Everyone thinks they know the list of Sean Connery films by heart. You mention the name, and the brain immediately goes to a tuxedo, a Walther PPK, and a martini that’s definitely not stirred. But if you think his career begins and ends with 007, you’re missing out on about 75% of the actual magic.
Honestly, the guy was a workhorse. Before he ever uttered the words "Bond, James Bond," he was grinding out roles in B-movies and Disney flicks that would make a modern influencer's head spin. He didn't just stumble into greatness; he fought his way through some truly bizarre projects to get there.
The Bond Years and the Trap of Fame
Let's get the obvious out of the way. Between 1962 and 1971, Connery made six "official" Bond movies with Eon Productions.
- Dr. No (1962)
- From Russia with Love (1963)
- Goldfinger (1964)
- Thunderball (1965)
- You Only Live Twice (1967)
- Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
He famously walked away, came back for a massive payday in Diamonds Are Forever, and then swore he’d never do it again. Then, of course, he did it again in 1983 with Never Say Never Again, which wasn't even an "official" Eon film. It was basically a legal loophole movie. People always argue about where it fits in the list of Sean Connery films, but regardless of the politics, he was 52 years old and still wore the hell out of that rug.
The weird thing is that while he was playing the world's most famous spy, he was desperately trying to sabotage his own image. He hated being pigeonholed. In 1965, right at the height of Bond-mania, he did The Hill. It’s a brutal, black-and-white military drama directed by Sidney Lumet. No gadgets. No girls. Just men suffering in a North African prison camp. If you want to see the "real" Connery, that's the one to watch.
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Why His 70s Era Was Actually His Best
Most fans skip the 1970s. That’s a mistake. After he ditched the Bond mantle (the first time), he went on a tear of experimental, often weird, but always fascinating movies.
Have you ever seen Zardoz (1974)?
You've probably seen the meme. Connery in a red loincloth and thigh-high leather boots with a ponytail. It’s a psychedelic sci-fi fever dream directed by John Boorman. It’s objectively insane. But Connery gives it 100%. He never winked at the camera. He treated a giant flying stone head like it was Shakespeare.
Then you have The Man Who Would Be King (1975). This is arguably his finest hour. He and Michael Caine play two ex-soldiers who decide to become kings of Kafiristan. It’s a sprawling adventure that feels like it belongs to a different century. Their chemistry is basically the gold standard for "buddy movies."
The Elder Statesman: The 80s and 90s Renaissance
By the mid-80s, Connery’s career had cooled off a bit. Then 1986 happened. He starred in Highlander as Ramirez—an Egyptian-Spaniard with a Scottish accent (because why not?)—and The Name of the Rose.
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In The Name of the Rose, he plays William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar solving murders in a medieval monastery. It's basically Sherlock Holmes in a cowl. It won him a BAFTA and proved that his "silver fox" era was going to be even more lucrative than his youth.
- The Untouchables (1987): The big one. He played Jimmy Malone and finally won his Oscar. "He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue." Iconic.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): He played Harrison Ford’s dad. He was only 12 years older than Ford in real life, but it worked perfectly.
- The Hunt for Red October (1990): He played a Soviet sub commander. Again, with the Scottish accent. Does it matter? No. He’s Sean Connery.
The Final Act and the Movie That Broke Him
The 90s were a mixed bag. He had massive hits like The Rock (1996), which is basically a 90s action masterpiece. It’s loud, it’s Michael Bay, and Connery plays a character who is very clearly a "what if" version of an older James Bond.
But then came The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
This movie was a mess. Production was plagued by floods, budget issues, and a legendary feud between Connery and director Stephen Norrington. It was so taxing that Connery basically said, "I'm out," and retired from live-action acting. He spent the rest of his life in the Bahamas, occasionally doing voice work like the animated Sir Billi (2012), but he never stepped in front of a camera again.
Surprising Gems You Probably Missed
If you’re looking to dig deeper into the list of Sean Connery films, stay away from the obvious blockbusters for a second.
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Check out The Offence (1973). It’s another Lumet collaboration. Connery plays a police sergeant who snaps during an interrogation. It’s dark, uncomfortable, and shows a level of psychological depth that most people didn't think he was capable of.
Also, Finding Forrester (2000) is worth your time. It’s a "mentor" movie, sort of like Good Will Hunting, but Connery’s performance as a reclusive author is genuinely touching. It’s a quiet way to see him wind down his career before the chaos of LXG.
Practical Advice for a Connery Marathon
If you're planning a binge-watch, don't just go in chronological order. You'll get "Bond fatigue." Mix it up.
- Start with the Peaks: Watch Goldfinger, then jump to The Untouchables.
- The Weird Mid-Career: Pair Zardoz with The Man Who Would Be King. It’ll give you whiplash, but in a good way.
- The Sidney Lumet Collection: Watch The Hill, The Anderson Tapes, and The Offence. This is where the real acting happens.
- The Finale: Watch The Rock followed by Finding Forrester.
Connery wasn't just a movie star; he was a presence. Whether he was playing a king, a monk, a thief, or a spy, he had this gravity that pulled everything toward him. Even in his "bad" movies—and there are a few—you can't take your eyes off him.
To truly appreciate the list of Sean Connery films, you have to look past the gadgets. Look at the man who was willing to wear a red loincloth just to prove he wasn't a product. That's the real legacy.
Check out the streaming status of The Man Who Would Be King or The Hill on your preferred platform today to see the range beyond the tuxedo.