10 Worst ‘James Bond’ Movies, Ranked

The James Bond film series, spanning over twenty-five movies, has sent 007 on incredible adventures around the world – from casinos in the Caribbean to snowy mountains and even outer space. Over the years, six different actors have played Bond, alongside a constantly changing cast of friends and enemies. The films are famous for their exciting gadgets, daring stunts, and exotic locations, and have had a huge impact on action movies. Throughout the series, different teams of producers, directors, and writers have each put their own unique stamp on Bond’s style, fighting skills, and investigative methods.

This list highlights Bond films that didn’t quite reach the heights of the series’ best-known installments. It explores movies that tried different approaches, experimented with the established formula, or made unique production choices. For each film, we’ll look at specific details – like the story, characters, settings, action sequences, and music – to show how it fits into the overall Bond universe.

‘Die Another Day’ (2002)

The film starts with a mission in North Korea and then follows James Bond on a global chase through Hong Kong, Cuba, Iceland, and London. He’s hunting a terrorist funder and a seemingly legitimate British businessman who secretly controls a powerful solar weapon named Icarus. Important characters include Jinx Johnson, Zao, and Gustav Graves, whose public image masks his involvement in the initial operation. Memorable scenes include a daring break-in at an ice palace and a fight on a cargo plane, and the film marks the first appearance of the Aston Martin Vanquish with its incredible camouflage technology.

Lee Tamahori directed this Bond film, bringing back Pierce Brosnan as 007 and introducing Halle Berry as a supporting agent. Madonna performed the theme song and even made a quick cameo. As the twentieth official James Bond movie, it included gadgets from Q Branch throughout the action. The film was a box office success, and it ultimately signaled the end of an era for the franchise, paving the way for a reboot with a new actor and a more realistic approach.

‘Moonraker’ (1979)

James Bond’s latest mission begins with the theft of a space shuttle, leading him to uncover a dangerous plot by businessman Hugo Drax. Drax plans to unleash a deadly poison made from a rare orchid, using a secret space station as his base of operations. The adventure takes Bond across the globe – from California and Venice to Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon rainforest – and ultimately into outer space. He’s joined by Dr. Holly Goodhead, a scientist and secret agent, and must once again face off against the memorable villain Jaws, culminating in a thrilling showdown in orbit.

Directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Roger Moore, the film used impressive sets and models to create its space scenes, and featured a powerful title song by Shirley Bassey. Action sequences were filmed on location in Rio and Venice – including a thrilling gondola chase – and combined with stunts and visual effects for a spectacular climax. Released at a time when audiences loved space adventures, it became one of the most successful films of its time.

‘A View to a Kill’ (1985)

James Bond investigates a microchip smuggling operation that uncovers a dangerous scheme by industrialist Max Zorin. Zorin plans to cause earthquakes and floods in California, specifically targeting the Silicon Valley area, with the goal of disrupting the global tech industry. The chase takes Bond from a mission in the snowy mountains, through Paris, and finally to San Francisco. Along the way, he’s opposed by the ruthless May Day and aided by Stacey Sutton, who becomes a crucial partner in stopping Zorin’s plan.

Directed by John Glen and starring Roger Moore in his last role as James Bond, this film is famous for its hit title song by Duran Duran and a thrilling final battle on the Golden Gate Bridge, created with impressive stunts and visual effects. Grace Jones delivered a memorable performance as May Day, and filming took place in both France and the United States. The movie marked the end of an era for its star and paved the way for a fresh start for the franchise.

‘The World Is Not Enough’ (1999)

When MI6 is attacked, James Bond is assigned to protect Elektra King, a wealthy oil executive, and investigate the dangerous terrorist Renard, who can’t feel any pain. The story takes Bond across the globe – from London and the River Thames to the mountains of the Caucasus and the city of Istanbul – as he uncovers a plot involving oil pipelines and a devastating nuclear weapon. The action begins with a thrilling boat chase and culminates in a tense underwater mission in a submarine beneath the Bosporus Strait.

Michael Apted directed this James Bond film, starring Pierce Brosnan as Bond, alongside Sophie Marceau and Robert Carlyle. Denise Richards plays Dr. Christmas Jones, joining the mission during a scene set at an old nuclear plant. The theme song is performed by the band Garbage. Notably, this film marks the last appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Q, with John Cleese taking over the role, creating a natural shift within the gadget department.

‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (1997)

James Bond discovers a plot by media tycoon Elliot Carver to control global positioning systems and start conflicts between countries, all to boost the reach of his broadcasts. The mission sends Bond on a chase through Hamburg, Saigon, and the South China Sea, involving a hidden stealth ship and a commandeered British ship. He teams up with Chinese agent Wai Lin, who brings her skills and resources to help stop Carver’s dangerous plan.

Roger Spottiswoode directed the film, which stars Pierce Brosnan, Michelle Yeoh, and Jonathan Pryce. The music combines electronic and orchestral sounds, and features a title song by Sheryl Crow, along with a song by k d lang during the credits. A memorable scene involves a BMW car controlled remotely in a parking garage, and parts of the film were shot in Thailand to represent Vietnam. Like previous installments, the story focuses on technology and its connection to current issues.

‘Octopussy’ (1983)

When a beautiful, jewel-encrusted egg surfaces connected to illegal activity, James Bond uncovers a dangerous plot involving a prince from Afghanistan in exile and a rogue Soviet general. His investigation takes him from London to India and then to West Germany, where a circus and a military base hide a scheme to weaken Western defenses using a powerful device. A mysterious woman leads a secret organization, operating from a private island, and controls a team of skilled agents.

John Glen directed the film, starring Roger Moore and Maud Adams. Louis Jourdan and Steven Berkoff played the villains. Much of the movie was filmed on location in Udaipur, India, utilizing its palaces and lakes for action sequences. Rita Coolidge performed the theme song, “All Time High.” Interestingly, this film was released in the same year as another Bond-related project featuring a previous Bond actor, making for an unusual situation in the franchise’s history.

‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (1971)

James Bond investigates a diamond smuggling ring that runs from Amsterdam to Las Vegas, discovering a powerful satellite weapon capable of targeting key locations with a laser. He works with Tiffany Case, who provides inside information, while the unusual duo of Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd act as memorable and persistent threats throughout the mission. The story culminates in a showdown on an oil rig, bringing the entire operation to light.

Guy Hamilton directed this film, with Sean Connery reprising his role as James Bond after a break. Jill St. John also stars, and Charles Gray plays the villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, in disguise multiple times. Shirley Bassey sang the theme song, “Diamonds Are Forever.” Filming took place extensively in Las Vegas, utilizing casinos and hotels, and the production team worked with city officials to film at night and stage exciting car chases on the streets.

‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008)

The story picks up right after the end of ‘Casino Royale,’ with Bond investigating a hidden organization across Italy, Austria, and South America. He uncovers a plot led by Dominic Greene to take control of a country’s water resources, disguised through a seemingly charitable environmental group. Meanwhile, Camille Montes is pursuing her own revenge, and her path eventually crosses with Bond’s, leading to a dramatic chase in the air and a final confrontation at a desert base.

Marc Forster directed the film, bringing back Daniel Craig as James Bond, alongside Olga Kurylenko and Mathieu Amalric. Filming took place in several exciting locations, including Siena, Italy; Bregenz, Austria; Panama City, Panama; and the Atacama Desert. Alicia Keys and Jack White performed the theme song. This installment was the shortest Bond film made up to that time, and its development was complicated by a writers’ strike, which meant changes to the script were made on the fly during production.

‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ (1974)

James Bond confronts Francisco Scaramanga, a deadly assassin known for his unique weapon, who challenges 007 to a showdown on his secluded island. Their conflict centers around the Solex Agitator, a device linked to solar energy research that several groups are vying to possess. Bond’s investigation takes him through Macau, Hong Kong, and Thailand, culminating in a final confrontation within a funhouse rigged with dangerous mechanical traps.

Guy Hamilton directed the film, starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, and Hervé Villechaize. Britt Ekland plays Mary Goodnight, a character who both helps and hinders Bond’s mission. A standout stunt involves a car completing a full barrel roll in a single shot, carefully planned using computer simulations. Lulu performed the title song, and the film’s music includes a repeating theme whenever the villain, Scaramanga, appears.

‘Spectre’ (2015)

Bond’s investigation takes him across the globe – from Mexico City to Rome, Austria, and Morocco – where he uncovers a powerful leader linking the villains from his past missions, all part of a shadowy organization called Spectre. The story centers around a global surveillance program, ‘Nine Eyes,’ and a secret data center hidden in the desert that holds all of Spectre’s information. Along the way, Bond crosses paths with Madeleine Swann and faces off against the dangerous assassin Hinx, with their interactions fueling several thrilling chases on roads and trains.

I absolutely loved the latest Bond film! Sam Mendes did an amazing job directing, and Daniel Craig was, as always, fantastic. Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz were incredible additions to the cast, too. Even the theme song, ‘Writing’s on the Wall’ by Sam Smith, was a huge hit and won a bunch of awards! They actually built a special Aston Martin just for this movie, which was so cool. The opening scene was breathtaking – a single, unbroken shot during a Day of the Dead celebration that swept you right into the action. It was a massive success, one of the biggest Bond films ever, and it really built on everything that started with ‘Casino Royale’. It was just a brilliant continuation of the story.

Let us know which James Bond movies you think are the worst, and tell us what missions you’d replace them with!

2025-09-18 11:17