James Bond has been a huge icon in the film industry for nearly 6 decades
The James Bond franchise is one of the longest-running film series in history. With 24 movies made and another on the way, the Secret Agent character has been entering homes and cinemas across the world for nearly 60 years.
However, with such a long-lasting series that includes an entire host of different villains, settings, storylines, and twists, it can be hard for fans to follow the ever-changing plots of these films if they have missed one or two releases. Nevertheless, we have compiled a list of five essential Bond masterpieces that will set viewers up well for the brand-new release of the latest movie, No Time to Die, which is set to hit theatres later this fall.
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Dr. No (1962)
The very first film in the series, Dr. No is a must-see for any Bond enthusiast. Not only because it is historic to the franchise, but also because fans can see where all the action began, with the late movie icon and first-ever Bond actor, Sean Connery.
It was here that viewers were introduced to 007’s first villain, Dr. Julius No and got to see the spy speak those famous words – ‘It’s Bond, James Bond’ – in the film’s opening scene. There’s nothing more memorable than watching vintage Bond fight it out on the big screen. It will also give you a chance to see how far the franchise has come, as you compare its first installment with its most modern.
Casino Royale (2006)
Jumping forwards quite a bit to what many call the most popular film in the series, Casino Royale featured a brand-new face in the leading role: English actor Daniel Craig. This one was a special reboot for the franchise, with Craig playing the Secret Agent in every installment since then.
The movie also brought the thrilling storyline of Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel to life, as 007 takes on an evil banker named Le Chiffre in a challenging, high-stakes game of No Limit Hold’em, hoping to bankrupt him and save the world from harm. Even though the two characters did not play poker in Fleming’s original book, when the film came out in 2006 it only made sense to feature this version since the “boom” of poker in the mid-2000s made the game extremely popular. All in all, Casino Royale is a box office hit that should undoubtedly be featured in your Bond watch list.
The famous Aston Martin car that Bond used in Dr. No would become another important emblem of the franchise as different models were used throughout the series
Skyfall (2012)
Skyfall is another beloved Bond film in the decades-long franchise. Well known for its incorporation of many fans’ favorite villain, Raoul Silva, the movie takes viewers on a wild ride through a tumultuous Bond assignment where the Secret Agent is tasked with investigating an unexpected attack on the MI6 agency. Played by three-time Oscar winning Javier Bardem, Silva puts up quite the fight and is extremely entertaining on screen. It’s also helpful to watch Skyfall before Spectre as it adds some useful context for the next, must-see installment.
Spectre (2015)
Specte is hands down the most important Bond film to see before No Time to Die. This is because the film’s plot revolves around the enemy organization “Spectre” and re-introduces the classic Bond villain who controls it, Ernst Blofeld. Played by German actor Christoph Waltz, Blofeld is one of Bond’s most memorable evil opponents. Additionally, the film retraces 007’s steps in a way that will be helpful for viewers who are interested in watching the new movie but haven’t seen every edition that has come before it. Not to mention Blofeld will return in No Time to Die so it is useful for fans to understand who he is and a bit of his backstory.
Now you can gear up for the 25th Bond installment, reviewing the best 007 movies that have preceded it. And if you’re intimidated at the thought of purchasing all these films at once, check out some websites where you can watch major motion pictures for free online.
