5 Worst James Bond Movies In 60 Years Of 007 Lore, Ranked

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Over the past 65 years, James Bond has starred in 25 films, creating a remarkable cinematic legacy. While not every movie has been a hit, some eras are clearly stronger than others. Sean Connery and Daniel Craig’s portrayals are often considered the best, while Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan’s films aren’t always as highly praised. Even during the more lighthearted Roger Moore years, there were standouts like The Spy Who Loved Me, and some hidden gems like For Your Eyes Only and even A View to a Kill. But this list focuses on the Bond films that are almost universally considered the weakest. We’ve excluded unofficial entries like Never Say Never Again and the 1967 spoof Casino Royale, though Never Say Never Again would likely make the list if included.

Films like Diamonds Are Forever, Octopussy, The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill, and Spectre didn’t quite make the list of the very worst Bond movies. While they aren’t particularly strong films, they’re not terrible either.

5) Quantum of Solace

Despite its flaws, Spectre deserves some credit. It was a bold film, and Léa Seydoux’s character, Madeleine Swann, was a fantastic addition to the James Bond series.

Unlike its predecessor, Casino Royale, which many consider one of the best Bond films ever made, Quantum of Solace lacks a strong story and clear direction. In fact, it’s noticeably disjointed. It doesn’t really feel like a James Bond movie; the fast-paced, choppy action sequences are more reminiscent of the Bourne series. This lack of narrative coherence is likely due to the film being made during a writers’ strike, and the impact of that is definitely visible.

Stream Quantum of Solace on Prime Video.

4) Moonraker

Roger Moore’s Moonraker feels a bit confused about its own identity. It struggles to find a consistent tone more than any other James Bond film.

This movie features a particularly ruthless villain, Hugo Drax, who unleashes vicious dogs on a woman connected to Bond. It also includes a surprising alliance – a former Bond adversary teaming up with a quirky, energetic character. And, of course, there are laser gun fights! It’s similar to Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in that it starts in a seedy, underground setting before culminating in a final showdown in a rather unusual location.

Stream Moonraker on Prime Video.

3) The World Is Not Enough

As a Bond fan, I always felt GoldenEye was exactly what the series needed – it brilliantly blended classic Bond with a modern feel, especially after the more serious films with Timothy Dalton. Tomorrow Never Dies wasn’t quite as good, but I still enjoyed it, and Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Pryce were fantastic in it.

Right from the start, The World Is Not Enough feels overdone and focuses too much on flashy visuals without a strong story. This trend would become even more pronounced in the next James Bond film with Pierce Brosnan, but the issues began here. The casting of Denise Richards as a doctor was already a curious choice, but naming her character Christmas Jones felt particularly silly. However, the film does deserve credit for highlighting Judi Dench’s character, M, which was a successful approach that was even better executed in Skyfall.

Stream The World Is Not Enough on Prime Video.

2) The Man with the Golden Gun

The Man with the Golden Gun feels like a cousin to the often-overlooked Live and Let Die, but it unfortunately loses the suspense and briskness that made Live and Let Die enjoyable. It does keep the silliness and, unfortunately, the truly awful character of Sheriff J.W. Pepper – arguably the most annoying character ever featured in a James Bond film.

While The Man with the Golden Gun isn’t consistently strong, it has three standout elements. Roger Moore is energetic and convincing as Bond, the chase sequences involving a funhouse are enjoyable, and Christopher Lee delivers a compelling performance as the villain, Francisco Scaramanga. Unfortunately, the character of Nick Nack doesn’t fare as well – despite Hervé Villechaize’s efforts, he comes across as an over-the-top caricature and isn’t believable.

Stream The Man with the Golden Gun on Prime Video.

1) Die Another Day

Pierce Brosnan still delivers a strong performance as James Bond, but Die Another Day is otherwise a mess. The movie is filled with unbelievable scenes, the writing is excessive, and the main villain isn’t very compelling. Rosamund Pike, as the secondary villain Miranda Frost, does a great job despite a weak character arc.

Die Another Day feels less like a traditional James Bond film and more like a playful spoof of the series. It’s packed with over-the-top gadgets, silly jokes, and unbelievable moments – like an ice palace that melts way too quickly. The movie is so over-the-top, it can feel a bit disconnected from reality. You can watch Die Another Day on Prime Video.

What’s the James Bond movie you dislike the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-03 04:12