Film Titles Ranked (Complete Countdown)

[@brandonlukeariefdien8729]

Love how the score plays with each title... Love your videos keep them coming

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks!

[@monkelifegood]

Skyfall’s title brings me back to watching Chicken Little screaming “The sky is falling”.

[@nelson8374]

He's back LETS FRIGGIN GOOOOO

[@tlotpwist3417]

What i love about Tomorrow Never Dies is the tie to the villain. The film throws "Carver" and "CBN" more often but Tomorrow is the name of his newspaper, so the title evokes how Carver thinks himself as some genius who will influence the world more than the greatest generals, for longer

[@mowerman2023]

I can honestly say that I’ve never thought this way about the titles themselves. Saying that, I greatly enjoyed this video. It made me realize just how odd these titles actually sound, and after looking at the words on screen long enough while you were giving your explanation led to the words themselves looking weird….you know how that goes, haha. It was humorous and entertaining. I look forward to more lists you will do, and your opinions on every subject of James Bond. Thank you!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks so much, Matthew! It means a lot to know people are enjoying, let alone watching!

[@ChromeFilmsEntertainment]

Having read the original Quantum of Solace short story, I really appreciate it as a title. It really is what Bond’s after for the entire film: Just a little bit of comfort.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

While a pure ranking has a bit more prestige, I think maybe sometime you should experiment is a tier list type ranking, especially for less serious and simpler topics, this list could actually have fit this format. Great video as always.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I actually do both! For example, my ranking of all the films has a numbered rank, but I also group every five or so entries under a different umbrella term - Great, Good, Fun, Average, Mediocre, Bad.

[@ethan_benfield]

One of my favorite things to do is try to work Bond titles into every day conversations.

[@pmveloso4362]

the world is not enough but it is such a perfect place to start, my love ( best line ever )

[@amymormino3029]

You have some great editing skills and I like the idea of unique and familiar Bond lists for this site. Looking forward to future submissions!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks, Amy! Looking forward to hearing from you in the future.

[@GosseDrent]

Great you made a second video. Great idee to look at them without any context of the films. That changes this video from any other and keeps it fresh! Cheers

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks! I'm hoping lists like this one will give the channel some variety.

[@jonbolton3376]

I am posting this after pausing about a minute in. Ranking them just based on the titles themselves. This list should be interesting and hopefully tomorrow i shall compile my own ranking on this category to post here. Possibly the only time i do any type of Bond ranking which isn't too controversial lol.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I had the same thought about the controversial thing...But this is the internet, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before somebody comments telling me how wrong I am haha

[@INspectre691]

Hey, me and a couple of close friends write our own James Bond "fan fiction" (our own original James Bond stories), and the hardest part of making them was: oddly enough, making a title. I'm glad that there's at least one video that I've seen going into detail on the tiles of 007 movies, neat

[@leitercia]

Great video! Very interesting insights. Well done!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks, Joe! Always love hearing from you!

[@masudashizue777]

"Tomorrow Never Dies" is a great title and so is "Quantum of Solace."

[@Bleckman666]

"Orbis Non Sufficit" (The World is not enough) also happens to be Bond's family motto, which makes it a fitting title for a ...Bond film? (On the same topic, Bond villain Blofeld's family motto is "Arae Et Foci" (Of the Air and soaring) ;)

[@AdriaanZwemer]

Clicking this video i didn't know if it was a ranking of titles of each film or the title of each title, but it didn't matter

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Hahaha well thank you for watching regardless!

[@anthonygray333]

Good list although I actually love OHMSS as a title. I think it’s very descriptive.

[@adam_sdm7970]

Great job with the rating. I just needed a channel like yours. Sth unreplacable for 007 agent fan.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thank you and I'm so glad you enjoy the channel!

[@SamnissArandeen]

You forgot the true #1: Tomorrow Never Has Time to Live and Let Die Another Day (or, A View to a Licence to Kill)

[@kjhuang]

2:31 _TMWTGG_ might have the highest number of words, but the title can still roll off the tongue because the words are simple and the sounds go together. _OHMSS_ , on the other hand, is a mouthful - it has more syllables and "Majesty" in particular ruins the flow of the title when it's spoken. That title just feels like so much *work* to say.

[@m-a-l-3000]

Your Videos are so cool. Please keep on going and give us more of theese!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately I don't have a lot of free time to work on these, which is why it takes so long to make them, but I'll put out new videos as often as I can!

[@Alfonzridesagain]

Nice list and good to focus on titles, they are an underrated part of the franchise and its appeal and some of these phrases have truly entered the wider English lexicon. Interesting that you point out that some of the Brosnan titles basically sound like parodies and I think that reveals a lot about both the good and bad sides of the Brosnan era. There is a timeless, instant classic feel to those films, combining the humour and sense of adventure of Moore with the style, sex appeal and danger of Connery, but they also do feel a bit by the numbers as well, like standard 90s action flicks that just happen to have a James Bond theme. I love Brosnan and his movies but it's true that the titles are revealing of where the franchise was before the Craig era.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Couldn't agree more!

[@chenault15]

I just started watching every film for the first time yesterday and the thing I would love to see you do are the best title theme songs

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I will definitely be doing that one!

[@MuzixMaker]

TWINE is the Bond family motto.

[@Hal_T]

So far, so good. I think your analysis of the titles is pretty close to perfect. My ranking might be quite a bit different, but the important part is the analysis.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks, Hal - Glad you're enjoying my analysis!

[@autentyk5735]

When I first heard Skyfall, it sounded like the greatest title ever. As in Bond was up against something of such "biblical" proportions that it would bring down the heavens on him. I was then disappointed when I found out it was merely the name of a place on a map. Great channel idea, Bond fan since 89 here.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@leephillips2837]

awesome vid. Skyfall is my favorite title. Live and Let Die is my favorite Bond movie.Not sure how that stacks for the crowd, but yeah.

[@WhiteJarrah]

When _Skyfall_ was announced, the first thing that came to my mind was the similarly titled autobiography _Starfall,_ written by Betty Grissom - the widow of astronaut Gus Grissom. If you put any heavenly word together with the word 'fall' it sounds like a title more appropriate for a story about air or space disasters.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Interesting point!

[@shannonbayley3684]

The Spy Who Loved Me is the #1 title for me

[@garyrutkowski3033]

Glad to see a new, and unique, list! I quickly scribbled down my ranking before watching and we were exact on two: DAF (5) and GoldenEye (8). I had FRWL at 1 and LALD at 3 so we had those flipped. I don’t think you can completely remove the context when considering a movie title which is why I like say Goldfinger over any of the later Brosnan titles: I never hear anyone saying “which one was Goldfinger?” but TND doesn’t immediately bring the movie to mind for example. Also Licence to Kill has that second “c” that is so confounding! Haha!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

It's definitely tough to remove the context! But you have to remember that the reason you never hear anyone asking what Goldfinger means is because it's been around so long and we all know it so well. The key to this particular list is pretending that the titles never existed, as if you were to wipe all the movies from your memory. It kind of hurts your head to think about, but I found it to be a fun exercise! And as for the second C, that's simply the British spelling of the word...And since James Bond is a Brit, it makes sense to me! Thanks for sparking the discussion!

[@garyrutkowski3033]

Even though we both had Octopussy at the bottom, it certainly was the BRAVEST title!! (Looking forward to your next list!)

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

@@garyrutkowski3033 Haha that it was! And thanks!

[@fSebastianRe]

Great job!!! You should rank all the james bond theme songs, actors or even bond girls!! New subscriber!!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

All in good time, my friend - Thanks for subscribing!

[@nicklook8386]

I DO HAVE ONE FAVOURITE ITS THE END OF SEAN CONNERY'S LAST PERFORMANCE IN NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN WHEN YOU HEAR 007 SAYING NEVER AGAIN FROM THE END OF NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN

[@mirandak3273]

You mentioned Historical context for “From Russia With Love,” but missed Literature Context for “The Man With The Golden Gun.” Got to google and enter “The Man With The Golden…” and see what is suggested. Besides our Bond film what is suggested is the classic 1955 Frank Sinatra film, based on a 1949 novel, “The Man With The Golden Arm.” That’s an Otto Preminger controversial film about crime, drug addiction, and gambling that was very popular and critically well received. Sinatra was nominated for Oscar as Best Actor. There’s no way folk in 1965 when the book was published or in 1974 when the film was released wouldn’t have seen it as a variation of the “Golden Arm” original title.

[@coltdement4817]

Fun fact: Mark Kamen, who scored Licence To Kill, also scored Lethal Weapon and Die Hard.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Michael Kamen - And yes he did!

[@coltdement4817]

@@TheJamesBondCountdown ah yes! Michael! My bad!

[@dslao]

Even before watching the list, I'd say You Only Live Twice will be #1.

[@tashrif46]

9:29 I always thought of that title metaphorically with James Bond looking to avenge Tracy and that killing Bloefeld is only for Tracy's Eyes Only.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Well the Blofeld/Tracy connection is really only in the pre-title sequence, so I'm not sure that particular take holds water for me personally.

[@tashrif46]

@TheJamesBondCountdown does Diamons Are Forever hold any water as a follow up to On Her Majesty's Secret Service? For Your Eyes Only being the follow up to the 1969 film but with the blueprint of Licence to Kill would have been great. But even in the actual film For Your Eyes Only, the themes of revenge is all there.

[@masudashizue777]

In Japanese, "You Only Live Twice" was changed to ００７は２度死ぬ (007 Dies Twice) which I think is a klonky title. It's only because there is no good way to say "you only live twice" in Japanese.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Interesting!

[@masudashizue777]

I've always wondered why they never had a Bond film with the simple title "007."

[@mirandak3273]

007 In New York

[@MAMoreno]

I think I'd have to rank the titles in two different categories: Fleming Novel Titles and Everything Else. The second category would include Fleming's short story titles (which I generally consider to be worse than his novel titles) and the titles that were introduced by Eon (or, in one case, by Taliafilm). I'll handle the novel titles in this first post, then I'll tackle the rest in a reply. 1. You Only Live Twice -- The best title is an amusing play on the well-known maxim YOLO. It creates a sense of intrigue over how one might "live twice." Is it metaphorical or metaphysical? 2. Live and Let Die -- In second place is another clever spin on an oft-spoken proverb. However, the meaning is a tad too obscure this time. Should we expect something like Atlas Shrugged?! 3. For Your Eyes Only -- Yes, it's actually the title of a short story collection, but I'm placing it in the first category because it was used by Fleming as a book title. And out of all the titles related to MI6's espionage policies, this one is easily the most intriguing. 4. The Spy Who Loved Me -- Yes, it runs the risk of sounding very much like a generic romance novel title, but the "spy" element promises a dash of suspense to keep it interesting. 5. From Russia with Love -- It's a cute play on letter/postcard greetings (see also the book To Sir, with Love from around this same time), but it has no sense of danger to it. 6. The Man with the Golden Gun -- This title is a spoof of the book/film The Man with the Golden Arm, and it raises a rather uncomfortable question. The "golden arm" was the appendage where Frankie shot up with morphine. Where would the needle go if we're talking about a "golden gun"? 7. Diamonds Are Forever -- Okay, so we're just advertising for De Beers now. Fleming could've tried to play with the ad slogan a bit more. Even changing "Are" to "Aren't" might work. 8. Moonraker -- The title would suggest sailing. We'd better get some sailing in this story. (Alternatively, it suggests that the story features a villain from Wiltshire, England.) Regardless, it does nothing to sell the notion that we're getting a Cold War thriller. 9. Casino Royale -- It sounds sorta like Grand Hotel. Expect to explore the sordid and listless lives of an ensemble of rich people. Don't expect spycraft. 10. Dr. No -- Ah, we have the Soup Nazi of physicians: "No pill for you! Come back one year!" 11. On Her Majesty's Secret Service -- This title might've worked better for a short story collection than for a novel (or film). It's a good job description, sure, but it doesn't imply a distinct plot. 12. Goldfinger -- It just kinda sounds like Green Thumb, which doesn't suggest an exciting tale. 13. Thunderball -- Is this another James Caan future sport movie?

[@MAMoreno]

And here we have the rest of the titles, ranked separately. 1. The World Is Not Enough -- This family motto offers the level of ambiguity that the best Fleming titles provided. Is the speaker interested in material gain or spiritual pursuits? 2. Spectre -- Yes, this name might suggest something akin to Poltergeist, but it also works as a moniker for a spy story. 3. Goldeneye -- It could be a disfigurement. It could be a greedy obsession. It could be the result of a few too many bottles of champaign. Let's find out. 4. Never Say Never Again -- It's sad that this movie has a more intriguing name than any of the purely-original ones that Eon concocted. It benefits from not having "Die" in the title. 5. A View to a Kill -- The original short story title makes sense. This variation (without "From") sounds more like someone trying and failing to say "A View to Die For." 6. The Living Daylights -- This title is slightly disappointing, as Fleming opted to use the idiom itself rather than employing some wordplay to freshen it up. 7. Octopussy -- I mean, it sounds like the title of something other than a spy story, but it's such a bizarre one that you can't _not_ find out what it means, right? 8. Skyfall -- James Bond's greatest enemies are now rain, sleet, and snow. Or maybe we should be expecting a Chicken Little adaptation? 9. Licence to Kill -- As with OHMSS, this is more of a job description than a story title. (And in both cases, Bond goes rogue for personal reasons, so they're strange title choices, anyway.) 10. Die Another Day -- Since this title is based on a pre-existing quote, it suffers mainly from not retaining enough of that saying. Perhaps "Live to Die Another Day" is too wordy, but "To Die Another Day" would give the name a lyrical quality that it's missing at present. 11. Quantum of Solace - Honorable mentions to Risico, The Hildebrand Rarity, The Property of a Lady, and 007 in New York. May Eon one day become desperate enough to employ you as movie titles, no matter how uncinematic you may sound. 12. No Time to Die -- There's something very "generic direct-to-video action movie" about this title. I dunno. It's just missing that touch of class I'd want for a Bond movie. 13. Tomorrow Never Dies -- This one is just pure gibberish. It's no secret that the original title was "Tomorrow Never Lies," which at least makes sense within the context of the film. But this variant has no meaning to the movie, nor does it work as a maxim.

[@marinamoscow3755]

I love your rankings (and your voice).Will you do more?

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks, Marina! I will absolutely do more, but making each one is very time-consuming, and unfortunately I don't have a lot of free time. However...Be sure to tune in this Friday!

[@marinamoscow3755]

@@TheJamesBondCountdown thank you!

[@Er_Guille]

A fantastic video. My only thought is that you should have posted this before the "greatest title drops" video. But that's just me thinking (yeah, sometimes I do!).

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Not sure I understand...I did do this one before my title-drops ranking.

[@angelcastaneda529]

Welcome back bud. I have been meaning to tell you so many things since your last upload, do you think we’ll ever get an Ian Fleming title in a future movie? I have two ideas for future videos, hear me out. A ranking of all the villains’ plots from plausible to farcical, or a ranking of the plots themselves? This is random, but at the height of the pandemic in 2020, rather than singing happy birthday when watching my hands, I used to in my head recite the Bond titles.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks for being a fan, my friend! I think the only unused Fleming title that has a chance of being used for a film is Risico. As for future videos, I'm actually working my way through a road map that I made for all the videos that I wanna do, but those are interesting ideas! And funny about singing the Bond themes haha

[@angelcastaneda529]

I wished I could carry a tune, I really wish, but I just sticked to the titles instead. Risico, okay, yeah that’s a good one. Hmm, intriguing, I was taken aback with the titles, so surprise me.

[@benjamindeleeuw4510]

Great work, keep it up!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks!

[@TechHighCurran]

Great video!

[@Belzediel]

I do like bond titles. Moonraker has a cultural base - it's a term for the highest jib sail on a main mast. The one so high up it looked like it could hit the moon. It became a term for daring smugglers and bounders, rogue captains who sailed by night. It's quite fitting, IMHO as a Bond title for various reasons. Can't really agree on Live and Let Die, mainly because I just don't think it makes sense. It's a twist on live and let live, of course. LALD would mean, kinda, mind your own business and don't help people who are dying. I mean, Bond doesn't really let people die so much as make sure they do. Can't talk Bond titles without rattling off a few. A Bullet For Tomorrow - Then Silence Has Lease - Yesterday Is Forgotten - Goldhorse - Breakfast Served Cold - Night's Last Breath - Knight Take Bishop - Murder Becomes Her - Goldplum - A Rose For The Living - Funeral At Midnight - The Taste Of Diamonds - A Carnation For Misery - The Coffin Closes Twice - Goldowl - A Lady Before Dawn - A Pass For Vienna - Goldfruit.

[@jettpack9168]

damn, you did the royal family dirty

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I'm sorry haha they just don't do it for me!

[@SkyGuysQuest]

Love the idea of this list

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Thanks! Wanted to think outside the box a little.

[@nelson8374]

James bond films in general have great, very unique titles

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Agreed!

[@Someman1209]

Great choices. Live and Let Die also had one of the biggest title songs of the franchise. In an interview #PaulMcCartney said that the title song was bigger than the film, for some reason.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Interesting! I don't disagree with him to be honest haha

[@linkvagar2336]

"Tomorrow Never Dies" was meant to be "Tomorrow Never Lies", but when the screenplay was faxed the L got smudged and looked like a D. They decided Dies sounded better and went with it.

[@kjhuang]

6:14 My problem with the title _License To Kill_ is that it's for the movie where James Bond _loses_ that license. Usually the title should refer to something that's prominent and elevated, not something that's gonna be gone halfway through the movie. That said, _License Revoked_ , while more accurate to the movie's plot, just sounds weak, almost bureaucratic.

[@kjhuang]

3:09 It was Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, a physician by profession, who earned the nickname "Doctor No" for his many vetoes of state legislation.

[@SuperGalaxy]

I know we’re taking movie context out of the equation in this list, but I personally preferred tomorrow never dies original title which was tomorrow never lies. It just fits a lot better with the overall story.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I don't know...It's definitely a more direct reference to the story, but I personally don't think it sounds as good.

[@kimlundin8947]

25 octopussy 24 live and let die 23 quantum of solace 22 Tomorrow never dies 21 on her majestys secret service 20 Goldeneye 19 diamonds are forever 18 Goldfinger 17 A view To A kill 16 die another day 15 No time To die 14 The Living daylights 13 spectre 12 liecence To kill 11 The man with The Golden gun 10 for your eyes only 9 The world is not enough 8 The spy who loved me 7 moonraker 6 you only live Twice 5 casino royale 4 skyfall 3 dr no 2 A view To A kill 1 from russia with love + Thunderball

[@jonbolton3376]

I'll give it a try and by god does this differ in places from my actual film rankings lol: 25 Quantum Of Solace (it sounds like a new Indiana Jones film, what does that mean?) 24 Dr No 23 Spectre 22 From Russia With Love (it sounds like a rom com) 21 Octopussy 20 Goldeneye 19 Goldfinger 18 Casino Royale 17 Skyfall 16 On Her Majesty's Secret Service 15 Moonraker 14 Thunderball 13 Diamonds Are Forever 12 Live And Let Die 11 The Living Daylights 10 The Man With The Golden Gun 9 For Your Eyes Only 8 Tomorrow Never Dies 7 No Time To Die 6 The World Is Not Enough 5 Licence To Kill 4 The Spy Who Loved Me 3 A View To A Kill 2 You Only Live Twice 1 Die Another Day

[@jonbolton3376]

Regarding my low ranking of Spectre, as you rightly said a non fan might think that means it's about a ghost, but they know it's meant to be a spy film. If they wanted to see a ghost film there are plenty out there😋. Obviously that's only my opinion, and i respect yours.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

@@jonbolton3376 I actually think you slightly misunderstood me on that one - I wasn't saying that it would make them think it's about a ghost, but rather that it would make them think of the old-fashioned nickname for a spy, which was "spook."

[@NowhereMan2710]

OHMSS is way to low - but then I'm guessing you aren't British, so the thrill of that as a designation doesn't hit you.... Gentlemen, the King! *raises glass*

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Nope haha I am very American

[@paulmorris9605]

spot on .....crazy ranking

[@paulmorris9605]

@@TheJamesBondCountdown no kiddin

[@RowVsWade]

Tracy is "her majesty"--ranked much too low here

[@Tmbeo]

I don't know if you take video suggestions yet, but what about a list ranking every film by the performance of the actor playing bond?

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I'm actually working my way through a road map that I made for all the videos that I wanna do, but that's an interesting idea!

[@ellipsis-007]

I love the title Quantum of Solace but it doesn’t really make sense in my opinion. I like quantum because that is what the movie is about and solace also because that’s what bond chases throughout the film but the word (of) really throws it off. Maybe Quantum and Solace? Maybe even or. It doesn’t sound nearly as good but it makes more sense.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Interesting point!

[@MAMoreno]

It makes far more sense in the original Fleming short story, but I don't think that anyone would go to theaters to watch the James Bond version of Marriage Story.

[@ellipsis-007]

@@MAMoreno Yeah your right. I’m glad it actually is a Fleming title and not just some random words thrown together that make no sense. I just got done with the Live And Let Die novel so I haven’t got to FYEO yet but I am exited to see what the original QoS story is supposed to be about.

[@chrisbellon3739]

In future lists, do lists about james bond books too

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

I have a lot of lists about the films to get through first since that's what I created the channel for, but I will eventually rank the books as well.

[@mathiassluth3194]

Here Is my List! 1. You Only Live Twice 2. Live and Let Die 3. Quantum of Solace 4. Tomorrow Never Dies 5. Dr. No 6. A View To a Kill 7. Casino Royale 8. The Spy Who Loved Me 9. The World Is Not Enough 10. From Russia With Love 11. Goldfinger 12. Thunderball 13. For Your Eyes Only 14. Licence To Kill 15. Die Another Day 16. No Time To Die 17. Diamonds Are Forever 18. On Her Majesty's Secret Service 19. Goldeneye 20. Skyfall 21. Spectre 22. The Man With the Golden Gun 23. Moonraker 24. The Living Daylights 25. Octopussy

[@johnwalters4792]

ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. It's a British thing, you wouldn't understand.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Perhaps much the same as how Licence to Kill is an American thing haha

[@trevorwilliams6404]

Before i watched this video i had octopussy the story of a robot cat and goldfinger sounds illegal as the worst and a view to a kill and live and let die as the best so pretty close with you

[@ANonymous-mo6xp]

Theme songs!!!!

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

All in good time, my friend!

[@taklampan650]

When is the next one coming out?

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

This Friday, October 7th.

[@stuartpowell7236]

I'm struggling to find fault with any of Fleming's titles, these books were ahead of their time and theyre title's justify that, deconstructing them seems a little too negative for me and disrespectful of the author. However i do agree with Quantum, an appallingly bad idea.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Just a Rorschach test, my friend.

[@thepodbaydoorshal]

I’m sorry, I know this is all subjective but Quantum of Solace should never be anywhere but at the bottom of a list, no matter what list it is. And come on, my man, Thunderball is such an iconic title. Stop misbehaving.

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

Just a Rorschach test, my friend.

[@watchth1ngs]

If you’re going to rank them maybe SHOW them?

[@TheJamesBondCountdown]

This was a ranking of just the titles (i.e. the words), which I showed as I talked about each one...