The Best Moments from Daniel Craig’s James Bond Films

Author Ian Fleming created the character James Bond in 1953. A British secret agent, Bond works for MI6 and goes on daring missions in the novels, almost all of which have been adapted into movies. These spy-thrillers are a staple in popular culture. While many awesome actors have brought James Bond to the silver screen, today we’re looking at the most recent: Daniel Craig. You know him from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Knives Out (2019), and recently A24’s Queer (2024).

Daniel Craig stars in a total of five Bond movies. He is not the first actor to play 007, and will not be the last. But his portrayal is widely celebrated, and spanned the years of 2006 to 2021 before he retired his time in the role. Let’s look back on his legacy and time as the fan-favorite spy by reliving a few of the best scenes from Casino Royale through No Time To Die.

Warning: Top-secret spoilers ahead.

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James attempts to rescue Vesper (Casino Royale)

Why don’t we start with a little heartbreak? Daniel Craig’s first Bond movie features a tragic romance with Vesper Lynd. After achieving 00 status — essentially earning his license to kill — Bond takes on a dangerous assignment against the villain Le Chiffre. What follows is a high-stakes poker game, an infamously blushworthy torture session, and spy gadgets galore.

But in between the espionage escapades is the budding love between James and Vesper, who is forced to betray Bond and steal his poker earnings. Trapped in a broken elevator, Vesper locks the doors from the inside and allows herself to drown rather than face her decision. James’ desperate attempts to reach and revive her are a true testament to the strength of his feelings for her.

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Camille avenges her family (Quantum of Solace)

The history of women in action flicks is a little rocky. That’s certainly true of Bond movies, which use women’s bodies decoratively and flatten their characters considerably. To be fair, the genre supports tropes of all sorts regardless of gender. Still, it’s nice to see Camille Montes assert her agency in Quantum of Solace. Never sleeping with Bond, she instead tags along as a sidekick of sorts, aiding him in order to achieve revenge against a ruthless dictator.

In the end, Camille gets to kill her abuser and the man who murdered her family members. She is just as skilled and capable as 007, and he never takes some moral high ground about the sanctity of life. In Camille, Bond sees a familiar soul — one with ghosts, a thirst for a blood, and a singular skill set.

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Silva captures Bond (Skyfall)

Buckle up, Bond girls. There’s another contender throwing his sensuality into the ring. Skyfall is my personal favorite of the Bond films. It ups the ante of the homoerotic Casino Royale torture scene considerably with James Bond and Raoul Silva’s intense interrogation sequence. In this scene, Bond is once again tied to a chair. But we’ve eschewed the dingy basements and shock-value nudity for something slower and jarringly intimate.

Running his hands along Bond’s exposed collarbone and then thighs, Silva mocks Bond for probably never experiencing an interaction quite like this. Without missing a beat, James Bond quips, “What makes you think this is my first time?” Bond’s calm and cool facade is one of the trademarks of his character. But the hint that Bond might be more than simply straight is also very exciting for many Bond fans around the globe.

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Moneypenny and Q go rogue (Spectre)

Let me “well, actually” myself. In Spectre, it’s technically James Bond who goes rogue. That means MI6 grounds the agent but he acts against and outside of direct orders. When you’re a living weapon, disobeying your handlers always has drastic consequences. Naturally, M grounds Bond. As in, no weapons, no money, no resources.

Yet his allies, Eve Moneypenny and Q, still choose to covertly assist Bond as he moves against his old nemesis Mr. White. It’s nice to see that Eve and Q’s loyalties lie with who they believe to be morally correct. Though their careers are on the line, these two characters help James Bond achieve his goals because they’re first and foremost his friends.

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Nomi becomes Agent 007 (No Time To Die)

Let’s go, Lashana Lynch! If you’ll recall, 007 is simply a codename. It’s a classifier for an agent who can be used as an assassin. James Bond is a person — 007 is an MI6-issued identity. So, it stands to reason another agent can also be 007. No Time To Die introduces Bond’s successor in the field: Nomi. She’s a little new, sort of unsure and unsteady. But when the moment comes, she’s just as awesome and deadly as her predecessor.

Nomi’s role once again elevates the female experience in Bond movies. Throughout the film, she proves to be just as beautiful and ferocious as Bond. Now, it’s unclear whether her status as 007 will carry on to additional feature films or spinoffs. After all, there hasn’t been another Bond movie since Craig’s exit. But we can hope.

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Bond embraces fatherhood (No Time To Die)

A lot of James Bond’s character revolves around his philandering. Essentially, a lack of romantic commitment is just part of his writing, especially since Vesper Lynd. However, in No Time To Die, Madeleine Swann introduces Bond to a little girl who looks strikingly similar. Although she insists the child is not his, James protects and nurtures her whenever given the opportunity. The audience can see how a life of fighting has caught up to Bond. Now he just wants a soft place to rest.

Of course, that’s not in the cards for the action hero. James throws himself headfirst into a mission to save Madeleine and her daughter from a nefarious organization. Bond’s final fight results in mortal wounds. Plus, Bond must remain behind on an island about to be destroyed by missiles. As the weapons draw nearer, Bond radios Madeleine, who confirms Mathilde is his. James Bond dies with a smile.

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What are your favorite Daniel Craig Bond moments? Did we miss your top pick? Discuss every iteration of 007 with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!