Over decades, six actors have brought James Bond to life, and now, their legacy is available to enjoy on a single streaming platform. From Sean Connery’s Dr. No (1962) to Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die, you can stream the entire Bond catalogue hassle-free on Netflix.
With all 26 films ready for you to feast your eyes on and the next Bond film on its way, here’s a list of 10 titles in the franchise that are a must-watch. Of course, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, but here are 10 that you simply cannot miss, starting off strong with Timothy Dalton’s The Living Daylights.
10. The Living Daylights
The Living Daylights | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Timothy Dalton
Directed by John Glen, The Living Daylights was Timothy Dalton‘s first run as James Bond. Even though Dalton’s Bond era was short-lived, the man impressed with both his performances, earning him a non-negotiable spot on the list.
DirectorJohn GlenRotten Tomatoes73%Box Office$191,199,996
The film follows the leading man investigating a KGB policy to kill enemy spies, but little did he know that he would stumble upon an arms deal with potential major global ramifications.
Where it lacks in humor, the film makes up for it in romance, warmth, and some of the best stunts we’ve seen in the franchise. All in all, The Living Daylights is definitely worth the 2-hour-plus watch.
9. No Time to Die
No Time to Die | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Daniel Craig
Despite being a risky choice, Daniel Craig couldn’t have been a more perfect Bond. With five incredible films in the franchise, it’s no surprise that the man has multiple titles in this list, for all the right reasons, too.
DirectorCary Joji FukunagaRotten Tomatoes83%Box Office$758,929,771
No Time to Die sees Craig’s 007 return to service after an old friend from the CIA returns, asking him for help. This leads him straight to a mysterious villain possessing dangerous technology.
Bold, heartfelt, and unforgettable, No Time to Die is a must-watch for fans looking for a quick Bond fix.
8. Licence to Kill
License to Kill | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Timothy Dalton
Dalton returned to play 007 in Licence to Kill in Glen’s final Bond film. This time, Bond has a personal vendetta. We see him go rogue after his longtime friend and ally loses everything at the hands of a terrifying drug lord.
DirectorJohn GlenRotten Tomatoes79%Box Office$156,167,015
Here, Bond is closer to a lone wolf than a government asset. If you are looking for a gritty, grounded instalment that’s ahead of its time, look no further than Licence to Kill.
7. The Spy Who Loved Me
The Spy Who Loved Me | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Roger Moore
Roger Moore was at his absolute best in the 1977 spy flick. The story follows a reclusive megalomaniac, Karl Stromberg, hell-bent on destroying civilization and starting fresh under the sea.
Moore must work together with Soviet agent Anya Amasova to stop the evil plan from coming to fruition, all while being hunted by the nightmare fuel that is Jaws.
DirectorLewis GilbertRotten Tomatoes82%Box Office$185,400,000
The Spy Who Loved Me was well-received upon its release, with critics hailing it as the franchise getting back in form. Thanks to Moore’s charm, the film is stylish, fun, and endlessly rewatchable!
6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: George Lazenby
Possibly one of the most underrated Bond films of all time, On Her Majesty’s Service is George Lazenby‘s one and only ride in the franchise. While fans may have divisive opinions on the actor’s performance, he managed to deliver an emotionally resonant Bond film never seen before.
His 007 faces off against Blofed, who plans on holding the world to ransom by threatening to make livestock and food plants infertile by using “angels of death.” While Bond must stop the villain from getting what he wants, he ends up falling hard for Contessa Tracy di Vicenzo, eventually paying the ultimate price.
DirectorPeter HuntRotten Tomatoes81%Box Office$82,000,000
While On Her Majesty’s Secret Service may not have been appreciated during its initial release, fans have grown to love it over time, and some might even call it a personal favorite. Are you one of them?
5. GoldenEye
GoldenEye | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Released in 1995, GoldenEye was fan-favorite Pierce Brosnan‘s first run as James Bond. It was the first film in the entire series that did not use any story elements from Ian Fleming’s work.
Brosnan’s 007 is up against ex-MI6 agent Alec Trevelyan as the latter tries to cause a global financial collapse by using a satellite weapon against London. GoldenEye was critically acclaimed, and Brosnan was deemed a worthy successor to Sean Connery.
DirectorMartin CampbellRotten Tomatoes80%Box Office$356,429,933
Brosnan blends charm and menace into his performance. The film has a standout villain, iconic set pieces, and nostalgia dripping from it. What more could you want?
4. From Russia with Love
From Russia with Love | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Sean Connery
The OG James Bond is here. Sean Connery‘s From Russia with Love will continue to be one of the finest works from the entire franchise. Based on Fleming’s masterpiece of a novel, the film is a slow-burning thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
You’ll see Connery on a mission where he has to assist in the defection of the Soviet consulate clerk Tatiana Romanova in Turkey, where a blast from the past awaits him, thirsty for revenge.
DirectorTerence YoungRotten Tomatoes97%Box Office$78,900,000
From Russia with Love was both a critical and commercial success, with critics now calling it one of the best in the franchise. It’s razor sharp, it keeps you on your toes, and of course, Connery does his absolute best. A must-watch for a reason.
3. Skyfall
Skyfall | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Daniel Craig
Craig’s biggest financial success in the franchise, Skyfall follows the story of Bond investigating targeted data leaks and coordinated attacks on the MI6 led by Raoul Silva.
The film is beautifully shot and highly rewatchable, thus getting itself a spot in the Top 3 on this particular list. Mendes once again takes Craig’s Bond to new levels, blending character study with blockbuster spectacle.
DirectorSam MendesRotten Tomatoes92%Box Office$1,110,526,981
Bottom line: Skyfall is a cinematic masterpiece that you should not miss, no matter what.
2. Goldfinger
Goldfinger | Credits: Eon Productions
Bond: Sean Connery
Aston Martins, iconic villains, elaborate schemes, and unforgettable one-liners, Goldfinger has it all, making it the blueprint of every Bond film to follow. Moreover, it goes without saying that Connery is absolutely effortless in the role.
We see Bond investigating the gold magnate Auric Goldfinger, who plans to irradiate the United States Bullion Depository with a dirty bomb. The spy soon discovers his plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve and must work overtime to stop it from happening.
DirectorGuy HamiltonRotten Tomatoes99%Box Office$124,900,000
Goldfinger is everything you would want from a spy thriller. It has convincing performances, a fast-paced storyline, jaw-dropping action, and so much more. Head over to Netflix to watch it ASAP!
1. Casino Royale
Bond: Daniel Craig
Finally, the one we’ve all been waiting for. It comes as no surprise that Casino Royale claims the top spot, redefining Bond with a darker, more grounded take that introduced a less-experienced, more vulnerable 007, one who ultimately proved his critics wrong.
Here, Bond’s mission is to bankrupt terrorism financier Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game, shortly after earning his licence to kill.
DirectorMartin CampbellRotten Tomatoes94%Box Office$594,420,216
Casino Royale is more emotionally complex than those that came before it, and was a good start to a new generation of Bond, one that redefined what 007 could look like.
With all 26 films now streaming in one place, there’s never been a better time to revisit the best of the best to have come out of the franchise. The only question is, which one are you watching first?
Stream James Bond films on Netflix.
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