Espionage has always intrigued audiences when it’s used as a main theme in movies. Spies not only have to garner information without getting caught, but they often have to fight their way out of havoc when the enemies discover their snooping. Spy films are varied and can cover a lot of ground as far as genres are concerned. Tropes such as politics, action, adventure, racism, and even romance can ground spy movies and distill them for a generalized audience. Today, we’re here to rank our favorite spy movies from worst (this is a relative term) to best. These movies have featured mega-stars like Tom Cruise and legendary directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, giving credence to spy films for over half a century.
13. Skyfall (2012)
Daniel Craig often takes the mantel as the best James Bond actor when listing the greats who’ve played the character. Skyfall is perhaps the crowning achievement on his 007 resume. Most of the film tackles the complicated relationship between Bond and Judi Dench’s M. Add Adele’s award-winning vocals to the soundtrack, and you have a signature summer blockbuster of the 2010s.
12. The Bourne Identity (2002)
The Bourne Identity birthed Matt Damon’s success as an action actor as he played Jason Bourne perfectly. The spy who doesn’t know where he is or what purpose he serves must reclaim himself while enemies of all kinds nip at his tail. This film helped spawn three more sequels in which Damon appears, most recently being 2016’s Jason Bourne.
11. True Lies (1994)
True Lies came out right when Arnold Schwarzenegger was mixing action with comedy quite often. He plays a double agent who finds out his wife can play the same game of deception that he does — only hers is much more personal. Jamie Lee Curtis and Bill Paxton play supporting roles in one of James Cameron’s most underrated movies.
10. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Before Mike Myers was known as the voice of the beloved DreamWorks character, Shrek, he was Austin Powers, the flamboyant secret agent satirizing James Bond. This first film laid the groundwork for all of the hilarity that would ensue in the two sequels, including the humorous rivalry of Austin Powers and his nemesis Dr. Evil (also played by Myers). Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was never going to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, but it’s a heck of a good time that will remind you not to take the spy genre so seriously!
9. Spy (2015)
This Paul Feig-directed comedy uses several unconventional storytelling methods to carve out a successful spy film. Melissa McCarthy stars as a secret agent who is trying to cover the tracks of her employer and find nuclear devices before it’s too late. Women don’t often star in these types of action/thriller films, but McCarthy’s talent proves that gender shouldn’t matter when creating a spy movie. Jude Law and Jason Statham provide supporting acting roles.
8. Tenet (2020)
This Christopher Nolan film uses time travel and a floating timeline to build tension as an unnamed CIA secret agent protagonist attempts to save the world. Tenet both benefited from and was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was delayed due to the quarantine periods and government shutdowns, but this also allowed anticipation to build and audiences were happy to make it to the movies again.
7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
If you want a more introspective and historically rich spy film, then Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy will do the trick. Starring Gary Oldman as George Smiley, the film depicts the long journey of the British government towards finding a Soviet spy that’s pretending to be one of their own. The concept of a double agent is always good for discussing themes like morality, loyalty, and authenticity. Oldman was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the movie.
6. Bridge of Spies (2015)
One of the better movies in Tom Hanks’ portfolio in recent years, Bridge of Spies focuses on the negotiations between the U.S. and Soviet Union over hostages Rudolf Abel and Francis Gary Powers. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, this tense biopic will show you a little more about the intensity of this time period between the world’s two superpowers. A young Noah Schnapp of Stranger Things fame makes an appearance in this film, too!
5. The Conversation (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola is most known for The Godfather films, but if you want to forgo the mobsters, The Conversation is a great avenue to take. Gene Hackman is a morally compromised surveillance worker who comes across violent information while video taping a completely different matter. The film discusses the complications of ignoring what is right and wrong, and also the ethical matters involved in technological evolution. Other stars include John Cazale and Cindy William.
4. North by Northwest (1959)
Sometimes the classics are still all we need to enjoy movies at their best. Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest uses many of the spy themes that would go on to define the future of the genre, such as government secrecy, the use of macguffins, and personal identity. The film stars Cary Grant as the man being stalked by ambiguous agents who don’t want their secret to be let out into the open. It is considered one of Hitchcock’s best films over 50 years later.
3. Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
The character Ethan Hunt is Tom Cruise’s love letter to spy movies and action heroes, and his most daring adventure is definitely Mission Impossible – Fallout. Featuring the most incredible stunt sequences in the franchise to date, this 2018 box office hit also features Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Alec Baldwin.
2. The Imitation Game (2014)
For those who want a little bit of historical drama mixed in with their spy films, try out The Imitation Game. Staring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the movie gives a spotlight to the man who helped the British defeat Germany during World War II with his high-level intellect and coding skills. Turing’s story ended in tragedy after he was arrested for being gay, leading to him succumbing to suicide caused by severe depression. Not everything is completely accurate in the movie, but it’s still a highly-stylized and well-acted look at an underrated hero of the early 20th century.
1. Goldfinger (1964)
James Bond is the ultimate movie spy, and Goldfinger is the best film featuring the badass agent. Sean Connery really takes off in this iteration of the character, adding his trademark charisma that gels well with the antagonist of the film, Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe). There have been dozens of 007 flicks since this one, but the classics never die.
