One of the most dapper men in a suit in film, James Bond has captured the hearts of generations starting in 1962 with Dr. No. Since then, twenty-five other films featuring the British secret agent have been created, starring no less than seven different actors portraying Bond. These include Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and the most recent, Daniel Craig.
Below, we have ranked the seven best James Bond movies that Sean Connery appears in. Check back in to our updated list of additional James Bond actors, culminating in a list of all twenty-six films.
7. Never Say Never Again (1983)
Our seventh selection for the best James Bond movies is Never Say Never Again. James Bond is older, and when he makes a mistake during a routine training mission, M believes the spy is past his prime, suspending him from active duty. But, when SPECTRE agents steal two nuclear missions from the U.S. military, M must send Bond because he is the only agent cunning enough to beat SPECTRE at their own game.
–IMDb score: 6.1
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6. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Next up for best James Bond movies is Diamonds Are Forever, Connery’s sixth appearance as Bond. Several diamonds have been disappearing, and James Bond must find who is keeping the precious jewels. This leads him to a Las Vegas diamond-smuggling ring that is plotting to target Washington with a laser in space. As 007 closes in on the target, he gets distracted by Tiffany Case, who may be a double agent.
–IMDb score: 6.5
5. You Only Live Twice (1967)
Ranking fifth on the best James Bond movies list is You Only Live Twice, which premiered in 1967. It’s the height of the Cold War, and the United States and the Soviet Union are on thin ice. When each country loses one spacecraft they are quick to blame the other country as tensions rise. However, the United Kingdom has an alternative theory including Japan, and sends their number one spy James Bond to uncover the mystery, and a plot more sinister than any could have imagined.
–IMDb score: 6.8
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4. Thunderball (1965)
Fourth on the best James Bond movies list is Thunderball, Connery’s fourth appearance as Bond. His newest assignment? Recover two stolen warheads taken by the SPECTRE organization by heading to the Bahamas. There, he meets Domino and must confront SPECTRE agent Emilio Largo in a high-stakes international extortion scheme.
–IMDb score: 6.9
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3. Dr. No (1962)
Earning the top three spot for the best James Bond movies is Dr. No, the very first Bond film Sean Connery starred in. James Bond, also known as 007, is Britain’s top agent and is sent on a mission to stop the mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius dedicated to destroying the U.S. space program. As the countdown begins, Bond travels to Jamaica to confront the villain in his island headquarters.
–IMDb score: 7.2
2. From Russia With Love (1963)
Second on our best James Bond movies list is From Russia With Love, premiering in 1963. Agent James Bond is back, this time fighting against the secret crime organization SPECTRE to recover a Russian decoding machine known as “Lektor.” Along the way, Bond gets romantically involved with Russian Tatiana Romanova, who may be working for the enemy. It will take all of Bond’s wits to escape with his life in a series of dangerous encounters.
–IMDb score: 7.3
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1. Goldfinger (1964)
Last but not least on the best James Bond movies list is Goldfinger, the third Bond film Connery starred in. James Bond’s newest assignment? The Bank of England and Mi6 want him to investigate gold magnate Auric Goldfinger, who they suspect is gathering a vast inventory of gold bars. At first, nothing seems awry until Bond uncovers “Operation Grand Slam,” which could put the entire Western economy in danger unless Goldfinger is stopped.
–IMDb score: 7.7
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