Few actors have reached the heights of Sean Connery. For over forty years, from the 1960s until his retirement, he consistently captivated audiences and achieved massive success. His impressive career, marked by both length and quality, is comparable only to that of his friend and fellow star, Harrison Ford.
Sean Connery acted in over 60 movies during his six-decade career, but he’ll always be remembered as James Bond – the role that launched him to fame. He brought a powerful presence to the screen, with his broad build, signature hairstyle, and instantly recognizable voice, all of which became iconic.
He famously played James Bond seven times over two decades, a journey fueled by the same determination that took him from a working-class upbringing in Edinburgh – where he had jobs like delivering milk and working as a lifeguard – to becoming a Hollywood star.
Some critics once dismissed Sean Connery’s acting, often defining him by James Bond. However, throughout his impressive career, he collaborated with renowned directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Brian De Palma, John Huston, Sidney Lumet (on five separate films), and Steven Spielberg.
Sean Connery’s career spanned many memorable roles. He became famous as James Bond, then actively sought out challenging parts in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Later, he transitioned into playing wise, guiding characters in the 1980s and 90s, eventually winning an Academy Award in the late 1980s.
Below, we have ranked Sean Connery’s 10 greatest films.
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10. Dr No (1962)
The film Dr. No completely changed cinema. Its surprising success in 1962 not only launched a hugely popular and continuing movie franchise, but also propelled Sean Connery to international stardom. After years of struggling with minor roles and local theater work, the former bodybuilder became a global icon virtually overnight.
Even in his first James Bond film, Sean Connery immediately showed the confidence, charm, and physical strength that would become his signature style.
Where to watch in the UK: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
Where to watch in the US: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
9. The Anderson Tapes (1971)
Following his departure from the James Bond role, Sean Connery starred in The Anderson Tapes, a surprisingly forward-thinking film about electronic surveillance that came before similar movies like The Conversation and Three Days of the Condor. Connery plays a charismatic thief, retaining some of the charm and coolness of Bond, but the film – directed by Sidney Lumet – pushes him to explore a more complex character, culminating in a rather somber conclusion. The film also features a distinctive score by Quincy Jones.
Where to watch in the UK: Plex
Where to watch in the US: Plex
8. The Hill (1965)
Released while Sean Connery was trying to take on different kinds of roles despite his James Bond fame, The Hill is a tough and realistic prison drama – a stark contrast to more lighthearted war movies like The Great Escape. Featuring a strong cast including Ian Hendry, Michael Redgrave, and Ossie Davis, the film stars Connery as a prisoner fighting back against a brutal system, enduring constant mistreatment from his superiors. In this powerful and unsettling film about fear and fairness, Connery delivers a surprisingly subtle and controlled performance as a man pushed to his limits.
Where to watch in the UK: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
Where to watch in the US: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
7. The Rock (1996)
Even early in his career, director Michael Bay managed to win over Sean Connery, whose star power was crucial to the success of the film The Rock. Connery brilliantly plays a British spy who has been secretly imprisoned by the US government. The movie is a non-stop, exciting spectacle that perfectly captures Bay’s signature style and the over-the-top action films of the 1990s. The on-screen chemistry between Connery, Ed Harris (playing a determined villain), and Nicolas Cage (in a quirky, energetic role) is incredibly entertaining. It’s widely considered one of the best action movies of its kind.
Where to watch in the UK: Disney+
Where to watch in the US: FXNOW
6. From Russia with Love (1963)
Sean Connery’s second Bond film, From Russia with Love, is a more sophisticated and gritty movie than Dr. No, and it stays truer to the spirit of Ian Fleming’s original novels than most other Bond adaptations. Although it received mixed reviews when it first came out, it’s now considered one of the best Bond films and served as a standard for the series by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. A standout feature is Connery’s compelling confrontation with the film’s memorable villains, including Robert Shaw as the SPECTRE assassin and Lotte Lenya as the dangerous Rosa Klebb.
Connery’s personal favourite from his time in the role.
Where to watch in the UK: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
Where to watch in the US: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Later in his career, Sean Connery excelled in mentor roles, and his pairing with Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade revitalized his on-screen presence. As Indiana Jones’s spirited father, Connery delivers a performance brimming with charm, humor, and playful adventure. Today, the film feels remarkably grand, boasting extensive location shooting, a lighthearted tone, and a fantastic dynamic between two cinematic legends. The line, “She talks in her sleep,” remains one of the most genuinely funny moments in movie history.
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video
Where to watch in the US: Disney+/Paramount+
4. Marnie (1964)
Sean Connery, while incredibly famous for playing James Bond, grew tired of the intense pressure and the way the role restricted his acting. He actively sought out new challenges, leading to his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock on the film Marnie. Though a somewhat controversial mystery, Marnie showcased a darker side to Hitchcock’s later work and demonstrated Connery’s desire to work with top directors early in his career.
Where to watch in the UK: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
Where to watch in the US: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
3. The Offence (1972)
Throughout his career, Sean Connery worked with director Sidney Lumet more than anyone else, collaborating on five films. While Connery played diverse characters in each film, none were as challenging as his role in The Offence. This film, a personal favorite of Connery’s and a lesser-known work for both him and Lumet, allowed him to explore the darkest depths of his acting ability, portraying a deeply troubled police veteran scarred by years of investigating murders. It’s a truly striking and memorable movie.
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video
Where to watch in the US: Prime Video/MGM+
2. Goldfinger (1964)
If you mention Sean Connery, most people will instantly think of Goldfinger – perhaps the iconic golf scene with the villain, or the shocking image of Jill Masterson covered in gold paint. Often considered the definitive Bond film, Goldfinger was the first to really embrace the humor that would later define the Roger Moore era. It also features the very first time Connery delivers the now-famous line: “A martini. Shaken, not stirred.”
Positively shocking.
Where to watch in the UK: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
Where to watch in the US: Available to rent and buy from various platforms
1. The Untouchables (1987)
Sean Connery finally received an Oscar for his role as an honest, supposedly Irish police officer who assists Elliot Ness in bringing down Al Capone. Though he didn’t use an Irish accent, it’s a powerful performance, with Connery dominating every scene alongside Kevin Costner and brilliantly delivering David Mamet’s sharp, memorable dialogue. The highlight of his performance is the dramatic death scene – a classic Brian De Palma sequence – showcasing Connery’s raw fury and fear, and reminding audiences of his true acting talent, which sometimes went unnoticed due to his widespread popularity.
It’s the Chicago way.
Where to watch in the UK: BBC iPlayer/Paramount+/Netflix
Where to watch in the US: Kanopy/Hoopla
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