Top 7 Spy Movies On Streaming Right Now; Who Wins, James Bond or Ethan Hunt?
From slow-burn thrillers to car chases and fight sequences, there’s a movie for everyone.
It’s too late to write about horror movies and too early to write about holiday movies… so to celebrate the release of Prime Video’s latest spy movie, “Canary Black,” here’s a list of the top 7 spy movies you can watch on streaming right now. I haven’t seen “Canary Black” yet and there aren’t many reviews out there, but if you want to check it out, the movie follows top-level CIA agent Avery Graves who gets blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband. Pretty standard spy stuff. And while you’ve probably heard of many of the movies on my list, there’s nothing “standard” about them – they’re one hell of a good ride. So, here are the top 7 spy movies on streaming right now.
Top 7 Spy Movies On Streaming Right Now
No. 7: ‘Argo’ (2012) | Netflix
“Argo” is more of a slow burn than most of the other movies on this list, but it’s a very enjoyable burn. More suspenseful spy-drama than an action movie, the film delves into the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, where CIA operative Tony Mendez devises a plan to rescue six American diplomats. Stranded in Tehran, the diplomats face possible death until Mendez proposes an unusual extraction strategy: he will go undercover as a Hollywood producer scouting locations for a sci-fi movie while hoping to sneak the diplomats out as members of his film crew.
Directed by Ben Affleck, who also stars as Mendez, “Argo” features a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman. The film pulled in $232 million worldwide on a budget of just $44.5 million, while picking up the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Argo
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA ‘exfiltration’ specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
No. 6: ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’ (2015) | Netflix
“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” reimagines the 1960s series with tons of style while maintaining the Cold War era. The story follows CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin, who are forced to team up to stop a mysterious criminal organization with nuclear ambitions. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe. The film combines retro charm with badass action, pulling viewers into a luxurious world of deception and high-stakes espionage – aka everything you want in a spy movie.
Directed by Guy Ritchie, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” stars Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, and Elizabeth Debicki. On a budget of around $75 million, the film grossed over $110 million worldwide.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.
No. 5: ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005) | Netflix
Fresh off a TV reboot that’s coming back for a second season, it’s the original “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” that lands fifth on the list. In the movie, John and Jane Smith look like an ordinary married couple stuck in a mundane routine—until they discover that they are actually rival assassins working for competing organizations… and now they’re tasked with killing each other. Talk about high concept!
While the tone is a little lighter than many other films on this list, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” nails a mix of action and humor with one question at the center: can these two really rekindle their marriage? “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, with Doug Liman directing. On a budget of around $110 million, it grossed over $487 million globally, making it an iconic action-comedy.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
After five (or six) years of vanilla-wedded bliss, ordinary suburbanites John and Jane Smith are stuck in a huge rut. Unbeknownst to each other, they are both coolly lethal, highly-paid assassins working for rival organisations. When they discover they’re each other’s next target, their secret lives collide in a spicy, explosive mix of wicked comedy, pent-up passion, nonstop action and high-tech weaponry.
No. 4: ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2024) | Paramount+
You can’t write a list of the top spy movies streaming right now, and not include a “Mission: Impossible” movie. Well, neither can I. And so it’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” that makes my list at number four.
In “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” Ethan Hunt faces a race against time to prevent a global catastrophe after a mission goes wrong. With both his friends and enemies questioning his loyalty, Hunt must recover stolen plutonium (every spy movie needs a MacGuffin!), and outmaneuver a new threat, the Apostles, while dealing with some serious personal stakes. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s got some near-literal jaw-dropping action sequences, including a high-altitude HALO jump and a helicopter chase through the mountains.
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the movie stars Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, and Simon Pegg. Made for $178 million, “Fallout” pulled in $791 million in worldwide receipts, making it the highest-grossing “Mission: Impossible” installment yet.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
When an IMF mission ends badly, the world is faced with dire consequences. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill his original briefing, the CIA begin to question his loyalty and his motives. The IMF team find themselves in a race against time, hunted by assassins while trying to prevent a global catastrophe.
No. 3: ‘The Bourne Identity’ (2002) | MGM+ App
Rarely does a film adaptation capture the same energy that made the book so engrossing. But “The Bourne Identity” succeeds as it follows Jason Bourne, an amnesiac rescued floating in the Mediterranean Sea. As Bourne pieces together his identity, he quickly finds out what kind of weapon he is… and that there’s someone out there trying to eliminate him. Adapted from Robert Ludlum’s novel of the same name, the movie blends gritty action with realistic espionage, setting the stage for four more Bourne movies to date.
Directed by Doug Liman, “The Bourne Identity” stars Matt Damon, Franka Potente, and Chris Cooper. With a budget of $60 million, the film exceeded everyone’s expectations, taking in just over $214 million worldwide. It also catapulted Matt Damon into action star territory… a role he’s now spoofing a bit these days.
The Bourne Identity
Wounded to the brink of death and suffering from amnesia, Jason Bourne is rescued at sea by a fisherman. With nothing to go on but a Swiss bank account number, he starts to reconstruct his life, but finds that many people he encounters want him dead. However, Bourne realizes that he has the combat and mental skills of a world-class spy—but who does he work for?
No. 2: ‘Skyfall’ (2012) | Prime Video
I’m a big James Bond fan – I ripped through all of Ian Fleming’s books last year. And while there’s something to be said for the Sean Connery movies (he played Bond seven times), personally I think the modern Daniel Craig films are the best of the bunch. So, it’s fitting that the top two movies on my list are Craig’s Bond movies.
First is “Skyfall.” In the film a cyberattack exposes MI6 agents’ identities, placing M’s leadership under stress. Bond’s mission leads him to former MI6 agent Silva, a vengeful mastermind targeting M directly. As Bond goes after Silva, he has to confront his own loyalty, mortality, and the legacy of MI6. The film features some of the best action sequences in the series, stunning cinematography, and a memorable finale at Bond’s childhood estate, “Skyfall.”
Directed by Sam Mendes, “Skyfall” stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, and Ralph Fiennes. Made with a budget of about $200 million, it killed at the box office, raking in over $1.1 billion in worldwide receipts, becoming the highest-grossing Bond film to this day.
Skyfall
When Bond’s latest assignment goes gravely wrong and agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked forcing M to relocate the agency. These events cause her authority and position to be challenged by Gareth Mallory, the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the shadows - aided only by field agent, Eve - following a trail to the mysterious Silva, whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.
Ralph Fiennes begins his run as M in this film.
This movie features the first Bond theme song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also features cinematography from the legendary Roger Deakins.
- Director: Sam Mendes
- James Bond: Daniel Craig
- Villain(s): Tiago “Raoul Silva” Rodriguez (Javier Bardem)
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Bond Girl(s): Bond’s Lover (Tonia Sotiropoulou)
Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) - Theme Song: “Skyfall” by Adele
- Soundtrack Composer: Thomas Newman
No. 1: ‘Casino Royale’ (2006) | Paramount+
Like the shot of adrenaline that saves Bond’s life halfway through “Casino Royale,” Daniel Craig’s first Bond film is a revelation for the franchise. It’s also the only Craig-era Bond movie that’s based on one of Ian Fleming’s novels. In fact, “Casino Royale” was the first Bond novel Fleming wrote, making it a character-defining piece.
In the film, the newly appointed 007 is tasked with stopping Le Chiffre, a high-stakes financier for global terrorists. Bond’s mission centers on a pivotal poker game at Casino Royale in Montenegro, where he must defeat Le Chiffre to bankrupt him and end his operations. Apart from being an excellent spy flick, the film establishes a grittier, emotionally complex Bond inside a more realistic world than the films that came before. While earlier entries portrayed Bond as a super-cool, unemotional, wise-cracking spy, Craig’s bond is full of vulnerabilities, especially in this film. He suffers an emotional blow that changes him forever.
Directed by Martin Campbell, “Casino Royale” stars Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, and Judi Dench. With a budget of around $150 million, the film grossed over $616 million globally – turning Craig’s Bond into a commercial and critical successful.
Casino Royale
Le Chiffre, a banker to the world’s terrorists, is scheduled to participate in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, where he intends to use his winnings to establish his financial grip on the terrorist market. M sends Bond—on his maiden mission as a 00 Agent—to attend this game and prevent Le Chiffre from winning. With the help of Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), Bond enters the most important poker game in his already dangerous career.
Daniel Craig jumps into the role of James Bond and gives the franchise a much-needed revamp. This Bond is more grounded, and clearly influenced by the Jason Bourne movies.
- Director: Martin Campbell
- James Bond: Daniel Craig
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Villain(s): Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen)
Mr. White (Jesper Christensen)
Adolph Gettler (Richard Sammel) - Bond Girl(s): Vesper Lynd (Eva Green)
- Theme Song: “You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell
- Soundtrack Composer: David Arnold