With the recent passing of the original James Bond, Sean Connery, now is as good of a time as any to check out some of the best Bond movies out there. Not all of them include Connery, but many do.
One thing worth checking out if you’re a Bond fan is the “007 Channel” on the free app for Pluto TV.
The channel literally has a Bond movie playing 24/7 and is worth checking out, while the app also has the movies on demand at no cost.
Below is a list of the top 7 Bond movies with the best for last.
#7 – Goldeneye (1995)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen
This is the first Bond movie to feature Pierce Brosnan and it is also easily the best.
The classic N64 video game is based on this as well, and it is full of high-tech weapons and action in urban settings in Russia and Cuba.
It kicks off a new era of Bond movies with rejuvenated special effects and an updated cast.
For many millennials, this was maybe the first Bond movie they watched.
#6 – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Starring: Roger Moore, Curd Jürgens, Barbara Bach, Richard Kiel
Nearly two decades before Brosnan took over as 007, Roger Moore had the unique designation.
The Spy Who Loved Me marked Moore’s third appearance as the action icon, and it was shot in Egypt, Italy, and the Bahamas.
This is the Bond movie notable for its appearance of Jaws and is full of great comedy as well as action.
#5 – Skyfall (2012)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris
Skyfall is a solid installment in the Bond franchise and features the most recent iteration of the character in Daniel Craig.
One of the most notable things the movie does is take a closer look at the M character (Judi Dench in this installment) after all of these years.
Skyfall includes top-notch production quality and poignant dialogue throughout.
#4 – From Russia with Love (1963)
Starring: Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya
Now we get into some of the Connery gems found in the early Bond movies.
From Russia with Love is a solid offering and is the second movie in the franchise. It is a notably fast-paced action movie that takes place right in the middle of the Cold War.
The movie also marks the first appearance of the iconic Q character and served as an excellent follow-up that furthered the success of the first movie.
#3 – Dr. No (1962)
Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Jack Lord, Joseph Wiseman
Dr. No established the James Bond franchise as something special.
The imagery in the movie is something that was state of the art at the time, and the introduction of the iconic character establishes some of his famous phrases, swagger, and bravado which has been a foundation of every movie since.
This was the role that jumpstarted Connery’s career and is a great place to start if you’re either a Bond or Connery fan.
#2 – Casino Royale (2006)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Jumping forward again to the Daniel Craig era amongst this list of top Bond movies is 2006’s Casino Royale.
The movie kicks off Craig’s residency as 007 with an intense and haunted character who is a truly new spin on the character.
The fact that this movie is so high on our list also speaks to how great an idea it was to reboot the series after moving on from Brosnan.
#1 – Goldfinger (1964)
Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Goldfinger is perhaps the most iconic of all of the Bond movies and is the top pick for a few reasons.
This is the first appearance of his famous Aston Martin, the gold paint, the use of technology for Bond as a weapon, and the iconic beginning credits scene with the Shirley Bassey theme song.
It also features peak Connery and few would argue it is the James Bond franchise at its absolute best.
