The Best James Bond Movies Ranked
Welcome to our definitive ranking of the best James Bond movies, a thrilling ride through espionage, exotic locations, and unforgettable showdowns. In the spirit of fair representation, our ranking isn’t based on our opinion or the whims of a few select critics, but rather, the audience scores from the widely acknowledged Rotten Tomatoes‘ Audience Scores. After all, Bond is a hero for the masses, not just the critics.
We firmly believe that the collective voice of the audience, even though it’s more of a younger voice on the Internet, accurately encapsulates the pulse of a movie. Not that we disregard the critics entirely – they provide insightful, nuanced perspectives that often shine a spotlight on overlooked aspects of a movie. Yet, the broader consensus formed by countless fans worldwide ultimately offers the most balanced verdict.
That said, it’s worth noting that we may not personally concur with every ranking. Our intent here is to spark conversations, invite debates, and encourage you to revisit these iconic movies with a fresh lens. So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare to journey into the world of 007, as we present the James Bond movies ranked by the people, for the people.
The Best James Bond Movies Ranked from 25th to 1st
Now, let’s delve into the heart of our countdown. The Best James Bond Movies, starting with the lowest ranked. As we traverse this list, from the least to most loved, remember that every movie holds a special place in the cinematic universe of James Bond.
And the ranking does not negate the movie’s contribution to the franchise but provides a measure of how well it resonated with the audience. Anyway, let’s commence this exciting journey.
>> Rent or Buy The James Bond Collection on Amazon Prime <<
25th Place : A View to a Kill (1985)
With a low Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 40%, we find A View to a Kill at 25th place. This movie, marking the conclusion of Roger Moore’s stint as Bond, centers around Bond’s quest to uncover the sinister intentions behind Zorin Industries.
This leads him to the ruthless Max Zorin, owner of the company, and his nefarious plan to obliterate Silicon Valley, seizing control over the global microchip market.
Bond, alongside Stacey Sutton, a woman harboring a deep-seated grudge against Zorin, works tirelessly to dismantle this menacing plan. An unexpected ally comes in the form of May Day, whose valiant sacrifice plays a pivotal role in stopping Zorin’s malevolent plot.
A View to a Kill might be voted the lowest of all Bond movies (we don’t agree that it’s the worst), but it’s replete with memorable moments, such as Bond chasing the legendary May Day across the streets of Paris and an adrenaline-fueled chase across the bustling streets of San Francisco aboard a stolen fire truck.
24th Place: Die Another Day (2002)
In the 24th place, just nudging ahead with a Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 41%, is Pierce Brosnan’s final turn as Bond in Die Another Day. The narrative embarks on a whirlwind adventure as 007 infiltrates a North Korean base led by Colonel Tan-Sun Moon, engaged in an illicit arms-for-diamonds trade.
Having been stripped of his 00 status, Bond embarks on a quest for redemption and retribution against the formidable Zao. His journey leads him to Cuba, where he discovers a gene therapy clinic and meets the seductive NSA Agent Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson.
Bond’s investigations link the conflict diamonds to the British magnate Gustav Graves, who, in a stunning revelation, is revealed to be Colonel Moon, altered by gene therapy. In a race against time, Bond and Jinx must dismantle Moon’s plan to employ his solar satellite, Icarus, to wreak havoc on Western nations and facilitate a North Korean offensive against South Korea and Japan.
Die Another Day isn’t the best, but it has some memorable moments, including the tense hovercraft chase through a minefield, the car chase across a frozen Icelandic lake, and a thrilling climax aboard Graves’ plummeting aircraft.
23rd Place: Moonraker (1979)
In at a lowly 23rd spot with a Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 43%, Moonraker propels Bond into a high-stakes investigation of a hijacked Space Shuttle from Drax Industries.
This mission brings him into contact with Hugo Drax, the company’s proprietor, and CIA Agent Dr. Holly Goodhead. As Bond delves deeper, he stumbles upon Drax’s genocidal scheme to obliterate humanity using a lethal nerve gas, while he and his genetically enhanced followers thrive in a covert space city.
The towering, metal-mouthed henchman Jaws is back for the second movie, and once again becomes a formidable adversary for Bond starting with the opening skydiving scene. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Jaws switches sides, aiding Bond in thwarting Drax’s plot, demolishing his space station, and saving humanity.
The movie isn’t the best, but there’s a worse from Moore in our opinion. As with all Bond movies, there’s some memorable moments, such as the high-octane freefall battle between Bond and Jaws, Bond’s close call with a deadly python neutralized by a wristwatch dart gun, the unlikely romance between Jaws and the charming Dolly, and a zero-gravity amorous encounter between Bond and Goodhead, amusingly broadcasted to MI6 and other high-ranking viewers.
22nd Place: Octopussy (1983)
Securing the 22nd position with a Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 47% is Octopussy. Although this ranking is based on public opinion, if I were to personally weigh in, I’d rank this as the franchise’s least impressive offering, but who am I to say?
In this installment, James Bond 007 delves into the mystery of a slain agent found clutching a Fabergé egg. The investigation steers him into a bidding war with the exiled Afghan prince, Kamal Khan, in London. Bond tracks Khan to Delhi, where he stumbles upon the enigmatic Octopussy, the leader of the Octopus cult.
As the narrative unravels, Bond uncovers a conspiracy hatched by Soviet General Orlov and Khan. Their intricate scheme involves smuggling Soviet treasures into the West, replacing them with forgeries, and planning to detonate a stolen nuclear bomb at a US airbase in Germany. The aim is to trigger Europe’s nuclear disarmament and pave the way for a Soviet invasion.
After a nail-biting climax, where Bond defuses the bomb in the nick of time, he and Octopussy confront Khan in Delhi. While it has many shortcomings and some ridiculous moments, Octopussy does host a handful of memorable scenes, like the rickshaw chase through a bustling Indian market, and Magda‘s sensational departure.
>> Rent or Buy The James Bond Collection on Amazon Prime <<
21st Place: The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Placed 21st with a Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 49% is The World is Not Enough. In this tale of oil, money, and terrorism, James Bond is charged with securing a vast sum of money, ensuring the safety of oil heiress Elektra King, and neutralizing the malevolent plans of the terrorist Renard.
The movie starts with a thrilling escape scene in Bilbao, Spain, where Bond employs a flash grenade to evade an assassination attempt. Later, he engages in an exhilarating chase down the River Thames, pursuing the Cigar Girl, who had earlier assassinated a Swiss banker.
As the plot thickens, Bond exposes a conspiracy encompassing the murder of oil tycoon Robert King, the abduction of his daughter Elektra, and Renard’s master plan to monopolize the oil industry by detonating a nuclear bomb in Istanbul. On this dangerous mission, Bond aligns with Dr. Christmas Jones, a nuclear physicist, to unravel Renard’s plot and avert global disaster.
I’m surorised this movie only has 49% Audience rating, as it has many memorable moments, including the gripping boat chase along the River Thames, Bond’s BMW meeting its demise at the hands of helicopter-borne circular saws, and the poignant farewell of actor Desmond Llewelyn as the beloved Q, leaving Bond with some parting wisdom.
