When a question like who is the best spy in movies arises, undoubtedly one name that always remains at the top of our minds is James Bond. Ever since 007 was introduced by Ian Fleming in his Casino Royale novel in 1953, the character has seen several adaptations while also developing a huge fan base that exists to date. In 1958, the viewers got to witness the Bond character come to life for the first time on-screen with Terence Young directed Dr. No. From there on, many great filmmakers have continued making some brilliant films about the characters based on Fleming novels, with the current count of Bond movies being 27.
However, it's fair to say that 007's character stood the test of time and also evolved in the process, while also remaining a beloved spy across generations, with the audience still looking forward to its upcoming movies. After Daniel Craig departed from the franchise with the final film, No Time to Die in 2021, the world remains intrigued to find out who will be the next 007.
While Mission Impossible and Austin Powers movies remain common choices to get the 007 movie vibe, I'm here with these 5 other movie recommendations that you must watch.
1. Atomic Blonde
Atomic Blonde consists of stunning action sequences and stunts, a tough M16 agent, holds the charm of the spy genre, and a terrific mission just like any Bond movie. Ahead of the collapse of the Berlin Wall, KGB agent Yuri shot the agent who had The List, which consisted of active undercover operatives' names. Soon, Lorraine Broughton, played by Charlize Theron, a top-level M16 spy, is sent off on a mission to retrieve The List and to spy on a British double agent. She has to navigate her way through several deceptions and fights to reach her goal and, at the same time, also keep her close ones protected.
2. Tenet
Christopher Nolan is undeniably the greatest filmmaker in the industry, and to have a Bond movie directed by him would certainly be magnificent. Although Nolan's entering the Bond franchise still remains a question, Tenet serves as the best sneak peek of how an espionage movie might look under his direction, as this movie certainly resembles Bond movies with an added complex layer of time travel and sci-fi elements. The film is about a former CIA agent now called The Protagonist (John David Washington), who is hired by a secret organization called Tenet and wields the power of time inversion. He collaborates with agent Neil (Robert Pattinson), and they time travel to prevent World War III from happening.
3. Red Sparrow
While Red Sparrow and James Bond movies share similarity in the spy genre, the former offers a much darker and detailed view on the world of undercover agents and how it's a way harder job than it is made to look cool in several films. Jennifer Lawrence takes on the role of Dominika Egorova, who is a renowned Ballerina, but a severe injury serves as an obstacle in her career resulting in her becoming a Sparrow (undercover agents trained at sexually luring their targets) to support her ill mother. Upon being trained successfully as a russian spy, she is sent on an important assignment to Budapest to gain information from a CIA operative by getting close to him.
4. True Lies
True Lies is indirectly connected to the 007 franchise, but it takes a more lighthearted and different turn around the espionage genre. Once Arnold Schwarzenegger asked director James Cameron to watch a French movie called La Totale, through which he came up with the concept of "What if James Bond had to go home to his wife and family?". (via Yahoo Entertainment)Thus, Cameron converted this idea into a blockbuster that turned out to be a commercial success, earning more than $375 million globally. Harry Tasker (Schwarzenegger) has two lives: one where he does a salesman job in the eyes of his wife and children, but in actuality, he is a secret agent working for U.S. counterterrorism. Everything goes well in his double life until he suspects his wife Helen is having an affair with a used-car salesman in the middle of the mission.
5. The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum is the final installment in its franchise, which is also considered one of the best spy-action thrillers in the industry. Although the Bourne franchise is not at all inspired by the Bond movies, it's the other way around, as Daniel Craig's 007 era shares a lot of shocking similarities when it comes to style, fighting sequences, and aesthetics to the Bourne films. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film follows Jason Bourne, unknown to his real identity, before joining Operation Treadstone, embarks on a quest to find out who he is. However, the CIA, who made him the dangerous assassin he is, gets in the middle of his quest to eliminate him. He has to overcome various obstacles and, in the process, also learn about his dark past.