Each James Bond Actor’s Best Movie As 007

Daniel Craig served as the sixth actor to portray James Bond in the film series, a role that has sparked much debate about who delivered the most exceptional performance as 007. Additionally, opinions vary on which movie stands out as the best for each iteration of the superspy. Throughout the production of these films, a total of 25 movies have been released, with more anticipated to come. Over this span, six different actors have taken on the role of James Bond, beginning with Sean Connery, and most of them starred in multiple installments of the franchise.

The adventure began in 1962 with Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond in the inaugural movie, Dr. No. Over time, he starred in six official films and one non-canonical release titled Never Say Never Again. Subsequently, Timothy Lodgebury played Bond for a single film before Connery was succeeded by Sir Roger Moore. This was followed by turns from Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Lastly, Daniel Craige revolutionized the character of James Bond, adopting a more somber approach and setting high standards for future actors to follow.

Sean Connery – Goldfinger (1964)

The First Bond Movie To Win An Oscar

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about my personal favorite, Goldfinger. This wasn’t just Sean Connery’s third outing as James Bond, it was the film that catapulted the series to unparalleled success at the box office, marking a significant milestone. In this thrilling adventure, I found myself rooting for 007 as he took on the formidable villain, Auric Goldfinger, a man with an insidious plan to taint the gold reserves at Fort Knox, rendering them valueless and inflating the worth of the illicit gold he trafficked globally. The movie was an absolute sensation, its $3 million production budget dwarfing that of the first two films combined, and its staggering $125 million box office revenue paved the way for many more Bond movies to come.

Sean Connery James Bond Movies

Year Title
1962 Dr. No
1963 From Russia With Love
1964 Goldfinger
1965 Thunderball
1967 You Only Live Twice
1971 Diamonds Are Forever

In Goldfinger, there were some very surprising scenes for a Bond film back then, such as the demise of Jill Masterson, who was coated in gold paint and perished due to suffocation. This movie is notable for introducing several elements that would become synonymous with Bond, like his gadgets, the opening sequence before credits, and the witty humor that later defined his character. Additionally, Goldfinger was the first Bond film to receive an Oscar, taking home the award for Best Sound Editing.

George Lazenby – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Lazenby Is The Only Bond To Only Have One Movie

In the year 1969, the James Bond character experienced a change in portrayal as Sean Connery stepped down from the role. George Lazenby then assumed the position. However, this transition wasn’t well-received by fans, and it lasted only for one movie. Despite his brief tenure, Lazenby decided to depart the series on his own terms, leading Eon Productions to persuade Connery to return from retirement for another film. Although Lazenby isn’t often discussed compared to other actors who played 007, his film was quite solid and added a more somber tone to the franchise.

George Lazenby Movies

Year Title
1969 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

In “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” I found myself squaring off against Blofeld, who menaced the world with a chilling ultimatum: render all plants and livestock infertile if the global governments failed to comply with his demands. What set this James Bond adventure apart, at least during that era, was the surprising turn of events – I fell in love and even got married! The film also dared to end on a poignant, heart-wrenching note, a decision that resonated deeply with many viewers. Despite some fans’ criticisms of George Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond, his performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

Roger Moore – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Roger Moore Had More James Bond Movies Than Any Other Actor

1973 marked the beginning of Roger Moore’s tenure as James Bond, a role he would portray more times than any other actor. This shift in cast brought about a significant transformation to the franchise, as the series began to adopt a more light-hearted approach. Bond became known for his witty quips and sarcastic remarks, while the titles and storylines developed a playful, ironic style. Some of these movies featured adventures in space and voodoo realms. Amongst Moore’s James Bond films, his third outing as 007 is often considered the best.

Roger Moore James Bond Movies

Year Title
1973 Live and Let Die
1974 The Man with the Golden Gun
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me
1979 Moonraker
1981 For Your Eyes Only
1983 Octopussy
1985 A View to a Kill

As a fan, I must say that “The Spy Who Loved Me” truly showcased the best of Roger Moore as 007. While “Live and Let Die” was an excellent start, it was this film that really set the bar high before things started to lose some steam in “Moonraker.” In “The Spy Who Loved Me,” we encounter the menacing villain, Karl Stromberg, who plots to annihilate our world and establish a new underwater civilization. This movie also marks the first appearance of one of Bond’s most formidable adversaries, Jaws. Notably, “The Spy Who Loved Me” received three Oscar nominations, and in his memoir, “My Word is My Bond,” Roger Moore himself acknowledged it as his favorite Bond film.

Timothy Dalton – License To Kill (1989)

Bond Gets Serious Over A Decade Before Daniel Craig Did It

Following Roger Moore’s departure from the role of James Bond, Eon Productions attempted to reimagine the character earlier than many fans were prepared for. They chose Timothy Dalton to portray Bond, making him more dangerous and less humorous compared to the films starring Roger Moore. However, this shift towards a more serious Bond wasn’t well-received by audiences in the 1980s. Unfortunately, this meant that “Licence to Kill,” one of the finest Bond movies regardless of the actor, didn’t receive the recognition it deserved at the time.

Timothy Dalton James Bond Movies

Year Title
1987 TheLiving Daylights
1989 Licence To Kill

In “Licence to Kill”, James Bond leaves MI6 to seek vengeance against a drug lord who murdered his CIA friend Felix Leiter’s wife. This film differed from others as it wasn’t based on one of Ian Fleming’s original story titles. Critics admired its raw and intense narrative, but they felt that it was less spectacular than previous movies when it came to action scenes and memorable set pieces. However, following Pierce Brosnan’s tenure, many fans yearned for the elements presented in this movie, serving as a precursor to the era of Daniel Craig’s Bond.

Pierce Brosnan – GoldenEye

Pierce Brosnan’s Introduction As James Bond

Following the conclusion of Timothy Dalton’s tenure in only two films, Eon Productions decided to cater to fans’ preferences by incorporating more of the extravagant elements reminiscent of the Roger Moore era. Pierce Brosnan was chosen as Bond and during his time, we saw ice castles and invisible vehicles, indicating that the series had reached an extreme point. However, it all began with one of the greatest Bond films ever produced – ‘GoldenEye’.

Pierce Brosnan James Bond Movies
Year Title
1995 GoldenEye
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies
1999 The World Is Not Enough
2002 Die Another Day

In this film, there was no reference to any Ian Fleming tale; instead, it thrived due to its stellar cast and thrilling action sequences. Sean Bean portrays a villain who deceives MI6. Judi Dench debuted in the series as M, marking her long-lasting role, and this movie surpassed any Bond film from the 80s in terms of box office earnings. Furthermore, it left an indelible mark on a generation through the Nintendo 64 game, one of the greatest movie tie-in video games ever made.

Daniel Craig – Casino Royale (2006)

Daniel Craig’s Reboot Of The Bond Franchise

Following fan fatigue with the flamboyant style of Pierce Brosnan’s tenure, Daniel Craig took on the role and grounded the entire James Bond series. His Bond retained the traditional elements such as gadgets, car chases, and shootouts, but he was more relatable and human than any previous Bond character. He could be injured and near death, yet he carried an air of authority that was absent even in Timothy Dalton’s portrayal. This marked the first time the Bond films were connected into a single, continuous narrative storyline.

Daniel Craig James Bond Movies

Year Title
2006 Casino Royale
2008 Quantum of Solace
2012 Skyfall
2015 Spectre
2021 No Time to Die

Among Craig’s Bond films, it’s the first one, “Casino Royale,” that stands out as the finest. This might come as a surprise given its focus on a poker tournament between Bond and the villain, Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen). However, it was one of the most suspenseful and intricately designed James Bond movies ever produced. “Casino Royale” is still celebrated as one of the franchise’s top films, irrespective of the actor, and it sets a high standard for any future actor who assumes the role of 007.

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2025-06-02 20:21