The new James Bond entry No Time To Die is one of the most anticipated movies of 2021. Originally, the film was set to be released in early 2020; however, due to the circumstances of 2020, the film was pushed back to November of 2020, before then being pushed back again to April of 2021. While these delays are frustrating for Bond fans, there are several secret spy thrillers to watch before No Time To Die is eventually released.
The spy thriller has always been a popular genre, however recently the genre has been taking off as an art form in its own right, introducing compelling character studies that offer far more than just a simple action set piece.
10 London Spy (2015)
While not a movie, London Spy is one of the most interesting and compelling espionage thrillers of the past decade. Starring Ben Wishaw, Jim Broadbent, and Charlotte Rampling, London Spy tells the story of a young man who finds himself drawn into an international espionage web after his partner turns up dead.
The series isn’t only a tense and exciting spy thriller, it’s also a powerful character study that thrives from the incredible performance of Ben Wishaw in the lead role.
9 Kingsman (2014)
The Kingsman movies are some of the most popular spy movies of the past decade. The two films released so far have subverted the spy genre, drawing from the gadgetry of the Bond movies and the thrilling action of the Bourne movies to create a unique, comic book blend.
Starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong, the Kingsman franchise is certainly worth a watch for fans of James Bond and spy thrillers in general.
8 Patriot Games (1992)
Patriot Games stars Harrison Ford as Tom Clancy‘s Jack Ryan and sees the American CIA agent clash against Sean Bean’s villainous IRA terrorist. The film is less of a spy thriller and more of a personal story of vengeance.
Not only does the movie feature some incredible action, but it also boasts fantastic performances from both Harrison Ford and Sean Bean.
7 Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
Starring Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Rebecca Ferguson, Mission Impossible: Fallout is the latest in the Mission Impossible franchise and sees Cruise’s Ethan Hunt try to prevent World War 3 and nuclear annihilation.
As with any recent Tom Cruise movie, the film features some insane stunts from Cruise, with the actor seemingly putting his life on the line to create stunning set pieces for the movie.
6 Bourne Trilogy
The Jason Bourne movies had a huge impact on the James Bond series. It was an almost direct response to the Bourne movies that caused the Daniel Craig era to reboot the Bond franchise into a grittier, more action focused series.
Any fan of Bond will enjoy the Jason Bourne movies, with Matt Damon putting in a fantastic performance as the American secret agent with a mysterious past.
5 Lust, Caution (2007)
Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution is Lee’s follow up to the stunning Brokeback Mountain. The film combines the romance with the spy genre in the backdrop of Shanghai during the Japanese Occupation of World War Two.
Starring Tony Leung Chiu and Tang Wei, the film tells the story of a young actress who becomes embroiled in a plot to seduce and assassinate the leader of the secret police.
4 The Night Manager (2016)
Starring Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman, the Night Manger is an exciting drama that tells the story of a hotel manager who is asked to infiltrate the inner circle of an arms dealer.
Based on a novel from 1993 by John Le Carre, the series is a fantastically performed and compelling series that will have the audience on the edge of their seat from the first episode to the last.
3 The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Guy Ritchie’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. may be one of the most underrated spy movies of the past decade. Based on the series of the same name from 60s, the film follows a CIA agent and a KGB agent working together to prevent a world war.
In addition to starring Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill, the film also stars Hugh Grant and Alicia Vikander. The film brilliantly combines high octane action with fantastic banter and humor.
2 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Based on the book of the same name, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy is one of the greatest spy movies of all time. Set in the 1970s during the Cold War, the film is based around the search for a Soviet double agent in London.
The 2011 film has an all-star cast with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and John Hurt. The film received critical acclaim and several BAFTA award wins, making the movie a must-see for fans of the spy genre.
1 Argo (2012)
Argo is one of the most critically acclaimed movies on this list. Starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, and John Goodman, Argo tells the true events of how the CIA managed to rescue 6 Americans being held captive in Tehran, Iran.
The film, directed by Ben Affleck, received critical acclaim from critics, with many citing the fantastic performances of the main cast and white-knuckle excitement that the movie managed to inflict upon the audience.
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October 20, 2020 at 05:30AM
