Plot: Roger Moore's Bond teams up with a sexy Russian spy to stop a madman intent on starting a nuclear armageddon in order to create a new world beneath the sea.
Perks: The top of the poster says it all. From the opening teaser's spectacular ski-parachute jump to the climactic epic battle inside Carl Stromberg's submarine-swallowing supertanker, this Bond has it all. It was outlandish without being completely ridiculous like "Moonraker" or "Diamonds are Forever." Highlights include Barbara Bach's tough and sexy Agent Triple-X, iconic henchman Jaws with his metal teeth, the Lotus submarine car, exotic Egyptian locales, spectacularly elaborate sets and of course, Roger Moore's incomparable charm. "Goldfinger" established the Bond formula, but "Spy" took it to a new level.

Goldeneye (1995)
Plot: In Pierce Brosnan's first film, 007 takes on a former friend and double-O who hijacks a Russian nuclear space weapon.
Perks: This is the movie that introduced James Bond to a new generation of fans. The film's edgier, darker feel is a testament to director Martin Campbell and gives the movie a unique quality setting it apart from other 007 adventures—in a good way. The reason it works so well is that the line between realism and outlandish action is toed perfectly, never going too far in either direction. The entire supporting cast is memorable, particular Bond girls Izabella Scorupco and Famke Janssen, whose characters are as strong as they are beautiful. Throw in Judi Dench as M and this is one film where women are not just eye candy.


Goldfinger (1964)
Plot: Sean Connery's Bond must stop the titular character's crazy scheme to irradiate the American gold depository at Fort Knox.
Perks: Although it was the third Bond film, this is the movie that established the so-called "Bond Formula": Exotic locales, beautiful women, outlandish plot, spectacular sets, over-the-top villain, bizarre henchmen (Oddjob), teaser opening, title song over the credits, gadgets and cars (the famous Aston Martin DB5). After "Goldfinger" all movies bearing that iconic number had to live up to this formula. This was also the film that made 007 a world-wide phenomena that continues to this very day. Never mind Bond films, this is one of the Top 10 Action Movies of all time simply because of its tremendous significance.

Plot: George Lazenby's Bond tries to stop arch-enemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld's germ warfare plot. Plus, Bond actually falls in love.
Perks: "OHMSS" is a great movie that deserves far better than to only be remembered as a casting blunder. If Connery or Moore had done this movie, it would have been his best. However, Lazenby was a good Bond despite his off-screen immaturity that caused him to quit the series. As it stands, his and director Peter Hunt's lone movie is a winner beginning to end. The breathtaking ski sequences, fast-paced fight scenes and Swiss Alp scenery complement the emotional backdrop driven by Diana Rigg's Tracy. If you liked the down-to-earth, book-based Bond character on display in "Casino Royale," the same one is in "OHMSS."

Plot: Connery's 007 is chased by SPECTRE after being lured to Istanbul by a beautiful Soviet agent who promises him a top-secret encryption device. Perks: This is the best of the "realistic" Bond films, telling a story very similar to that told in Ian Fleming's novel. While the first 007 adventure "Dr. No" never quite feels like a full-fledged Bond movie, "From Russia With Love" lays much of the formula groundwork that would be ironed out one film later in "Goldfinger." Connery shines as 007, while supporting actors Lotte Lenya and Pedro Armandáriz (who was literally dying during filming) provide some of the franchise's most memorable characters.


The Living Daylights (1987)
Plot: Timothy Dalton stars in this down-to-earth thriller where Bond becomes tangled in a web of Soviet defectors, Afghan freedom fighters and an American weapons dealer.
Perks: As Dalton's first movie, this is a bare-bones Bond that brought realism back to the series after the light-hearted, sometimes ridiculous Moore era. It is a complex quasi-thriller with twists and turns that are consistent with the original Fleming novels. The plot and characters aren't over the top, while the Bond girl is a low-key Slovakian cellist (who never actually has sex with Bond!). There are still plenty of fun action scenes, though, including a car chase with a gadget-festooned Aston Martin and a thrilling airplane fight scene over the Afghanistan desert.

Octopussy (1983)
Plot: When a fellow double-O turns up dead, Moore's Bond must discover the connection between a mad Soviet general and a mysterious jewel smuggler.
Perks: This film, with its exotic Indian setting and memorable characters is more than just a risqué title. For the record, it comes from the leading lady (Maud Adams), who got her nickname from her Octopi-expert father. Anyway, although it has plenty of outlandish elements (Bond dresses like a clown, a mini-jet emerges from a fake horse's rear end), "Octopussy" is actually a fairly believable tale of jewel smuggling, a greedy Afghan prince and a rogue Soviet general hell-bent on invading the West. The chemistry between Moore and Adams is undeniable, while Octopussy herself is one of the series' better characters.
Plot: Connery's 007 finally meets his nemesis, Blofeld, who is capturing American and Soviet space craft from his secret volcano base in Japan. Perks: Ten years ago, this probably wouldn't have made the list. But thanks to Austin Powers, "You Only Live Twice" has re-established itself as a cultural icon, since most of Mike Myers' spoof was inspired by this 007 film. Dr. Evil's bald head and scar are obvious homages to Donald Pleasance's Blofeld, while the "hollowed out volcano" speaks for itself. Austin Powers aside, "You Only Live Twice" is an over-the-top tale filled with Connery charm, epic action sequences and a setting that is almost a character itself: Japan. Special credit also goes to John Barry's excellent theme song by Nancy Sinatra.

Plot: After long-time ally Felix Leiter is brutally maimed by a drug lord, Dalton's 007 turns in his license to kill and seeks revenge.
Perks: This is a controversial choice. Many criticize "Licence to Kill" because it is too serious, too violent and strays too far away from the "Goldfinger" formula. But five-time Bond director John Glen considers this his best work, and it's easy to understand why. This is a gritty tale that shows Bond is human (kudos to Dalton), while the action sequences and "Count of Monte Cristo"-like plot keep you riveted. Robert Davi is captivating as drug lord Franz Sanchez, while a very young Benicio del Toro hams it up as his henchman. Meanwhile, Carey Lowell proves once again that strong women often inhabit the best Bond films.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Plot: Brosnan's 007 is sent to protect an oil heiress who is more than what she seems.
Perks: Like "Goldeneye," "The World is Not Enough" toes the line between realism and outlandishness, while adding in an emotional element left over from the Dalton days. Sophie Marceau is perfect as the illusive Elektra King, while Judi Dench adeptly makes M an intrinsic part of the plot for the first time. The film's climactic twist makes this one of the few Bond films that actually catches you off guard. Then there's Denise Richards as Dr. Christmas Jones, a thoroughly stupid character and casting choice (she's a bosomy, mid-20s nuclear scientist in the middle of Kazakhstan; hollowed-out volcanoes are more believable). Yet despite her worst efforts, "TWINE" makes the Top 10 ahead of honorable mention "For Your Eyes Only."