5 Best James Bond Movies For Beginners

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The James Bond film series, which began more than six decades ago, comprises 25 recognized movies at present, excluding the humorous spoof “Casino Royale” from 1967 and the legally intricate “Never Say Never Again” from 1983. Keeping up with this extensive franchise can be a daunting task for fans, let alone newcomers who are unsure of where to begin. The lack of uniform storytelling across all films, as well as instances within a single actor’s tenure where it’s unclear if one movie acknowledges the events of another, only adds to the confusion for those diving into the series for the first time.

When diving into the James Bond film series, there are several entry points to consider beyond simply starting with the highest-ranked movie. While delving into every Bond movie ranked from worst to best is an option we’ll certainly explore, there are other films that could provide a more engaging experience for new viewers.

For instance, movies that offer the origin story of the superspy or serve as the inspiration for one of the best video games ever made might be worth considering as a debut. Alternatively, we could opt for simplicity and begin with the first Bond movie produced. Each of these examples, along with another suggestion chosen purely because it’s considered one of the most entertaining among fan favorites, will be discussed in our exploration of the 007 film series.

Dr. No

If you prefer to start fresh when diving into new media, then watching “Dr. No” as your first Bond movie could be the logical choice. This film was released in 1962 and introduced James Bond to the big screen, with Sean Connery perfectly embodying the character from the very beginning. In fact, it’s Connery who added an iconic touch to “Dr. No” by improvising his introduction as “Bond… James Bond,” a moment that would significantly influence the franchise moving forward.

In the 1960s, when “Dr. No” was initially released, it had been only ten years since Ian Fleming introduced the world of James Bond through his first novel, “Casino Royale.” Consequently, the film needed to provide a substantial setup for its audience, who may not have been as familiar with the property. This included introducing key allies, building the universe that Fleming created, and establishing the formula that the subsequent films would follow. Even in 2020s, this approach remains effective for newcomers to the James Bond series, just as it was back then.

Casino Royale

Previously mentioned, “Casino Royale” marked the debut of the 007 series in written form, but it wasn’t until 1967 that it was first brought to the screen as a humorous take rather than a serious Bond film adaptation. Despite not being acknowledged as a genuine James Bond movie, there was widespread belief that “Casino Royale” would remain unadapted faithfully on screen, leaving the franchise with the unfortunate reality that they might never get a true-to-original film portrayal of the story that established James Bond as a 007 agent.

Until it became time to introduce the Daniel Craig era and modernize Bond for the 21st century, it seemed like an ideal moment to reboot the franchise in a way that was more significant than usual when a new actor stepped into the role of 007. Instead of continuing from where the story had left off with a different actor, they chose to start the Craig era anew, with a fresh adaptation of “Casino Royale” in 2006.

Apart from serving as a fantastic launching pad for newcomers due to its portrayal of Bond’s origin story, “Casino Royale” stands out as an exceptional 007 film on its own merits. It also presents a more contemporary and less problematic version of Bond, which makes it easier for those who might struggle with the questionable aspects of earlier James Bond films to appreciate this era.

Goldfinger

As a devoted Bond fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the time we all agreed on the ultimate Bond film – none other than “Goldfinger”. Starring the iconic Sean Connery, it was the third film featuring 007 and perfectly encapsulates everything that defines classic Bond. The gadgets, the villain, the Bond girls, and every element in between are all at their finest here. This movie marked the Connery era at its golden mean, striking a balance where things were starting to become extravagant, yet still grounded enough to maintain an air of realism, thus preventing the silliness and absurdity that would creep into subsequent films.

Beginning with “Goldfinger,” it provides an engaging entrance into the world of James Bond, and it’s delightful to discover the roots of all those decades-old jokes, nods, and hidden gems. The “Austin Powers” series, especially the first one, heavily borrowed from “Goldfinger,” as did nearly every joke about stylish spies, villains with a knack for lengthy, self-revealing monologues, women with witty, sexually suggestive names, and gadgets that seem to appear in every ’60s through ’90s movie, TV show, game, comic, and cartoon. These devices always prove handy in the most specific of situations.

GoldenEye

During Timothy Dalton’s brief tenure as 007, it is often said nowadays that he was ahead of his time. However, at the time, his portrayal didn’t resonate strongly with audiences due to a shift in the franchise that was trying to tone down the overly exaggerated style from the Roger Moore era. Instead, Dalton’s Bond was too grim, intense, and violent for its day. Later eras of the franchise aimed to strike a balance between modernizing the series and preserving its classic charm, which is why Pierce Brosnan’s debut as 077 in “GoldenEye” was so successful.

In the late stages of Moore’s tenure and Dalton’s inability to attract a new generation, “GoldenEye” served as an effective introduction of the character to kids from the ’80s and ’90s. This film aimed squarely at capturing a fresh audience, making it an excellent debut Bond movie back then and still today – particularly appealing for those who prefer a more contemporary Bond but aren’t keen on the grittiness of Daniel Craig’s portrayal.

One aspect that contributes to “GoldenEye” being an ideal first Bond film is its highly praised Nintendo 64 video game adaptation, a title that has been enjoyed by countless millions. Interestingly, many of these players may not have watched the movie from which the game was derived, yet they’re likely still well-versed in the main storyline due to popular culture permeation.

The Spy Who Loved Me

In creating this list, we didn’t intentionally aim to cover every era of Bond. Surprisingly, you won’t find any Timothy Dalton movies or “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” the only George Lazenby film. However, since Roger Moore appeared in more Bond films than any other actor, it was hard not to include one of his movies as a potential first-time watch for those seeking a lighthearted and enjoyable 007 experience.

Moore’s tenure as James Bond began with a somewhat over-the-top style, and it became increasingly campy as it progressed, with his final performances as 07 being among the poorest in the series’ history. However, his term included a “Goldfinger”-like perfectly balanced film in 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me.” This movie is often mentioned by Bond enthusiasts when discussing their personal favorite entries, disregarding what they believe to be the actual top 007 films.

Roger Moore’s tenure as Bond may have been tarnished in the later years, but his portrayal in “The Spy Who Loved Me” showcases why he was an excellent choice initially and even superior to Connery for some viewers. As the New York Times stated, “Roger Moore was the ideal Bond for Gen X.” If you prefer a Gen X-like Bond, then “The Spy Who Loved Me” is a must-see – it may even become your favorite 007 film.

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2025-04-14 16:30