TheJames Bondfranchise has brought us the most iconic secret agent to ever grace the silver screen. Based on the novel series of the same nameby Ian Fleming, James Bond has been the subject of 25 films. With several actors showing their own version of the British spy, 007 has dominated the spy action genre of cinema since the release ofDr. Noin 1962.
With more than two dozen films with the 007 name on them, there are plenty to love. While some films likeGoldfingerandThunderballdeserve all the hype they received, some Bond films are sadly neglected. Thanks to the influence of critics, audiences have a tendency to ignore what doesn’t do as well, while also not enjoying some of the Bond actors as much as others. Here are 10 of the most underrated James Bond films that definitely deserve more love than they get.
10On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
On Her Majesty’s Secret Servicefollows 007 and his sidekick Tracy Di Vicenzo as they battle SPECTRE in the Swiss Alps to keep Blofeld from launching a deadly germ warfare that could take millions of lives. The biggest reason this Bond flick gets neglected is the fact that he is portrayed by actor George Lazenby (his one and only stint as the spy). This was a great departure from the previousportrayals from Sean Connery, giving off a very different Bond vibe that the audience was not wholly accustomed to.
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9The Man with the Golden Gun
James Bond must hunt down a stolen contraption that harnesses the sun’s rays into a destructive weapon inThe Man with the Golden Gun. On his hunt, he encounters Francisco Scaramanga, a high-paid hitman, whose suspicious behavior prompts Bond to track him down.Starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, and Maud Adams,The Man with the Golden Gunis an underrated spy film with more mind games than action. The lack of explosions and car crashes may be part of the reason the film has been neglected, but the performances from the cast alone deserve more love.
8Octopussy
Octopussyis a unique Bond film that involves the circus and jewel-smuggling as well as an all-women cult. After a Faberge egg is stolen, Bond follows the trail to India, where he meets Octopussy who owns the circus and runs a jewel-smuggling ring. He then discovers a plot to blow up a U.S. Air Force base in order to cause chaos in West Germany. This hidden gem brings a whole new level of feminism to a patriarchal franchise that’s been dominated by men.
7The Living Daylights
Starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond,The Living Daylightsfollows Bond as he assists KGB officer Koskov defect, and, shortly after, Koskov reveals that any defectors are meant to be assassinated. As Bond dives deeper and deeper into this threat, he uncovers some much more complicated counterplots that only add to the threat. Similarly toOn Your Majesty’s Secret Service, The Living Daylightsflies under the radar due to the lack of Connery and Moore, but this classic definitely deserves a chance to shine.
6A View to a Kill
A View to a Killfollows James Bond after he discovers a mysterious microchip on the body of a colleague. Upon further investigation, he realizes that the technology has the potential to be deadly. Led to the head of Zorin Industries Max Zorin and his Amazonian bodyguard, Bond must devise a plan to stop Zorin from causing mass destruction. Featuring Christopher Walken and Grace Jones,A View to a Killdeserves more attention for its more modern approach to the Bond franchise that hadn’t been seen previously.
5Moonraker
Set in outer space,Moonrakerfollows Bond as he investigates the hijacking of an American shuttle. Bond uncovers the plot of Hugo Drax whose scheme has the potential to destroy all life on Earth. The film’s setting is quite different from past films, which is part of the reason that it goes unnoticed, but between the amazing performance from Michael Lonsdale and the return of the seven-foot henchman Jaws,Moonrakerdefinitely deserves more love than what it receives.
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4License to Kill
License to Killstands out due to the unique plot. 007 relinquishes his license to kill and disobeys his superiors, choosing to go on a revenge mission when his best friend’s wife is murdered. Disguising himself as a hitman, Bond heads to South America where he is hired by the same drug baron responsible for the murder. Another of Dalton’s underrated masterpieces,License to Killshows us a different side of Bond that all should be privy to.
3Diamonds are Forever
Diamonds Are Foreverhas historically received a lot of flack fornot meeting the standardof other Bond films, but it has a different charm that not all can see. Bond heads off to Vegas undercover to intercept a diamond-smuggling, diamonds meant to power Blofeld’s laser in space. Alongside the mysterious Tiffany Case, 007 must focus on his mission without getting distracted by Case. The film is a joy to watch and definitely should be viewed more than it is.
Released afterSkyfall,Spectrefollows 007 after he receives a cryptic message which leads him to meet with the widow of a once infamous criminal. Bond quickly uncovers the existence of SPECTRE after infiltrating a secret meeting. Bond kicks off to seek the help he needs getting closer and closer to the heart of SPECTRE.Spectredefinitelydid not perform as wellasSkyfallin theaters, but the film is just as worthy with a complex storyline that is bound to keep you entertained.
1Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solacefollows a heartbroken Bond as he hunts down those who forced Vesper Lynd to betray him. He eventually winds up finding Dominic Greene who not only played a role in coercing Vesper, but is also planning to take complete control of a natural resource. Bond must find a way to take down Green without causing more problems.Quantum Solaceonce more show us more of the human side of Bond as he is driven by his emotions rather than his intellect.
