From Goldfinger to Dr. No: James Bond’s best and worst movies ranked

With the latest 007 movie starring Daniel Craig on hold due to coronavirus, it’s time to look back at the James Bond movies you need to revisit.

This was going to be the month when we thrilled to the latest 007 film, until malign events more powerful than any SPECTRE-driven plot threw James Bond — and all of us lesser mortals — into chaos.

Thanks to coronavirus the release of No Time To Die, due to be Daniel Craig’s final appearance as the British secret service agent, has been put back from April to November.

Luckily there are 24 (or 26, in the eyes of some) other Bond outings to enjoy; and you can binge them all this weekend on Foxtel.

To help you decide we’ve given you our ultimate Bond breakdown and ranked them all, best to worst.

Shaken, not stirred. Daniel Craig as the famous spy in Casino Royale. Picture: AP

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BEST OF BOND

1. Goldfinger (Sean Connery, 1964)

The gilt-edged template for the best of everything we associate with James Bond. Connery is at the peak of his powers, and every little detail feels fresh and vibrant.

2. From Russia With Love (Sean Connery, 1963)

Bond has battled the Russkies on many occasions, but this was his finest hour up against the Reds. Intriguingly low-key in parts, timelessly cool in others.

3. Casino Royale (Daniel Craig, 2006)

Bond gets a modern makeover, and then some. Spectacularly explores a dark side to the super-spy that all prior productions chose to ignore.

Sean Connery is one of the all-time best Bonds.

4. Dr. No (Sean Connery, 1962)

A fine introduction to all things Bond. Connery is still coming to grips with the role, but has made it permanently his own by the end. The first glimpse of a bikini-clad Ursula Andress (right) remains an iconic moment in film history.

5. You Only Live Twice (Sean Connery, 1967)

Bond hits the Far East. Hard. Some goofy shenanigans – unleash the Ninja warriors! – and the finest lair (inside a volcano) a villain could ever want.

6. Skyfall (Daniel Craig, 2012)

With flawless, acting, scripting and camera moves, this is the most cinematically impacting experience ever fired from the Bond canon. Not bad for a yarn where James is juggling a middle-aged identity crisis, a drinking problem and a contentious relationship with his employer.

7. Thunderball (Sean Connery, 1965)

Atomic bombs. Underwater fights. Tons of gadgets. Secret agents everywhere. Definitely Bond-by-numbers, but goes great on a guilty-pleasure basis.

8. GoldenEye (Pierce Brosnan, 1995)

The Brozzer got off to a flyer on his first Bond assignment. Bridged the serious and the silly stuff with consummate ease. Introduction of Judi Dench as M also a great move.

9. The Spy Who Loved Me (Roger Moore, 1977)

A rare, better-than-bearable outing from Mr Moore. The plot’s nuclear subs churn up plenty of action and tension, and the metal-mouthed Jaws (Richard Kiel) is a bad dude par excellence.

Roger Moore in 007 mode.

10. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (George Lazenby, 1969)

Aussie George Lazenby’s botched tryout is not as hideous as most believe, even if the bloke couldn’t act for toffee. Functions best as a curiosity piece (e.g. : Bond gets married!).

11. Diamonds Are Forever (Sean Connery, 1971)

Back after a breather, Connery was flabby, crabby and barely interested. Nevertheless, still watchable because of Blofeld’s villainous presence and a funky Las Vegas setting.

12. Tomorrow Never Dies (Pierce Brosnan, 1997)

While a media tycoon threatens to start World War III, the Brozzer can barely keep a straight face. Joke-and-swagger prevails over cloak-and-dagger.

Bond girl Eva Green with Daniel Craig as 007 in Casino Royale.

13. For Your Eyes Only (Roger Moore, 1981)

The umpteenth Bond flick to feature Roger Moore having a ski. Story is a little saner than most Bonds of the 70s and 80s, and the stunts do emphatically rock in a retro kind of way.

14. Quantum of Solace (Daniel Craig, 2008)

The most miserable, fun-free Bond assignment on record issues a depressed 007 who is perpetually tired, angry and paranoid. The dude is shaken, and not stirring. Meanwhile, Craig’s acting range buys a one-way ticket to Frown Town.

Roger Moore as James Bond with Richard Kiel as Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me.

15. The Living Daylights (Timothy Dalton, 1987)

Dalton’s passable debut made the most of the last days of the Cold War. If it meant no more Roger Moore, that was quite OK.

16. Moonraker (Roger Moore, 1979)

Uh-oh. Someone’s stolen a space shuttle. Bow tie with that astronaut suit, Mr Bond? A little bit Star Wars, a lot of bad ideas.

17. Die Another Day (Pierce Brosnan, 2002)

Starts with a bang in North Korea. All over once you (don’t?) see JB’s bonkers invisible car.

18. Spectre (Daniel Craig, 2015)

It’s the most expensive Bond picture ever! It’s the longest Bond picture ever! And wouldn’t you just know it?

Flanked by Bond girls, George Lazenby, centre, played the seductive spy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

19. Octopussy (Roger Moore, 1983)

Ever wondered what James Bond would look like in clown make-up? Also stars Maud Adams, the most boring Bond Girl ever.

20. A View to a Kill (Roger Moore, 1984)

Moore was getting so old at this point that viewers were quite within their rights to dub him Agent 0070.

21. The World is Not Enough (Pierce Brosnan, 1999)

Would you believe Denise “Wild Things” Richards as a nuclear scientist named Dr Christmas Jones? No, you would not.

Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day.

22. Live and Let Die (Roger Moore, 1973)

Blaxploitation was never cool again after Bond hit Harlem. Warning: this film contains voodoo magic and embarrassing jive talkin’.

23. Licence to Kill (Timothy Dalton, 1989)

James Bond vs Scarface. Nowhere near as much fun as it sounds. A pink slip arrived in Dalton’s mailbox soon after.

24. The Man with the Golden Gun (Roger Moore, 1974)

The one with the three-nippled villain (Christopher Lee’s Scaramanga) and the little dude from Fantasy Island. Toxically cheesy.

WHERE TO WATCH BOND

Your access-all-areas pass to 007 heaven can be secured at Foxtel, with all platforms hosting all Bond movies for your espionage entertainment pleasure.

Every Bond production is available to watch on demand via your set-top box or Foxtel NOW, while a dedicated pop-up channel at Foxtel Movies HITS will keep playing all Bond movies in chronological order throughout the month of April.