With so many components to consider when judging a James Bond film - casting, theme song, set design, props, Bond himself, iconography - ranking the films can become difficult, especially when there's been so many different incarnations of 007 and his movies - from the early days of Connery's suave, wry, ultimately tough Bond, to the almost slapstick, eyebrow-raising antics of Sir Roger Moore, to the new brute force version in Daniel Craig. Such eclecticism means it's tough to know how exactly to value one Bond over another, with much of it relying on personal taste. Some prefer the earlier, more stylish Bonds, others the later, sillier ones. Some prefer a mix of both, best displayed in the Pierce Brosnan instalments, and some have only a few favourites in amongst the dross. With that said, sifting through all the different incarnations of Bond - who has been played by six different actors under numerous directors - proved a rewarding exercise for the most part, and a valuable one in understanding the most lucrative, successful franchise in film history (not to mention the most quintessentially British one). Each Bond is a time-capsule in its own right, and we hope by providing a complete ranking we can direct you in an appropriate way to watch, judge, and enjoy them - both on their own merits and as part of a sprawling behemoth of a franchise. Less of a list, more of a love letter, what follows is proof of James Bond's enduring cinematic status. Note: Included are all the official James Bond films considered canon, so no place for the likes the Peter Sellers-starring Casino Royale or the unofficial Thunderball remake, Never Say Never Again.
24. Diamonds Are Forever
Sean Connerys worst Bond performance in the worst Bond film. Tempted back to the series after opting out of On Her Majestys Secret Service, Connery returned to play 007 once more, receiving a reported $1.25 million salary in the process an unprecedented figure at the time. Remembered best for Shirley Basseys iconic theme song, Diamonds Are Forever sees Bond tackle a lacklustre diamond smuggling plot against the backdrop of a sleazy, Playboy era Las Vegas. Imbued with uneasy homoerotic undertones, Diamonds is a wholly forgettable Bond experience, with even its supposed best moments failing to convince the car on two wheels, for instance, which somehow changes which two wheels its on in-between shots for one of cinemas great gaffes.
