For over six decades, the name "Bond, James Bond" has been synonymous with high-stakes espionage, exotic locales, Martinis, and diabolical villains. Based on the novels by Ian Fleming, the franchise is one of the longest-running and most financially successful in film history.

To understand the evolution of cinema—and the shifting cultural landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries—one must watch the 007 movies in order of release. This order is divided into distinct "eras," defined by the actor holding the Walther PPK.

The Romantic. The Controversial One-Off.