Modern James Bond Films at a Glance
The most recent James Bond film is No Time to Die, released in 2021 and starring Daniel Craig. The film was produced by Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Universal Pictures. According to Forbes, the movie grossed over $774 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing entries in the franchise. The project had a reported production budget of around $250 million, excluding marketing costs.
Before No Time to Die, the previous Craig-era films were Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). Skyfall became the first Bond film to gross more than $1 billion globally, with a reported budget of about $200 million. Spectre earned roughly $880 million worldwide against a reported budget of around $245 million. Together, the four Craig films generated a combined global box office total exceeding $3.5 billion, according to industry tracking sources like Box Office Mojo.
Production Companies, Distribution, and Rights
Eon Productions and Key Partners
Eon Productions remains the primary production company behind the Bond films. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Universal Pictures serve as co-financiers and distributors for recent entries. Amazon acquired the rights to the James Bond franchise in a deal finalized in 2021, with Amazon Studios and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures now overseeing the library and future installments. The deal valued the franchise at around $7.75 billion, as reported by Amazon's SEC filing.
Distribution and Release Strategy
Universal Pictures handles theatrical distribution for No Time to Die in most international markets. In the United States, United Artists Releasing, a joint venture between Amazon and MGM, managed the release. The film had a staggered rollout, opening in markets such as the United Kingdom before its U.S. debut, a strategy designed to maximize global box office returns. Streaming rights for the Bond films are tied to Amazon Prime Video following the acquisition.
Box Office Rankings and Franchise Position
Global Box Office Standing
No Time to Die ranks among the top-grossing James Bond films but trails Skyfall and Spectre in total gross. Adjusted for inflation, earlier Bond films such as Goldfinger and Thunderball would rank higher. As of the latest available data, the James Bond franchise has earned more than $7.0 billion in global box office across all films, according to Forbes.
Future of the Franchise
Amazon Studios has announced plans for a new James Bond film with a new actor. Casting and a release date have not been finalized as of the latest public updates.