James Bond Ranked - from Worst to Best to Very Best.
By Jon Therkildsen
Of course, this article is in no shape or form important. We all have completely different opinions, and it seems often tainted by whoever it was we grew up with. I would be a fool to think this has not colored my view in some way. And yet, I feel an urge to share my list of Bonds.
Worst
Pierce Brosnan, Irishman
1995 - 2002
Starring in four movies, over seven years. Started the role at 42 years old, and retired at 49 years young.
GoldenEye (1995) - Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) - The World Is Not Enough (1999) - Die Another Day (2002)
He is a great charismatic actor, but I find his Bond comes off a little bland and not really good or bad, or especially intriguing. Not sure why he is the worst (and in a list of greats, being worst is not bad). He has the looks and can clearly act. We may partly blame the movies or the weather. In the end, he proved not to be the personification we will remember.
If I can say anything, he is the generic choice that checks all the boxes, and perhaps this is why it never quite worked.
Brosnan’s best Bond movie: "GoldenEye” (1995).
Brosnan’s worst Bond movie: "Die Another Day” (2002).
SECOND WORST
Daniel Craig, Englishman
2006 - 2021
15 years, in five movies. Longest consecutively running Bond of them all. Got the reins at 38 years old, and let them go at 53.
Casino Royale (2006) - Quantum of Solace (2008) - Skyfall (2012) - Spectre (2015) - No Time to Die (2021)
Daniel Craig gives us a very solid action hero who can cry, but apart from that, I do not see that “je ne sais quoi,” which the Bond character demands. He surely radiates badassness like few, but he is just not enough in the whole package of what and who James Bond is.
He seems to be quite unhappy playing the part, and this shows in his performance and so work against the character of Bond… or the very least, how I see Bond; Bond loves being Bond, and Craig did not get that memo.
Craig’s best Bond movie: "Casino Royale” (2006).
Craig’s worst Bond movie: "Spectre” (2015).
FOURTH BEST
George Lazenby, Australian
1969 -1969
Accepted just one movie because he thought the franchise was going nowhere. He replaced Sean Connery and was replaced by Sean Connery. At only 31 years old (or 29 when they started filming it), he comes in as the youngest to ever play him on the silver screen.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Famous for not being famous and not being an actor or very good at predicting cinema trends. George Lazenby and his Bond has a unique balance of the crude Connery Bond and the friendlier Roger Moore Bond, and he does it surprisingly well. A shame we never got the chance to see where he would have taken the character, but what we saw worked.
Lazenby’s best Bond movie is also his worst, but it is great: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969).
THIRD BEST
Timothy Dalton, Welshman
1985 -1987
Just two movies, and in a time where cinema was flooded by all sorts of fantastic action movies. Or began to be flooded, because it would seem it never ended. Started at 41 years old, and stopped at just 43.
The Living Daylights (1987) - Licence to Kill (1989)
To most non-fans, Timothy Dalton is often ignored. Not fair, as his Bond at the very least holds a strong candle to the two original greats. He brings James Bond well into the eighties and grounds the character in a way we had never seen. Both movies rock, and if anything he was perhaps a tad too real, if something like that can even be a criticism.
Dalton’s best Bond movie: "The Living Daylights” (1987).
Dalton’s worst Bond movie: "Licence to Kill" (1989).
THE BEST
Sean Connery, Scotsman
1962 -1967, 1971 & 1983.
Portrayed the character over a combined period of 21 years in six official movies, and one unofficial. His official era lasted only five years, but he came back in 1971, and again in 1983 this time to star in "Never Say Never Again" (1983) - an unofficial James Bond movie. That was the same year Roger Moore showed us the official “Octopussy” (1983) - in case you wonder, Roger’s won the box office.
Dr. No (1962) - From Russia with Love (1963) - Goldfinger (1964) - Thunderball (1965) - You Only Live Twice (1967) - break - Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - break - Never Say Never Again (1983, unofficial)
Sean Connery is everybody's favorite, and mine too. He introduced the character to the world as just a 31-year-old kid, and few could have done it better. He ended at the age of 53 (however, compared to Daniel Craig ending at the same age, he certainly didn't look it, and not in the good way). The official end was when he was 37 years old, and then again 41 years old after Lazenby's' one-off try.
He had the fortune of being in some of the best Bond movies (and stories) ever (and a two of the worst). I can say nothing more that has not already been said a million times. He was great.
Connery’s Best Bond Movie: "From Russia With Love" (1963).
Connery’s Worst Bond Movie: "Diamonds Are Forever” (1971), a tie with “Never Say Never Again” (1983).
THE VERY BEST
Roger Moore, Englishman
1973 -1985
007 movies on his belt, moore than any other, over a period of 12 years. Got the part at 46 years old, the oldest of any new Bond, and left the part at 58 years old, the oldest of any Bond.
Live and Let Die (1973) - The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) - Moonraker (1979) - For Your Eyes Only (1981) - Octopussy (1983) - A View to a Kill (1985)
Think what you will about the “Live and Let Die” (1973) movie, but the Bond we first time meet here is, in my opinion, the real Bond. Never has he been better portrayed with such class, finesse, ruthless determinism, and mysticism. I believe we see the same Bond in “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974), and, to a degree, also in “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977), and “A View To A Kill” (1985). He simply does it to perfection.
For whatever reason, I see more debt and mystical balance in the Bond that Roger Moore introduces to us. Beside Connery’s early Bonds, no other Bonds come close.
Roger is often cited for being the more lighthearted version, and this is true if we focus on but a few of his later installments. But that too can be said of Connery, yet it is mostly his first movies he is remembered by. If we look at all of his movies, Roger Moore is the very best, consistently, and plays the character in a very tough and cynical way - the way he is meant to be portrayed.
Moore’s Best Bond Movie: "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977).
Moore’s Worst Bond Movie: "Octopussy" (1983).
The true spirit of Bond, and his almost magical presence and serene allurement was never better than Connery and Moore. I have watched them all chronologically over a short period of time, and from my fresh perspective the Bond I saw in "Live and Let Die" blew me away - and I wasn't expecting it.
BOND TRIVIA
Number of official Bond movies: Roger Moore (7 movies) - Sean Connery (6 movies) - Daniel Craig (5 movies) - Pierce Brosnan (4 movies) - Timothy Dalton (2 movies) - George Lazenby (1 movie).
Period of playing the character: Daniel Craig (15 years) - Roger Moore (12 years) - Pierce Brosnan (7 years) - Sean Connery (5+1 years) - Timothy Dalton (3 years) - George Lazenby (1 year).
Beginning Age - young to old: George Lazenby (29 when filming began) - Sean Connery (31) - Daniel Craig (38) - Timothy Dalton (41) Pierce Brosnan (42) - Roger Moore (46).
Ending Age - old to young: Roger Moore (58) - Daniel Craig (53) - Pierce Brosnan (49) - Timothy Dalton (43) - Sean Connery (37 and then 41) - George Lazenby (31).
Most number of kills in a movie: Daniel Craig (235, Spectre) - Roger Moore (64, Octopussy) - Pierce Brosnan (34, Goldeneye) - Sean Connery (21, You Only Live Twice) - Timothy Dalton (10, in either of his movies) - George Lazenby (6, On Her Majesty's Secret Service).
Least number of kills in a movie: Roger Moore (1, The Man with the Golden Gun) - George Lazenby (6, On Her Majesty's Secret Service) - Sean Connery (7, Dr. No) - Timothy Dalton (10, in either of his movies) - Daniel Craig (11, Casino Royale) - Pierce Brosnan (21, The World is Not Enough).
Most number of bedded women in a movie: Sean Connery (4, From Russia With Love) - Roger Moore (4, A View To A Kill) - George Lazenby (3, On Her Majesty's Secret Service) - Pierce Brosnan (3, Tomorrow Never Dies) - Timothy Dalton (2, The Living Daylights) - Daniel Craig (2, Skyfall).
Number of “shaken not stirred” lines spoken by a Bond: Sean Connery (1 time, Goldfinger) - George Lazenby (never) - Roger Moore (never) - Timothy Dalton (2 times, one in each movie) - Pierce Brosnan (2 times, GoldenEye & The World in Not Enough) - Daniel Craig (1 time, Skyfall).
JAmes Bond movies ranked from best to worst
1: From Russia with Love (1963)
Embody the perfect spy thriller, with an agent not like any other. The best of them all. Holds today as it did then.
2: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The movie has everything that makes Bond movies special, and the Bond in it is rarely better portrayed. It doesn't beat the one above in timelessness, but almost. If only one movie should personify the Bond universe, this is it.
3: Dr. No (1962)
Bond is at his best, and it is clear to see why it began the whole franchise. The story-plot lacks in comparison to the ones above, but it is still great.
4: Live and Let Die (1973)
Bond performs better and more cynical than in most, all wrapped in a story which pushed the envelope like never before. Even a pioneer in certain areas. The story is not perfection, but it delivers the full package.
5: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
It doesn’t beat the competition as it never quite nails the perfect Bond tone as they do. That said, it is a real pleasure to watch.
6: Casino Royale (2006)
A solid action and spy thriller movie. Everything works. It can’t score higher, as it lacks in the Bond tone of fantastic storytelling.
7: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Bond is ruthless, and yet he kills only one guy. Quite the unusual movie, but adds to the franchise and gives us a unique insight into the world of Bond. It stands out, indeed, but it stands well.
8: The Living Daylights (1987)
It doesn’t work as well as it should, but it works well — close call. Has an interesting mix of seriousness and fantastical scenes. A generic gold standard Bond movie.
9: Goldfinger (1964)
Iconic. It is not higher on the list because it is remembered better than what it actually is. The story doesn't quite add up and is a bit of a mess, but it introduces and, in a way, cement the Bond universe in ways that define it even to this day. It demands respect.
10: Moonraker (1979)
Action upon action, taking us all over the world and even into space. A bonanza, consistently. Great fun and often unfairly panned. It is a solid Bond movie, except for a few moments pushing it down. Truly fantastical, and its form help define the franchise.
11: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Usually considered higher and has some truly iconic scenes in it, and a great ending. Bond is amazing. However, it loses a top ten spot due to a few silly scenes that desn’t fit well into its narration and story. Very good, but a bit inconsistent.
12: You Only Live Twice (1967)
Bond, dressed as a Japanese worker, is as silly as it sounds. However, it is iconic and marvelous. Its campiness is often a source for many Bond inspired comedies and spoofs.
13: Skyfall (2012)
Very well done, but its plot (and villain’s plan) is so ridiculous (and impossible) it can’t score higher than this.
14: A View to a Kill (1985)
An aged and experienced Bond, wrapped in a story written in the 80’ies (and belongs in the 80ies). We are not ready for an old Bond or an 80’ies Bond, and this pushes it down the list. But, that aside, and the story actually works.
15: Thunderball (1965)
Solid and should be among the top, but it comes out as a bit flat and slow.
16: GoldenEye (1995)
Interesting action movie, and does have great Bond moments in it. However, not quite as well as any of the above. Alas.
17: Licence to Kill (1989)
An 80’ies revenge movie. Not a Bond movie. Done well, but lacks the tone.
18: Quantum of Solace (2008)
Well made action movie. Overall it is irrelevant and doesn’t add anything. Better than what many say, though.
19: Octopussy (1983)
Many unnecessary silly scenes, and also a few iconic scenes. The story is a mess, the Bond character disrespected at times, and yet an entertaining and fun watch.
20: Spectre (2015)
Ambitious. Dull. Overly pretentious.
21: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Lacks soul. Has this Sunday-afternoon-tv-movie feel about it. The story is though clearly a generic type Bond story, and so ... exist
22: The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Lost. Bland. Entertaining. Contradictory it may sound, but it doesn't quite hit the mark on any front.
23: Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Fatigue. Dangerously close to being silly for no reason. Smells of the Cannonball Run movies, and it shouldn’t. Still fun, though.
24: Die Another Day (2002)
Really amazing beginning, so much potential, but goes quickly over the top…. far far over the top.
25: Never Say Never Again (1983, unofficial)
Cash-grab. Senseless scenes. Entertaining still, but heartbreaking to watch.
OUT OF CATEGORY: CASINO ROYAL (1967, PARODY)
Got all the pomp and circumstance of a 60ies Bond movie, but since it is a satire-parody of the franchise, it is out of the league-category. It deserves a mentioning as it is rightfully based on official material (Ian Flemings first book of the same name) and so has a legal version of James Bond in it - unlike other spoofs not listed here.