James Bond: Best Viewing Order For Daniel Craig’s Movies
Ahead of his final outing in the role, what is the best viewing order for Daniel Craig's James Bond? Back before Sean Connery was cast, names such as David Niven and Cary Grant were passed around for the part of Agent 007 in his first movie Dr. No. While he may not have been nearly as famous, Connery was perfect casting, balancing the charm and dry wit of Bond but being ruthless when needed. The actor originally departed the role following 1967's You Only Live Twice and he was replaced by George Lazenby for On Your Majesty's Secret Service, which also starred the late, great Diana Rigg.
Lazenby abruptly quit the franchise after only one outing, and Connery was tempted back with a large cheque for 1971's Diamonds Are Forever. Roger Moore then inherited the role and made it his own with Live And Let Die, and he's the current reigning champ, having played the character for seven movies. Timothy Dalton attempted to inject some darkness into his two movie run, though the response to this gritter take was mixed at the time, and his Bond adventures remain underrated.
Pierce Brosnan made for a great, suave take on the spy, but while he started strong with 1995's GoldenEye, his final outing Die Another Day is often considered the worst. Daniel Craig has inhabited the role for five movies and will bow out of the series with the forthcoming No Time To Die. Ahead of his final effort, here's the recommended viewing order to prepare.
- Casino Royale
- Skyfall
- Spectre
- Quantum Of Solace
Casino Royale is the logical starting point, being that its the origin story for how James Bond became 007 during a defining mission; the movie is also based on the first Ian Fleming Bond novel. Skyfall is Craig's third movie and often considered his best, where he faces off with Javier Bardem's villain. From the action sequences to the performances, the theme song to the cinematography, it's easily one of Bond's strongest outings.
Spectre is Daniel Craig's fourth outing and re-introduced classic villain Blofeld, though the character's return and Christoph Waltz's performance proved underwhelming. The movie was a stepdown from Skyfall but it also saw Craig embrace the lighter side of the role and introduced love interest Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), and the story ended with Bond retiring and riding off into the sunset with Madeleine. This sets up the events of No Time To Die, though fans may note Craig's second Bond outing Quantum Of Solace is last on the best viewing order.
Quantum Of Solace occupies a strange place in the series, being the closest the series has come to a direct sequel. It starts shortly after the events of Casino Royale and James Bond's grief over the death of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) plays a big role. That said, the movie's thin story, weak villains and over-edited action sequences see it typically rank among the least essential of Craig's era, and while completionists may wish to rewatch Quantum Of Solace before No Time To Die, it's not necessarily essential.