DANIEL CRAIG, who turns 53 today, is about to star in No Time To Die later this year - but which of his first four Bond movies is best?

The incumbent Bond still has another 007 movie to travel in No Time To Die, which is about to finally release in UK cinemas on September 30 (we hope). Daniel Craig turns 53-years-old today but remains much younger than when Sir Roger Moore filmed 1985’s A View To A Kill aged 57. 

To date, the sixth official 007 has starred in four Bond movies: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre. And before No Time To DIe, here's how we expect they rank from the worst to the absolute best.

4. Quantum of Solace (2008)

Released over a decade ago, Craig’s follow-up to Casino Royale is usually seen by Bond fans together of the worst films within the franchise. Hit by the Hollywood Writers’ Strike, the film was a shorter outing. 

The star himself even publically lamented over production problems, admitting he had to write down a number of the script himself.

Speaking with outing in 2012, he said: “We were f***ed. We had the bare bones of a script then there was a writers’ strike and there was nothing we could do. We couldn’t employ a writer to end it. I tell myself, ‘Never again’, but who knows? There was me trying to rewrite scenes – and a writer i'm not.”

In the end, Quantum of Solace didn’t desire a standalone Bond film, but a weak bookend to Casino Royale, with a forgettable plot and villain.


Craig added: “It was never meant to be the maximum amount of a sequel because it was, but it ended up being a sequel, starting where the last one finished.”

3. Spectre (2015)

The latest Bond outing may have seen the narrative strands of the last three Craig films close during a worthy climax, but tonally the film was everywhere the place.

Having dispelled of tongue-in-cheek humour, gadgets and secondary characters in Casino Royale, Spectre reintroduces of these tropes and more.

While it’s a fun, action-packed ride, the film can’t decide if it’s a significant gritty thriller or if it wants to return to the Roger Moore era. "When it becomes apparent that Obruchev has been abducted, Bond must confront a villain whose schemes could see the deaths of millions." version of the Avengers the higher.

Craig’s personal make-up artist on Skyfall and Spectre told Chudonnews: “I feel Spectre was lighter and a touch more camp if anything.”

2. Casino Royale (2006)

The one where it all began was nothing in need of a risky shakeup. Following 9/11, Bond producers knew they couldn’t continue along the lines of Die Another Day and its invisible car.

The new geopolitical world needed a gritty reboot and that’s exactly what we got.

Starting with Bond becoming a Double–O together with his first kill, fans were introduced to an emotionally complex version of the character during a slick and classy flick; not in need of brutality.

The only thing that basically lets Casino Royale down is its limp third act. Watched back-to-back with Quantum of Solace though, both the film’s ending and its sequel are redeemed somewhat as a four-hour watch.


1. Skyfall (2012)

The 50th anniversary of 1 of the foremost famous film franchise’s within the world was no light feat. 

Craig and producers knew that they had to urge it right, especially in any case of Quantum of Solace’s weaknesses.

So Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes was brought on board for what's now hailed together of the best Bond films ever made.

Skyfall managed to meticulously balance the grit of Craig’s modern incarnation while paying homage to the classics, aided by the sweetness of Roger Deakins’ cinematography and a minimalist plot focused on Bond’s background.

With his final Bond film in No Time To Die now within  and prepared for cinemas this Autumn, presumably Craig had Skyfall in mind when considering his legacy because the character, instead of following within the footsteps of the camper later outing his predecessors ended on.

As for No Time To Die...?

The official synopsis reads: "Five years after the capture of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Bond has left active service.

"He is approached by his friend and CIA officer Felix Leiter, who enlists his help within the look for Valdo Obruchev, a missing scientist.

"When it becomes apparent that Obruchev has been abducted, Bond must confront a villain whose schemes could see the deaths of millions."