Who is the best James Bond? What is the best Bond film? And what were they thinking when they made Spectre? These are all questions that will forever be debated among audiences, well maybe not that last one. But with twenty-five films across more than sixty years to choose from, it’s a mission for even the most avid of fans to decide which Bond did it best.

So rather than continue to compare each Bond to each other, what if they were simply compared to themselves? Which of their own films is best?

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Sean Connery:

Goldfinger (1964)

Directed by: Guy Hamilton
Written by: Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn
Run Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

It was with Goldfinger that the Bond films – for better or worse – really started to define their most notable traits: the flashy, gadget-laden cars; the killer henchmen with daft signature weapons; and the girls with increasingly questionable names. Everything that audiences associate with this series can be found in Goldfinger. It has it all, it’s Bond at its most Bond.

With Shirley Bassey’s dazzling title track, it too set the gold standard for theme songs. So much so that Bassey later returned to record the themes for both Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979). So between the first big theme song, the Aston Martin DB5 and its famous ejector seat, Oddjob’s razor-edged bowler hat and Honor Blackman’s unforgettable Pussy Galore, Goldfinger is unquestionably the most iconic adventure of Sean Connery’s era. And arguably, of all the other Bonds too.

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George Lazenby:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Directed by: Peter R. Hunt
Written by: Richard Maibaum
Run Time: 2 hours 22 minutes

For George Lazenby it has to be On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. No literally it has to be, it’s the one and only Bond film that he starred in. Thankfully, it’s an absolute banger. Once again on the hunt for his arch-nemesis Blofeld (Telly Savalas), OHMSS takes Bond to the snowy heights of the Swiss Alps. This epic setting makes way for plenty of exciting alpine action, especially when paired with John Barry’s famed score – that title theme in particular is a series highlight.

Yet, while its action is impressive and its music is magnificent, OHMSS is maybe most special for showcasing the more sensitive side of Bond, as he falls in love with his future wife, Tracey (Diana Rigg). It’s an unexpected, but welcome development in his cinematic character and ensures that OHMSS will always standout amongst the series. Daniel Craig’s final Bond film, No Time to Die (2021) even features a number of poignant callbacks to this, showing just how much of a legacy it has left for the series. No, you’re crying.

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Roger Moore:

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Directed by: Lewis Gilbert
Written by: Richard Maibaum and Christopher Wood
Run Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Roger Moore has the most Bond movies to choose from, starring in a total of seven films between 1973 and 1985. However, the choice for his best is maybe the easiest of all – let’s be real, it was never going to be Octopussy (1983) was it? No, of course it’s The Spy Who Loved Me, as it’s far and above his greatest outing as 007.

It gets off to a spectacular start with the series’ best pre-titles sequence, seeing Bond in a thrilling ski chase culminating with the iconic cliff-jump. It’s in this sequence too that we first hear Marvin Hamlisch’s fantastic disco-infused score. It’s a fresh and funky sound for Bond that consistently elevates the action. And between Bond’s aqua-adaptable Lotus Esprit, his many bust-ups with Richard Kiel’s Jaws and an epic underwater finale, there’s barely a chance to catch your breath. In Carly Simon’s gorgeous theme song she claims that “Nobody Does it Better” and with Moore at his very best here, it’s hard to disagree.

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Timothy Dalton:

The Living Daylights (1987)

Directed by: John Glen
Written by: Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson
Run Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Timothy Dalton has maybe the most consistent tenure as Bond. As even though neither of his outings as 007 – The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill (1989) – are quite franchise highs, both are thoroughly enjoyable entries. And while Licence to Kill does have a bit more grit to it, The Living Daylights is undoubtedly the more accomplished film.

Boasting ample action from the get-go, including its fantastic pre-titles sequence set on the Rock of Gibraltar, The Living Daylights comes out absolutely swinging. Where it really gets the edge over Licence to Kill though, is in its wonderful John Barry score – his final for the franchise. Complimenting A-ha’s catchy theme song, Barry’s music ensures that Dalton’s introduction as Bond is every bit as exciting as it ought to be. While Dalton smugly uttering the film’s title simply never gets old.

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Pierce Brosnan:

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
Written by: Bruce Feirstein
Run Time: 1 hour 59 minutes

Between Goldeneye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies Pierce Brosnan has arguably the strongest back-to-back outings of any Bond. And while his debut might be more widely accepted as the fan favourite – and it is bloody brilliant – BREAKING NEWS: it’s actually Tomorrow Never Dies that sees Brosnan’s Bond at his very best.

It certainly helps having one of the all-time greatest Bond girls by his side. Yes, Michelle Yeoh’s Wai Lin is just such an effortlessly cool addition to this mission. She completely holds her own and is equally as hot on the heels of Jonathan Pryce’s megalomaniac media mogul villain, Elliot Carver as Bond is. With plenty of fun smaller roles too – Teri Hatcher stuns! – Tomorrow Never Dies never has a dull moment. It’s paced to perfection and that BMW car chase? 00-heaven!

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Daniel Craig:

Skyfall (2012)

Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan
Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes

With Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale (2006) – the perfect reboot – Daniel Craig’s run as Bond started off remarkably well. His debut is better than just about all the other films on this list, yet Craig somehow has one other adventure that just ever so slightly surpasses it: Skyfall.

It was Skyfall that catapulted Bond back to his very best. Picking up the pieces after the ill-fated Quantum of Solace (2008), it’s the closest Craig’s Bond ever got to a standalone mission, and this isolation stands it in seriously good stead. Stunning visuals, cracking villain, haunting score and exhilarating action aside, its most valuable asset is Judi Dench’s M. Giving her a more substantial role raised the stakes, gave the much-loved character her flowers and allowed Craig and Dench’s already proven chemistry to really flourish. It’s not just Craig’s best Bond, but the best Bond has ever been. Oh, and over $1 billion at the box office? Guess it’s just all in a day’s work for 007.

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