The Top 10 Movie Spies
5. Lorraine Broughton- Atomic Blonde
It’s a good thing Charlize Theron was in Atomic Blonde because this Top 10 Movie Spies list was turning into a bit of a sausage fest. Lorraine is from the golden age of spies, meaning that she was active during the Cold War, a time where double, triple, and probably eve quadruple agents existed and you couldn’t trust anyone. Luckily for Lorraine though, she doesn’t really have to trust anyone since she can put anyone who comes after her into traction (if they’re lucky). One thing is clear about Lorraine, not only is she one of the most badass movie spies out there, but she’s also one of the toughest female protagonists to appear on the big screen. A lot of the guys on this list have managed to rack up sequels and I’m hoping Atomic Blonde gets one in the near future as well.
4. Harry Hart aka Galahad- The Kingsman Series
The Kingsman series might be best known for actually being one of the actual descent movies based on a comic series that doesn’t feature superheroes. However, it wouldn’t be half as good if it weren’t for Harry Hart, the gentleman spy. Looking at him you might not think he’s a total badass, but that mostly because Colin Firth is best known for films like Bridget Jones Diary and Mama Mia!. Don’t let the clean-cut look fool you though, because there’s a reason Harry made it into the top 5 movies spies on this list. He might claim that “manners maketh man,” but when it comes to being a spy he’s not afraid to get down and dirty when he needs to. Still, he always looks good doing it in his perfectly tailored suits. Harry just proves you can’t judge a book by its cover.
3. Jack Ryan- The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
In all fairness, Jack Ryan is probably one of the few movie spies on this list that closest to reflecting what it’s like to be a real espionage operative (if you don’t count Tony Mendez). Like Joe Turner, Jack is an analyst working for the CIA. That means he’s tasked with figuring out exactly what’s going on out there in the shadows, which speaks to the size of his brain. Unfortunately, his brain is so big that he often finds himself in trouble because of it. You see, Jack is brilliant, but he’s also an idiot when it comes to meddling in affairs he should stay out of. That being said, he always manages to save the day, even if he bumbles his way through the field work. Here’s hoping his Amazon series starring John Krasinski will be half as good as his films.
2. Ethan Hunt- Mission: Impossible Franchise
It was a tough call when it came to the top 2 entries on this movie spies list, but it looks like America is coming in second here. Ethan Hunt has been gracing the silver screen for over 20 years. While he might have stumbled a little in the beginning, his franchise has quickly become one of the most reliable out there, with each movie getting better and better. What makes Ethan such a great spy is that he’s got the brain and the brawn to get the job done. Of course, the same could be said for a lot of the entries on this list. But Ethan also has an unshakeable will that would give John Wick a run for his money. Climbing the world’s tallest building for a mission? Sure, no problem. Holding onto a plane while it takes off? He’s got this. Ethan does whatever it takes to complete a mission, even if it would give us normal folks panic attacks.
1. James Bond (007 Franchise)
When it comes to movie spies, the British have it in the bag with this one. James Bond pretty much created and then perfected, the modern spy thriller. In fact, he’s been going strong for over 50 years, which means that a lot of people have taken on the role over the years. While arguing about who might be the best could last hours, most of us agree that there hasn’t been a truly awful actor to play Bond. Let’s face it, he’s got it all. The style, the charisma, the gadget, the car… In fact, it’s hard not to be just a little jealous of him. Sure, he probably has so many STI’s that a lesser man would have died years ago, but that doesn’t stop him from serving Queen and Country when they need it most. While a lot of the other entries on here have proven themselves over the years, Bond has one of the longest-running movie franchises of all time for a reason. He’s toxic masculinity at it’s best/worst, a man’s man, and the greatest movie spy ever.
Honorable Mention: Susan Cooper (Spy)
Like I said earlier, this list was a bit of a sausage fest, but Susan wasn’t quite good enough to make it into the top 10. Like Derek Flint, Johnny English, and Maxwell Smart, she’s kind of a joke as a character. However, she’s also a spy that manages to shock everyone and save the day. There’s nothing extraordinary about Susan, which makes her able to blend in perfectly. A trait that every great spy needs to have.
There you have it, the 10 greatest movie spies of all time. Of course, there have been dozens and dozens of them over the years and narrowing it down to these ten was more than a little tricky towards the end. So, with that in mind, I want to hear who your favorite movie spy of all time is! Be sure to leave a comment and check back from time to time to see if this list gets updated as new movie spies hit the big screen. Also, feel free to let Stars & Popcorn know what kind of Top 10 Lists you want to see in the future!