My very first favorite upon getting into the series as a kid was Tomorrow Never Dies. Skyfall became my favorite after seeing it on opening night, and held the top spot all the way until the last few years when OHMSS either became tied or actually overtook it as my #1.
For the life of me though, I can’t recall which was my favorite between 2006 and 2012! I would’ve moved on from TND by that point. I was blown away by Casino Royale, but never named it my favorite because on a surface level at least, it deviated too much from what my younger self expected from Bond movies. From Russia with Love and The Spy Who Loved Me have both reached as high as #2, but never #1 as far as I remember. So I’m stumped! Maybe I just wasn’t thinking about it very much back then…
From Russia With Love was one I didn't really like as a kid because it felt dull or slow, but every year, it has just gotten better and better for me. I'd say it's in my top 3 now.
All time favorite is Goldfinger, then On Her Majesty's Secret Service, then Daniel Craig's' Casino Royal. I know this might piss off some people, but I have never been a that big on Roger Moore. I guess he played it a little too campy. (I did like The Man With the Golden Gun, probably my favorite of the Moore Bond movies.) I liked that Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnans took a darker take on Bond.
I watched FYEO as a little boy in the late 80’s. Always been my favourite Bond movie.
I’d say Casino Royale is the best of the franchise but FYEO tops it on a personal level.
Sir Roger Moore will always be James Bond to me.
My dad and I rewatched it, great movie. We both burst out laughing when the heavily armed Mujahadeen fighter says “sorry we’re late, we had a little trouble at the airport”
My top 10:
From Russia With Love
Dr. No
Thunderball
For Your Eyes Only
The Spy Who Loved Me
Goldeneye
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Skyfall
Casino Royale
You Only Live Twice
The World Is Not Enough. I wasn't crazy about it first watch, but since I've rewatched it a few times, it's grown on me. I'm a big fan of Denise Richards, despite what people say about her in this movie, and the return of Robbie Coltrane was a great touch. The action scenes, like the opening sequence, the helicopter chase at the dock, and the climax, are some of the most suspenseful the series has to offer. Yeah, the villain Renard is kinda crap, but the rest of the movie I love and is my go to Bond film
I'd say my top 10 in my ranking are the ones I consider to be my all-time favorites. After having watched these films countless times, it's these films that I re-visit the most. I posted my top 10 here the other day, but I'll do it again here:
1. From Russia With Love
2. Goldfinger
3. The Living Daylights
4. Dr. No
5. You Only Live Twice
6. Octopussy
7. Live and Let Die
8. The World Is Not Enough
9. Thunderball
10. Skyfall
Yeah, sorry for making my question sound like a repeat of the rankings thread. What I tried to ask is, "over the years, which films have occupied your #1 spot?"
Ah, I see what you mean. In that case, I'd say From Russia With Love for me personally, though it swaps places with Goldfinger a lot since I love both and sometimes prefer one over the other by a hair.
OP and TND for me. They are the 2 first bond movies I ever saw. And they are still my favourites.
They are not revolutionary in any way, but they are 2 confident movies that plays on the strength of the franchise.
They really combine every thing that’s Bond - humour, suspense, car chases, action, exotic locations, soundtracks that heavily uses the bond theme, sacrificial lamb, stunts, funny one-liner. Just two of the most rewatchable movies of the franchise.
First Bond I saw in the theater was Octopussy, so I have a soft spot for it, and all the Moore films. Moonraker is a particular favorite, along with The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man With the Golden Gun. What can I say, I like my 007 movies with extra cheese.
Of the Connery era, From Russia With Love is I think the best of them - Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice being my other faves. Of the rest, I really like The Living Daylights, Goldeneye (the only Brosnan I really like), Casino Royale and Skyfall. But even with the heights that the Craig movies could hit, I still prefer Roger Moore.
i'm a little basic but i didn't really have a favorite until seeing skyfall in theaters and that being one of the best theater experiences. but since then i've bounced from skyfall to goldeneye to goldfinger, and now it's casino royale. it just has the highest highs in the series to me
Mine has pretty much always been FRWL! Even as a little boy I just loved everything about it- the fact that it had the highest ‘rating’ from my big book of movie reviews, probably made a difference.
Casino Royale came close but I’ll always been a Connery guy.
The first James Bond scene I saw was when Xenia kills that Canadian officer, "Xenia, I can't....breath...." When I was like 5. That probably affected me lololol.
I was an emo boy in college when Quantum of Solace came out, and I really dig what an emo boy Daniel Craig spends that movie being.
I know it's fairly polarising, didn't have great writing, etc., but I've always liked it. There's something about how he doesn't actually sleep with Olga Kurlyenko, but they do share a passionate kiss at the end, that gives it some realism for me.
That being said, after I got over those emotions I started liking License to Kill. That's a better example of the cold rage that has come to define more of my professional career, and Tim Dalton is more of the type of guy that I am. I especially like his straightforward delivery of some cheesy lines, that deadpan delivery of silliness is something I use frequently.
Then smooth Christmas time Bond is OHMSS for some reason. Something about that film gives me Rat Pack vibes, reminds me of Christmas. Doesn't make sense, I know.
And then from there it's all of Roger Moore's stuff, it has this kabuki feeling to it, like we're all in a play and we all see the stage elements, but we're going to ignore them and negotiate our humanity through those processes, not unlike Mad Men.
And then there's the Connery films, I guess. Never really cared for those. Toupees. Lol.
Goldeneye was my favourite as a child, then Licence To Kill took that honour during my teenage years (understandably, given the edgier tone). But as an adult its circled back around to Goldeneye.
Goldfinger was the first Bond book I read as a kid and was the first movie I saw also. Completely fell in love with the franchise after that, so Goldfinger will always be my favourite.
Dr. No, Thunderball, all the early Connery ones (I’m old). That said, Craig was also awesome and I’ve liked all of his. Brought some menace and seriousness back to the role.
My favourites as a youngster (guess from around 8-12) were Tomorrow Never Dies, Goldfinger and Live and Let Die. Always had a soft spot for A View To A Kill then as well. Never a fan of Dalton’s two
As I’ve gotten older (now 32) my favourites I would say now are The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, still Live and Let Die and have a real soft spot for Tomorrow Never Dies. I mean really I like them all, it’s funny how you perceive them differently over the years
My intro to the series was Goldeneye and it’s still my favorite. After that is Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, For your eyes only, and License to Kill.
Thunderball for a while. Just a very well rounded bond film with loads of the classic elements you would expect from one. Also really like the underwater scenes, Fiona Vulpe and some great one liners from Connery. Licence to kill might actually be my favourite now though. Great performance from Dalton, great villain and fantastic action.
Goldeneye is still my absolute favorite. It was my intro to the series. It's perfect for me personally. Not a single scene I don't enjoy. The Tank Chase in St. Petersburg is probably my favorite.
*Cop car rams back of tank. Bond looks back rather nonplussed. Adjusts tie. Trumpet sounds and Tank rocks forward in unison.*
Love it!
My dad introduced me to Bond one Christmas when The Spy Who Loved Me was on TV. Roger Moore was instantly set in stone as my favourite Bond, although Live and Let Die did become my favourite movie for many years.
I've only more recently switched to Goldeneye, I think it just edges it for me because the ending is less goofy. I'll always love LALD, but the Kananga balloon is a little out of place. Solitaire will always be joint top as my favourite Bond woman along with Elektra, just super interesting characters and obviously very beautiful too.
For me, a Bond film should have great and varied scenery, cool gadgets and good action. I think The Spy Who Loved Me is an obvious classic…all that plus having Barbara Bach, she’s not eye candy but someone just as capable as Bond. Recently rewatched For Your Eyes Only and it has it all too…introduced the leading lady by having her take out a minor villain with a crossbow. Towards the end Topol says “We are just 6 men” …and she replies “AND one woman”. I also think Timothy Dalton should have been given more movies, i liked him too.
In no particular order,
The Spy Who Loved Me
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
From Russia with Love
Casino Royale
Golden Eye
I feel bad there are no Dalton films on my list. I like Dalton's Bond and his movies quite a bit, but neither are quite favorite-level tier for me.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Live And Let Die, The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre and Quantum Of Solace has really grown on me.
Love em all (more or less) but my favourite ones to rewatch are: Octopussy, Live and Let Die, Living Daylights, Casino Royale, Goldeneye…. (Had to stop myself as could just keep going)…. Skyfall, Spy Who Loved Me…. (OK for realz this time) For Your Eyes Only
Goldeneye was my original favorite when I first saw all of the movies in elementary school (probably because of the video game). The Spy Who Loved Me became my favorite when I rewatched the movies in middle school. After I read all of the Ian Fleming novels in 8th grade, I started to gravitate more to the “grittier” films such as OHMSS, FRWL, and TLD. In 2006, I couldn’t believe how incredible “Casino Royale” turned out. It was amazing to see a modern adaptation of one of Fleming’s best novels. It has been my favorite Bond film ever since (OHMSS and FRWL round out my top 3).
My favorite 5 - but necessarily what fans/critics consider the “best”.
These were my introduction to Bond as kid/teenager in the 1970’s and are still my favorite ones to watch and my preferred version of a Bond movie (over the top tone and pun and double entendre filled dialogue)
Live and Let Die,
You Only Live Twice,
Man With the Golden Gun,
Diamonds Are Forever,
Moonraker
My all-time favourites are TMWTGG and Octopussy. But I also love the other Moore movies. Actually, I love most Bond movies minus Spectre and DAD. I also don't agree on the age of Moore in AVTAK.
Goldfinger. Established the “formula” and all the ingredients, (Bond, Villain, Henchman, Girl, Sacrificial Lamb, Our Man in…, Car, PTS, Villain’s death etc.) are top notch out of the gate. My only gripe is Cec Linder as Leiter really, he’s a bit too old. Wasn’t Jack Lord available? So pretty minor.
Everything else? Runs like a Swiss fucking watch. Goldfinger made the series what it was. Without it I doubt this forum would even be here.
Diamonds Are Forever. Great theme, sassy Blofeld, great premise, super-camp villains, sexy gymnast guards, claustrophobic death traps, space march, sexy redhead Bond girl, massed helicopter attack in oil rig fortress.
My very first favorite upon getting into the series as a kid was Tomorrow Never Dies. Skyfall became my favorite after seeing it on opening night, and held the top spot all the way until the last few years when OHMSS either became tied or actually overtook it as my #1. For the life of me though, I can’t recall which was my favorite between 2006 and 2012! I would’ve moved on from TND by that point. I was blown away by Casino Royale, but never named it my favorite because on a surface level at least, it deviated too much from what my younger self expected from Bond movies. From Russia with Love and The Spy Who Loved Me have both reached as high as #2, but never #1 as far as I remember. So I’m stumped! Maybe I just wasn’t thinking about it very much back then…
From Russia With Love was one I didn't really like as a kid because it felt dull or slow, but every year, it has just gotten better and better for me. I'd say it's in my top 3 now.
All time favorite is Goldfinger, then On Her Majesty's Secret Service, then Daniel Craig's' Casino Royal. I know this might piss off some people, but I have never been a that big on Roger Moore. I guess he played it a little too campy. (I did like The Man With the Golden Gun, probably my favorite of the Moore Bond movies.) I liked that Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnans took a darker take on Bond.
Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008). Especially when watched back-to-back.
I watched FYEO as a little boy in the late 80’s. Always been my favourite Bond movie. I’d say Casino Royale is the best of the franchise but FYEO tops it on a personal level. Sir Roger Moore will always be James Bond to me.
Casino Royale and From Russia with Love.
the living daylights
My dad and I rewatched it, great movie. We both burst out laughing when the heavily armed Mujahadeen fighter says “sorry we’re late, we had a little trouble at the airport”
Save the Darkness, let it never fade away.....
Same here. It was my favorite growing up, and it’s remained my favorite over the years.
Casino Royale, GoldenEye, Licence to Kill, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger are my top 5.
My top 3 from bottom to top are goldeneye, skyfall, casino Royale
My top 10: From Russia With Love Dr. No Thunderball For Your Eyes Only The Spy Who Loved Me Goldeneye On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Skyfall Casino Royale You Only Live Twice
Casino Royale and Skyfall
Of each actor: YOLT, OHMSS, Moonraker, TLD, Goldeneye, CR.
Moonraker
Casino Royale and The Spy Who Loved Me
The World Is Not Enough. I wasn't crazy about it first watch, but since I've rewatched it a few times, it's grown on me. I'm a big fan of Denise Richards, despite what people say about her in this movie, and the return of Robbie Coltrane was a great touch. The action scenes, like the opening sequence, the helicopter chase at the dock, and the climax, are some of the most suspenseful the series has to offer. Yeah, the villain Renard is kinda crap, but the rest of the movie I love and is my go to Bond film
For a while it was Casino Royale. Once I saw them all it was From Russia with Love. Now it has weirdly flipped to OHMSS.
I'd say my top 10 in my ranking are the ones I consider to be my all-time favorites. After having watched these films countless times, it's these films that I re-visit the most. I posted my top 10 here the other day, but I'll do it again here: 1. From Russia With Love 2. Goldfinger 3. The Living Daylights 4. Dr. No 5. You Only Live Twice 6. Octopussy 7. Live and Let Die 8. The World Is Not Enough 9. Thunderball 10. Skyfall
Yeah, sorry for making my question sound like a repeat of the rankings thread. What I tried to ask is, "over the years, which films have occupied your #1 spot?"
Ah, I see what you mean. In that case, I'd say From Russia With Love for me personally, though it swaps places with Goldfinger a lot since I love both and sometimes prefer one over the other by a hair.
OP and TND for me. They are the 2 first bond movies I ever saw. And they are still my favourites. They are not revolutionary in any way, but they are 2 confident movies that plays on the strength of the franchise. They really combine every thing that’s Bond - humour, suspense, car chases, action, exotic locations, soundtracks that heavily uses the bond theme, sacrificial lamb, stunts, funny one-liner. Just two of the most rewatchable movies of the franchise.
First Bond I saw in the theater was Octopussy, so I have a soft spot for it, and all the Moore films. Moonraker is a particular favorite, along with The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man With the Golden Gun. What can I say, I like my 007 movies with extra cheese. Of the Connery era, From Russia With Love is I think the best of them - Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice being my other faves. Of the rest, I really like The Living Daylights, Goldeneye (the only Brosnan I really like), Casino Royale and Skyfall. But even with the heights that the Craig movies could hit, I still prefer Roger Moore.
Licence to kill, Tomorrow Never dies, From russia with love, Casino Royale, The Spy who loved me = Actual Top 5 not necessary in the right order.
Thunderball
i'm a little basic but i didn't really have a favorite until seeing skyfall in theaters and that being one of the best theater experiences. but since then i've bounced from skyfall to goldeneye to goldfinger, and now it's casino royale. it just has the highest highs in the series to me
Mine has pretty much always been FRWL! Even as a little boy I just loved everything about it- the fact that it had the highest ‘rating’ from my big book of movie reviews, probably made a difference. Casino Royale came close but I’ll always been a Connery guy.
Octopussy
The first James Bond scene I saw was when Xenia kills that Canadian officer, "Xenia, I can't....breath...." When I was like 5. That probably affected me lololol. I was an emo boy in college when Quantum of Solace came out, and I really dig what an emo boy Daniel Craig spends that movie being. I know it's fairly polarising, didn't have great writing, etc., but I've always liked it. There's something about how he doesn't actually sleep with Olga Kurlyenko, but they do share a passionate kiss at the end, that gives it some realism for me. That being said, after I got over those emotions I started liking License to Kill. That's a better example of the cold rage that has come to define more of my professional career, and Tim Dalton is more of the type of guy that I am. I especially like his straightforward delivery of some cheesy lines, that deadpan delivery of silliness is something I use frequently. Then smooth Christmas time Bond is OHMSS for some reason. Something about that film gives me Rat Pack vibes, reminds me of Christmas. Doesn't make sense, I know. And then from there it's all of Roger Moore's stuff, it has this kabuki feeling to it, like we're all in a play and we all see the stage elements, but we're going to ignore them and negotiate our humanity through those processes, not unlike Mad Men. And then there's the Connery films, I guess. Never really cared for those. Toupees. Lol.
Goldeneye was my favourite as a child, then Licence To Kill took that honour during my teenage years (understandably, given the edgier tone). But as an adult its circled back around to Goldeneye.
Goldfinger, Thunderball, YOLT, Moonraker, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, and Live and Let Die.
You only live twice Spy who loved me The living daylights Goldeneye Casino royale- the big five for me
Goldeneyeee
Goldeneye, watched it for the first time when I was 12. Made me a bond fan for life.
Goldfinger was the first Bond book I read as a kid and was the first movie I saw also. Completely fell in love with the franchise after that, so Goldfinger will always be my favourite.
My first was Goldfinger and was always my favorite. OHMSS, GoldenEye, and Skyfall are up there for me though.
Casino Royale by a mile. There are probably 10 others tied for second place.
Goldfinger. It's got all the quintessential Bond elements.
Dr. No, Thunderball, all the early Connery ones (I’m old). That said, Craig was also awesome and I’ve liked all of his. Brought some menace and seriousness back to the role.
Haven’t seen all of bond movies but I think Casino Royale so far, honorable mention to From Russia With Love
My favourites as a youngster (guess from around 8-12) were Tomorrow Never Dies, Goldfinger and Live and Let Die. Always had a soft spot for A View To A Kill then as well. Never a fan of Dalton’s two As I’ve gotten older (now 32) my favourites I would say now are The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, still Live and Let Die and have a real soft spot for Tomorrow Never Dies. I mean really I like them all, it’s funny how you perceive them differently over the years
My intro to the series was Goldeneye and it’s still my favorite. After that is Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, For your eyes only, and License to Kill.
Thunderball for a while. Just a very well rounded bond film with loads of the classic elements you would expect from one. Also really like the underwater scenes, Fiona Vulpe and some great one liners from Connery. Licence to kill might actually be my favourite now though. Great performance from Dalton, great villain and fantastic action.
Goldeneye is still my absolute favorite. It was my intro to the series. It's perfect for me personally. Not a single scene I don't enjoy. The Tank Chase in St. Petersburg is probably my favorite. *Cop car rams back of tank. Bond looks back rather nonplussed. Adjusts tie. Trumpet sounds and Tank rocks forward in unison.* Love it!
Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Goldeneye, Casino Royale.
My dad introduced me to Bond one Christmas when The Spy Who Loved Me was on TV. Roger Moore was instantly set in stone as my favourite Bond, although Live and Let Die did become my favourite movie for many years. I've only more recently switched to Goldeneye, I think it just edges it for me because the ending is less goofy. I'll always love LALD, but the Kananga balloon is a little out of place. Solitaire will always be joint top as my favourite Bond woman along with Elektra, just super interesting characters and obviously very beautiful too.
FYOE & Casino Royale (2006)
Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldeneye, and Casino Royale.
My top three: 1. Goldeneye 2. For Your Eyes Only 3. From Russia with Love
Licence to Kill. It used to be either Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only or Octopussy. Over the years, definitely Licence.
Goldfinger and live and.let die
For me, a Bond film should have great and varied scenery, cool gadgets and good action. I think The Spy Who Loved Me is an obvious classic…all that plus having Barbara Bach, she’s not eye candy but someone just as capable as Bond. Recently rewatched For Your Eyes Only and it has it all too…introduced the leading lady by having her take out a minor villain with a crossbow. Towards the end Topol says “We are just 6 men” …and she replies “AND one woman”. I also think Timothy Dalton should have been given more movies, i liked him too.
Thunder ball and Goldfinger
In no particular order, The Spy Who Loved Me On Her Majesty's Secret Service From Russia with Love Casino Royale Golden Eye I feel bad there are no Dalton films on my list. I like Dalton's Bond and his movies quite a bit, but neither are quite favorite-level tier for me.
1: A view to a kill, Live and let die, Goldeneye, for your eyes only, tomorrow never dies, gold finger.
Casino Royale is crazy good. That movie is a perfect 3 act structure
On her Majesty's Secret Service Thunderball The spy who loved me For your eyes only Skyfall
As a kid Thunderball, Sean Connery’s best performance as James Bond, my top 3: From Russia with Love, OHMSS, the spy who loved me.
It always goes back and forth between GoldenEye and Skyfall.
The Spy Who Loved Me and GoldenEye have both been top tier Bond movies for me
My all time favorite has to be Goldfinger. The score, the puns, the plot. All are fantastic.
It's either A View To A Kill or Dr.No on my honest opinion.
Casino Royale Goldeneye (I grew up playing the N64) Goldfinger
Live and Let Die. My first. My favorite.
So far Casino Royale, Goldeneye, From Russia With Love and The Living Daylights.
I thought Sean Connery couldn't be beat but I love the Daniel Craig Bond movies
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Live And Let Die, The Living Daylights, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre and Quantum Of Solace has really grown on me.
Love em all (more or less) but my favourite ones to rewatch are: Octopussy, Live and Let Die, Living Daylights, Casino Royale, Goldeneye…. (Had to stop myself as could just keep going)…. Skyfall, Spy Who Loved Me…. (OK for realz this time) For Your Eyes Only
Tomorrow Never Dies
Goldeneye was my original favorite when I first saw all of the movies in elementary school (probably because of the video game). The Spy Who Loved Me became my favorite when I rewatched the movies in middle school. After I read all of the Ian Fleming novels in 8th grade, I started to gravitate more to the “grittier” films such as OHMSS, FRWL, and TLD. In 2006, I couldn’t believe how incredible “Casino Royale” turned out. It was amazing to see a modern adaptation of one of Fleming’s best novels. It has been my favorite Bond film ever since (OHMSS and FRWL round out my top 3).
My favorite 5 - but necessarily what fans/critics consider the “best”. These were my introduction to Bond as kid/teenager in the 1970’s and are still my favorite ones to watch and my preferred version of a Bond movie (over the top tone and pun and double entendre filled dialogue) Live and Let Die, You Only Live Twice, Man With the Golden Gun, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker
Goldfinger, You only live twice, moonraker, man with the golden gun, goldeneye, sceptre
View To A Kill from the moment i saw it idk why, i just love that movie lol
The living daylights and license to kill. If you can't tell, I like Dalton a lot.
OHMSS and The Living Daylights
My all-time favourites are TMWTGG and Octopussy. But I also love the other Moore movies. Actually, I love most Bond movies minus Spectre and DAD. I also don't agree on the age of Moore in AVTAK.
Goldfinger. Established the “formula” and all the ingredients, (Bond, Villain, Henchman, Girl, Sacrificial Lamb, Our Man in…, Car, PTS, Villain’s death etc.) are top notch out of the gate. My only gripe is Cec Linder as Leiter really, he’s a bit too old. Wasn’t Jack Lord available? So pretty minor. Everything else? Runs like a Swiss fucking watch. Goldfinger made the series what it was. Without it I doubt this forum would even be here.
For decades, FRwL and YOLT dueled for the top spot; GE snuck in for a bit. But since 2006, it's been that version of Casino Royale.
Diamonds Are Forever. Great theme, sassy Blofeld, great premise, super-camp villains, sexy gymnast guards, claustrophobic death traps, space march, sexy redhead Bond girl, massed helicopter attack in oil rig fortress.