How to Watch the James Bond 007 Movies in Order | Man of Many

so you’ve decided to watch all the james bond movies in order. but what order according to the original novels (i.e. the chronology of the story)? in order of release date? That’s the question and we can’t think of a better time to answer it, as we all wait… and wait… and wait… for “no time to die” to hit some kind of screen. seriously, any screen will do.

The beautiful thing about watching all the james bond movies, in order or randomly, is that you end up covering a whole spectrum of styles and paradigms. this franchise dates back to the early 1960s, after all, and has come a long way since then. so has the art of blockbuster cinema, which continues to pick up the pace and add to the spectacle.

Not to mention the character itself. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, James Bond has undergone drastic changes in both his physical appearance and his outward behavior. To see the first deliveries is to witness certain misogynistic anachronisms, for example, that have not exactly aged well. on the other hand, some of those same movies are among the best in the entire series, so take what you want from that.

As we mentioned earlier, there is more than one way to watch James Bond movies in order. We’ll start with the most classic method and then cover some alternative methods. try one or try them all and then dive right into “no time to die” now that it’s officially launched. So listen to John Barry’s intro music and grab the popcorn because we’re going to dig deep into this iconic franchise. Here are the James Bond movies in various orders.

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james bond movies in release order

Our first list of James Bond movies is the most traditional, as it goes by initial release date. that takes us back to 1962 and then to the present day. Spanning more than five decades, the franchise struggles vicariously in a series of styles, performances, hits and misses. here we go.

1. dr not (1962)

Shot on a low budget and slightly rough, the first bond film nonetheless became a critical and commercial success. Played by Sean Connery, Agent 007 heads to Jamaica to track down a missing British agent. Once there, he is confronted by the ghost agent Dr. no, a mad scientist with metal hands. We also meet bond girl Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), who emerges from the sea.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: terence young box office: 59.5 million dollars

2. from russia with love (1963)

Bond’s second film expands on the spectrum and cements the evil organization as a recurring motif. it also features a number of franchise stalwarts, including: a pre-credits scene, a theme song, bonus devices, a helicopter sequence, and an action-based denouement after the story’s climax.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: terence young box office: 79 million dollars

3. golden finger (1964)

bond’s third appearance on the big screen is one of his best, if not his best. Perfecting the formula, it comes packed with Bond girls (including the legendary Pussy Galore, played by Honor Blackman), gadgets, memorable villains, chauvinistic overtones, John Barry’s raucous score, stylish opening credits and more. those who watch the bonus movies in order could very well start their journey here, in case they want to cut the experience short.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: guy hamilton box office: 125 million dollars

4. ball of thunder (1965)

“Who works for number 2?!” That reference to Austin’s powers could also belong in this popular bonus movie, which goes up the specter ladder and stops at boss #2. Under his supervision, the evil organization threatens nuclear destruction if they don’t get hold of £100 million worth of diamonds. meanwhile, dr. the forerunner of evil ernst stavro blofeld—loosely introduced in the previous film—appears once again in silhouette. he becomes a more familiar presence in later outings.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: terence young box office: $141.2 million

5. casino royale (1967) unofficial

Not to be confused with Daniel Craig’s James Bond film of the same name, this poorly aged parody strings together various spy tropes. Loosely adapted from Ian Fleming’s novel, it pits Sir James Bond (David Niven) against the Smersh criminal organization. present this one in “only for completionists”, although it did include some big names both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

actor playing bond: david niven director: john huston, ken hughes, robert parrish, joseph mcgrath, guest val box office: 41 .7 million dollars

6. you only live twice (1967)

“The Simpsons” fans will recognize this title, which was later parodied as “You Only Move Twice”. He finally reveals the true identity of spectral leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Donald Pleasence), who hopes to start World War II through a devious plan. not so fast, says agent 007.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: lewis gilbert box office: 111.6 million dollars

7. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Featuring George Lazenby’s only performance as Agent 007. Despite the Australian actor’s fleeting presence, this particular installment continues to gain new appreciation. not only is it more faithful to the spirit of the original novels, but it also features more romance and drama than its predecessors. In the film, Bond confronts Blofield (now played by Telly Savalas) again and even gets married.

actor playing bond: george lazenby director: peter r. hunt box office: 82 million usd

8. diamonds are forever (1971)

Sean Connery is back in this somewhat lackluster franchise entry. As he tries to uncover a diamond smuggling operation, Bond faces a specter once again. That’s when Blofield (now played by Charles Grey) brings his satellite lasers into play.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: guy hamilton box office: 116 million dollars

9. live and let die (1973)

British actor Roger Moore makes his debut as cinema’s premier super-spy in this hit installment. his adversary is mr. Big, a ruthless drug lord with Jeff Bezos-esque plans to corner the market. while we’re on the subject, doesn’t jeff bezos look like a bond villain?

actor playing bond: roger moore director: guy hamilton box office: 161.8 million dollars

10. the man with the golden gun (1974)

An assassin named Francisco Scaramanga has a golden bullet with Bond’s name on it and a golden pistol as well. So goes this roger moore outing, which plays more on the gold theme by involving solar weapons.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: guy hamilton box office: 97.6 million dollars

11. the spy who loved me (1977)

One of Roger Moore’s best efforts, this one links up with KGB senior agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach). His investigation into missing submarines puts them on the path of shipping magnate and megalomaniac scientist Karl Stromberg.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: lewis gilbert box office: 97.6 million dollars

12. moon rake (1979)

Join heads into space for this cheesy adventure, featuring villain Hugo Drax and his henchman Jaws. while it is a commercial blockbuster, it is also one of the most dated entries.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: lewis gilbert box office: $210.3 million

13. for your eyes only (1981)

Agent 007 must find a missing launch device before it falls into enemy hands in this fairly routine entry, which still made a splash at the box office.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: john glen box office: 195.3 million dollars

14. octopus (1983)

James Bond movies are rarely shy when it comes to sexual themes and this one is certainly no exception, hence the title. her eponymous femme fatale is an international jewelry smuggler who reigns over an island of women.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: john glen box office: 187.5 million dollars

15. never say never again (1983) unofficial

Sean Connery’s seventh and final performance as a bonus is not officially part of the franchise’s canon, that is, due to production rights. Based on “Thunderball,” its title makes a direct reference to Connery’s insistence that he would “never” play the part again.

actor playing bond: sean connery director: irvin kershner box office: 160 million dollars

16. views to kill (1985)

roger moore made his last performance as bond in this 1985 thriller, starring christopher walken as max zorin. A scheming industrialist, Zorin wants to blow up San Francisco to control the microchip market. the movie itself hasn’t necessarily aged well, but its premise certainly has.

actor playing bond: roger moore director: john glen box office: $152.4 million

17. the living daylights (1987)

Do you remember Timothy Dalton? then you must be a true fan of the franchise! The first of his two bonus films finds him helping a KGB officer defect from the Soviet Union.

actor playing bond: timothy dalton director: john glen box office: 191.2 million dollars

18. license to kill (1989)

bond loses his license to kill in this movie of the same name. That sends him on a rogue mission in search of drug lord Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi).

actor playing bond: timothy dalton director: john glen box office: 156.1 million dollars

19. golden eye (1995)

The Pierce Brosnan era of James Bond movies began on a high note with this popular installment. When the Russians get their hands on a secret space weapon, Agent 007 sets out to stop them from using it. Fun (unrelated) fact: Director Martin Campbell began his career on British sexual exploitation comedies.

actor playing bond: pierce brosnan director: martin campbell box office: 352.1 million dollars

20. tomorrow never dies (1997)

bond takes on crazed media mogul elliot carver (jonathan pryce), who wants to trigger world war ii for the sake of broadcasting rights in china. It’s a premise that seemed pretty cheesy and pretty far-fetched back in 1997. These days, not so much!

actor playing bond: pierce brosnan director: roger spottiswoode box office: 333 million dollars

21. the world is not enough (1999)

The 19th Official Bond Movie once again shows the manipulation of world events for personal gain. Renard, a former KGB agent, is behind the deceitful plot and goes off on a high-profile murder.

actor playing bond: pierce brosnan director: michael apted box office: 361.8 million dollars

22. die another day (2002)

brosnan’s latest bond film involves african diamonds, solar power, grueling torture, and a military conflict between north and south korea. And yet Halle Berry in a bikini seems to be all anyone can remember about it.

actor playing bond: pierce brosnan director: lee tamahori box office: 431.9 million dollars

23. royal casino (2006)

With his inaugural performance as James Bond, Daniel Craig rebooted the franchise and took viewers back to where it all began. Taken from Ian Fleming’s first novel about the notorious spy, this exciting prequel depicts 007’s first mission.

actor playing bond: daniel craig director: martin campbell box office: 616.5 million dollars

24. amount of consolation (2008)

Daniel Craig’s second installment, widely regarded as a somewhat stuffy entry, pits Agent 007 against the evil organization Quantum. At the heart of the story is a maniacal plan to control Bolivia’s water supply.

actor playing bond: daniel craig director: marc forster box office: 589.6 million dollars

25. skyfall (2012)

“The Dark Knight” vibes run strong in this beloved bond film, starring Javier Bardem as former MI6 agent Raoul Silva. Carrying a serious grudge against M (Judi Dench), Silva demonstrates amazing foresight as she enacts a series of disastrous events. A vicious game of cat and mouse ensues, with Bond unsure if he’s cat or mouse.

actor playing bond: daniel craig director: sam mendes box office: 589.6 million dollars

26. specter (2015)

The franchise comes full circle by reintroducing the specter and supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, now played by Christoph Waltz. perhaps a box office success, but this installment did not do as well with critics or audiences as its immediate predecessor.

actor playing bond: daniel craig director: sam mendes box office: 880.7 million dollars

27. no time to die (2021)

Bail comes out of retirement for this long-awaited entry, which has experienced numerous setbacks and delays. you may have to watch the bonus movies in order again before you get to this one. Unveiled recently, this one lived up to all the hype of the two-year waiting period.

actor playing bond: daniel craig director: cary joji fukunaga

new order

As you may or may not be aware, the Bond franchise did not proceed in the same order as the original novels, nor are all the films based on a work by Ian Fleming. these are just the titles that fleming wrote that later became movies, and in narrative order:

1. casino royale (2006)
2. live and let die (1973)
3. moonraker (1979)
4. diamonds are forever (1971 )
5. from russia with love (1963)
6. dr. no (1962)
7. goldfinger (1964)
8. thunderball (1965)
9. the spy who loved me (1977)
10. about her majesty’s secret service (1969)
11. you only live twice (1967)
12. the man with the golden gun (1974)

order of spectra

Those looking for an abbreviated list of james bond movies may want to focus solely on stories involving the specter (special executive for counterintelligence, terrorism, revenge, and extortion). this one is a bit more difficult to time, as the 2015 “specter” arguably takes place before several of the previous movies, but at the same time doubles as a reboot. we’ll put it last and let you decide when to watch it.

For the full specter experience, you should also watch “quantum of solace”, as it turns out that quantum was a subsidiary of spectre. still confused?

1. dr.no (1962)
2. from russia with love (1963)
3. thunderball (1965)
4. you only live twice ( 1967) )
5. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
6. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
7. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
8. specter (2015) – restart

cold war order

although on the subject of recurring themes and abbreviated james bond movie slates, the cold war plays a frequent role in the series. Time and time again, the link is wrapped up in a premise involving the Soviet Union or KGB agents. this is the order in which one might see only the cold war related entries (some of which take place after the cold war has ended):

1. the spy who loved me (1977)
2. moonraker (1979)
3. for your eyes only (1981)
4. octopussy (1983)
5. a view to kill (1985)
6. living daylights (1987)
7. goldeneye (1995)
8. tomorrow never dies (1997)

reboot order

and to top off our list of james bond movies, we present only the reboots. Each stars Daniel Craig and retains the qualities of a modern blockbuster. Gone more or less are the explicitly chauvinistic themes and cheesy undertones. here’s the order they were released:

1. casino royale (2006)
2. quantum of solace (2008)
3. skyfall (2012)
4. specter (2015)
5. no time to die (2021)

Where does the franchise go from here? Rumors abound and time will tell. Until then, he’s got 24 movies to break through, plus two non-franchise entries (“Casino Royale” from 1967 and “Never Say Never” from 1983). good luck.

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