Numeriques ranks James Bond films

Numeriques has released a ranking of the 25 official James Bond films produced by EON Productions, from worst to best. The ranking excludes three non-EON adaptations: the 1954 CBS television movie Casino Royale starring Barry Nelson, the 1967 parody Casino Royale directed by John Huston with David Niven, and the 1983 film Never Say Never Again starring Sean Connery.

Lowest-ranked films criticized

The lowest-ranked film is Diamonds Are Forever (1971), criticized for its plot centered on Las Vegas, inept sequences, and a "shameful James Bond Girl." The World Is Not Enough (1999) follows, described as a "low-budget action film of the 1990s" with a "pathetic villain" and "useless James Bond girls."

Other poorly ranked films

Moonraker (1979) is noted for its "B-movie" feel and reliance on "crude references to science fiction," while You Only Live Twice (1967) is criticized for its "chaotic ending" and focus on Japan as a "tourist guide." Octopussy (1983) is described as having "ambitions but resolutely weak in the knees," and Die Another Day (2002) is noted for its "implausible plan of the villain" and "ending worthy of a bad superhero movie."

Mixed reception for some films

A View to a Kill (1985) is criticized for its "sterile, soporific face-to-face" scenes, and Licence to Kill (1989) for its "weak knees" and "insignificant James Bond girls." Quantum of Solace (2008) is noted for its "muddled direction" and "water diversion plot," while No Time to Die (2021) is praised for its "terrifying villains" and "great dramatic moments," though it is described as "stuffed" with plots.

Top-ranked films praised

Skyfall (2012) is ranked first, praised for its "great psychological and human depth" and "sublime lighting." For Your Eyes Only (1981) is noted for its "best action sequences" and "magnificently filmed locations," while The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) is praised for its "spectacular action sequences" and "human emotions."

Availability and future of the franchise

All 25 films are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in France, following Amazon's acquisition of MGM in 2022. The next James Bond film, number 26, is set to be directed by Denis Villeneuve.