It’s been over three years since Daniel Craig final graced the display screen as James Bond, bringing an finish to his five-film run as the enduring British Secret Service agent. Many followers think about Craig’s portrayal among the many greatest James Bond movies within the franchise’s historical past, together with his movies standing out for his or her depth and depth.
But this is not about evaluating Bond actors (for that, take a look at our James Bond actors ranked article). Instead, we’re focusing solely on Craig’s 007 movies, rating them from worst to greatest. If you are within the temper for some Bond motion, this information will assist you determine which of them are price a rewatch – although, in fact, lists like these are at all times subjective.
Read on to find each Daniel Craig James Bond movie ranked, plus the place you’ll be able to stream every film when you’re planning a marathon viewing session.
5. Quantum of Solace
Where to stream: Prime Video/Apple TV Plus (US), Prime Video (UK), Prime Video/Stan (Australia)
RT (Rotten Tomatoes) critics rating: 64%
An apparent selection for backside spot, though some could think about that to be unfair. Quantum of Solace’s growth was hit arduous by the 2008 Writers Guild of America strike, which led to a few of its greatest scenes being written and shot on the day they have been filmed.
Even with these mitigating circumstances, Quantum of Solace isn’t a prime tier Bond film. It’s overstuffed with product placement, the movie’s villain – Mathieu Amalric’s Dominic Greene – and theme track (‘Another Way to Die’ by Jack White and Alicia Keys) are largely forgettable, and its plot is messy. The film’s modifying, too, hampers its story and makes for a disjointed entry.
There are some issues to love about Quantum of Solace. Craig does job as an emotionally wounded Bond out for revenge after the occasions of Casino Royale. Judi Dench’s M delivers a memorable efficiency, too, because the ethical counterpoint to Craig’s 007. As the shortest Bond flick ever made, Quantum of Solace additionally boasts a definite however welcome lack of filler materials and elaborate exposition.
Quantum of Solace could have suffered from occasions outdoors of its management, in addition to being the follow-up to the a lot lauded Casino Royale, nevertheless it loses sight of the collection’ ‘license to thrill’ mantra. Bond motion pictures are imagined to be satisfying affairs and, this one is not.
4. Spectre
Where to stream it: Prime Video/Fubo (US), Prime Video (UK), Prime Video/Stan (Australia)
RT critics rating: 63%
Sam Mendes’ second Bond flick has some stand-out moments, however there are merely higher 007 flicks in Craig’s run.Â
Like Quantum of Solace, Spectre fails to reside up the lofty heights set by predecessor Skyfall. That’s a disgrace, too, as a result of it opens with a memorably spectacular sequence set throughout Mexico City’s DÃa de Muertos celebrations, earlier than selecting up a few of the earlier motion pictures’ free threads, and ties them collectively in pretty fascinating vogue.
Unfortunately, Spectre’s story sags on the essential second. One of the worst saved secrets and techniques in Hollywood previous to the movie’s launch, the reveal of Blofeld (performed by Christoph Waltz) is nowhere close to as impactful because it ought to have been. Also, all the Sahara-based sequence is neither poignant nor thrilling sufficient – although the following explosive set-piece is undeniably placing.
Spectre does end strongly, because of the intimately thrilling spectacle of its London-based denouement. Bond’s character growth all through the movie, particularly in its closing few scenes, exhibits how a lot 007 has grown in the course of the Craig period, though it is a mid-tier Bond movie somewhat than an all-time nice.
3. No Time to Die
Where to stream it: Prime Video (US), Prime Video (UK), Stan (Australia)
RT critics rating: 83%
Craig’s closing outing as 007 is a becoming finish to the actor’s time within the well-known tuxedo, as we clarify in our spoiler-free evaluate of No Time to Die.Â
It’s unexpectedly funnier than it must be, comes packaged with its fair proportion of fashionable set-pieces, and options quite a few plot twists that hold you in your toes. There are even a few sinister, nearly horror-esque moments that add a semblance of originality to proceedings, too.
But, gloriously enjoyable as it’s, No Time to Die isn’t with out its niggles. Its two-and-a-half hour runtime is simply too lengthy, whereas its villain – Rami Malek’s Lyutsifer Safin – isn’t as absorbing or malicious as earlier Bond villains.
It doesn’t assist that Safin turns into a sideshow subsequent to the movie’s wider narrative. Admittedly, No Time to Die is the end result of a five-movie 007 arc, so there must be sufficient room for its hero to get the ship off he deserves. Even so, one of the best Bond motion pictures have iconic villains that give nearly as good as they get, and Safin fails to ship on that entrance.
That all mentioned, No Time to Die will get extra proper than it will get fallacious. It’s a lovely Bond flick that wraps up the Craig period in type. And, with its poignant and heart-breaking conclusion – arms up who noticed that coming? – it delivers a daring finale that’s certain to go away many followers teary eyed as Louis Armstrong’s iconic ‘We Have All The Time In The World’ performs out over the closing credit.
2. Casino Royale
Where to stream it: Apple TV Plus/Fubo (US), Prime Video (UK), Prime Video/Stan (Australia)
RT critics rating: 94%
Fans and critics had low expectations for Casino Royale forward of its November 2006 launch, significantly after the unfair backlash that had accompanied Daniel Craig’s appointment as the brand new 007.
But Casino Royale stunned us all, reducing again on the normal gags and excellent James Bond devices to ship a grittier, extra grounded reinvention of the legendary spy. Craig inhabited the position with a brooding depth and impish appeal that many hadn’t predicted, and portrayed Bond as a extra flawed character than earlier iterations. The movie additionally laid the foundations for the introspective evolution of the character we’ve witnessed since, with Bond’s morality and true identification positioned entrance and middle.
Every Bond film wants a powerful supporting solid to assist it succeed, and Casino Royale’s was probably the greatest in current reminiscence. Eva Green’s electrical efficiency as femme fatale Vesper Lynd stole the present, whereas Mads Mikkelsen and Jeffrey Wright ably backed Craig and Green because the villainous Le Chiffre and CIA agent Felix Leiter, respectively.
Add in loads of high-octane motion sequences, insufferable suspense – who can neglect that torture scene? – and an ill-fated love story that arrange Craig’s complete arc as 007, and Casino Royale is deserving of its second-placed end right here. Sure, it borrowed lots from the at-the-time profitable Jason Bourne movie collection, nevertheless it breathed new life into the Bond franchise when some had assumed its greatest days have been behind it.
1. Skyfall
Where to stream it: Apple TV Plus/Prime Video (US), Prime Video (UK), Prime Video/Stan (Australia)
RT critics rating: 92%
You may need guessed this might take first place, however Skyfall actually is the king of the Daniel Craig period.
There are many explanation why. For one, Bond is, for a lot of Skyfall’s runtime, out of his depth and off form as an MI6 agent. It’s riveting to see a Bond who isn’t on the peak of his powers, because of occasions that transpire in Skyfall’s opening sequence. We see him run bodily, psychological and psychological gauntlets as he struggles to cease Raoul Silva (performed with enthralling menace by Javier Bardem) and his grand plan from coming to fruition.Â
That consists of Bond’s failure to avoid wasting Judi Dench’s M throughout Skyfall’s thrilling and climactic closing half-hour, plus the ultimate confrontation – set amid the backdrop of Bond’s eponymous childhood dwelling within the Scottish Highlands – that is concurrently picturesque and unbearably tense. Like No Time to Die, it has horror trappings that create further suspense all through.
Above all, Skyfall resonated most strongly with audiences due to its overarching theme of household. Sam Mendes explores Bond’s previous (by way of his return to his former abode), his current (by means of his surrogate household at MI6), and his future (as he contemplates life after the passing of his mother-figure, M). M’s send-off is appropriately memorable, too, placing a well-earned cap on a personality arc that stretches again to the Pierce Brosnan James Bond film period.
Like Casino Royale, Skyfall lifts stylistic and thematic components from 2008’s The Dark Knight – Mendes has beforehand confirmed as a lot. Alongside Roger Deakins’ excellent cinematography and the reintroduction of basic Bond devices and characters like Q, these components mixed to make Skyfall a cinematic marvel.Â
It’s an espionage thriller that will get underneath your pores and skin and takes you on a wild experience, so it’s unsurprising that it’s the highest-grossing Bond flick of all-time. Few 007 motion pictures can match it and, if Craig had bowed out of the position after Skyfall’s launch (as initially supposed), it could have been the right approach to finish his tenure.
For extra Bond-based protection, learn how to look at the James Bond motion pictures so as. Alternatively, learn our guides on each Sean Connery James Bond film ranked and each Roger Moore 007 film ranked.
