The James Bond franchise is one of the longest-running movie series of all time and helped launch the spy genre into the pop culture sphere. Thanks to countless delays behind the scenes and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now been six years since the last 007 movie hit theaters.
While No Time to Die is finally set to hit theaters this fall, fans are likely itching for some spy action in the meantime. And while James Bond may be the biggest name in the spy genre, there are some other great thrillers set in the world of espionage worth checking out while waiting for 007 to return.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Many fans have often named Henry Cavill as an actor who would be a suitable James Bond once Daniel Craig steps down from the role following No Time to Die. However, Cavill not only has his own spy series lined up for the future, but he already played a suave secret agent quite effectively in Guy Ritchie's The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Based on the television series of the same name from the 1960s, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. stars Cavill as an American agent named Napoleon Solo who is forced to team up with a KGB agent (Armie Hammer) to take down a criminal organization seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. The movie was a flop when it was released, but has since become something of a cult hit. Cavill is especially memorable as the dashing hero which Ritchie has a lot of fun with the cool 60s feel of the movie. It is an entertaining romp filled with plenty of laughs to accompany the spy action.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Sharing the same initials as James Bond, Jason Bourne emerged as one of the most influential spy heroes of the 21st century. While the first movie, The Bourne Identity, introduced Bourne to audiences in a thrilling way, its first sequel, The Bourne Supremacy, showed how really special the Jason Bourne franchise could be.
With Paul Greengrass stepping in as the director, the second movie took on a grittier and more realistic feel. Matt Damon also had more of a chance to shine as the badass yet tortured hero trying to put together the pieces of his memory. It also addresses some of the sins of Bourne's past in interesting ways. But it is the action sequences that make The Bourne Supremacy a classic. Greengrass shoots many of these sequences handheld, giving them a chaotic and brutal feel. The fight scenes are thrilling and intense while the movie also delivers one of the greatest car chases in movie history.
Spy Game (2001)
While world-saving adventures and cool gadgets in the James Bond movies are exciting, they don't reflect the real world in spies and international espionage. While Spy Game is still a Hollywood movie, it does seem to be taking a more grounded look at this world while still being incredibly entertaining.
Robert Redford stars as a veteran CIA agent attempting to save his former protégé (Brad Pitt) from imprisonment. The movie flashes back to scenes of Redford training Pitt on the skills and techniques needed for a spy. Tony Scott directs the movie with his signature energy, making it a fun and gripping story from beginning to end. Redford and Pitt also make a great team, adding a lot of charm and humor to the story.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
The spy genre can sometimes be overly skewed towards male heroes, which is why Atomic Blonde made for a refreshing change of pace. Charlize Theron stars as an MI6 agent during the Cold War who is investigating the death of a fellow agent. David Leitch, one of the directors behind John Wick, helms the project so it's no surprise the action sequences are incredible and wonderfully choreographed.
Theron also continues to prove she is one of the best action stars working in Hollywood right now, but as impressive as the action is, Atomic Blonde is really a solid thriller at its center with plenty of twists and nail-biting suspense to keep audiences hooked.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
John le Carré is one of the few writers who can compete with James Bond author Ian Fleming the greatest spy novelist of all time. Le Carré also has his own recurring spy in his novels with George Smiley who was the protagonist in the adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The movie follows Smiley as he is brought back into the world of British Intelligence to uncover a mole.
While the Bond stories can get cartoonish with 007's lavish lifestyle, Smiley represents an unglamorous take on the spy world. The movie is a cold and bleak look at the paranoia and unrewarding life of these individuals. Gary Oldman gives a captivating, reserved performance as Smiley and he is backed by a stellar cast including Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy. While certainly a slower pace than the other spy thrillers, it is a gripping entry in the genre.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
The James Bond franchise has been around since the 1960s. But in the last decade or so, the Mission: Impossible series has steadily been cementing itself as the best spy franchise around. Tom Cruise has famously thrown himself quite literally into the role of Ethan Hunt in these movies. He has taken on some wild and truly amazing stunt sequences to help make these movies as exciting as they can be. With Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the franchise managed to deliver one of the greatest action movies of all time.
The plot involving Hunt and his team trying to stop the detonation of the nuclear weapon is secondary to the amazing sequences on display here. From the epic bathroom brawl to the HALO jump scene to the extended foot chase to the climactic helicopter battle, the movie is nonstop thrills. Along with the amazing stunt work, Cruise delivers a fantastic performance. The returning ensemble continues to add a fun spark to the series and Henry Cavill is a wonderful new cast addition.