10 Best Spy Movies of All Time
The Lives of Others (2006) – 8.4
Set in the 1980s, The Lives of Others focuses on an officer of the Stasi, the German secret police. Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe) is instructed by a minister to conduct surveillance on a writer and his girlfriend due to suspicions of their political allegiance. But soon, he becomes caught up in their lives.
North by Northwest (1959) – 8.3
Ad executive Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is pursued by the spy Phillip Vandamm (Jason Mason) after he’s suspected to be a secret agent. As he runs for his life, he meets a mysterious woman named Eve Kendall (Eve Marie Saint).
Casino Royale (2006) – 8
With the iconic line, “Bond, James Bond,” James Bond – also known as Agent 007 – has established himself as one of the most recognizable spy figures in cinema. Since he first appeared in Dr. No in 1962, there have been more than two dozen movies featuring the British secret agent known for his love for drinks, women, and cars.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) – 8
A man in all black running
Based on the novels by Robert Ludlum, the Jason Bourne franchise delivers intricate espionage scenes and amazing stunts. Starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, the movies feature a CIA assassin suffering from amnesia and searching for his real identity.
The Day of the Jackal (1973) – 7.8
A man standing and looking down at three other men
In the summer of 1963, an underground militant group attempts to assassinate the French President. When they fail, they hire an assassin known as ‘The Jackal’ (Edward Fox) to complete the job. He starts leaving bodies behind, and detective Claude Lebel (Michael Lonsdale) must solve the murders.
The Conversation (1974) – 7.8
A man working on surveillance equipment
Harry (Gene Hackman) is a surveillance expert hired by a secret client to observe a young couple. Even though Harry believes he’s not responsible for the conversations he records, he carries guilt from a previous case gone wrong. He soon becomes obsessed with his new case.
Mission Impossible – Fallout (2018) – 7.7
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” The Mission Impossible series is one of the most successful series of all time, with acclaim from critics and fans alike. Starring Tom Cruise as Mission Impossible Force Agent Ethan Hunt, the movies showcase exhilarating action scenes, incredible gadgets, and standout villains.
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Mission Impossible – Fallout is the sixth installment in the series. This time, Ethan works with CIA assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to stop a group of terrorists called the Apostles from launching a nuclear attack. Featuring a high-speed motorcycle chase, a brutal bathroom brawl, and an epic HALO jump, the movie is an adrenaline rush from beginning to end.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) – 7.7
Two men walking, one in a suit and the other in casual wear
Eggsy Unwin (Taron Edgerton) is a troubled youth who seems destined for a hard life. But one day he’s approached by secret agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) and discovers that his late father worked for a spy organization. Eggsy is recruited to join the secret service to fight the maniacal Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).
Kingsman: The Secret Serviceis a stylish, raunchy, and violent spy comedy that became an unexpected smash hit. It employs the usual spy tropes but also makes fun of them through its outlandish tone and extravagant characters. The movie’s success led to the sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle with the main cast returning.
Argo (2012) – 7.7
A group of people in a discussion
During the seizure of a U.S. embassy in Iran, six American diplomats managed to escape and find shelter with the Canadian ambassador. To rescue them, CIA officer Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) creates a cover story where the diplomats pretend they are a film crew scouting locations for a new movie.
Inspired by a true story, Argo is a suspenseful historical thriller where deception is the key. The premise lies in the characters pretending to be other people as they attempt to leave a country while being pursued by authorities. It’s a less showy version of espionage that is not often seen on the screen.
Bridge of Spies (2015) – 7.6
Two men sitting at a table in an interrogation room
American lawyer James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) defended Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) in court and received a hostile response for his actions. But later he’s called to arrange the release of an Air Force pilot in exchange for Abel. This leads to a tense negotiation where every organization involved wants the upper hand.
