Every 'Bond' Film Ever, Ranked

Esquire ^ | Oct 7, 2021 | Chris Nashawaty

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Over the past six decades, the 007 franchise has put its stamp on cinema like no other movie run of films. Arriving in the midst of the Cold War, it invented and continued to define the Hollywood action movie. There were groovy gadgets, sensational set pieces, luscious locales, sinister seductresses, venomous villains, and, of course, Bond…James Bond as the straw that stirs the drink (a vodka martini shaken not stirred, naturally).

During that time, only six men have played the British superspy, and each brought their own unique interpretation to the role—often for good, occasionally for ill. Now on the eve of the franchise’s 25th installment, Daniel Craig’s final 007 outing No Time To Die, Esquire went back and ranked the entire series from worst to best.

So sit back, grab a cocktail (you know which kind…), and see if your opinion lines up with ours.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Rog had his moments. “For Your Eyes Only” was his best outing after the “Moonraker” cartoon.

[fieldmarshaldj]

And what is your cup of tea exactly ?

[cuban leaf]

My problem with Moore was that he never seemed like he was really at risk. It was sort of always done with a wink. One of the things I really loved about the Craig movies is that you got a feelong of his honest belief that this particular event could be his end, but he pushed through anyway and was successful.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I do know what you mean. Rog was playing Bond like he was still doing Simon Templar (The Saint). I still think FYEO showed more of a serious side to him, and didn’t have any particularly ludicrous storylines.

When I was a poster back on the James Bond newsgroup in the late ‘90s, I was a particularly harsh critic of Brosnan. I cited he was taking the worst aspects of Roger Moore’s Bond and making them a comical farce (in a boat chase in London where he adjusted his tie while under water). The producers actually read what we wrote ! I may have been responsible for the suggestion of casting Denise Richards (hot off of “Wild Things”), as I openly had a thing for her at the time.

I strongly suggested then Brosnan’s successor be a more serious individual (I personally wanted Clive Owen) without the teeth-gritting smarminess and smugness that was like his Remington Steele on steroids. I had no idea they would go the Red Grant as Bond route with Daniel Craig (although I think Robert Shaw had a lot more class and charm).