List of 007 Films: What Most People Get Wrong

You think you know the list of 007 films, right? Most people can rattle off a few: Skyfall, Goldfinger, maybe Casino Royale. But honestly, the "official" count is a bit of a mess if you aren't paying attention to the legal drama behind the scenes.

There are 25 official films produced by Eon Productions. But if you're a completionist, the number is actually 27. Or maybe 28 if you count a weird 1954 TV episode where Bond was an American named "Jimmy."

James Bond has been around since 1962, and the franchise is currently in its biggest state of flux since the mid-90s. With Daniel Craig officially out and Amazon MGM now holding the keys to the Aston Martin, everyone is asking: what’s next?

The Official Eon Productions Timeline

This is the "canon." If it’s not on this list, most die-hard fans don't count it. These are the movies that defined the character, from the cold professionalism of Connery to the gritty, bleeding heart of Craig.

The Sean Connery Era (1962–1967, 1971)

Connery didn't just play Bond; he invented the cinematic template. In 1962, Dr. No wasn't a guaranteed hit. It was a risky, mid-budget spy flick. By 1964’s Goldfinger, it was a global obsession.

• Dr. No (1962): The one that started it all. No gadgets, just a guy in a suit and a Walther PPK.
• From Russia with Love (1963): A genuine Cold War thriller. It feels more like Hitchcock than a modern Bond movie.
• Goldfinger (1964): The blueprint. The DB5, the laser, the eccentric villain. It basically created the action movie genre.
• Thunderball (1965): Huge, underwater, and expensive. It was the first "mega-blockbuster" for the series.
• You Only Live Twice (1967): Bond in Japan. This is the one with the volcano lair.
• Diamonds Are Forever (1971): Connery came back for a massive payday after George Lazenby’s brief stint. It’s campy, weird, and set in Vegas.

The George Lazenby Blip (1969)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is arguably the best Bond movie, and yet Lazenby is the most forgotten actor. Why? Because he quit before the movie even premiered. He was a model, not an actor, but the film’s emotional weight and skiing sequences are legendary.

The Roger Moore Marathon (1973–1985)

Moore brought the puns. He played Bond for 12 years across seven films. This era is where things got "kinda" ridiculous, but also incredibly fun.

1. Live and Let Die (1973): Boat chases and voodoo. It’s very 70s.
2. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): Christopher Lee is the villain. That’s all you really need to know.
3. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): The Lotus Esprit turns into a submarine. Peak Moore.
4. Moonraker (1979): Bond in space. Seriously.
5. For Your Eyes Only (1981): A much-needed grounded thriller.
6. Octopussy (1983): A title that still makes people giggle, but the train sequence is top-tier stunt work.
7. A View to a Kill (1985): Christopher Walken tries to destroy Silicon Valley. Moore was 57 here, and honestly, it shows.

The Dalton Divergence (1987–1989)

Timothy Dalton was ahead of his time. He wanted to play the Bond from Ian Fleming’s books—angry, tired, and dangerous.

• The Living Daylights (1987): A high-stakes defection story.
• Licence to Kill (1989): Bond goes rogue to avenge his friend Felix Leiter. It was so violent it almost killed the franchise in the US market.

The Pierce Brosnan Renaissance (1995–2002)

After a six-year legal battle, Bond returned. Brosnan was the perfect mix of Connery’s cool and Moore’s charm.

• GoldenEye (1995): Directed by Martin Campbell. It’s a masterpiece.
• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Michelle Yeoh kicks a lot of ass.
• The World Is Not Enough (1999): Sophie Marceau is a fantastic villain.
• Die Another Day (2002): The invisible car. This movie was so over-the-top that the producers realized they had to reboot everything.

The Daniel Craig Reinvention (2006–2021)

Craig changed the game. No more invisible cars. Just a guy who gets bruised and bleeds.

• Casino Royale (2006): A total reset. One of the best action movies ever made.
• Quantum of Solace (2008): A direct sequel, though hampered by a writers' strike.
• Skyfall (2012): The first Bond film to cross $1 billion. It’s gorgeous.
• Spectre (2015): Blofeld returns, but the plot is a bit of a maze.
• No Time to Die (2021): The finale. It did something no other Bond film dared to do. (No spoilers, but it's a tear-jerker).

What About the "Non-Official" Films?

This is where the list of 007 films gets tricky. There are two movies that feature James Bond but weren't made by Eon Productions.

First, there’s the 1967 Casino Royale. It’s a satirical comedy featuring David Niven as an aging Bond. It’s a mess, but a fascinating one. Then there’s Never Say Never Again (1983). Sean Connery came back to play Bond one last time for a rival studio. It’s basically a remake of Thunderball and was released the same year as Moore’s Octopussy. Fans call it the "Battle of the Bonds."

Bond 26: The Future in 2026

As of January 2026, we are in the "great waiting period."

The news is swirling. Reports from the start of this year suggest Callum Turner (Masters of the Air) has been telling friends he’s the new Bond. It’s the "worst-kept secret in town," according to some sources, though Amazon MGM is keeping their mouths shut for now.

What we do know: Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is reportedly attached to direct. That is a massive shift in tone. If he’s at the helm, expect something visually stunning and deeply atmospheric. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, is said to be writing the script. It’s looking like a 2028 release date is the most realistic target, given Villeneuve’s schedule with Dune Messiah.

The Evolution of the 007 Formula

People think Bond is just girls, gadgets, and guns. That’s sort of true, but it’s also a lie. The franchise survives because it adapts. In the 60s, it was about the Cold War. In the 70s, it chased trends (Blaxploitation in Live and Let Die, Star Wars in Moonraker).

In the 2020s, the focus shifted to continuity and emotional stakes. You can't just jump from one movie to the next anymore without acknowledging what happened before.

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Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Bond Marathon

If you're looking to dive into the list of 007 films, don't just watch them in order. You'll get burnt out by the time you hit the late Moore years. Try these curated "mini-marathons" instead:

• The "Foundations" Trio: Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger. Watch these to see the legend being built.
• The "Dark Side" Double Feature: Licence to Kill and Casino Royale. These show the "blunt instrument" version of 007.
• The "Spectacular" Run: The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. Pure popcorn entertainment with zero realism.
• The Modern Arc: Honestly, the Daniel Craig films are meant to be watched as one long story. Start with Casino Royale and go through to No Time to Die.

The legacy of 007 isn't just about the movies; it's about how the character reflects the era he’s in. Whether the next Bond is Callum Turner or a complete unknown, the blueprint remains. The suit might change, the car might get faster, but the "double-O" prefix is here to stay.

To stay ahead of the next release, keep an eye on official Amazon MGM announcements rather than tabloid rumors. The official casting of Bond 26 will likely be a major global event, similar to the 2005 press conference that introduced Daniel Craig on a Royal Navy speedboat. For now, the best way to prepare is to revisit the classics and see how far the commander has come.