Spanning nearly six decades and counting without ever losing relevance in any substantial way, Eon’s James Bond series is the gold standard of film franchises. Based on Ian Fleming‘s novels about MI6 operative 007, the spy films have maintained a consistent level of quality that’s frankly staggering. The production values have always been largely faultless (series godfather Albert “Cubby” Broccoli had a knack for always putting the money on-screen, even when delivering movies under-budget) and, ultimately, even the worst of the Eon Bond movies are pretty remarkable and rewatchable entertainment.
With the series recently exchanging hands in rather shocking fashion while grabbing international headlines, it’s a good time to break down the many reasons for its longevity. Good acting throughout the decades, for so long that what defines quality screen acting has evolved over time, is certainly among these. The following intends to commend and rank the finest performances in all the James Bond franchise. It should come as no surprise that a substantial majority of the entries on this list are villains. Roger Ebert used to argue this series’ entries were only as good as their villains, and though there are some flaws in that logic, it’s easy to concede that the villains are as much of an institution as Bond himself.
18
Roger Moore as James Bond
‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ (1977)
Image via United Artists
The Roger Moore era of Bond films often doesn’t get the critical praise it deserves, and the same can be said of the man himself. Operating in the formidable shadow of Sean Connery, the former star of TV’s The Saint completely re-worked the gentleman spy character to suit his own strengths and charisma. After a strong debut in Live and Let Die and a mostly disastrous tonal mismatch in The Man With the Golden Gun, Moore fully came into his own in the wildly inventive comic thriller The Spy Who Loved Me.
Taking almost nothing from the Fleming novel of the same name, The Spy Who Loved Me pits Bond (working alongside Barbara Bach‘s Russian Agent ‘XXX’) against the megalomaniacal Stromberg (Curt Jurgens). The film was a Hail Mary for Bond producers that ended up revitalizing the franchise; Moore owned the Bond character for years.
17
Christopher Walken as Max Zorin
‘A View to a Kill’ (1985)
A View to a Kill is often ranked near to dead-last amongst the Eon Bond films, and while it’s a rather geriatric-feeling blockbuster in ways that extend beyond the infamously aging lead, it’s a really fun and well-produced film that perhaps deserves a little more esteem. In addition to some truly outstanding action, especially the finale atop the Golden Gate Bridge, the film’s greatest asset is its villains in Christopher Walken‘s Max Zorin and Grace Jones‘ May Day.
David Bowie was originally courted to play Zorin, a violently paranoid product of Nazi experimentation, but dropped out because he hated the script. Eventually, a path was cleared for Walken to become the first Oscar-winning actor to appear in a Bond movie. His manic expression and unpredictability are inspired here.
16
Robert Davi as Franz Sanchez
‘Licence to Kill’ (1989)
In the second, final, and best of Timothy Dalton‘s Bond films, screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson took inspiration from Yojimbo in an uncommonly character-focused revenge tale, wherein James Bond goes rogue in seeking vengeance against the drug lord who brutally attacked Bond’s closest ally.
Some of the greatest Bond villains are 007’s foil, the dark side of Bond’s most immutable characteristics. Bond quickly identifies and relates to Sanchez’s extreme code of loyalty—then he sows seeds of fear and paranoia among the drug lord’s closest allies. Robert Davi is incredibly charismatic while also being less showy than many Bond villains of the past. Licence to Kill features one of the series’ strongest hero-villain dynamics, and deservedly has been re-assessed as one of the series’ best entries since its disappointing theatrical run in 1989.
15
Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp
‘GoldenEye’ (1995)
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A lot of millennials grew up watchingGoldenEye. It’s safe to say that the bits where the henchwoman orgasms every time she kills somebody went over many heads. A big part of what makes Brosnan’s first Bond outing so memorable is a quartet of some of the franchise’s best villains, but Famke Janssen’s performance really does upstage everyone ultimately.
Before becoming even more successful as Jean Grey in theX-Men franchise, Janssen left her mark on decades-old tradition of Bond henchwomen. Onatopp is cheeky and genuinely threatening, an even stronger presence thanThunderball‘s standout Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi), or even Barbara Carrera’s Fatima Blush, one of few non-detrimental aspects of non-EonNever Say Never Again.
14
Telly Savalas as Ernst Stavro Blofeld
‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)
A number of veteran actors have made their mark on Blofeld’s character over time. Blofeld was obscured early on before an unnervingly iconic reveal by<strong Donald PleasenceinYou Only Live Twice. This portrayal became iconic and inspired Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil character. The next film presented Telly Savalas’ version which was more grounded yet altogether threatening.
This iteration tones down campiness while enhancing charisma and athleticism with Blofeld participating actively in two spectacular ski chases. You could argue this is one of Bond’s most consequential villains since Savalas’ Blofeld kills Bond’s love interest.
13
Jonathan Pryce as Elliot Carver
‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (1997)
No Bond film is perhaps as underrated nor as purely rewatchable as this action-heavy follow-up to GoldenEye. Likewise, there’s perhaps no villain more underappreciated than Jonathan Pryce’s megalomaniacal mash-up inspired by Robert Maxwell, Rupert Murdoch and William Randolph Hearst. The plot has aged well with Pryce portraying a media mogul whose fake news aims to instigate World War III while profiting from it. His performance strikes just the right balance between over-the-top antics and broad humor.
12
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
‘Casino Royale’ (2006)
A range of Hollywood A-listers were considered for what is arguably one of Bond Girls’ most impactful roles—the inaugural one who breaks his heart irreparably—essentially shaping him into who we know today since his debut in ’62. Eva Green’s performance possesses an emotional depth that significantly enhances Casino Royale’s third act.
The actress had previously starred in Bernardo Bertolucci’s erotic art film The Dreamers before Casino Royale catapulted her into stardom. This role is complex and dynamic compared to its original depiction from Fleming’s novel, with Green delivering gripping performances throughout—from their initial confrontation to Lynd’s tragic underwater demise.
11
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
‘The World Is Not Enough’ (1999)
If any actor perfectly embodied their role throughout their tenure it wasPierce Brosnan. Long sought by producers for this role,Remington Steele star led an era fondly remembered for its portrayal across various platforms including video games.
Brosnan debuted strongly with GoldenEye and continued improving through his tenure (even excelling in generally criticized Die Another Day). His finest performance occurred during his third outing where he requested writers shift focus from action towards character development—showcasing his understanding when to embrace humor versus seriousness within this role.
10
Robert Shaw as Red Grant
‘From Russia With Love’ (1963)
