The name’s Bond. James Bond. And if you’ve ever found yourself arguing over martinis—shaken, not stirred—about which 007 adventure tops them all, you’re not alone. With over 60 years of espionage, iconic villains, globe-trotting adventures, and theme songs that have become cultural milestones, the Bond franchise remains one of cinema’s most enduring legacies. But which entries truly rise to the top? Based on critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, the following are the top 10 Bond films of all time.
10. Dr. No (1962)
Sean Connery’s introduction as James Bond set the stage for all that came after. Dr. No welcomed audiences to the world of MI6, exotic locations, and 007’s trademark bravado. As The Mirror suggests, it’s one of the most esteemed Bond films out there, largely due to its elegant spy-thriller style and Ursula Andress’s iconic underwater entrance. It’s not only the start—it’s a standard.
9. No Time to Die (2021)
Daniel Craig’s last Bond outing provides an emotional, high-stakes ending to his tenure. The movie mixes explosive action sequences with a remarkably poignant goodbye. The Mirror wrote that it was “everything we hoped for,” singling out Craig’s dramatic depth and the dramatic conclusion of the movie. As sendoffs go, this one lands perfectly.
8. Skyfall (2012)
To celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary, director Sam Mendes presented a Bond movie full of style and substance. With Oscar-nominated cinematography from Roger Deakins and Javier Bardem’s unforgettable bad guy, Skyfall revitalized the series. As Screen Rant noted, it rekindled critical affection for Bond after Quantum of Solace and provided Judi Dench’s M with an elegant and powerful farewell.
7. Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig’s initial spin as Bond reset the franchise—and succeeded. A grittier, darker interpretation of 007, Casino Royale provided raw athleticism, emotional risk, and one of the best love stories in the series. Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd is still one of them, and the high-stakes poker scenes are as suspenseful as any action sequence. As Screen Rant put it, this isn’t merely the finest Craig-era Bond—it’s one of the best, full stop.
6. Thunderball (1965)
Bond’s journey underwater in Thunderball saw the franchise expand its horizons with high-budget set pieces and state-of-the-art effects at the time. The underwater finale is still one of the most daring action sequences of the early Bond films, and the international globe-trotting locations cemented the formula audiences enjoy today.
5. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Generally regarded as Roger Moore’s best turn as Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me has everything the fans enjoy: an evil villain, a classic henchman (Jaws), and some of the most over-the-top gadgetry in history, led by a Lotus Esprit that becomes a submarine. Mixing humor, adventure, and style, this movie preserves the light fun of the Moore period at its finest.
4. GoldenEye (1995)
Pierce Brosnan’s introduction provided the franchise with a badly needed refresh in the post-Cold War era. More contemporary in tone, stylish in action, and with a cast of memorable characters (including Sean Bean’s villainous 006 and Famke Janssen’s lethal Xenia Onatopp), GoldenEye ushered Bond back in front of a new generation. A Tina Turner theme song and fresh energy cemented its status as a ’90s action cult classic.
3. From Russia with Love (1963)
Much admired for its concise plot and Cold War intrigue, From Russia with Love brought the franchise from novelty to prestige. The second Bond film abandoned some of the more preposterous elements for grim espionage, suspenseful violence, and a game of cat-and-mouse with SPECTRE. It’s little wonder that it has a fabulous 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating—this one’s a masterwork of retro spy films.
2. Casino Royale (2006)
Yes, it appears twice on this list—and rightfully so. Craig’s introduction as Bond was a revelation, bringing fresh life to the franchise with intensity, emotional gravitas, and a grounded sensibility that garnered accolades all around. It wasn’t a reboot—it was a redefinition, and it redefined what modern Bond films should do.
1. Goldfinger (1964)
The perfect Bond movie. Goldfinger provided us with all the rest: the Aston Martin DB5, the gold-obsessed villain, the indelible Pussy Galore, and the laser beam scene that entered legend. For both fans and critics, this is the template for what a Bond movie must be like. As The Mirror wrote, “It may not have been the first Bond film, but it is—and likely always will be—the standard-bearer.”
Whether you’re a fan of the suave Connery era, the globe-hopping Moore years, or the gritty realism of Craig’s Bond, these films prove why 007 has stood the test of time. From cold wars to casino tables, Bond has adapted with every era, without ever losing his edge.