Since iconic author Ian Fleming wrote his firstJames Bondnovel back in 1953, his titular character and the media franchise it spawned have gone on to become legendary. Before his death in 1964, Fleming personally authored 12 novels in the series and two short story collections — and his life outside of writing wasmore impressive than his fictional character. There’s also since been eight other authorized writers who have contributed further novels, with a spin-off series dedicated to the character Moneypenny also featuring among them.
With the latest novel being published as recently as 2022, there’s always been a wealth of source material to keep drawing from for new films. This is fortunate since it’s the James Bond films which have usually garnered the most fanaticism and media attention. Known by his code name 007, the character has been played by a host of legendary actors, featured in 25 films produced by Eon Productions, and two others that were made independently of the main film series.
Given the sheer size of the film franchise, it may not always be obvious how to watch them in order. While the films weren’t necessarily released according to the order of the books, for convenience, we’ve curated a list of all the James Bond films in chronological order of their release date. Withmore upcoming films plannedand the holidays coming up, for anyone looking to catch up with this amazing film series, this is how you can watch every 007 movie in order.
Dr. No (1962)
One of the main allures of the James Bond film franchise over the years has centered around its casting. With iconic actors and actresses being involved with various projects, it’s always been a source of intrigue overwho the next Bond will be. However, it isn’t just the title character who inspires fascination among fans. Bond films have also inspired many questions: what will the main theme song be, which famous artist will sing it, who the new ‘Bond girls’ will be, what new gadgets, cars, and tech will be featured, and who the new villain will be.
Succession’s Brian Cox “Always Wanted To Play Bond Villain”
007: Road to a Million star Brian Cox is fulfilling his dream of playing a James Bond villain thanks to the upcoming game show.
Back in 1962, the first ever Bond film to be released wasDr. No. Screen legendSean Connery immortalized himselfas the first actor to ever play the character on film and is almost alwaysconsidered the best Bond.Dr. Nowas initially not well received, with critics knocking it for its vulgarity and sexualized themes. Nevertheless, the film now holds cult status among fans. It saw Bond take on the mysterious villain known as Dr. No, who was a genius hell-bent on destroying the American space program. The action took Bond to Jamaica where he encountered the enthralling Honey Ryder.
What Makes it a Great Bond Film?
Although the first film,Dr. Nowasn’t the first book written by Fleming. But it worked well as the first film adaptation and set into motion a movie franchise that has now spanned an incredible six decades. Aside from Connery’s iconic portrayal, the film also pioneered many of the famous recurring tropes that are still in use today. Ursula Andress was also captivating asthe first Bond girl, although as a Swiss-German actress and model, her spoken dialogue was dubbed in the film. Joseph Wiseman set the tone as the first villain, and the SPECTRE organization (Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) was first introduced here, and would famously go on to show up in other Bond films, right up until modern day. A true classic of cinema, it’s since been reappraised and is now a revered movie.
Stream on Prime Video
From Russia With Love (1963)
From Russia With Love
Following on the next year,From Russia with Loveagain featured Connery as Bond. The story was a direct sequel toDr. Noand this time, saw SPECTRE seeking revenge against 007 for taking out their man in the first film. Bond’s proclivity for adventures in many exotic destinations around the world would become a fixture of his stories, and this one provided an early indication of how exciting such plots could be as Bond travels to Turkey, featuring a ride on the famous Orient Express train.
The beautiful Italian actress and former Miss Italy Daniella Bianchi stepped into the role of the Bond girl for this one, as she played Tatiana Romanova in the film. She again set the kind of standards that would make this recurring role one ofthe most coveted female roles in future films, and immortalize many actresses who would later also play Bond girls. This film was also Sean Connery’s personal favorite of the series and featured some iconic moments. Among them was the famous shoe knife, which was based on an actual weapon used by real life KGB operatives at the time.
Goldfinger (1964)
Goldfinger
Without a doubt one of the most iconic Bond films of all time,Goldfingerwas another globetrotting adventure for 007. This one took him from Miami and Kentucky, to the beautiful roads of Switzerland as he battled a gold-obsessed villain.Another successful outing for Conneryas Bond, it would cement him as undoubtedly the quintessential 007, since he epitomized so many of the traits that subsequent actors would later replicate.
Between the action and stunts, the unforgettable villain, and some sweeping visuals throughout,Goldfingerwas easily one of the most memorable Bond films. The titillating character Pussy Galore appeared in this film, and its defining moment came when Shirley Eaton’s character was encased in gold, making for one of the most striking visuals in cinematic history. The film was also entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the fastest grossing movie in history at the time.
Thunderball (1965)
Thunderball
One of the most ambitious of the Bond films,Thunderballtook place in the Bahamas, which provided a beautiful setting for its action and intrigue. SPECTRE are back in this one, and this time Connery’s Bond has to avert nuclear catastrophe after they hijack two nuclear warheads from a NATO plane.
What Makes it a Great Bond Film?
Thunderballis one of the most financially successful Bond films of all time when adjusted for inflation. Sean Connery was in fine form again, and the film featured ambitious novelty, with up to a quarter of it being shot underwater.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
You Only Live Twice
Again featuring the infamous SPECTRE,You Only Live Twicesaw Bond thrown directly into the Cold War as he has to stop the evil organization’s plans to escalate the conflict into WWIII. A high stakes game afoot, the plot of this one very deftly merged the intrigue of the spy world with geopolitics, touching on themes that defined the political times it was made in.
The Best James Bond Movies to Watch if You’ve Never Seen One Before
Not sure where to start with the James Bond franchise? Here are the best films to watch if you’ve never seen a Bond movie before.
Featuring a story loosely adapted from a Fleming novel, the screenplay was written by the legendary writer Roald Dahl,who was also a spy. With much of the film set in Japan, this gave Bond the chance to indulge his philandering ways a lot more, and the film featured plenty of raunchy appeal. While it was these kinds of hedonistic scenes that would later earn Connery and his Bond films a misogynistic reputation (not helped in any way by Connery’s own infamous comments at times), back then, characters like Bond were seen as the epitome of virility andstrong male leads.
Casino Royale (1967)
Decades before Daniel Craigs’s Bond film of the same name made this title famous, there was another film adaptation of it. 1967’sCasino Royalewas based on Ian Fleming’s first novel and the film was one of only two Bond films that wasn’t produced by Eon Productions. The film wasakin to a spoof version of Bond. More of a spy parody with plenty of comedic edges, David Niven played the original character from Fleming’s novel, Sir James Bond 007, as he comes out of retirement to investigate the mysterious deaths of international spies.
Funny andfeaturing a stellar cast, the film made for a great change of pace from the usual seriousness of James Bond films. With Bond trying to bedazzle his foes by utilizing fake versions of himself, there were tons of opportunities for some lightheartedness. Ursula Andress returned in the film, but it also featured the likes of Peter Sellers and Woody Allen amid its highly talented ensemble cast.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
James Bond tracks Blofeld to a Swiss mountain clinic, where the villain is brainwashing women to distribute biological weapons. Bond teams up with Tracy di Vicenzo, the daughter of a crime boss, to thwart Blofeld’s plan. Their partnership turns romantic, culminating in Bond’s unexpected marriage to Tracy.
By 1969, the character returned once again to the mainstream film series.On Her Majesty’s Secret Serviceremains an infamous entry though, and was the only film to feature George Lazenby as 007 (Connery had apparently retired from playing the character). Although based on Fleming’s 1963 novel, this film saw a decidedly different plot, one in which Bond falls in love and even gets married. Although tragedy strikes, it’s often been heavily criticized for departing from the tropes Bond purists loved most about the character.
Not much to be honest. As the dubious film that stuck out from the rest in all the wrong ways,Lazenby also came under criticismsince he decided early on that this would be his only outing as the character. The film also featured far fewer gadgets and a far more somber tone; probably why it never quite felt like a classic Bond film. Nevertheless, it remains part of the original film series, though one most fans would like to forget ever happened — a tragedy really, since Lazenby is widely regarded as a fantastic actor who had a stellar career apart from his one ill-fated outing as Bond.
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Diamonds Are Forever
After the fiasco of the previous film,Diamonds are Foreversaw Connery return to play Bond. This time, 007 headed to Vegas as he pursued a diamond smuggling ring. His investigations reveal that the syndicate actually have a far more nefarious purpose than simply reselling the precious stones.
As an icon of the film series, Shirley Bassey returned to perform the theme song for this one, and the result became one ofthe most iconic Bond songsof all. Bond’s gadgets for this one included a fake fingerprint that attached to his thumb, and some cool uses of doppelgangers to add to all the intrigue.
Live and Let Die (1973)
Live and Let Die
The first film to feature Roger Moore as 007,Live and Let Diebecame another iconic entry to the series. Rather than seeing Bond taking on an international villain, this time he took on a drug trafficking ring that put him on a direct collision course with a villain initially known as Mr. Big. Set in places like Harlem and focusing on the heroin epidemic there, the film saw a drastic cultural shift as it took place during the infamous Blaxploitation era.
While in retrospect the film is now deemed offensive and one that reveled in stereotypes, back then it was an attempt at being progressive. Among its highlights was the fact that it was the first time the series ever featured an African American Bond girl, played by Gloria Hendry. It also saw an unforgettable turn by Jane Seymour as the mysterious character Solitaire.
Idris Elba Rules Himself Out as Next James Bond: ‘I’m Not Going to be That Guy’
Idris Elba says he is too committed to Luther to play James Bond.
While Sean Connery had seemingly owned the role of Bond for so many years,Roger Moore proved to be just as magneticin the role, and himself became many fans' favorite actor to ever play 007. Given the fame of the previous film’s title song, this one found a way to up the ante as it featured the legendary Paul McCartney this time, whose song for the film has now become an iconic track in its own right.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Man with the Golden Gun
A year on from his first time as Bond, Roger Moore returned to play him again inThe Man with the Golden Gun. Another sweeping international adventure, Bond has to trace a mysterious golden bullet that’s been marked with “007”. His investigations take him across the Middle East and Asia, from Beirut to Bangkok, as he eventually faces off with the master assassin known as Scaramanga.
Moore’s suave performance cemented him as another iconic Bond actor. Coming at the height of the Kung-Fu crazes of the era and the 1973 energy crisis, the film tied in some great themes that played on these angles.
