Every James Bond Movie, Ranked by IMDb Score (from Worst to Best)

The James Bond series is one of the longest-running and most successful film franchises in history. Spanning over six decades and featuring seven different actors in the iconic role, the movies have taken audiences on thrilling adventures across the globe. From the early days of Sean Connery’s suave portrayal to Daniel Craig’s more gritty and modern interpretation, each era has brought its own unique flavor to the character of 007. The films are known for their exciting action sequences, clever gadgets, and memorable villains.

With such a large catalog of films, fans often debate which ones are the best. IMDb, a popular website for movie ratings, provides a comprehensive ranking based on user scores. This list offers a look at every official James Bond film, from the lowest-rated to the most acclaimed. It serves as a guide for both new and longtime fans who want to explore the world of James Bond and see how each film stacks up against the others according to viewer opinions.

Die Another Day (2002)

IMDb Score: 6.1

This film marked the 20th anniversary of the Bond series and was Pierce Brosnan’s final performance as the secret agent. The story begins with Bond being captured and tortured in North Korea. After his release, he sets out to find the person who betrayed him, leading him to a wealthy British businessman named Gustav Graves. Graves is revealed to be a North Korean colonel who has used a gene-therapy machine to change his appearance.

The plot involves a satellite weapon called Icarus, which can concentrate sunlight on a small area. The film features elaborate action sequences, including a car chase on a frozen lake and a fight aboard a cargo plane. It received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the action while others found the plot to be too over-the-top and reliant on computer-generated imagery.

A View to a Kill (1985)

IMDb Score: 6.3

This was Roger Moore’s seventh and final film as James Bond. In this adventure, Bond investigates a microchip manufacturer named Max Zorin, who is planning to destroy California’s Silicon Valley. Zorin’s goal is to create a monopoly on the microchip market. He intends to achieve this by triggering a massive earthquake along the San Andreas Fault.

Bond teams up with an American geologist named Stacey Sutton to stop Zorin’s plan. The film is known for its memorable villain, played by Christopher Walken, and a dramatic final confrontation on top of the Golden Gate Bridge. Despite these elements, the movie was not a favorite among critics, who felt that Moore was too old for the role at the time.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

IMDb Score: 6.4

Pierce Brosnan returned for his third outing as James Bond in this film. The story revolves around the murder of a British oil tycoon, and Bond is assigned to protect his daughter, Elektra King. She becomes the target of a notorious terrorist known as Renard, who cannot feel pain due to a bullet lodged in his brain.

As Bond investigates, he uncovers a plot to destabilize the world’s oil supply by triggering a nuclear meltdown in the Bosphorus strait. The film introduces the character of Valentin Zukovsky, a former Russian gangster who aids Bond. While the movie was a box office success, its critical reception was mixed, with some finding the plot convoluted.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

IMDb Score: 6.5

In his second appearance as James Bond, Pierce Brosnan faces off against a powerful media mogul named Elliot Carver. Carver plans to start a war between the United Kingdom and China in order to boost ratings for his news empire. He uses a stolen GPS encoder to send a British warship off course into Chinese waters, creating an international incident.

Bond teams up with a Chinese spy named Wai Lin to expose Carver’s scheme and prevent a full-scale war. The film features several large-scale action sequences, including a motorcycle chase through the streets of Saigon and a battle aboard Carver’s stealth ship. The movie was generally well-received for its action and timely plot about media manipulation.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

IMDb Score: 6.6

This film picks up immediately after the events of Casino Royale, with Daniel Craig returning as James Bond. Still dealing with the death of Vesper Lynd, Bond seeks revenge and uncovers a mysterious organization known as Quantum. His investigation leads him to Dominic Greene, a ruthless businessman who is plotting to control a major water supply in Bolivia.

Bond partners with Camille Montes, who has her own reasons for wanting to stop Greene. The movie is known for its fast-paced action and a more serious tone compared to previous Bond films. While some viewers praised its continuation of the Casino Royale storyline, others felt that it lacked a strong central villain and a clear plot.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

IMDb Score: 6.7

This film is notable for being the only one to star George Lazenby as James Bond. The story follows Bond as he goes undercover to investigate Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the head of the criminal organization SPECTRE. Blofeld is posing as a nobleman and running an allergy research institute in the Swiss Alps, where he is brainwashing his patients to spread a virus that will destroy the world’s agriculture.

During his mission, Bond falls in love with and marries Tracy di Vicenzo, the daughter of a powerful crime boss. The film is known for its emotional depth and a tragic ending that was a departure for the series. While Lazenby’s performance was met with a mixed reception at the time, the film has since gained a strong following among fans for its faithful adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel.

The Living Daylights (1987)

IMDb Score: 6.7

Timothy Dalton made his debut as James Bond in this film, which offered a more serious and realistic take on the character. The plot begins with Bond helping a KGB general defect to the West. However, the general is soon recaptured, and Bond must uncover the truth behind a complex scheme involving arms dealers and a fake defection.

His investigation leads him to a beautiful cellist named Kara Milovy, who he believes is a KGB assassin. The film takes Bond from the streets of Bratislava to the deserts of Afghanistan. Dalton’s portrayal of a more reluctant and world-weary Bond was a change from the lightheartedness of the Roger Moore era and was praised for being closer to the character in Ian Fleming’s books.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

IMDb Score: 6.7

Roger Moore’s second outing as James Bond pits him against Francisco Scaramanga, a world-renowned assassin known for using a golden gun. Scaramanga sends a golden bullet with Bond’s agent number, 007, etched on it to MI6, leading Bond to believe he is the next target. This prompts Bond to go after Scaramanga first.

The investigation leads Bond to a solar energy device called the Solex Agitator, which Scaramanga plans to sell to the highest bidder. The film culminates in a duel between Bond and Scaramanga on the assassin’s private island. The movie is also remembered for its memorable henchman, Nick Nack.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

IMDb Score: 6.8

In Sean Connery’s fifth film as James Bond, the agent travels to Japan to investigate the disappearance of American and Soviet spacecraft. The spacecraft are being captured in orbit by a mysterious vehicle, bringing the two superpowers to the brink of war. Bond discovers that the criminal organization SPECTRE is behind the thefts.

SPECTRE, led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, is operating from a secret base inside a volcano. Bond must infiltrate the base and stop Blofeld’s plan to start a third world war. The film is known for its large-scale sets, particularly the impressive volcano lair, and for finally revealing the face of Bond’s nemesis, Blofeld.

Spectre (2015)

IMDb Score: 6.8

Daniel Craig’s fourth appearance as James Bond sees him uncovering the existence of the sinister organization known as SPECTRE. A cryptic message from his past sends Bond on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually to Rome, where he infiltrates a secret meeting. He discovers the organization is led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who has a personal connection to Bond’s past.

Meanwhile, back in London, the new head of the Centre for National Security questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6. Bond must rely on his old allies, Moneypenny and Q, to help him find the daughter of a former enemy who may hold the key to unraveling SPECTRE’s web. The film brings together story elements from the previous three Craig films.

Thunderball (1965)

IMDb Score: 6.9

Sean Connery returns as James Bond in this fourth installment of the series. The plot revolves around the theft of two atomic bombs by the criminal organization SPECTRE. The organization, led by Emilio Largo, demands a large ransom from the British government in exchange for not detonating the bombs.

Bond is sent to the Bahamas to investigate and meets Largo’s mistress, Domino, who helps him find the stolen weapons. The film is famous for its extensive underwater action sequences, including a climactic battle between Bond and Largo’s men. It was a massive box office success and won an Academy Award for its special visual effects.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

IMDb Score: 7.0

In his third outing, Roger Moore’s James Bond investigates the disappearance of British and Soviet submarines carrying nuclear missiles. He teams up with a KGB agent, Major Anya Amasova, whose lover Bond had killed on a previous mission. Their investigation leads them to a shipping tycoon named Karl Stromberg.

Stromberg plans to use the stolen submarines to destroy New York and Moscow, triggering a nuclear war that will allow him to create a new civilization under the sea. The film is known for introducing the iconic henchman Jaws, a giant with steel teeth. It was highly praised and is often considered one of the best films of the Roger Moore era.

GoldenEye (1995)

IMDb Score: 7.2

This film introduced Pierce Brosnan as the new James Bond and revitalized the franchise after a six-year hiatus. The story involves a powerful satellite weapon system known as GoldenEye, which is stolen by a Russian crime syndicate. Bond’s investigation leads him to a former MI6 agent and friend, Alec Trevelyan, who was presumed dead.

Trevelyan plans to use GoldenEye to cause a global financial meltdown by targeting London. Bond joins forces with a Russian computer programmer, Natalya Simonova, to stop him. The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its modern take on the character and its thrilling action sequences.

Dr. No (1962)

IMDb Score: 7.2

This is the very first James Bond film, which introduced Sean Connery in the iconic role. Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the death of a British agent. His investigation leads him to the mysterious Dr. No, who operates from a private island called Crab Key.

Dr. No is a member of the criminal organization SPECTRE and is plotting to disrupt the American space program with a powerful radio beam. The film established many of the series’ recurring elements, including the famous gun barrel opening sequence, the “Bond, James Bond” introduction, and the character of M, the head of MI6. It was a huge success and launched one of the most enduring film franchises.

From Russia with Love (1963)

IMDb Score: 7.3

Sean Connery’s second outing as James Bond is a spy thriller that many consider one of the series’ best. The criminal organization SPECTRE plans to steal a Soviet decoding machine called the Lektor. As part of their plan, they trick a beautiful Soviet clerk named Tatiana Romanova into believing she is on a mission to help Bond obtain the device.

SPECTRE’s real goal is to get revenge on Bond for killing their agent, Dr. No, and to sell the Lektor back to the Soviets. The film is known for its tense plot, a brutal fight scene on the Orient Express, and the introduction of SPECTRE’s mastermind, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, although his face is not shown.

No Time to Die (2021)

IMDb Score: 7.3

Daniel Craig’s fifth and final film as James Bond finds the agent retired from active service. His peaceful life is interrupted when his old friend from the CIA, Felix Leiter, asks for his help. The mission is to rescue a kidnapped scientist, which turns out to be far more dangerous than expected.

The rescue mission leads Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain named Lyutsifer Safin, who is armed with a dangerous new technology. Safin has developed a nanobot weapon that can target specific individuals based on their DNA. Bond must confront secrets from his past and make a great sacrifice to save the world from this new threat.

Goldfinger (1964)

IMDb Score: 7.7

This third James Bond film, starring Sean Connery, is often considered the quintessential entry in the series. Bond investigates a gold magnate named Auric Goldfinger, who is suspected of smuggling gold. The investigation uncovers a much larger plot: Goldfinger plans to irradiate the United States’ gold reserve at Fort Knox.

This act would make his own gold supply much more valuable. The film introduced many iconic elements to the franchise, including the Aston Martin DB5 equipped with gadgets, the memorable henchman Oddjob, and a laser beam scene. It was a massive commercial success and solidified the Bond series as a cultural phenomenon.

Skyfall (2012)

IMDb Score: 7.8

Daniel Craig’s third film as James Bond delves into the agent’s past and his relationship with M. After a mission goes wrong, Bond is presumed dead, and M is left to deal with the political fallout. When MI6’s headquarters are attacked, Bond returns to service to hunt down the man responsible.

The villain is Raoul Silva, a former MI6 agent who was captured and tortured after being given up by M. Seeking personal revenge, Silva launches an all-out assault on M, leading to a climactic showdown at Bond’s childhood home, Skyfall. The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its stunning cinematography, strong villain, and emotional depth.

Casino Royale (2006)

IMDb Score: 8.0

This film marked a new beginning for the James Bond series, introducing Daniel Craig in the lead role. It reboots the franchise, showing Bond at the start of his career as a 00 agent. His first mission sends him to a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, where he must defeat Le Chiffre, a private banker to terrorists.

With the help of a treasury agent named Vesper Lynd, Bond must win the game to bankrupt Le Chiffre. The film presents a more vulnerable and gritty version of Bond, focusing on his character development and his relationship with Vesper. Casino Royale was widely praised by critics and audiences for its realistic action and compelling story, making it the highest-rated James Bond film on IMDb.