Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Black Widow, we’re counting down our favorite spy movies. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
The 2010s positively spoiled us with female lead action movies with the likes of Red Sparrow, Hanna, Salt, Lucy, Columbiana, and Ava, to name but a few. However, David Leitch’s Atomic Blonde is the one that really stands out and, for me at least, just gets better with every repeat viewing. Set in the 1980s, Charlize Theron plays a jaded MI6 agent on a country-hopping mission for vengeance… Okay, when you put it like that, perhaps it’s not an entirely original premise, but the delivery definitively sets it apart. With not a shakey cam in sight, Atomic Blonde provides action set pieces that put any entry in the Bond and Bourne franchises to shame, and as a result, for better or worse, I will never be able to listen George Michael’s “Father Figure” the same way again. Beyond the impressive and visceral choreography, Atomic Blonde also shows the aftermath, the toll that the perilous life of a spy/assassin takes on the body and mind. Dear reader, you will quickly learn that I am not a fan of the obligatory romantic subplot that seems to be the norm in most films, but even this trope is turned on its head to become something altogether more enjoyable through the always amazing Sofia Boutella. With a sequel reportedly in the works, do yourself a favor and watch this movie…and The Old Guard, and Mad Max: Fury Road, and Hancock, and… you know what, just watch everything Charlize Theron does. (Ian Whittington)
See Jason float. See Jason’s amnesia. See Jason bring back the turtleneck sweater. Then, see Jason run out of bubble gum and do what everyone knows comes next en route to cementing himself as the ex-spy we all wish we were cool enough to be. Just months after watching Matt Damon intern his way through heisting the Bellagio, it was an absolute (jarring) blast to see him as the cold blooded man of action bringing down a rogue CIA unit. I grew up with Robert Ludlum’s books peppered throughout the shelves at my Grandfather’s house, so upon its release, this film adaptation (and subsequent sequels) naturally became yearly viewing at our house and will always hold a place in my heart. Add in what will become the iconic end credits anthem of the franchise (Moby’s “Extreme Ways”) that makes you smile and say, “Yes!! What’s next?!” and you are all set for a thrilling time! Sidenote: Can we please have a John Wick & Jason Bourne crossover? I’m here for it! (Matt Lawson)
Three years after director Kathryn Bigelow impressed audiences with her war movie, The Hurt Locker, she leaped to an even bigger scope with Zero Dark Thirty, the story behind the manhunt for Osama bin Laden, which is led by CIA intelligence analyst Maya Harris (Jessica Chastain). Chastain delivers a powerful performance that shows the stress and determination that come from being given such a task, and she’s backed up by a terrific supporting cast that includes Jason Clarke, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, and James Gandolfini. With the movie’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime, we’re offered an enriching and intricate view into the planning and enacting of the manhunt, and you’re immersed in every minute of it as you see the many characters converse over what needs to be done. Bigelow keeps your heart pounding all of the way through, but it’s the sequence with the manhunt that will make you hold your breath. Even though you know the outcome, that doesn’t make it any less tense, and the cinematography’s use of darkness and night vision couldn’t be any less gripping. If you’re looking for a true story thriller, you can’t do any better than this. (Vincent Abbatecola)
This is the best / James Bond on top, forget the rest / Feel your pulse race and then / Hear explosions burst again / We’re nearly 60 years in / Soon 25 films, praise this moment / So overdue, let’s crown it / The OG franchise spy, often stolen
Let the sky fall / Ethan Hunt crumbles / 007 stands tall / He’ll face them all, the winner / Let the sky fall / Jason Bourne crumbles / 007 stands tall / He’ll face them all, the winner / At Skyfall
Skyfall is the peak of spy art / A globetrotting journey you can’t wait to start / Where Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are tops / You may know his number, you can challenge his game / But you’ll never beat his mark
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall) / Harry Hart crumbles (he crumbles) / 007 stands tall (he will stand tall) / He’ll face them all, the winner / Let the sky fall (let the sky fall) / Lorraine Broughton crumbles (she crumbles) / 007 stands tall (he will stand tall) / He’ll face them all, the winner / At Skyfall / At Skyfall (Heath Lynch)
When you think of a suspenseful movie where people need to be smuggled from point A to point B (those points being, I don’t know, let’s say Iran to USA in 1979, just spitballing here) you definitely think of… Ben Affleck behind and in front of the camera…?! Wait, what? And yet, it works. Argo definitely confirmed to me that Affleck’s previous films Gone Baby Gone and The Town weren’t a coincidence, as it’s an exciting, engaging film about one of the biggest con jobs in Hollywood’s history. And that’s saying something! They tried to convince us the entire Baldwin family had talent! Argo is definitely a must-watch film. It’s not your traditional espionage movie, but you will be gripping the edge of your seat, and who cares that they “bejazzled” the ending a tiny bit (in a real life, the airport scene wasn’t as exciting as in the movie). Wait, say what? A movie that’s not reflecting history 100%? Get out of here and don’t call me Shirley. That’d be the first. Anyway, in my eyes, it doesn’t hurt the movie a tiny bit, as it’s a really enjoyable thrill ride, done brilliantly. (Luke Burian)
If I were to be asked, Mission: Impossible — Fallout is the greatest spy movie of all time. Fun little fact — this was my first Mission: Impossible movie. I only ended up seeing this just because of the trailers and ended up loving it so much that now I’m a fan of the series. I have to mention how amazed I am that this is the sixth movie in a franchise and somehow ends up feeling fresh at the end of the day. Considering that the spy genre has the tropes you’d expect, that alone deserves praise even this far in a series. When I sit back and think about Fallout, so many action scenes stand out. But my favorite has to be the third act helicopter chase. It’s tense and mostly shot with real stunts. Tom Cruise apparently learned how to fly a helicopter for the scene himself. He didn’t need to, but it was still awesome. So take it from someone who never saw a film in this franchise up until this point and put this on your list if you haven’t. I promise that it’s a good time. (Alex Henderson)
Inglorious Basterds is more of a mercenary movie, but let’s talk about its spy element. Diane Kruger plays Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress turned spy for the Allied forces. Arguably the best scene in the movie has to do with the spy element where Bridget meets with people in a tavern in northern France during German Occupation. To me, this is why spy work is so hard; the tension in this scene could be cut with a knife. I legitimately started to sweat during this scene when I watched this in theaters. Bridget needs to give intel to Michael Fassbender’s British lieutenant Archie Hicox and two of the other basterds who were accompanying him. They’re recognized by two German officers and one mistake leads to their downfall. This scene is on par with of Tarantino’s best, and it is one of the best spy scenes of the 21st century. (Mike Hilty)
Did you know that Francis Ford Coppola directed another classic film in between the first two Godfather films? Say hello to The Conversation! Gene Hackman is a reclusive man whose whole life is listening in on the lives of others. Coppola capitalizes on all the situational tension and milks it for all the paranoia possible. Hackman is secretive and timid, yet explosive when pushed. The performance is quite surprising when compared to his other work. Is he being observed? What has he gotten himself into? Is this a job that he should never have taken? Can he possibly save the subjects he must spy on? All these answers and more will be answered when you check out this intimate and intense thriller from one of the 70s most impressive filmmakers. (Shane Conto)
Looking back, I think Inception is what really made me fall in love with movies. It blew my mind when I was a teenager seeing it for my birthday, and these days, I’ve come to realize and appreciate so many of the extra layers that the film has. It’s far and away Christopher Nolan at his best — he fuses the high concept science fiction and action that he’s come to be known for with a sincere storyline about a man trying to come to grips with his past so he can finally live his life in the present and future. It’s expertly directed, charismatically acted, and bombastically scored. This thoughtful, yet entertaining, original movie about people being dream thieves is everything you could want from a summer blockbuster. (Robert Bouffard)
North by Northwest is masterfully directed by Alfred Hitchcock in one of his many “mistaken identity” tropes. Filled with 50s sensibilities, there is charm oozing from every frame. The stars aligned with the making of North by Northwest as this Oscar nominated screenplay from legendary writer Ernest Lehman met Alfred Hitchcock at his peak era. Filled with cracking dialogue and dry humor, the screen smolders whenever we see our protagonist Roger Thornbill (played by screen legend Carey Grant) and the mysterious Eve Kendall (the stunning Eva Marie Saint). They simply don’t write movies like this anymore, and to be honest, I think we are better off for it so gems like this are preserved in their full glory and remain untainted by dodgy remakes. (Adam Ritchie)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
A man briskly runs around the Lincoln Memorial with heavy breathing. Little does he know that he will find his new wingman whizzing by him, gently uttering, “On your left.” Marvel is known for their stellar openings, but there has been no other like the one in Captain America: The Winter Soldier within the MCU. The audience is treated to the start of a wonderful friendship that will span several films and resonate with so many fans. As Sam is catching his breath under a tree, he strikes up a conversation with the living legend himself, Steve Rogers. As they speak to one another, they realize that they not only share a similar military background, but have suffered great loss during their time served. Then and there, these two men start a relationship that helps them grow and mend from past trauma. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, while full of spy thriller spectacle, still knows how to take care with the quieter moments that make you care so much for its characters. (Joe Vargas)
Burn After Reading
The Coen Brothers are one of this generation’s greatest writing and directing duos. They can take seemingly inconsequential characters and situations and make them quirky, compelling, and incredibly entertaining. Their 2007 spy comedy Burn After Reading is not one of their most popular, but it is one of their best, and one I highly recommend. When a CIA analyst (John Malkovich) quits and decides to write his memoirs, a series of misunderstandings and coincidences result in a very confusing week for the CIA. With an A-list cast, George Clooney and Brad Pitt both masterfully play characters that go against type with Clooney being a big doofus and Pitt being… well… also a big doofus, but with less brains (pun very much intended). The genius of this movie is not overt. It’s subtle and it rewards you at the end with one of the most hilarious movie lines ever delivered by J.K. Simmons. (Nick Ferro)
Three Days of the Condor
Even if you haven’t seen this ‘70s spy thriller, chances are you’ve at least heard of Three Days of the Condor thanks to connections drawn between it and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The comparisons came fast and furious given the involvement of Robert Redford and the spy thriller feel the films share. Redford plays an analyst, codename Condor, who must figure out who he can trust after an attack on his colleagues. He’s a refreshingly different type of spy. Not being used to field work, he’s unsure of himself, slightly clumsy, and makes some mistakes. If the Marvel link isn’t enough to pique your interest, this flick is full of talent. Redford is joined by the likes of Max von Sydow and Faye Dunaway. There’s also Oscar-winning talent behind the camera in Sydney Pollack, who took home awards for Out of Africa and was nominated a total of seven times. It’s a tense thriller steeped in the cynical worldview of the time and is well worth yours. (Jake Bourgeois)
No Way Out
This week, to stave off the apocalypse caused by writing on the same film in back to back weeks (not sure why the SiftPop bylaws state that doing so summons both Cthulhu and Beelzebub, but it does), I’m diving into a film I actually somehow hadn’t heard of until this week: No Way Out. Starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman, it puts one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors alongside one of the greatest of his time. It also has an interesting narrative blend that changes the tone of the film and elevates it to a level I wasn’t expecting. You have a layer of romantic comedy (complete with the catchy ‘80s theme tune that just so happens to include the film’s title) blended with a heavy setting of political intrigue, scandal, and sleight of hand as Costner’s Tom Farrell is up against the Department of Defense. Tom must work against the clock and David Brice’s (Gene Hackman) assistant and terrifying villain Scott Price (Will Patton) to prevent an innocent man from taking the fall for a crime that he didn’t commit in a government coverup framed as the search for a Soviet spy. However, in his attempt to fight the skulduggery of the Defense Department, Price, and the Army CID, Farrell soon finds that he may have placed himself in the center of the trap instead. If you’re looking for a film with twists and turns that could shear a battleship in half, including one huge one that absolutely caught me off guard, this is the film for you. (Joseph Davis)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a classy British thriller set in London during the Cold War era. The plot is simple: there is a Soviet spy who has infiltrated the ranks of MI6, and the stoic George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is brought out of retirement to find out who. Normally, I wouldn’t waste my precious BEC space rattling off a film’s cast members, but for this outstanding lineup I will make an exception. The cast includes the likes of John Hurt, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Jones, Stephen Graham, Ciarán Hinds, and the great Gary Oldman, who finally earned his first Oscar nomination with this performance. In many ways, Tinker Tailor is the anti-James Bond — it is a slow, dialogue-driven film without a hint of action, though the misleading trailer for this film would have you believe otherwise. If you enter Tinker Tailor expecting an edge-of-your-seat thriller at a breakneck pace, you will almost certainly be as disappointed as I was on my first watch. However, if you go into this film with the proper expectations, you’ll leave with a much deeper appreciation for what it accomplished. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is one of the most immaculately directed films of the 21st century with an expertly crafted tone of quiet intrigue and deception. In spite of my underwhelming first watch, my estimation of Tinker Tailor has improved so drastically with each viewing that I can now proudly call it one of my favorite movies of all time. (Foster Harlfinger)
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a mixture of James Bond, comedy, and mayhem. The film follows a young man from the other side of the tracks in London, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), following in his father’s footsteps in becoming a secret agent. Kingsman is a fun-filled wild ride, and for obvious reasons. Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), the wealthy megalomaniac villain, has a lisp, all while wanting to deal with climate change. The breakthrough charismatic performance by Egerton shows he would slowly become a leading man, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s something to look at. The fashions for the Kingsmen could easily give James Bond a run for his money. Also, it’s been said that Colin Firth (aka Galahad) did 80% of his stunts. If this is true, it makes the bloody, over the top Kentucky church scene so much more fun. Kingsman is one of my favorite spy movies that I can never get bored with. (Chantal Ashford)
Spy
I mean, the theme is in the title, right? Like, the movie is called Spy. Need I go any further? Yes? Okay. This is an absolute romp of a film, and one that really allows the comedic cast of characters to interplay at a level that is beyond their previous work and create a truly entertaining spy film. Parodying the genre type that we know and love, this movie manages to still keep some of its most important elements in hand, such as cool fight scenes, fancy gadgets and a smarter-than-everyone-else protagonist. Add to that a diamond conspiracy and you’ve got yourself a good time. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it for a fun and silly Friday night when you want to just sit back, relax, and be taken on a ride. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Spy Kids
What if I told you Robert Rodriguez made a spy movie for kids? This film exists, is called Spy Kids, and is actually really good and was one of my favorites as a kid. Spy Kids tells the story of Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), whose parents (played by Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) used to be international spies who retired after falling in love. Ffter several other spies get kidnapped, the parents come out of retirement only to get captured themselves, leaving it up to their kids to solve the case and save everyone. The casting by Rodriguez is fantastic; he even brings Danny Trejo along to play the distant uncle Machete. Spy Kids shines even more with Alan Cumming and Tony Shalhoub as the villains. This film has a stacked cast, excellent dialogue, a pretty decent score, and is still beloved by the fans who grew up watching this series. I am pretty sure Rodriguez started some existential crisis in some kids later in life with some of the dialogue in the first two. Spy Kids may not have the best CGI, but the story still holds up today and still has funny moments I can still laugh at even after watching so much as a kid. Spy Kids is the series about family that should have spawned hundreds of sequels, even though all three share the same message about family. It’s a lesson different characters have to learn in the movies. (Austen Terry)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
On this list, I am sure we will find names like Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, and James Bond. However, one of the greatest spy movies of all time goes by another name — Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. This mid ‘90s spoof of the spy genre is about as perfect as it gets. It’s hilarious, campy, and incredibly good at hitting every facet of what makes a spy movie tick. Borrowing mostly from James Bond, Mike Myers’ Austin Powers is a stylish brit who fights for queen and country. He always gets his man, man. I challenge anyone, just go to YouTube, search “Austin Powers,” and any scene you click on will have you laughing either from the clever turns or phrases, visual gags, hilarious meta humor, or simply the irresistible charm. The entire cast has amazing moments. No one is underused, even the frickin’ cat. Just writing about this movie has me wanting to rewatch it. Yeah Baby! (Evan Lucken)
Safe House
One film that doesn’t get enough recognition is Daniel Espinosa’s Safe House, which stars Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington. Reynolds plays a CIA agent and Washington is a fugitive that Reynolds needs to look after, and their chemistry is undeniable. The film is entertaining to say the least. You can clearly see Washington and Reynolds had a great time with their given roles. In particular, Washington brought extra charisma to his role. The film has influences from the Bourne series and Tony Scott films. It has its faults with action sequences that don’t particularly stand out and an overall lack of originality, but there is still fun to be had. (Kristin Ciliberto)
Red Sparrow
Generally, when a Hollywood movie tries to give the audience a look at US-Russian spy activity, the Russian side of things isn’t at all flattering. It’s the same in the case of Red Sparrow, where its lead is a young Russian woman played by Jennifer Lawrence, and the reason we’re rooting for her is because she was given no choice but to be a spy by “the State,” and she’d much rather not be in the position she’s in. The movie walks a delicate line when she turns out to be very good at her job in spite of that. It doesn’t always nail it, either, and while the plotting and scheming that’s built up throughout the movie around her is solid spy thriller material, it’s the central character being pulled back and forth between the Americans and the Russians, but somehow also managing to shape her own plots. The movie takes too much glee in the nudity and thinks it counts for character development, but as a cold-hearted look at a spy’s self-agency with its violence and calculating characters, Red Sparrow is not a bad addition to the spy genre. (Chris Bakker)
Agent Cody Banks
Agent Cody Banks, or ACB, as it’s commonly referred to, is a 2003 spy comedy starring Malcolm In The Middle’s Frankie Muniz as the titular hero. This is a film I have given great credit to as a perfect kid version of 007. From the opening set piece of Cody trying to stop a runaway car with an underage driver before it has a chance to get kissed by a train to its grand finale of a villain’s hideout being destroyed by the very thing they were hoping to take over the world with, this film was made with much love for the spy genre that its Bond influences and admiration seeps through. It’s a love letter through and through. Has it aged well? No. Is it at times problematic? Yes. But I still enjoy the concept of kids being recruited by the CIA. It’s fun. I mean you all love Kingsman, don’t you? It’s a predated, PG-rated Kingsman. Now how do I get Zack Stentz to return my calls to get my Netflix sequel miniseries off the ground? (Frank Kemp)
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