personality. This is the best and great film you have to watch when you want the right balance of related plot, subject matter that is relatable during the 1990s like safe sex, the Internet, and what happened when Russia was dissolved after 1991.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Tomorrow Never Dies isn't that much different from Goldfinger or Goldeneye, for that matter. It's the same ultimate formula put to important use. What detaches a good Bond movie from a not-that-good one isn't the story set up; it's the supporting characters, the unreal, and the energy level. With only short exceptions, Tomorrow Never Dies scores a bit high marks in all three categories. By following this effort, there's no question of doubt that, once again, James Bond will make a comeback.
The World is Not Enough (1999)
Brosnan did a good job playing Bond in this one, he seems more relaxed and comfortable in this film and we saw a more vulnerable side to his character with Elektra. Bond is given an injury that has consequences later in the film. However, Renard’s trait of his bullet in his brain which causes him not to feel pain is waisted. the plot twist and discovering the real antagonist was a good way of subverting expectations. The movie contains spectacular action set pieces, a great story plot with twists and turns. This is a solid Bond movie and better than anything Roger Moore did.
Die Another Day (2002)
This movie is better than what it is said about. It has a good story behind it. One of Pierce Brosnan’s most entertaining Bond films and a much-underrated gem of escapism. This film has just the right balance of grittiness and feel-good over-the-top ridiculousness, and Brosnan is always a fantastic Bond. Pierce Brosnan did a wonderful performance in this like all his bond films. Very on point. The beginning and middle action sequences are solid and satisfying. Madonna makes a nice cameo, but it's the baddie that steals the show here
Casino Royale (2006)
The story of Casino Royale is that 007 himself, James Bond is on his first big assignment to stop a terrorist named Le Chiffre. He's not alone though. With the help of his boss M, and fellow agent Vesper Lynd, he must stop the madness that ensues. The story, while basic, is very fun and action-packed. It makes a very great watch and one for any fan of action. James Bond is action-packed. And the stunning work the actors put into doing the action in this film was amazing! Mads Mikkelsen does his absolute best job portraying the slimy hateful villain, Le Chiffre, who is very menacing.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
There is a dark, depressed, and gritty feel to this film that gives deep weight to the aftermath of Casino Royale. Bond is in one of the darkest places in the franchise's history. From the first scene itself, this movie will sink into you. Olga Kurylenko definitely boosts this film to an incomparable position. Sean Connery will always epitomize the sophisticated, equally quick-witted, and acting international agent for Britain and the West, ultimately besting any evil genius rising up from the ashes of fallen Soviet, Far Eastern, or African dictatorships.
Skyfall (2012)
Skyfall isn't just an amazing Bond film. It's a gem of a spy-thriller filled with masterfully embedded symbolism. After Bond's brash, rather reckless adventures in CR and QoS, Skyfall portrays his slow descent into near-redundancy due to a gunshot wound. Moreover, Bond's loyalty towards M as well as his country is tested after she gives the order. The film is truly the epitome of whatever personifies "resurrection". Bardem's portrayal of Skyfall's antagonist has cemented him as one of 007's most iconic villains, the perfect mixture of psychotic, humorous, and unpredictable. A deadly combination.
Spectre (2015)
Spectre is a unique entry into the 007 franchise in the sense that it ties up most of the loose ends of the other films in Craig's tenure as Bond. Spectre opens with a thrilling sequence in Mexico City, to which the backdrop is the famous “Day of the Dead” festival. There is some spectacular camerawork here, with careful tracking shots following the action of the parade. The action really takes off, however, when Bond is chasing the baddie, Marco Sciarra, through the cluttered streets before they both jump into a helicopter. In true Bond fashion, what ensues is a spectacular fight sequence.
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