Spy-Fi Goodness
by grendelkhan | created - 23 Dec 2012 | updated - 25 Sep 2016 | PublicThe thrilling, and sometimes comical, exploits of the world's greatest secret agents.
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1. Climax! (1954–1958)
Unrated | 60 min | Drama
This was an anthology series that presented a different story and different set of characters on each episode. It ran from 1954 to 1958 and featured Casino Royale of James Bond fame, which led to two theatrical movies of the same name.
Stars: William Lundigan, Art Gilmore, Mary Costa, Michael Rennie
Votes: 260
The cinematic debut of Bond (there was a radio program in South Africa before this). Here, he is American agent Jimmy Bond, played by Barry Nelson. Not bad, all things considered, mostly due to Peter Lorre as Le Chiffre.
2. Danger Man (1960–1961)
TV-PG | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
John Drake is a special operative for NATO, specializing in security assignments against any subversive element which threatened world peace.
Stars: Patrick McGoohan, Richard Wattis, Lionel Murton, Michael Ripper
Votes: 1,385
Patrick McGoohan stars as John Drake, an agent for NATO. These are a bit more subdued and cerebral than its cinematic counterpoints. McGoohan is icy calm and maintains the moral high ground. This would set the scene for McGoohan's masterpiece.
3. The Avengers (1961–1969)
TV-14 | 50 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson
Votes: 8,887
Though it predates the Bond films, things don't start to kick into high gear until Honor Blackman enters the picture. Once Emma Peel debuts, it takes off like a rocket. Loads of fun, with a nice mix of humor and action, with both realistic and fantastic plots.
4. Dr. No (1962)
PG | 110 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program.
Director: Terence Young | Stars: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Bernard Lee, Joseph Wiseman
Votes: 179,388 | Gross: $16.07M
The film that started it all! Not quite up to later standards, but still pretty exciting. The villain is a weak Fu Manchu rip-off, though.
5. The Saint (1962–1969)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Simon "The Saint" Templar, a wealthy adventurer and 20th-century Robin Hood, travels the world in his white Volvo P1800S, solving unsolvable problems and righting wrongs.
Stars: Roger Moore, Ivor Dean, Leslie Crawford, Justine Lord
Votes: 6,214
The literary character was more of a detective and that's the character in the earlier movie series. Here, Roger Moore portrays Simon Templar as one part superspy, one part freelance troubleshooter. Very entertaining and better than his Bond, for my money.
6. From Russia with Love (1963)
PG | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond willingly falls into an assassination plot involving a naive Russian beauty in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
Director: Terence Young | Stars: Sean Connery, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Daniela Bianchi
Votes: 145,347 | Gross: $24.80M
One of the best written of the Bond series, and the start of the gadgets, with everyone's favorite attache case. It's a shame that SPECTRE Island is never revisited, as the hunt for it could have made for a great plot.
7. Goldfinger (1964)
PG | 110 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
While investigating a gold magnate's smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Votes: 202,541 | Gross: $51.08M
Things start to get rather grandiose, though it's pulled off masterfully! Ken Adams goes to town with the Fort Knox set.
8. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The two top Agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (U.N.C.L.E.) fight the enemies of peace, particularly the forces of T.H.R.U.S.H.
Stars: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Leo G. Carroll, John Herman Shaner
Votes: 6,262
Why stop at one spy when you can have two? Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin battle with the forces of THRUSH. It starts out well, but takes a downturn in the later seasons. The UNCLE Specials are by far the ultimate in spy weaponry. The series would spawn a film series, with episodes edited together and footage added to link the stories.
9. Thunderball (1965)
PG | 130 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond heads to the Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Agent Emilio Largo in an international extortion scheme.
Director: Terence Young | Stars: Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi
Votes: 127,089 | Gross: $63.60M
There's no turning back now. Gadgets and megalomaniacs dominate the films, from here on out! The Aston Martin is topped by the jetpack, an item no self respecting superspy should be without.
10. I Spy (1965–1968)
51 min | Action, Adventure
A pair of intelligence agents posing as a tennis pro and his coach go on secret missions around the world.
Stars: Robert Culp, Bill Cosby, Kenneth Tobey, Arthur Batanides
Votes: 2,486
Bill Cosby and Robert Culp take on the baddies. Not quite as exciting as Bond or UNCLE, but a charming series in its own right.
11. Get Smart (1965–1970)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Maxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, battles the evil forces of rival spy agency KAOS with the help of his competent partner Agent 99.
Stars: Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt, Robert Karvelas
Votes: 13,787
The ultimate in spy spoof. Max Smart is the most hapless secret agent, but 99 will get him through. Pity the poor head of CONTROL, but hiss at the forces of KAOS!
12. The Ipcress File (1965)
Passed | 109 min | Drama, Thriller
In London, a wisecracking spy investigates the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists while dealing with the constraints of his agency's bureaucracy.
Director: Sidney J. Furie | Stars: Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Sue Lloyd
Votes: 17,583
Taught spy thriller that helped (along with Alfie) launch Michael Caine into stardom. Caine is Harry Palmer, the anti-Bond. Palmer's world is filled with reports and double-dealing bosses. The thinking man's spy.
13. The Wild Wild West (1965–1969)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Western
Two Secret Service agents, equipped with a wide array of gizmos, work for the government in the Old West.
Stars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Dick Cangey, Whitey Hughes
Votes: 6,495
Steampunk before the term existed. This series took the spy series back in time to the Old West, and gave us the coolest spy series of all. Very inventive, with charming leads. Michael Dunne as the recurring villain, Dr. Miguelito Loveless, makes this a classic. Dunne would have made a fantastic Bond villain.
14. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
Approved | 112 min | Drama, Thriller
Instead of coming in from the Cold War, British agent Alec Leamas chooses to face another mission.
Director: Martin Ritt | Stars: Richard Burton, Oskar Werner, Claire Bloom, Sam Wanamaker
Votes: 18,810
Excellent adaptation of John Le Carre's best seller. Burton plays the part of the burnt out agent well, caught in Control's manipulation of the Russians. Great sequences along the Berlin Wall and a fine character piece. Real spy stuff here.
15. The Liquidator (1965)
Approved | 105 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Colonel Mostyn of the British Intelligence Service suspects there is a leak in his department and hires an American expatriate to eliminate various targets working for the Soviets.
Director: Jack Cardiff | Stars: Rod Taylor, Trevor Howard, Jill St. John, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Votes: 1,266
Rod Taylor stars in this spy spoof. Taylor is an ex-GI who accidentally saves the life of spy Trevor Howard. Sometime later, he finds himself recruited to be an assassin. He tries to continue the con, hiring Erik Sykes to hit his targets, but he soon has to do the job himself. Lots of fun in the British spoof.
16. Honey West (1965–1966)
Not Rated | 30 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After her father's death, Honey West takes over his high-tech private-detective firm, assisted by rugged Sam Bolt--and her pet ocelot Bruce.
Stars: Anne Francis, John Ericson, Bruce, Irene Hervey
Votes: 808
This was more of a detective show, but it was draped in spy-fi trappings. Anne Francis is great as the very capable Honey West, who was far closer to Modesty Blaise than any of its cinematic efforts.
17. Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965)
Approved | 88 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
A skirt-chasing spy and a millionaire bachelor must foil mad scientist Dr. Goldfoot's plot to use his army of bikini-clad robots to seduce wealthy men into signing over their assets.
Directors: Norman Taurog, Ishirô Honda | Stars: Vincent Price, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart
Votes: 2,607
Spy spoof featuring tv's Dobie Gillis, Frankie Avalon (sans Annette), and Vincent Price. It won't win any awards, but it's entertaining enough.
18. Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966)
82 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Disgraced SIC agent Bill Dexter teams up with bumbling doormen Franco and Ciccio to stop Dr. Goldfoot from using his bikini-clad robot girls to blow up high-ranking NATO generals.
Director: Mario Bava | Stars: Vincent Price, Fabian, Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia
Votes: 1,474
Well, the first one did well enough to spawn a sequel. It's ok, better than some offerings out there.
19. The Silencers (1966)
TV-PG | 102 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Retired agent Matt Helm is re-activated in order to stop an evil organization from exploding an atom bomb over the USA and starting WWIII.
Director: Phil Karlson | Stars: Dean Martin, Stella Stevens, Daliah Lavi, Victor Buono
Votes: 3,792
Now that Bond's a hit, it's time to take the mickey out of it. Enter Dean martin as Matt Helm. This is by far the best of the series, with plenty of gags that work, some of the silliest gadgets (a gun that fires backwards!), and a great cast.
20. The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (1966–1967)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The missions of agent April Dancer of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.
Stars: Stefanie Powers, Noel Harrison, Leo G. Carroll, Randy Kirby
Votes: 521
Spin-off from UNCLE, though not up to its standards (and they weren't that high for very long). Stephanie Powers is plenty sexy, though. Noel Harrison is there for some reason, but I can't fathom why.
21. Murderers' Row (1966)
Approved | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Handsome top-secret American agent Matt Helm must recover a laser-weapons inventor who has been kidnapped by arch-villain Julian Wall.
Director: Henry Levin | Stars: Dean Martin, Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, Camilla Sparv
Votes: 2,464
Matt Helm returns, and is joined by Karl Malden and Ann Margret. not as good as The Silencers, but still pretty entertaining. The hovercraft is pretty cool and there is a decent henchman.
22. Our Man Flint (1966)
Approved | 108 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
When scientists use eco-terrorism to impose their will on the world by affecting extremes in the weather, Intelligence Chief Cramden calls in top agent Derek Flint.
Director: Daniel Mann | Stars: James Coburn, Lee J. Cobb, Gila Golan, Edward Mulhare
Votes: 7,090 | Gross: $16.00M
James Coburn stars in this superior spy spoof. Flint is a master of multiple disciplines and needs no weaponry, just a cigarette lighter. Lee J Cobb is a hoot and Flint's assistants put him one up on Bond.
23. Modesty Blaise (1966)
119 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Stylish ex-con Modesty Blaise and her partner Willie Garvin are tasked by the British Secret Service with preventing her rival Gabriel from stealing diamonds that are to be delivered to her adoptive father, a Sheikh.
Director: Joseph Losey | Stars: Monica Vitti, Terence Stamp, Dirk Bogarde, Harry Andrews
Votes: 3,177
Joseph Losey makes a hash of the wonderful comic strip. It is mostly a showcase for 60s camp, but it doesn't do much for the greatest female spy/adventurer. OK if you want surreal camp, not if you want serious action. Even Matt Helm took itself more seriously than this.
24. The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)
Approved | 110 min | Comedy, Romance
After a series of misunderstandings, the head of an aerospace research laboratory begins to suspect that his new girlfriend is a Russian spy.
Director: Frank Tashlin | Stars: Doris Day, Rod Taylor, Arthur Godfrey, John McGiver
Votes: 5,237
More rom-com than spy spoof, it has just enough elements of a spy parody to qualify. Doris Day and Rod Taylor make for a great couple, but Paul Lynde and Dom Deluise provide the laughs.
25. Funeral in Berlin (1966)
Not Rated | 102 min | Thriller
Sent to East Berlin to retrieve a Communist defector, British spy Harry Palmer suspects the situation is not what his superiors believe it to be.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Michael Caine, Oscar Homolka, Paul Hubschmid, Eva Renzi
Votes: 7,777
Harry Palmer is back and he must arrange for the defection of a Russian general. Everyone is lying in this one, and Palmer is in up to his neck. Great stuff here, with more action than IPCRESS.
26. Mission: Impossible (1966–1973)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture.
Stars: Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus
Votes: 11,491
A brilliant premise sustained this long running tv series. A team of experts is assembled each week to carry out a seemingly impossible mission. It borrows more from the caper film than the spy film, but it was thrilling in its earlier days. Once they turned into more mundane crime fighters it kind of lost its charm.
27. What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
PG | 80 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
A Japanese James Bond -esque spy flick reused and redubbed into the plot of a secret agent searching to uncover a recipe for the world's greatest egg salad in Woody Allen's directorial debut.
Directors: Woody Allen, Senkichi Taniguchi | Stars: Woody Allen, The Lovin' Spoonful, Frank Buxton, Louise Lasser
Votes: 9,994
Woody Allen redubbing of a Japanese spy movie, where everyone is looking for the secret formula for egg salad. Prettty darn funny and a precursor to Mad Movies and MST3K.
28. Secret Agent Super Dragon (1966)
95 min | Thriller, Mystery
A series of murders in Michigan lead an American secret agent to Amsterdam, where he uncovers a plot to imperil the world with a potent new drug.
Director: Giorgio Ferroni | Stars: Ray Danton, Margaret Lee, Carlo D'Angelo, Jess Hahn
Votes: 1,127
An Italian spoof. Not as charming or surreal as the later Operation Kid Brother. This is best viewed with the MST3K gang.
29. You Only Live Twice (1967)
PG | 117 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond and the Japanese Secret Service must find and stop the true culprit of a series of space hijackings, before war is provoked between Russia and the United States.
Director: Lewis Gilbert | Stars: Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi, Mie Hama, Tetsurô Tanba
Votes: 117,534 | Gross: $43.08M
This is superspy insanity at its best! Space capsule-swallowing rockets, volcano bases, Little Nellie, and a ninja commando assault. More Ken Adams sets are here to astound and amaze, while the look and the plot is swiped by everyone, from movies to comic books. Argueably the best Bond for sheer mayhem!
30. In Like Flint (1967)
Unrated | 114 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Super-spy Flint takes on a cabal of women plotting to rule the world.
Director: Gordon Douglas | Stars: James Coburn, Lee J. Cobb, Jean Hale, Andrew Duggan
Votes: 6,083 | Gross: $11.00M
Derek Flint returns and finds himself up against some liberated ladies. Well, on paper anyway. This isn't likely to make the top of Gloria Steinum's favorite list, but it's a lot of fun. One of the inspirations for Austin Powers.
31. The Ambushers (1967)
Not Rated | 102 min | Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Secret agent Matt Helm must battle foreign spies and a rogue nation's exiled ruler in order to recover a hijacked U.S. government experimental flying saucer.
Director: Henry Levin | Stars: Dean Martin, Senta Berger, Janice Rule, James Gregory
Votes: 2,306
Matt Helme returns and the series starts to drag under its own weight. The villain is pretty tame and things get kind of dull. definitely the low point of the series.
32. Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
Not Rated | 111 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
British spy-turned-detective Harry Palmer stumbles upon an oil tycoon's plot to overthrow Communism using a supercomputer.
Director: Ken Russell | Stars: Michael Caine, Karl Malden, Ed Begley, Oscar Homolka
Votes: 6,013
Things are really getting weird here. Harry finds himself working for a computer, then finds out the boss is a crazed Texan oil baron and ersatz John Birch-er. Palmer discovers he must protect the USSR to stop WWIII! Ken Russell turns this into one for the ages.
33. The Prisoner (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 1,010 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
After he resigns, a secret agent is abducted and taken to what looks like an idyllic village, but is actually a bizarre prison. He refuses to give his warders information while attempting to escape.
Stars: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat, Peter Swanwick, Peter Brace
Votes: 15,042
McGoohan returns as a spy who finds himself whisked away to the Village; a home for people who know too much. The masters want to know why Number 6 resigned, but 6 is defiance personified. Very cerebral series that explores multiple issues, from individualtiy vs society, knowledge vs rote memorization, paranoia, surveillance culture, power games, identity, and much much more.
34. Callan (1967–1972)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
David Callan is the top agent/assassin for the Security Service (British counterintelligence), but he is an embittered man who performs his duties "for Queen and country" under duress. This... See full summary »
Stars: Edward Woodward, Russell Hunter, Lisa Langdon, Anthony Valentine
Votes: 856
Mesmerizing spy series from ITV, featuring Edward Woodward as an ex-criminal turned government dirty tricks agent. Great drama as Woodward is forced to carry out distasteful jobs.
35. Operation Kid Brother (1967)
Not Rated | 104 min | Action, Comedy, Thriller
The civilian brother of Britain's best spy must use his skills in plastic surgery, hypnotism and lip-reading to stop a crime syndicate's bid for world domination.
Director: Alberto De Martino | Stars: Neil Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Adolfo Celi, Agata Flori
Votes: 1,563
Sean's brother Neil (a bricklayer) stars in this Italian parody of the Bond films, complete with Bond veterans Lois Maxwell, bernard Lee, Anthony Dawes, Adolfo Celli, and Daniella Bianchi. Better than it has a right to be, it is best viewed with Joel and the Bots.
36. Casino Royale (1967)
Approved | 131 min | Comedy
In an early spy spoof, aging Sir James Bond comes out of retirement to take on SMERSH.
Directors: Val Guest, Ken Hughes, John Huston, Joseph McGrath, Robert Parrish, Richard Talmadge | Stars: David Niven, Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles
Votes: 32,486
Before Daniel Craig, there was Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, and David Niven as James Bond. Too many cooks spoil this concoction, but it has some mind-blowing moments.
37. Fathom (1967)
Approved | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy
In Spain, an American skydiver is recruited by Western intelligence agents to recover a lost atomic bomb detonator from hostile foreign agents.
Director: Leslie H. Martinson | Stars: Anthony Franciosa, Raquel Welch, Ronald Fraser, Richard Briers
Votes: 1,808
Raquel Welch stars in this spy spoof. Well, at least there are plenty of scenes of Raquel in a bikini.
38. Come Spy with Me (1967)
85 min | Action, Drama
Young American girl tries to solve the murders of two Americans in the Caribbean.
Director: Marshall Stone | Stars: Troy Donahue, Andrea Dromm, Albert Dekker, Mart Hulswit
Votes: 91
Another 60s spy spoof. Troy Donahue stars, but there is nothing of merit here.
39. The Wrecking Crew (1968)
PG | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Gold bullion worth USD 1 billion has been stolen from a hijacked train in Denmark. The main suspect is Count Massimo Contini. The US government sends Matt Helm, one of its top agents, to investigate and recover the gold.
Director: Phil Karlson | Stars: Dean Martin, Elke Sommer, Sharon Tate, Nancy Kwan
Votes: 3,726
Matt Helm gets one last go and it is a step up from the Ambushers. A gold theft is at the center of this one and they actually try to keep things relatively serious. Not a bad end for Matt Helm and ICE.
40. The Champions (1968–1969)
60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
After a plane carrying three UN Agents crashes in the Himalayas, they are rescued by an advanced civilisation secretly living in Tibet who grant them enhanced versions of the ordinary five senses, and intellectual and physical abilities.
Stars: Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt, Anthony Nicholls
Votes: 1,424
Superspies, with the emphasis on "super". Three agents survive a plane crash in the Himalayas, where they encounter a being who teaches them to harness their untapped abilities. The show combines spy plots with superhero stunts. A nice change of pace.
41. Mighty Jack (1968– )
Action, Sci-Fi
Stars: Kenji Sahara, Akira Yamaguchi, Hideyo Amamoto, Abdo Apanai
Votes: 38
Japanese spy-fi series from Tsuburaya. Redited into a rather disjointed feature, which was then dubbed and distributed in the US by Sandy Frank. An easy target for MST3k in it's original incarnation (at KTMA) and the Comedy Central version.
42. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
PG | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
British agent James Bond goes undercover to pursue the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who is planning to hold the world to ransom.
Director: Peter R. Hunt | Stars: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti
Votes: 99,443 | Gross: $22.80M
Connery is gone, but George Lazenby does a far better job than he has been credited. This was also a bit of a return to a more serious plot and it is handled very well. Gadgets are at a minimum, but there are exciting chase sequences, a thrilling helicopter assault, and the bobsled fight stacks up well with the train fight in FRWL.
43. Department S (1969–1970)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
An elite department within Interpol, Department S inherits those cases which the other member groups have failed to solve.
Stars: Peter Wyngarde, Joel Fabiani, Rosemary Nicols, Dennis Alaba Peters
Votes: 583
Excellent spy/detective series from ITV. A trio of agents solves baffling cases. Peter Wyngarde's Jason King steals the series and would soon headline his own, thoguh it never quite lived up to this.
44. Jason King (1971–1972)
60 min | Action, Adventure
A playboy novelist, who has had a spell of work with an intelligence agency as a sideline, leaves, but finds himself performing new missions around the world.
Stars: Peter Wyngarde, Anne Sharp, Ronald Lacey, Dennis Price
Votes: 333
Things are much sillier here and Peter Wyngarde's wardrobe is the trippiest thing this side of Doctor Who.
45. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
PG | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas where he uncovers an evil plot involving a rich business tycoon.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray, Lana Wood
Votes: 114,139 | Gross: $43.82M
Connery returns for a big payoff, but things are really getting silly. Jimmy Dean is a southern fried Howard Hughes and Charles Gray is more charming than chilling as Bloefeld. Wynt and Kidd are the oddest assassins in the series. It has moments, but it is a bad sign of the things to come.
46. The Doll Squad (1973)
PG | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Squad of beautiful government agents tries to catch saboteurs.
Director: Ted V. Mikels | Stars: Michael Ansara, Francine York, Anthony Eisley, John Carter
Votes: 1,151
More Charlie's Angels (before the show existed) than spy film, it features a squad of female agents who infiltrate a madman's island to stop the launch of a missile. Bad acting galore but the action is pretty good and the women are great.
47. Live and Let Die (1973)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organisation and a reliable psychic tarot card reader.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James
Votes: 115,466 | Gross: $35.38M
Roger Moore's debut. Bond is mixed with Blaxploitation, with very mixed results. Since the plot is weak, they go for broke with stunts, with the boat jump the highlight. A good cast can't fully elevate the weak premise, but they give it their all.
48. The MacKintosh Man (1973)
PG | 98 min | Thriller
A member of British Intelligence assumes a fictitious criminal identity and allows himself to be caught, imprisoned, and freed in order to infiltrate a spy organization and expose a traitor.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Paul Newman, Dominique Sanda, James Mason, Harry Andrews
Votes: 5,220 | Gross: $3.30M
This one is a bit of a mixed bag. Paul Newman stars as a spy who is set up as a criminal, to infiltrate a group and uncover a Soviet mole. It's got a great cast and some excellent scenes; but, it's a bit uneven in its pace. It's a decent thriller, though.
49. Enter the Dragon (1973)
R | 102 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A Shaolin martial artist travels to an island fortress to spy on an opium lord - who is also a former monk from his temple - under the guise of attending a fighting tournament.
Director: Robert Clouse | Stars: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri
Votes: 112,982 | Gross: $25.00M
Bruce Lee mixes martial arts with a bit of spy work. A huge influence on the very spy-heavy Marvel Comics Master of Kung Fu series. Tremendous action, though Mr. Han is another Fu Manchu rip-off.
50. Cleopatra Jones (1973)
PG | 89 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
During the 1970s, U.S. Special Agent Cleopatra Jones proves to be an invaluable asset to the local police forces in the war on drugs.
Director: Jack Starrett | Stars: Tamara Dobson, Bernie Casey, Brenda Sykes, Antonio Fargas
Votes: 3,530 | Gross: $2.98M
More Blaxploitation fun with a government agent who targets a heroin ring, led by Shelly Winters. Tamara Dobson makes for a beautiful, but deadly spy. Really more of a crime story, it has enough international elements to cross it into the spy world.
51. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a severely injured test pilot is rebuilt with nuclear-powered bionic limbs and implants, he serves as an intelligence agent.
Stars: Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Lindsay Wagner
Votes: 12,946
More spy oriented in the early days, but a great adventure series overall. The novel was even more spy-fi.
52. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
PG | 125 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond is targeted by the world's most expensive assassin, while he attempts to recover sensitive solar cell technology that is being sold to the highest bidder.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams
Votes: 113,069 | Gross: $20.97M
Moore is back and he is facing Dracula! Well, Christopher Lee, at least. Lee is excellent as the master assassin, which makes it a shame they felt the need to attach a weaker stolen solar energy device subplot to his character. Mostly good, but pointless stunts and misplaced (and racist) comedy pulls it a bit off track.
53. Callan (1974)
PG | 106 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Greg Callan's cousin David Callan top agent/assassin for the S.I.S., was forced to retire because he had lost his nerve. Now, Callan is called back into service to handle the assassination ... See full summary »
Director: Don Sharp | Stars: Edward Woodward, Eric Porter, Carl Möhner, Catherine Schell
Votes: 835
Movie version of the tv series, featuring Edward Woodward and Russell Hunter in the same roles. The plot is a reworking of the Callan pilot, "A Magnum for Schneider." Excellent piece of drama, with the film budget allowing for things the tv series couldn't do.
54. Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975)
R | 94 min | Action
When fellow operatives (and childhood friends) Matthew Johnson and Melvin Johnson disappear during an undercover mission in Hong Kong, Cleopatra Jones (Tamara Dobson) travels there to find ... See full summary »
Director: Charles Bail | Stars: Tamara Dobson, Stella Stevens, Ni Tien, Norman Fell
Votes: 1,215
More fun with Cleo, this time in the Orient. Stella Stevens is the baddie here.
55. The Bionic Woman (1976–1978)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
After fully recovering from her nearly fatal bout of bionic rejection, Jaime Sommers, the first female cyborg, is assigned to spy missions of her own.
Stars: Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Ford Rainey
Votes: 8,175
Spin off from the Six Million Dollar Man, starring Lindsey Wagner. Started well bet quickly ran out of ideas.
56. The New Avengers (1976–1977)
60 min | Action, Mystery, Thriller
Secret agent Steed, working for an unnamed branch of British intelligence, is teamed up with two partners to fight evil plots for world domination, dealing with suspended animation, biological warfare, robotics, and other threats.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, Joanna Lumley, Maurice Marsac
Votes: 2,604
Steed returns with a new generation of agents. Joanna Lumley is great as Purdy, the female keister-kicker, but Gareth Hunt has little to do as Gambit. Macnee proves he isn't past it. The series starts well, but goes south when the producers really tighten the pursestrings.
57. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
PG | 125 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warheads, with the help of a K.G.B. agent whose lover he killed.
Director: Lewis Gilbert | Stars: Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curd Jürgens, Richard Kiel
Votes: 116,268 | Gross: $46.80M
Moore gets a better plot, though one mostly cobbled from You Only Live Twice and Thunderball. much more exciting than previous outings, with a nice subplot about a vengeance-seeeking Russian agent who must work with Bond. The big commando attack makes a welcome return here.
58. Black Samurai (1976)
R | 88 min | Action, Crime
Robert Sand, agent of D.R.A.G.O.N. (Defense Reserve Agency Guardian Of Nations), is playing tennis on his vacation with a beautiful black girl, when his commanding officers ask him to save a Chinese girl who happens to be Sand's girlfriend, and the daughter of a top Eastern Ambassador. The ransom for the abduction was the secret for a terrific new weapon - the freeze bomb - but the 'Warlock' ... See full summary »
Director: Al Adamson | Stars: Jim Kelly, Bill Roy, Roberto Contreras, Marilyn Joi
Votes: 1,045
Jim Kelly stars in this Blaxploitation spy film, complete with jetpacks and midget assassins.
59. Moonraker (1979)
PG | 126 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle, and discovers a plot to commit global genocide.
Director: Lewis Gilbert | Stars: Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Richard Kiel
Votes: 108,792 | Gross: $70.31M
An attempt at cashing in on Star Wars really undermines this one, not to mention turning a great henchman into a comedy figure. Some good stuff early on, but the second half drops the ball.
60.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Episode:
Tinker Tailor
(1979)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Smiley goes to meet Jim Prideaux who is now back in Britain having survived his experience in Czechoslovakia. His testimony and that of others sheds new light on the "Testify" fiasco and source "Merlin".
Director: John Irvin | Stars: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell
Votes: 321
Original adaptation of Le Carre's masterpiece. Alec Guinness is george Smiley, the unassuming man who must ferret out a mole within British intelligence. A wonderful showcase of great acting talent.
61. A Man Called Sloane (1979–1980)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Sloane is a freelance spy. Although he doesn't work for the government, he frequently accepts assignments from The Director, a head of a secret government agency. He's assisted by Torque, a... See full summary »
Stars: Robert Conrad, Dan O'Herlihy, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, Karen Purcill
Votes: 156
Robert Conrad returns to spy-fi in this later series. Thomas Sloane was no James West and budget greatly hindered things. Ji-tu Cumbuka was pretty memorable as Torque, though.
62. The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979 TV Movie)
PG | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
West and Gordon come out of retirement to find out who is replacing world leaders with lookalikes. They go to Arizona where the son of their old enemy is found, and with his arsenal of weapons, is a bigger threat than his father ever was.
Director: Burt Kennedy | Stars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Paul Williams, Harry Morgan
Votes: 621
Jim and Artie are reunited to face the threat of Miguelito Loveless Jr. (Paul Williams). it's nice to see the guys back, and the film is fairly entertaining, but played too much for laughs.
63. More Wild Wild West (1980 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 94 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Robert Conrad and Ross Martin reprise their roles as Secret Service agents of the 1890s.
Director: Burt Kennedy | Stars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Jonathan Winters, Harry Morgan
Votes: 441
Second reunion of Jim and Artie. It would not produce a third or a revived series.
64. The Nude Bomb (1980)
PG | 94 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Maxwell Smart is recalled to duty to help fight a villian who threatens to detonate a weapon that destroys clothing.
Director: Clive Donner | Stars: Don Adams, Andrea Howard, Sylvia Kristel, Rhonda Fleming
Votes: 3,552 | Gross: $14.66M
Get Smart reunion movie that lives up to its title.
65. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
PG | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
Secret service agent James Bond is assigned to find a missing British vessel equipped with a weapons encryption device and prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson
Votes: 108,289 | Gross: $62.30M
A welcome detour into more serious territory for Moore. Vengeance and stolen code transmitters steam this one along. My favorite of Moore's work.
66. Wet Job (1981 TV Movie)
90 min | Drama
Ten years after leaving the S. I. S., former agent/assassin David Callan is living a quiet life as the owner/operator of a militaria shop. He is forced out of retirement to participate in one final assignment.
Director: Shaun O'Riordan | Stars: Edward Woodward, Russell Hunter, George Sewell, Angela Browne
Votes: 89
Reunion special for Callan and Lonely. It's a bit shaky here and there, but good overall.
67. Danger Mouse (1981–1992)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Danger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans.
Stars: David Jason, Terry Scott, Edward Kelsey, Victor Knight
Votes: 3,912
The adventures of the World's Greatest Secret Agent (with the World's Worst Assistant), as he battles the maleavolent Baron Silas Greenback. Really more of a superhero parody, the show is brilliant fun.
68. Smiley's People (1982)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Mystery
The murder of a Soviet defector forces his old handler, British spymaster George Smiley, out of retirement. His investigation leads to an old nemesis, the Soviet spymaster known only as "Karla". This will be their final dance.
Stars: Alec Guinness, Eileen Atkins, Bill Paterson, Vladek Sheybal
Votes: 4,762
Alec Guiness returns in the concluding part of the Karla saga. Smiley must seize the opportunity to destroy Karla as a threat. Not quite up to TTSS, it nonetheless features another great cast.
69. Modesty Blaise (1982 TV Movie)
50 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The plot, set in what appears to be Los Angeles, involves Modesty and Willie preventing the kidnap of a young girl who turns out to be a computer genius and has been working for Tarrant's ... See full summary »
Director: Reza Badiyi | Stars: Ann Turkel, Lewis Van Bergen, Keene Curtis, Sab Shimono
Votes: 47
A failed pilot for a Modesty tv series. Ann Turkel and Lewis Van Bergen make for a rather bland Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin. It didn't help that it looked like every other detective show on television.
70. Octopussy (1983)
PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A fake Fabergé egg recovered from the body of a fellow agent leads James Bond to uncover a jewel smuggling operation led by the mysterious Octopussy, and a plot to blow up a NATO air base.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Roger Moore, Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan, Kristina Wayborn
Votes: 112,977 | Gross: $67.90M
Things are sliding back into camp, but they aren't completely there yet. The film has a pretty good plot and could have sustained without the silly gags. Stephen Berkoff and Louis Jordan are excellent, on the villains' side.
71. Never Say Never Again (1983)
PG | 134 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A S.P.E.C.T.R.E. agent has stolen two American nuclear warheads, and James Bond must find their targets before they are detonated.
Director: Irvin Kershner | Stars: Sean Connery, Kim Basinger, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max von Sydow
Votes: 73,131 | Gross: $55.50M
Sean Connery is once again enticed to return to Bond by a big paycheck. Only, this time, it's for a rival Bond picture, based on Kevin McLorey's script rights. The result is a tepid remake of Thunderball that has a few moments, but mostly looks sad. Connery looked old in Diamonds and hasn't reversed time here. Barbara Carrera is one of the few shining lights in this production.
72. Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983)
TV-MA | 720 min | Crime, Drama
A dramatization of the missions and adventures of the greatest spy in British history.
Stars: Sam Neill, Michael Bryant, Norman Rodway, Tom Bell
Votes: 1,690
British tv series, based on the real life exploits of British master spy Sidney Reilly. Sam Neil is excellent.
73. The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
When THRUSH steals a nuclear weapon and demands a ransom delivered by Napoleon Solo, UNCLE recalls him and his partner to duty.
Director: Ray Austin | Stars: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Patrick Macnee, Tom Mason
Votes: 743
Solo and Kuryakin are brought back together to stop Anthony Zerbe from detonating a nuclear device. The agents have lost a few steps but they get back into the swing of things. The film is hampered by budget constraints but it is mostly entertaining, with a decent climax. Oddly, a new UNCLE Special pistol was specially created for the film, but is barely seen. There are cameos from Patrick Macnee and George Lazenby (as the Aston Martin driving "JB").
74. Masquerade (1983–1984)
60 min | Adventure, Thriller
An intelligence organization recruits civilian specialists for individual missions requiring their skills.
Stars: Rod Taylor, Kirstie Alley, Greg Evigan, Katia Christine
Votes: 149
Rod Taylor stars in this spy series which borrows a bit from the Mission Impossible formula. It was decent.
75. Cover Up (1984–1985)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A fashion photographer and a veteran special forces soldier posing as her model go on intelligence missions around the world.
Stars: Jennifer O'Neill, Richard Anderson, Mykelti Williamson, Ingrid Anderson
Votes: 716
Jennifer O'Niell stars in this spy series, where her cover is a fashion photogrpaher. John-Erik Hexum is her model and a former soldier. A decent series that was marred by Hexum's accidental on-set death (while playing with a blank gun that dislodged its wadding into his skull). Hexum was replaced with a credible successor, Antony Hamilton, but the show never really recovered.
76. Airwolf (1984 TV Movie)
85 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A scientist who created a super-helicopter has defected to Libya, taking the machine with him. A secretive government agency hires an ex-Vietnam War pilot to go to Libya, steal the chopper, and bring it back.
Director: Donald P. Bellisario | Stars: Jan-Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine, Alex Cord, David Hemmings
Votes: 5,214
The pilot movie for Airwolf was more of an espionage drama than the regular series. The inventor of a high tech attack helicopter steals his own invention and takes it to Libya, to sell to Col. Gadaffi (or the highest bidder). Archangel, the head of "the company," recruits former test pilot and agent Stringfellow Hawk to get it back. Excellent intrigue and drama, with a fine cast, including Jan Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine, David Hemmings, Alex Cord, and Belinda Bauer.
77. Airwolf (1984–1986)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
As part of a deal with an intelligence agency to look for his missing brother, a renegade pilot goes on missions with an advanced battle helicopter.
Stars: Jan-Michael Vincent, Alex Cord, Ernest Borgnine, Jean Bruce Scott
Votes: 13,072
Tv series spawned by the success of the pilot movie. It's more technothriller than spy thriller, however there is plenty of intrigue. The series format and the helicopter stunts meant that stock footage was used often, leading a bit of sameness to episodes. It kind of runs out of steam rather quickly, then tries some cast changes. It was a pretty good series for a couple of seasons; but it really needed more of a story arc to propel it forward. Alas, that wasn't common in US television, at this point.
78. The Equalizer (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A retired Intelligence Agent turned private detective helps various threatened clients to equalize the odds.
Stars: Edward Woodward, Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing, Mark Margolis
Votes: 5,923
Not exactly a spy series; but, McCall is a retired secret agent who employs his skills and contacts to carry out his missions. Several episodes revolved around his past in the profession, or were related to operations within "the company." Essentially, the series is one part spy, once part crime drama, one part private eye, and a little bit urban vigilante, rolled up into an excellent series, with a great actor. Tons of guest appearances by some notable actors.
79. A View to a Kill (1985)
PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
The recovery of a microchip from the body of a fellow British secret agent leads James Bond to a mad industrialist scheming to cause massive destruction.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, Tanya Roberts, Grace Jones
Votes: 104,902 | Gross: $50.33M
Pretty much the nadir of the Moore films. Moore is way too old and comes across as creepy when he is wooing Tanya Roberts. Roerts is the blandest Bond Girl yet, while Patrick MacNee is wasted. Only Christopher Walken is worth watching.
80. Code Name: Foxfire (1985)
60 min | Action, Drama
The President of the United States assigns his brother to assemble a covert team of female counter-intelligence operatives, reporting only to him. The leader is former CIA operative Liz "... See full summary »
Stars: Joanna Cassidy, John McCook, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Henry Jones
Votes: 59
Spy series, featuring Joanna Cassidy. Cassidy is good, but she doesn't have much to work with.
81. The Living Daylights (1987)
PG | 130 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond is sent to investigate a KGB policy to kill all enemy spies, and uncovers an arms deal that potentially has major global ramifications.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Timothy Dalton, Maryam d'Abo, Jeroen Krabbé, Joe Don Baker
Votes: 105,843 | Gross: $51.19M
Timothy Dalton takes over and gets a mostly good script to work with. He presents a more serious Bond, closer in tone to the novels. Unfortunately, he is saddled with a weaker villain.
82. Mission: Impossible (1988–1990)
TV-PG | 47 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture.
Stars: Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis, Antony Hamilton, Phil Morris
Votes: 4,298
Revived tv series with a new generation cast. Old cast members are quickly called upon to rescue this series from low ratings.
83. The Bourne Identity (1988)
Unrated | 93 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
An injured, unconscious man washes ashore in a small French town. As he recovers, it becomes quite clear, someone is trying to kill him.
Stars: Richard Chamberlain, Jaclyn Smith, Anthony Quayle, Donald Moffat
Votes: 4,757
This tv effort never really did Jason Bourne justice. Focuses more on the paranoia, rather than the deadly skills.
84. Licence to Kill (1989)
PG-13 | 133 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A vengeful James Bond goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Timothy Dalton, Robert Davi, Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto
Votes: 112,078 | Gross: $34.67M
It's a nice idea, with Bond gone AWOL, seeking revenge for the attack on Felix Leiter and the murder of Leiter's wife. Too bad the villain is a less than impressive drug dealer, quite a comedown from the KGB and SPECTRE.
85. Get Smart, Again! (1989 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 96 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
Smart is called back to duty as KAOS is back causing trouble again with a 'weather machine'.
Director: Gary Nelson | Stars: Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Bernie Kopell, Dick Gautier
Votes: 1,523
Much better reunion for Max and 99. Still not quite the original, but better than the last attempt.
86. The Secret Life of Ian Fleming (1990 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 100 min | Adventure, Biography, War
Ian Fleming's life (1908-64) as a journalist and a naval intelligence officer was a lot like the womanizing James Bond, about whom he would later write 12 spy novels.
Director: Ferdinand Fairfax | Stars: Jason Connery, Kristin Scott Thomas, Joss Ackland, Patricia Hodge
Votes: 651
This qualifies because it is mostly fiction. The film features Sean Connery's son Jason as author Ian Fleming, and tries to shoehorn bits of Flemings life into his literary creations. Connery is pretty bland and most of what is depicted never happened (or not anywhere like what is depicted). The real Fleming had an interesting enough life to sustain a movie, without the nonsense.
87. La Femme Nikita (1990)
R | 117 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Convicted felon Nikita isn't going to jail; she's given a new identity and trained, stylishly, as a top secret spy/assassin.
Director: Luc Besson | Stars: Anne Parillaud, Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana, Alain Lathière
Votes: 76,428 | Gross: $5.02M
Anne Parrilaud is a drugged out street thug who murders a policeman. She finds herself forcibly recruited by the French security services to become an agent and assassin. Brilliant film from Luc Besson, featuring Jean Reno, Jean Hughes Anglade, Jean Moreau, and Tchecky Karyo. Wonderful look and great music from Eric Serra.
88. The Piglet Files (1990–1992)
30 min | Comedy
While taking a walk, Peter Chapman and his wife, Sarah, are followed by two bungling spies, Dexter and Lewis, who find it difficult to take photos of their quarry. Peter, an Electronics ... See full summary »
Stars: Nicholas Lyndhurst, Louise Catt, Clive Francis, Michael Percival
Votes: 207
Spy satire from London Weekend Television. Charming, if short-lived.
89. Black Cat (1991)
96 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Catherine, a troubled woman, is recruited by the government for assassin training under the code name "Black Cat". Proficient in her role, she struggles with her newfound love interest and commitment to the agency.
Director: Stephen Shin | Stars: Jade Leung, Simon Yam, Thomas Lam, Curtis Fraser
Votes: 793
Hong Kong version of Nikita. It swipes the premise, but not much else. Fairly average for the period.
90. James Bond Jr. (1991–1992)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The nephew of MI6's greatest spy continues his uncle's legacy by battling a rogues' gallery of new and familiar villains with the help of his schoolmates.
Stars: Corey Burton, Jeff Bennett, Jan Rabson, Mari Devon
Votes: 697
Meh...
91. Point of No Return (1993)
R | 109 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A government fakes the death of a criminal to turn this young woman into a killer on its service.
Director: John Badham | Stars: Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Dermot Mulroney, Miguel Ferrer
Votes: 30,164 | Gross: $30.04M
American remake of La Femme Nikita. Like most remakes, it fails.
92. Fortune Hunter (1994– )
50 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The weekly adventures of former British agent Carlton Dial, who now works for a private corporation called Intercept, which is in the business of recovering stolen property. Dial uses the ... See full summary »
Stars: Mark Frankel, John Hoffman, Kim Faze, Judy Clayton
Votes: 106
Decent little series from Fox, but found itself cancelled quickly. It had great potential and was better than mostFox offerings of the period.
93. GoldenEye (1995)
PG-13 | 130 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
Years after a friend and fellow 00 agent is killed on a joint mission, a secret space based weapons program known as "GoldenEye" is stolen. James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using the weapon.
Director: Martin Campbell | Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen
Votes: 270,208 | Gross: $106.60M
Pierce Brosnan finally gets to play the role he was born for. After NBC stabbed him in the back, Brosnan gets his chance to shine. he is ably assisted by a pretty good script, an excellent villain in Sean Bean's rogue 00, and a fine cast of supporting players, including: Robbie Coultrane, Judi Dench, Samantha Bond, Famke Jansen, and Alan Cumming. Joe Don Baker is even pretty good.
94. Get Smart (1995)
30 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Maxwell Smart, now Chief of Control, has to deal with his own bumbling secret agent, his son Zach.
Stars: Don Adams, Andy Dick, Elaine Hendrix, Heather Morgan
Votes: 1,106
Fairly forgettable attempt at a new version, starring Andy Dick. Barbara Feldon was the only reason to watch.
95. Bullet to Beijing (1995 TV Movie)
R | 122 min | Action, Thriller
Retired British spy Harry Palmer is called back into service to prevent North Korea from getting its hands on a deadly virus called "The Red Death".
Director: George Mihalka | Stars: Anatoly Kulbitsky, Shaughan Seymour, Michael Caine, Corinna Richards
Votes: 1,820
Michael Caine returns in theis cable tv movie, with international financing. Palmer quits the service and finds himself working for a Russian oligarch. It tries but the script and budget aren't there. The film is helped by the presence of Michael Gambon and Burt Kwouk, but Jason Connery doesn't add much. Michael Sarrazin is a mixed bag.
96. Mission: Impossible (1996)
PG-13 | 110 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.
Director: Brian De Palma | Stars: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny
Votes: 470,256 | Gross: $180.98M
Update of the tv series, featuring Tom Cruise. A bit of a slap in the face for fans, but a decent movie.
97. Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996 TV Movie)
R | 89 min | Thriller
Spy-turned-detective Harry Palmer is tasked with recovering a consignment of stolen plutonium in Saint Petersburg.
Director: Douglas Jackson | Stars: Michael Caine, Jason Connery, Yuri Limonty, Tanya Jackson
Votes: 1,377
Second Harry Palmer reunion cable movie. Not as good as the previous effort.
98. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
PG-13 | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy
A world-class playboy and part-time secret agent from the 1960s emerges after thirty years in a cryogenic state to battle with his nemesis Dr. Evil.
Director: Jay Roach | Stars: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers
Votes: 257,132 | Gross: $53.88M
Great little throwback to the spy spoof. Mike Myers mixes a bit of Matt Helm with some Derek Flint and Harry Palmer (and a dash of Jason King) to create the silliest spy in ages. Dr. Evil is the real brilliance here, though. the cast is excellent and the script first rate. Also features a nice nod to the Avengers.
99. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
PG-13 | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond sets out to stop a media mogul's plan to induce war between China and the UK in order to obtain exclusive global media coverage.
Director: Roger Spottiswoode | Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher
Votes: 204,666 | Gross: $125.33M
Weaker sophmore effort from Brosnan. It's not his fault though. Michelle Yeoh is a nice addition, but Johnathan Pryce's mad media baron just doesn't cut the mustard. Really? Robert Maxwell/Rupert Murdoch as a Bond villain? The stuff with the stealth ship is pretty good, though, and the motorcycle chase is suitably thrilling.
100. La Femme Nikita (1997–2001)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A clandestine anti-terrorist organization fakes the death of a convicted murderer and trains her in the fighting skills necessary to succeed in her new job.
Stars: Peta Wilson, Don Francks, Eugene Robert Glazer, Roy Dupuis
Votes: 10,818
TV version of the French masterpiece. Peta Wilson doesn't exactly set the world on fire.
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