Top Spy Movies

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a 2006 German drama film set in East Germany in 1984, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It follows an officer of the East German secret police, Stasi, as he is tasked with monitoring the life of a couple, a playwright and his lover. As the story progresses, the Stasi officer is forced to confront his own conscience as he discovers the truth about the couple and their struggles under the oppressive communist regime. Ultimately, he is forced to make a difficult decision that could change his life and the lives of those he is tasked with monitoring. The film is a powerful exploration of humanity, oppression, and the power of truth and freedom.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis
Rated Approved

North by Northwest is a classic 1959 suspense-thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows the story of advertising executive Roger Thornhill, who is mistaken for a government agent by a criminal mastermind. As a result, he is hunted across the country while trying to survive and prove his innocence. Along the way, he falls in love with a mysterious woman named Eve Kendall, who may or may not be part of the scheme as well. In the end, Roger's innocence is proven and the criminals brought to justice. The film features a number of iconic scenes, including a thrilling crop-dusting plane chase, and is considered one of the best films of its era.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Edgar Ramírez, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) is the third and final installment in the Bourne film series. Directed by Paul Greengrass, it stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, a CIA assassin searching for the truth about his past. In this thrilling action-packed film, Bourne continues to find himself the target of a relentless CIA manhunt while uncovering secrets from his forgotten past. With the help of journalist Simon Ross, Bourne is finally able to uncover the secrets of his past, leading him to his final confrontation with the CIA and the man behind it all. The film culminates in a thrilling chase sequence that ends with Bourne finally uncovering the truth of his identity and his destiny.

From Martin Campbell, starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Casino Royale is a 2006 spy film, the twenty-first film in the Eon Productions James Bond series, and the first to star Daniel Craig as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Directed by Martin Campbell and written by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade, it is the first film to be based on Ian Fleming's 1953 novel of the same name. The story follows Bond as he faces off against Le Chiffre, a banker to the world’s terrorist organizations, in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. Bond is sent to make sure that Le Chiffre does not win back the money he has lost in a previous game. The betrayal of Vesper Lynd, an agent of the Treasury, and a brutal fight with Mr. White, a smuggler, add further complications to Bond’s mission. Ultimately, Bond must defeat Le Chiffre in order to save himself and the money that he has been sent to protect.

From Doug Liman, starring Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Identity is a 2002 action-thriller film directed by Doug Liman and starring Matt Damon. The film follows an amnesiac, Jason Bourne (Damon), as he attempts to discover his true identity amidst a clandestine conspiracy within the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Bourne, discovered in the Mediterranean Sea with two gunshot wounds, is on the run from the CIA and other groups who are determined to learn the secret of his past. In order to stay alive, Bourne must piece together the fragments of his memory and find out who he really is. Along the way, he discovers a deadly conspiracy involving the CIA and its secret operations. With the help of his newfound ally, Marie (Franka Potente), Bourne is able to uncover the truth about his identity and the motivations behind the CIA's pursuit of him. In the end, Bourne is able to defeat his pursuers and reclaim his life.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern
Rated Not Rated

Notorious is a classic film from 1946 directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It tells the story of Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), the daughter of a German spy convicted of treason against the United States. To redeem her father's name, she agrees to infiltrate a group of Nazis in Rio de Janeiro led by Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains). She is assisted by American agent T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant), whom she falls in love with despite his commitment to his job. The film follows Alicia as she infiltrates the Nazis and uncovers their evil plans, all the while trying to avoid detection and fend off Sebastian's growing affections. In the end, Alicia and Devlin succeed in exposing the Nazis and thwarting their plans for world domination. Notorious is a classic Hitchcock thriller that is still praised for its thrilling suspense and captivating performances.

From Sam Mendes, starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench
Rated PG-13

Skyfall is a 2012 British spy film, the twenty-third in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. Directed by Sam Mendes and written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan, it stars Daniel Craig in his third performance as James Bond, and Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva, the film's villain. The story centres on Bond investigating an attack on MI6; the attack is part of a plot by former MI6 operative Raoul Silva to humiliate, discredit and kill M as revenge against her for betraying him. The film sees the return of two recurring characters after an absence of two films: Q, played by Ben Whishaw, and Miss Moneypenny, played by Naomie Harris. Skyfall is the last film of the series for Judi Dench as M, who died at the end of the film. The position is subsequently filled by Ralph Fiennes' character, Gareth Mallory, though Dench would make a brief appearance in the next Bond film, Spectre. Skyfall received positive reviews from critics, who praised its screenplay, action sequences, and Craig's performance, with some critics even naming it one of the best Bond films ever made. The film was a commercial success

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Supremacy is the second installment in the Jason Bourne film series and follows the story of amnesiac secret agent Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). After a failed assassination attempt, Bourne is framed for a botched CIA operation in Russia. As he is pursued by an assassin, he sets out to discover the truth behind his identity and to clear his name. With the help of his girlfriend Marie (Franka Potente) and an ex-CIA agent Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), Bourne unravels a global conspiracy involving the CIA and their illegal Treadstone program. He is forced to use his deadly skills to survive and ultimately expose the truth.

From Guy Hamilton, starring Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Rated PG

Goldfinger is a 1964 British spy film and the third installment in the James Bond series. The film follows Bond (Sean Connery) as he investigates Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe), a rich and powerful gold smuggler. After discovering that Goldfinger is plotting to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox and destabilize the world economy, Bond sets out to stop his scheme. He is aided by allies including CIA agent Felix Leiter (Cec Linder) and the beautiful Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton). Bond ultimately defeats Goldfinger by using his wits and gadgets, but not before Goldfinger kills Jill and Bond's ally, Tilly Masterson (Tania Mallet). The film is noted for its memorable opening theme song, its gadget-filled climax, and its iconic villain.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine
Rated R

Kingsman: The Secret Service is a 2014 British-American spy action-comedy film directed by Matthew Vaughn. It is based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. The film follows the story of Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, a street-wise kid from London recruited by a super-secret spy organization, known as the Kingsman. Eggsy joins a mission to tackle a global threat from a rich megalomaniac, Richmond Valentine, who plans to eradicate the world's population with the help of a psychotropic weapon. The Kingsman team must work together to save the world, while enduring a series of trials and tests of loyalty, courage, and wit. With the help of their state-of-the-art gadgets, they must take down Valentine and his henchmen. The film stars Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, and Michael Caine, among others.

From Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Argo is a 2012 historical drama directed by Ben Affleck, based on the true story of a covert operation to rescue six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. The CIA and Canadian government devise a plan to smuggle the diplomats out of the country by posing as a Canadian film crew scouting for locations for a science fiction movie called Argo. The CIA's exfiltration specialist, Tony Mendez, leads the operation and is tasked with creating a convincing and plausible cover story. With the help of Hollywood make-up artist John Chambers and Canadian government official Lester Siegel, Mendez enters Iran as a "producer" for the fake movie and must enlist the help of the locals to help him pull off the mission and get the diplomats safely out of the country.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle
Rated Approved

The 39 Steps is a 1935 British thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel of the same name by John Buchan. The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll in the lead roles, with Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, and John Laurie in supporting roles. The plot revolves around Richard Hannay (Donat), a Canadian living in London who finds himself caught up in a spy ring plot to steal vital British military secrets, when he is accused of murdering a mysterious woman. Hannay, with the help of a beautiful woman named Pamela (Carroll), must uncover the truth and clear his name before the police apprehend him. As Hannay tries to uncover the truth, he finds himself on the run from the police, as well as a mysterious group of spies and assassins. With the help of Pamela, he is able to eventually uncover the truth and clear his name. The 39 Steps is considered one of Hitchcock's greatest films and is known for its inventive use of the "macguffin" plot device, its memorable chase scenes, and its use of everyday objects as props. It has been praised for its suspense and its use of Hitchcock's signature direction style, and it is considered a

From Brian G. Hutton, starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, Patrick Wymark
Rated M

Where Eagles Dare is a classic World War II action adventure thriller directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, and Mary Ure. Set in the Bavarian Alps, the film follows a team of Allied commandos led by an American major and a British colonel as they are sent on a daring mission to rescue an important general from a heavily guarded castle. With the help of a German agent, the commandos must battle the elements and an elite SS unit as they race against time to rescue the general before he is killed. With its thrilling action sequences, dynamic characters, and exciting plot, Where Eagles Dare has become a cult classic and is widely hailed as one of the best war films ever made.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Rated PG-13

Bridge of Spies is a 2015 historical drama directed by Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg. The film tells the story of lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks) who is asked by the CIA to negotiate the release of downed U.S. pilot Gary Powers from the Soviets during the Cold War. After he is successful in his mission, Donovan is then assigned to defend accused Soviet spy Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance) in court. As Donovan navigates the tense international relations between the Soviets and Americans, he faces obstacles and threats from both sides. Through his wits and perseverance, Donovan eventually succeeds in his mission and helps bridge the two countries during a dangerous time in history.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Marie-Josée Croze, Ciarán Hinds
Rated R

Munich is a 2005 political thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, loosely based on the events of the 1972 Munich massacre of the Israeli Olympic team. The film follows a Mossad agent, Avner, who is assigned to lead a secret mission to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinians believed to be responsible for the tragedy. Along the way, Avner and his team of agents face personal struggles as they weigh the morality of their mission and the consequences of their actions. As the hunt intensifies, the stakes become higher and Avner is forced to confront his own identity and purpose. Ultimately, Munich paints a complex portrait of the human cost of revenge and justice.

From Terence Young, starring Sean Connery, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Daniela Bianchi
Rated PG

From Brad Bird, starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton
Rated PG-13

From Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max von Sydow
Rated R

From John Frankenheimer, starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny
Rated PG-13

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong
Rated R

From Jay Roach, starring Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers
Rated PG-13

From Michel Hazanavicius, starring François Damiens, Jean Dujardin, Khalid Maadour, Youssef Hamid
Rated Not Rated

From Tony Scott, starring Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani
Rated R