The Bond franchise has charmed audiences for decades and, with speculation rife over who the next 007 will be, looks like it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Since Dr. No, there have been twenty-five 007 films, spanning a range of tones and styles, and with different actors placing their distinctive spin on the character. This approach has resulted in some classics as well as not a few duds. With this in mind, this list looks at some of the most over-hated or neglected entries in the storied franchise.
Whether due to tonal shifts, experimental approaches, or simply being caught in the shadow of more celebrated entries, these movies deserve a closer look. Each offers its own unique flavor of espionage, action, and intrigue and, while flawed, still boasts at least a few merits. From underappreciated performances to ambitious plots, these overlooked gems showcase the versatility and enduring appeal of 007.
10
'Die Another Day' (2002)
Directed by Lee Tamahori
Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
“Ice can break, Mr. Bond. Can you?” Pierce Brosnan's final outing as Bond was a financial success but received mixed reviews, with much criticism aimed at the over-the-top gadgets, CGI, and product placement. These points are valid, but Die Another Day still features a few memorable moments. The story begins with Bond being captured and tortured in North Korea before escaping and embarking on a globe-trotting mission to uncover a diamond-smuggling operation tied to a new space weapon.
Halle Berry's supporting performance quickly became iconic, and Rosamund Pike is enjoyable in her role as MI6 double agent Miranda Frost. Plus, it's fun to spot all the film's references to earlier Bond movies. Admittedly, scenes like Brosnan surfing a tsunami are pretty cringe-y, but overall the actor is at his most confident and at ease here. It's easy to see why he was sad to be dropped from the franchise. Fundamentally, Die Another Day may be silly, but it's not boring.
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Die Another Day
James Bond is sent to investigate the connection between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul, who is funding the development of an international space weapon.
Runtime
133 minutes
Writers
Ian Fleming
, Neal Purvis
, Robert Wade
9
'A View to a Kill' (1985)
Directed by John Glen
Image via MGM
“Max Zorin's plan is as insane as he is.” A View to a Kill follows Bond (Roger Moore) as he investigates Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), who plans to destroy Silicon Valley to gain a monopoly on the microchip market. Bond teams up with geologist Stacey Sutton (Tanya Roberts) to thwart Zorin’s catastrophic scheme. Once again, critics were lukewarm, with many complaining about the campy ton and Moore's age. Even the actor himself is said to have disliked the film.
And yet, several factors compensate at least a little, chief among them Walken's winning villain performance. He's delightfully menacing and unhinged here, as one would expect. There are also some solid stunts and action sequences, and the plot wastes little time in getting started. The music is decent too, with Duran Duran's theme song hitting number one on the Billboard charts. All these elements add up to zany escapist fare that will appeal to at least a certain subsection of the Bond fandom.
A View to a Kill
Cast
Roger Moore
, Christopher Walken
, Tanya Roberts
, Grace Jones
, Patrick Macnee
, Patrick Bauchau
Runtime
131 minutes
8
'Moonraker' (1979)
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Image via MGM/Eon
“Look after Mr. Bond. See that some harm comes to him.” Moonrakeris one of the most divisive Bond films, which is understandable given its outlandish premise. Roger Moore leads the cast, this time looking into the theft of a space shuttle and uncovering a plot by industrialist Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) to create a new human civilization in space while wiping out life on Earth.
The decision to launch 007 into space is thoroughly ridiculous (probably intended to cash in on Star Wars hype), but Moonraker is still reasonably engaging in a cartoony way. It'll be up to individual views to decide whether the action scenes and comedic bits are fun or wearisome. The cast is all on form at least, turning in committed and energetic performances. Some aspects of Moonraker have aged poorly, but the special effects and lavish production design were impressive for the time.
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Moonraker
Cast
Roger Moore
, Lois Chiles
, Michael Lonsdale
, Richard Kiel
, Corinne Clery
, Bernard Lee
Runtime
126 minutes
Writers
Christopher Wood
, Ian Fleming
, Gerry Anderson
7
'The World Is Not Enough' (1999)
Directed by Michael Apted
Image via MGM
“There’s no point in living if you can’t feel alive.” In this one, Brosnan’s Bond faces a more personal and emotionally charged mission as he investigates the assassination of oil tycoon Sir Robert King. Bond is tasked with protecting King’s daughter, Elektra (Sophie Marceau), who becomes entangled with Renard (Robert Carlyle), a terrorist impervious to pain. The resulting film aims to be more character-driven than most of the preceding installments; a commendable target that it doesn't always hit.
Both villains are layered and compelling - Marceau is manipulative, Carlyle chilling - and Brosnan also adds depth through his performance. In addition, Judi Dench is terrific as M, with the film giving her more screen time, while Desmond Llewellyn has a bittersweet sendoff in his final performance as Q. Robbie Coltrane also appears in a very un-Hagrid part as Russian mafia boss Valentin Zukovsky. The World is Not Enough doesn't always bring these elements together, but the attempt makes it more interesting than its critics make out.
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The World is Not Enough
Runtime
128 minutes
Writers
Neal Purvis
, Robert Wade
, Bruce Feirstein
, Ian Fleming
6
'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Image via United Artists
“Hi, I’m Plenty… Plenty O’Toole.” Diamonds Are Forever marked Sean Connery's return to the role after a brief hiatus. He pursues a diamond smuggling operation connected to archvillain Blofeld (Charles Gray), who plans to use the diamonds to create a powerful laser satellite. Along the way, Bond encounters Tiffany Case (Jill St. John), a feisty jewel smuggler, and Plenty O’Toole (Lana Wood), a comically ill-fated femme fatale.
The movie is perhaps best remembered now for its Shirley Bassey theme song, but it was generally well-liked on release. Subsequent reviewers have been harsher toward it, with many panning the supporting cast, the humor, the satellite concept, and calling the plot derivative. Nevertheless, Diamonds Are Forever succeeds as a flawed but compelling mix of intrigue, action, and humor. Connery's performance is not the best but he's still charismatic and forceful, delivering the witty lines with utter cool, proving why he remains the world's most beloved Bond.
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Diamonds Are Forever
James Bond infiltrates a diamond smuggling ring, uncovering a plot by his arch-nemesis Blofeld to build a space-based laser weapon. From Amsterdam to Las Vegas, Bond faces off against Blofeld's henchmen and foils the plan, ensuring the diamonds return to their rightful owners.
CastSean Connery
, Jill St. John
, Charles Gray
, Jimmy Dean
, Bruce Cabot
Runtime
120 Minutes
Writers
Richard Maibaum
, Tom Mankiewicz
, Ian Fleming
5
'Octopussy' (1983)
Directed by John Glen
Image via MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
"Mr. Bond is indeed of a very rare breed... soon to be made extinct." In Octopussy, Roger Moore's Bond is tasked with finding out the truth behind the death of a fellow agent. His search brings him to a plot involving stolen Soviet treasures, a circus, and a nuclear warhead. The story takes Bond from the streets of East Germany to the lush palaces of India, where he meets the enigmatic Octopussy (Maud Adams), the leader of a smuggling ring who becomes an unlikely ally.
The plot is structured like a classic mystery rather than an action romp, which is a refreshing change of pace. Still, Octopussy received a lot of hate, with some accusing it of being boring, unserious, and undermining the secret agent's suave image. While there's merit to these charges, Octopussy has many strong points, like the gorgeous locales, the knife-throwing twin assassins, and the bold character of the titular Bond girl herself.
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Octopussy
A jewel-encrusted Fabergé egg surfaces at a London auction, catching the attention of MI6. James Bond is dispatched to investigate its origins, leading him to the mysterious and opulent world of exiled Afghan prince, Kamal Khan, and his accomplice, the enigmatic and resourceful circus leader, Octopussy.
Cast
Roger Moore
, Maud Adams
, Louis Jourdan
, Kristina Wayborn
Runtime
131 Minutes
4
'Quantum of Solace' (2008)
Directed by Marc Forster
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
“I don’t care about your organization. I just want revenge.” Most audiences adored the refreshingly realistic and stripped-back Casino Royale, though they were much more muted about its follow-up. Quantum of Solace picks up immediately after the events of the previous film, with Bond (Daniel Craig) seeking revenge for the death of Vesper Lynd. His quest leads him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a member of the shadowy organization Quantum, who is plotting to control Bolivia’s water supply.
The movie is simply less fun than Craig's debut, with an uneven narrative and pacing and a story that's at times needlessly complicated. Still, Quantum of Solace deserves props for trying to weave real-world politics and conflicts into Bond's fantasy world. It also presents a more seasoned version of Craig's Bond, in contrast to the rookie seen in Casino Royale. For these reasons, while far from the best, Quantum of Solace is probably overheated.
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Quantum of Solace
Runtime
106 minutes
Writers
Paul Haggis
, Robert Wade
, Neal Purvis
3
'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (1969)
Directed by Peter R. Hunt
Image via MGM
“We have all the time in the world.” On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of the most distinctive Bond films, featuring George Lazenby in his only appearance as the iconic spy. 007 infiltrates a mountaintop retreat run by Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who is threatening the world with a biological weapon. Along the way, Bond falls in love with Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg), marking the first time the character experiences genuine romantic vulnerability.
The film benefits from an increased focus on character development and a more grounded approach to the action sequence. It's also strong acting-wise, with Lazenby turning in memorably nuanced performance despite the long shadow cast by Sean Connery. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also notably faithful to Ian Fleming's original novel, earning it respect from many fans of the books. As a result, the movie's defenders include Christopher Nolan, who has said, "I think On Her Majesty's Secret Service would be my favorite Bond. It's a hell of a movie, it holds up very well."
Writers
Simon Raven
, Richard Maibaum
, Ian Fleming
2
'The Living Daylights' (1987)
Directed by John Glen
Image via MGM/UA Communications Co.
“Stuff my orders! Tell M what you want—if he fires me, I’ll thank him for it.” The Living Daylights introduced Timothy Dalton as Bond, bringing a darker and more serious tone to the character. It sees the spy delving into a conspiracy involving arms deals and international smuggling. Bond teams up with Kara Milovy (Maryam d’Abo), a cellist who becomes embroiled in the plot, as they navigate a web of deception and danger.
This film injected some much-needed grit into the franchise, stripping away some of the campier elements that had defined the preceding films. In this regard, Dalton's more damaged, haunted Bond is closer Fleming's original vision. The actor deliberately drew on the novels, calling the book Bond " man of contradictions and opposites." Not everyone liked this approach, off course, but it was the right choice for the time, helping to update the 007 formula. This more subdued and introspective take resonated with viewers looking for a spy who felt closer to reality.
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The Living Daylights: British secret agent James Bond is tasked with aiding a Soviet general's defection to the West, but a complex web of deception soon leads him into a global conspiracy involving arms deals and assassinations. Amidst political intrigue and high-stakes espionage, Bond relies on his skills to unravel the truth.
CastTimothy Dalton
, Maryam d'Abo
, Jeroen Krabbé
, Joe Don Baker
, John Rhys-Davies
, Art Malik
, Andreas Wisniewski
, Thomas Wheatley
, Desmond Llewelyn
, Robert Brown
, Geoffrey Keen
, Walter Gotell
, Caroline Bliss
, John Terry
, Virginia Hey
, John Bowe
, Julie T. Wallace
, Belle Avery
, Catherine Rabett
, Dulice Liecier
, Nadim Sawalha
, Alan Talbot
, Carl Rigg
Runtime
130 minutes
1
'Licence to Kill' (1989)
Directed by John Glen
Image via MGM/Eon
“This is between him and me.” Claiming the top spot on this list is Licence to Kill. It's one of the most brutal and personal entries, with Dalton delivering a fierce, uncompromising performance. The film sees Bond going rogue after his close friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison) is attacked by drug lord Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi). Stripped of his official status, Bond embarks on a mission of vengeance, infiltrating Sanchez’s operation and dismantling it from within.
The story’s focus on personal stakes sets it apart from the traditional globe-trotting espionage narratives of the series. It's also more morally complex and ambiguous. This approach divided the public in 1989, and many critics continue to reject it, feeling that it's too grim for a Bond movie. This is exactly what makes Licence to Kill interesting. It might not be perfect but at least the cast and crew were willing to take a risk. Hopefully future Bond directors bring this same creative spirit to their projects.
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James Bond goes rogue to seek revenge against drug lord Franz Sanchez after his friend Felix Leiter is brutally attacked and left for dead. Stripped of his license to kill, Bond infiltrates Sanchez’s organization, navigating a dangerous world of deception and betrayal. As he gains Sanchez’s trust, Bond meticulously dismantles the drug empire from within.
Image via MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Image via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Image via MGM/Eon
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Image via United Artists
Image via MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Image via MGM
Image via MGM/UA Communications Co.
Image via MGM/Eon
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