10 Movies That Saved Their Respective Franchises
5. Goldfinger
Dr. No and From Russia With Love were straightforward adaptations of Ian Fleming's work. Though both successful in their own right, Goldfinger would be the first to truly establish the Bond formula.
The movie introduces numerous aspects that would become a part of the series. While previous entries featured an instrumental credits sequence, Goldfinger had a title song sung by Shirley Bassey, which led to every subsequent film following suit.
Another new addition is the Q briefing scene and his wonderful gadgets. While the character appeared in From Russia With Love, his interactions with Bond here would be the template for his next appearances. It also introduced the franchise's penchant for gadgets such as 007's iconic Aston Martin DB5.
Finally, Goldfinger established the tone for every James Bond movie to come. While the first two installments followed Ian Fleming's works, this film brought a sense of humor and lightness of touch not found in the novels. From the quips, the ridiculous gadgets, and the campy tone, it defined the cinematic version of Bond and differentiated him from his literary counterpart.
Though the picture has moments that haven't aged well, Goldfinger remains an important turning point for the franchise. It set the template for future Bond films, with many trying to capture Goldfinger's success.