10 Highest-Grossing James Bond Movies, Ranked

As a long-time fan of the James Bond franchise, I have had the pleasure of witnessing some truly extraordinary films that have left me in awe and anticipation for more. Among these cinematic masterpieces, three movies stand out to me as particularly unforgettable: Daniel Craig’s third, fourth, and fifth installments in the series – “Skyfall” (2012), “Spectre” (2015), and “No Time to Die” (2021).

October 5, 1962 marked the premiere of “Dr. No,” the inaugural James Bond film. Eon Productions anticipated this screen adaptation to mirror the achievement of Ian Fleming’s novel, and it did just that. Featuring Sean Connery in the role of the suave British secret agent, the movie amassed a staggering $59.6 million worldwide revenue. Delighted by the success, Eon Productions continued to produce more films, each surpassing or equaling the box office triumphs of their predecessors.

Six decades after their debut, the desire for Bond films is undiminished. Viewers continue to look forward to watching James Bond savor a shaken martini and infiltrate glamorous galas filled with criminals, all while dressed impeccably in a tuxedo. To date, this series has amassed over $7 billion in revenue, ensuring that production on new installments will continue for the foreseeable future. The momentum will persist.

Which Bond films attracted the largest cinema crowds? Here are the titles that brought in the greatest box office revenue within the franchise.

10 Moonraker (1979)

$210 Million

Keen on capitalizing the space fever of the 70s, Eon Productions manufactured Moonraker, although it deviated significantly from the original storyline. In this instalment, Bond sets out to thwart Hugo Drax, an elitist tycoon harboring a twisted plan for global annihilation. He constructs space shuttles with sinister intentions: intending to disseminate nerve gas across the world, decimating the majority of humanity. The sole survivors, residing in his secret space station nestled within the Amazon Rainforest, will be Drax’s favored companions. Post-catastrophe, these individuals are expected to reproduce and restore the human population with supposedly superior genetics.

Riding the Wave

Due to the popularity of space-themed films in the 1970s, driven by the astronomy trend, most blockbusters in this genre experienced significant box office success. The case of “Moonraker,” which combined elements of sci-fi and James Bond, is a prime example. Effective marketing played a major role as well. Before its release, fans were eagerly anticipating the return of Richard Kiel as the iconic henchman Jaws. This buzz created a surge in excitement, leading to packed cinemas upon the movie’s premiere.

9 Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

$340 Million

Tomorrow Never Dies, released years ago, initially faced harsh criticism from critics. However, over time, its exploration of themes like capitalism and media manipulation has proved to be quite relevant. In this installment, Bond takes on Elliot Carver, a wealthy tycoon, who covertly instigates a war between Britain and China for monetary gain. It comes to light that Carver has struck a deal with high-ranking Chinese officials, securing exclusive broadcast rights during the impending conflict.

Brilliant Performance Despite Stiff Competition

Despite opening on the same day as “Titanic,” the film’s performance is noteworthy. If given more time to shine, it would be even higher on this list. Remarkably, its excellent showing is surprising given that it doesn’t meet the standards of a classic Bond film. Following the impressive “GoldenEye” a few years prior, fans were eagerly anticipating the next Bond installment, thus contributing to “Tomorrow Never Dies'” success.

8 GoldenEye (1995)

$357 Million

Pierce Brosnan’s debut as James Bond in “GoldenEye” marked the beginning of the franchise’s transition into a new era following the end of the Cold War. In this installment, Bond sets out to thwart the vengeful ex-MI6 agent Alec Trevelyan from inflicting grave damage on Britain’s economy. Armed with the GoldenEye satellite, Trevelyan intends to trigger an electromagnetic pulse that will obliterate London’s financial district. Motivated by a deep sense of betrayal, Trevelyan yearns to reduce his homeland to the level of a struggling nation.

Absence Made the Heart Grow Fonder

Prior to the debut, Bond movie enthusiasts had eagerly anticipated a fresh instalment for eight long years, ever since “License to Kill” hit screens in 1987. There were concerns that the series was on its last legs, but fortunately, an announcement of a new production featuring a fresh face invigorated fans. The high-quality cinematography of “GoldenEye” further fueled excitement, ultimately contributing to impressive box office receipts for the franchise.

7 The World Is Not Enough (1999)

$362 Million

In the style of Bond films, every villain adheres to the pattern of insatiable desire and self-interest. Following this tradition, The World Is Not Enough introduces Elektra King, a character born from the legacy of a deceased oil tycoon. Her objective: control the entire oil industry. In her quest for power, she is allied with the pain-immune terrorist, Benard, who harbors a bullet in his brain. As anticipated, Bond makes an entrance to disrupt their plans.

Targeting the Youth

In a new twist for Bond films, “The World is Not Enough” didn’t naturally resonate with audiences. Fortunately, the production companies, Eon Productions and MGM, introduced targeted marketing strategies for the first time to boost its success.

The BBC announces that the production company reached a promotional agreement with MTV to revitalize interest among young Americans, who generally viewed Bond as outdated or, in M’s words, “A relic of the Cold War.” As a result, MTV broadcasted approximately 100 hours of Bond-themed programming. The investment seemed worthwhile based on box office revenues.

6 Die Another Day (2002)

$431 Million

Die Another Day might have made big bucks, but it was unappealing enough to influence the Broccolis to press the reset button, leading to the firing of Brosnan, and the hiring of Daniel Craig. Still, it had one of the best Bond girls in Halle Berry’s Jinx Johnson. In the film, Agent 007 faces off against North Korea’s Colonel Tan-Sun Moon, who is trading diamonds for weapons.

The Halle Berry Effect

Having a well-known star like Halle Berry in the role of the Bond girl significantly increased ticket sales for the producers. Not only was she a symbol of sex appeal, but she was also one of the most famous actresses globally during that time. As a result, audiences were eager to see her chemistry with Brosnan on the big screen.

I was really looking forward to seeing Die Another Day with all my heart, but unfortunately, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets managed to outdraw it at the box office. Still, it held its own fairly well. However, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed for Pierce Brosnan when the negative criticisms came rolling in. Consequently, the Broccolis had no choice but to explore new directions for the franchise.

5 Quantum of Solace (2008)

$591 Million

Right after the intense and emotional rollercoaster that was “Casino Royale,” I found myself in a new mission as Bond. The memory of my lover Vesper Lynd’s betrayal and tragic death still haunted me, fueling my desire for revenge. But before I could even plan my next move, I was thrown into a new predicament. Dominic Greene, the head of Quantum, was plotting to illegally profit from Bolivia’s precious water supply. I couldn’t let him get away with this heinous crime, so I embarked on a new adventure to put a stop to his nefarious plans.

The Sequel Effect

Typically, sequels fail to live up to their predecessors, including Quantum of Solace. Yet, fans remain optimistic and purchase tickets with the expectation of experiencing the same thrill they felt initially. In this instance, Casino Royale stood out by presenting a fresher and more exhilarating Bond and delivering one of the most compelling stories within the series.

The movie concluded with an exciting, unresolved ending, leaving viewers eagerly looking forward to the next installment. Numerous people went to see it in theaters. Sadly, the production was fragmented due to the Writers Guild Strike and the filming commencing prior to having a completed script.

4 Casino Royale (2006)

$594 Million

After finally achieving Double-O status as a new gamer in Casino Royale, I’m absolutely thrilled and bursting with excitement! I can’t wait to take on challenges that range from charming women to outrunning characters like Ethan Hunt. My initial mission: disrupting Le Chiffre’s criminal activities.

As a fan, I’d describe it this way: I know Le Chiffre as a notorious banker who secretly serves terrorist groups. He has an unfortunate addiction to gambling and investing other people’s funds in the stock market. To put a stop to his dangerous activities, Bond comes up with a brilliant plan. Instead of confronting him directly, he challenges Le Chiffre to a high-stakes poker game. By defeating him, Bond manages to make Le Chiffre lose significant amounts of money from those who fund terrorism. This clever move effectively disrupts Le Chiffre’s illicit financial dealings.

Curiosity About the New Bond

What can we expect from the new Bond, some people pondered, when Casino Royale was first released. Some skeptics went into the cinema with low expectations due to Daniel Craig’s unconventional casting. Fortunately, the outcome surpassed their doubts.

Craig’s performance and the thrilling action scenes and intriguing plot were met with great praise from audiences. The new Bond movie continued to attract large crowds in the following weeks, leading it to become the top-earning film in the franchise up until then when its theatrical run came to an end.

3 No Time to Die (2021)

$774 Million

In Craig’s last Bond film, titled “No Time to Die“, the hero, Bond, has settled into a peaceful existence in Jamaica after leaving active service. However, his tranquility is disrupted when he learns about a dangerous threat: a rogue ex-SPECTRE member named Safin. This new adversary has developed a lethal biological weapon capable of identifying and eliminating individuals based on their unique DNA. His primary targets are senior members of SPECTRE, including Blofeld, whom he harbors a deep grudge against for past wrongs inflicted upon his family.

Last Hurrah for Craig

The success at the box office for “No Time to Die” was astonishing, given that it debuted not long after the COVID-19 pandemic had people wary of going to cinemas. Yet, true Bond enthusiasts couldn’t be kept away from seeing Daniel Craig’s last performance as 007. He deserved a fitting farewell and his devoted fans were more than happy to oblige.

The movie’s high-quality elements significantly contributed to its financial triumph. Its stunning cinematography and heartfelt scenes, including Bond’s poignant demise, were among the best in the genre.

2 Spectre (2015)

$880 Million

In the James Bond universe, SPECTRE orchestrates the globe’s most notorious criminal schemes, a fact uncovered by Craig’s portrayal of Bond only in the film named after it, “Spectre.” Blofeld, its head, boasts in a famous movie quote, “I was the one. The cause of all your suffering,” during this film. The remainder of “Spectre” follows 007 as he sets out to dismantle this formidable criminal organization.

A Long-Awaited Moment

For fans of Bond, the long-awaited appearance of Spectre in the film “Spectre” was a cherished realization. This notorious criminal organization, frequently depicted in Ian Fleming’s novels, had been absent from the silver screen for decades due to complex legal disputes between Eon Productions and producer Kevin McClory. Finally, this hurdle was overcome.

In addition, the marketing for the film was exceptional. An Aston Martin DB10 was unveiled as the series’ new official car, and Sir Roger Moore joined the team to create promotional content. With these elements at work, Craig’s fourth installment in the franchise earned the second-highest box office revenue.

1 Skyfall (2015)

$1.1 Billion

As a big fan, I can’t help but imagine how it must feel to work at MI6 with the constant threat of betrayal looming. In the latest tale, “Skyfall,” another rogue ex-agent, Raoul Silva, is eager to wreak havoc not just on MI6 but on Britain as a whole. This man is as wicked and menacing as they come.

Big Names and More Room for Success

Sam Mendes, an esteemed Oscar-winning director with a flawless track record, was at the helm of “Skyfall,” causing justifiable excitement. Furthermore, the addition of Javier Bardem as the villain heightened anticipation, as fans looked forward to witnessing his exceptional talent, demonstrated so brilliantly in “No Country for Old Men.”

According to Box Office Mojo, the film debuted in a record-breaking 3,505 theaters for any spy movie, contributing significantly to its impressive earnings and making it the most financially successful installment in the franchise.

2024-07-22 01:02