The Best Spy Movies Based on Books

Ranker Film
Updated May 15, 2024 41 items
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Vote up your favorite spy movies that are based on or inspired by literature.
Latest additions: The Bricklayer
Most divisive: Red Sparrow
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Greatest Spy Movies That Were Books First

From secret agents risking their lives to CIA operatives investigating global conspiracies, this list includes information about the best spy movies based on books. Some spy movies based on novels stay true to the source material while other spy films adapted from books create new storylines. Some of the best spy movies based on books have at award-winning directors at the helm.

What sagas will you find on this best spy movies based on books list? Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy has to be near the top. This 2011 Cold War spy thriller was based on John le Carre's novel of the same name. Double agent drama and spies investigating spies are at the heart of the film's mysterious story. Argo is another good spy movie based on a book.

CIA secrets worth killing for are found in The Bourne Identity. Other good spy movies based on books include The Third Man, The Lady Vanishes, The Constant Gardener, and of course, Bond films.

Do you have a favorite spy movie based on a book? Vote the best films up to the top of this list and please add any good options we may have missed.

  • The Bourne Identity
    1

    The Bourne Identity

    Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper
    55 votes
    The Bourne Identity, a gripping action-thriller, introduces us to Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), a man suffering from extreme memory loss, discovered by fishermen off the French coast. As he embarks on a quest to rediscover his identity, aided by Marie Kreutz (Franka Potente), he finds himself entangled in a web of CIA operatives and assassins. The film, directed by Doug Liman, is renowned for its intense chase sequences and intricate plot. It's an adrenaline-fueled journey into the mind of a man trying to piece together his past while outwitting those who want him dead.
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  • Clear and Present Danger
    2

    Clear and Present Danger

    Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe, Anne Archer
    42 votes
    In Clear and Present Danger, Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford), a CIA analyst, finds himself in the midst of political warfare. When a close friend of the President is murdered by a Colombian drug cartel, Ryan is drawn into an illegal covert war against them. Unearthing layers of deception within his own agency, he realizes he's been made a scapegoat. As Ryan ventures deeper into this dangerous world, he must navigate through treacherous political waters to preserve his career, his life, and the principles he holds dear. This action-packed thriller, based on Tom Clancy's novel, won multiple awards for its gripping narrative and stellar performances.
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  • The Bourne Supremacy
    3

    The Bourne Supremacy

    Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox
    39 votes
    In The Bourne Supremacy, amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is reluctantly thrust back into the deadly world of espionage. After a failed assassination attempt on his life, Bourne is driven to uncover fragments of his past while battling a sinister conspiracy within the CIA. Joan Allen plays Pamela Landy, a high-ranking officer determined to expose the truth. Set against an international backdrop, this action-thriller, second in the Bourne series, weaves suspense and intrigue into a complex narrative. The film won an Academy Award for Best Film Editing, underscoring its gripping pace and layered storytelling.
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  • The Hunt for Red October
    4

    The Hunt for Red October

    Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn
    54 votes
    In The Hunt for Red October, CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) faces a high-stakes naval chase. A renegade Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius (Sean Connery), has taken the USSR's most advanced nuclear sub, The Red October, on an unauthorized mission towards U.S. waters. As tensions rise between superpowers, Ryan must decipher whether Ramius plans to unleash nuclear war or defect to the West. Based on Tom Clancy's best-selling novel, this Cold War thriller combines suspense and political intrigue, earning three Academy Award nominations. Exceptional performances by Baldwin and Connery add depth to this tale of strategy and survival at sea.
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  • The Bourne Ultimatum
    5

    The Bourne Ultimatum

    Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen
    45 votes
    In The Bourne Ultimatum, Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin suffering from amnesia. The movie, directed by Paul Greengrass, is the third installment in the Bourne series and won three Academy Awards. Here, we follow Bourne's quest to uncover hidden truths about his past while he's pursued relentlessly by law enforcement agencies. Joan Allen returns as Pamela Landy, an ally within the system. With its action-packed sequences and espionage thriller elements, this film completes Bourne's journey towards self-discovery and redemption.
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  • Goldfinger
    6

    Goldfinger

    Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman
    45 votes
    In the third installment of the James Bond series, Goldfinger, agent 007 (Sean Connery) is pitted against a wealthy and cunning gold magnate, Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe). The plot thickens as Bond uncovers Goldfinger's audacious scheme to irradiate the U.S. gold reserve at Fort Knox, thereby skyrocketing his own wealth. This thrilling spy-adventure, infused with iconic gadgets and high-speed car chases, won an Academy Award for Best Effects/Sound Effects in 1965. A must-watch for fans of classic cinema and espionage thrillers.
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  • From Russia with Love
    7

    From Russia with Love

    Sean Connery, Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw
    48 votes
    In the heart-pounding thriller From Russia with Love, James Bond (Sean Connery) returns, tasked with a high-stakes mission. Bond is sent to assist in the defection of Soviet consulate clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi), who claims to have fallen for him from afar. Little does he know, it's a trap laid by SPECTRE, an international crime syndicate seeking revenge on 007 for his prior exploits. With exotic Istanbul as a backdrop and featuring a memorable boat chase scene, this film won the BAFTA Award for Best British Art Direction (Color). A classic Bond adventure filled with danger, deceit, and daring escapes.
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  • Patriot Games
    8

    Patriot Games

    Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin
    32 votes
    In Patriot Games, ex-CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) trades his desk job for a perilous adventure. After thwarting an IRA terrorist attack in London, he becomes the target of a vengeful faction led by Sean Miller (Sean Bean). The movie spirals into a cat-and-mouse chase, with Ryan's family caught in the crossfire. Set against the backdrop of international espionage, this action-thriller weaves a web of intrigue and suspense, punctuated by gripping performances from its star-studded cast. This film is based on Tom Clancy's best-selling novel and directed by Phillip Noyce.
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  • Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
    9

    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

    Gary Oldman, Kathy Burke, Benedict Cumberbatch
    54 votes
    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a gripping espionage thriller, is set within the shadowy corridors of British Intelligence during the Cold War. It revolves around the stoic and shrewd George Smiley (Gary Oldman), brought out of his forced retirement to root out a Soviet mole lurking in their ranks. The film, winning acclaim for its meticulous plot and taut screenplay, also stars Colin Firth as Bill Haydon and Tom Hardy as Ricki Tarr. With a narrative that weaves suspicion and secrets together, it's a chilling examination of loyalty, betrayal, and the quiet intensity of spy craft.
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  • The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
    10

    The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

    Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner
    37 votes
    At the height of the Cold War, British spy Alec Leamas (Richard Burton) is nearly ready to retire, but first he has to take on one last dangerous assignment. Going deep undercover, he poses as a drunken, disgraced former MI5 agent in East Germany in order to gain information about colleagues who have been captured. When he himself is thrown in jail and interrogated, Leamas finds himself caught in a sinister labyrinth of plots and counter-plots unlike anything in his long career.
  • Three Days of the Condor
    11

    Three Days of the Condor

    Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson
    42 votes
    In the taut thriller, Three Days of the Condor, Joe Turner (Robert Redford), a low-key CIA analyst, finds his life abruptly upended. Returning from lunch to discover his entire office assassinated, he's thrust into a desperate cat-and-mouse game. Faye Dunaway portrays Kathy Hale, a stranger unwittingly entangled in Turner's world of espionage and danger. Directed by Sydney Pollack, this film is a masterful blend of suspense and political intrigue, winning an Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay. As Turner delves deeper into the conspiracy, he grapples with trust issues and survival instincts in a world where friends could be foes.
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  • Casino Royale
    12

    Casino Royale

    Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen
    49 votes
    After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organizations. Learning that Le Chiffre plans to raise money in a high-stakes poker game, MI6 sends Bond to play against him, gambling that their newest "00" operative will topple the man's organization.
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  • The Tailor of Panama
    13

    The Tailor of Panama

    Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis
    24 votes
    Harry Pendel, a Cockney ex-con who has reinvented himself as a popular tailor to the rich and powerful of Panama, is famous for his storytelling as well as his suits -- but this time, his tales carry lethal repercussions. Preyed upon by ruthless, seductive British spy Osnard, Harry spins a yarn that inadvertently sets off a series of events to destroy everything he values most in life.
  • Dr. No
    14

    Dr. No

    Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman
    35 votes
    In the 1962 spy film Dr. No, James Bond (Sean Connery) embarks on a thrilling mission to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a fellow agent in Jamaica. This journey leads him to the enigmatic Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), a nefarious scientist with a sinister plan that threatens global security. As Bond delves deeper into this shadowy world, he uncovers a web of deceit and danger. Directed by Terence Young, Dr. No is the inaugural film of the iconic James Bond series, setting precedence for its genre with its blend of espionage, action, and intrigue.
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  • The Third Man
    15

    The Third Man

    Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Trevor Howard
    30 votes
    In the aftermath of World War II, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), an American writer, navigates the shadowy underbelly of ruined Vienna in search of his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). A British officer tells him that Harry is dead, but inconsistencies arise. As a web of deception unravels, Martins discovers a chilling secret about Lime. This noir classic The Third Man is directed by Carol Reed and won an Oscar for Best Cinematography. Its haunting zither score and atmospheric cinematography remain iconic in cinema history.
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  • You Only Live Twice
    16

    You Only Live Twice

    Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi, Donald Pleasence
    30 votes
    During the Cold War, American and Russian spacecrafts go missing, leaving each superpower believing the other is to blame. As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war, British intelligence learns that one of the crafts has landed in the Sea of Japan. After faking his own death, secret agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to investigate. In Japan, he's aided by Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba) and the beautiful Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi), who help him uncover a sinister global conspiracy.
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  • Thunderball
    17

    Thunderball

    Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi
    34 votes
    Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo's lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo's mistress, to become a key ally.
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  • Charlotte Gray
    18

    Charlotte Gray

    Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon
    17 votes
    This is a drama set in Nazi-occupied France at the height of World War II. Charlotte Gray tells the compelling story of a young Scottish woman working with the French Resistance in the hope of rescuing her lover, a missing RAF pilot. Based on the best-selling novel by Sebastian Faulks.
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  • The Spy Who Loved Me
    19

    The Spy Who Loved Me

    Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curd Jürgens
    30 votes
    In the 1977 James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, Roger Moore (James Bond) teams up with Barbara Bach (Agent Anya Amasova), a beautiful and resourceful Russian spy. They join forces to stop Curt Jurgens (Karl Stromberg), a megalomaniac shipping tycoon, from instigating World War III. The film's high-stakes plot is set amidst exotic locales and features imaginative gadgets. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, reflecting its quality and audience appeal. The narrative twists and turns, keeping viewers on their toes while staying true to the iconic Bond style of action-packed espionage.
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  • The 39 Steps
    20

    The 39 Steps

    Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Godfrey Tearle
    24 votes
    While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop Professor Jordan (Godfrey Tearle) from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.
  • Diamonds Are Forever
    21

    Diamonds Are Forever

    Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray
    19 votes
    While investigating mysterious activities in the world diamond market, 007 (Sean Connery) discovers that his evil nemesis Blofeld (Charles Gray) is stockpiling the gems to use in his deadly laser satellite. With the help of beautiful smuggler Tiffany Case (Jill St. John), Bond sets out to stop the madman -- as the fate of the world hangs in the balance!
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  • Never Say Never Again
    22

    Never Say Never Again

    Sean Connery, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Barbara Carrera
    26 votes
    An aging James Bond (Sean Connery) makes an uncharacteristic mistake during a routine training mission, leading M (Edward Fox) to believe that the legendary British Intelligence spy is now past his prime. M indefinitely suspends Bond from active duty. However, when SPECTRE member Fatima Bush (Barbara Carrera) and her fellow terrorists successfully steal two nuclear missiles from the U.S. military, M must reinstate Bond, as he is the only agent who can beat SPECTRE at their own game of espionage.
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  • Live and Let Die
    23

    Live and Let Die

    Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour
    22 votes
    In Live and Let Die, James Bond (Roger Moore) embarks on a mission shrouded in mysticism and danger. He's tasked with stopping a nefarious drug lord, Kananga/Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto), who aims to wreak havoc on the world through a global heroin monopoly. Bond's journey takes him from the bustling streets of New York to the serene bayous of Louisiana, encountering voodoo, tarot cards, and the beguiling Solitaire (Jane Seymour). A thrilling blend of action, adventure, and espionage, this film marks Roger Moore's first portrayal of the iconic British spy. With its unforgettable theme song by Paul McCartney & Wings, Live and Let Die won an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Song.
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  • Firefox
    24

    Firefox

    Clint Eastwood, Freddie Jones, David Huffman
    20 votes
    Mitchell Gant (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran American pilot who becomes involved in a top-secret mission to steal a high-tech Russian fighter plane known as "Firefox." Covertly entering the Soviet Union, Gant receives help from dissidents within the country, most notably a group of scientists who have been working on the plane. As Gant reaches his goal of heisting the aircraft, enemy pilots are quick to follow, leading to a sequence of soaring dogfights as he attempts to elude Soviet jets.
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  • Our Man in Havana
    25

    Our Man in Havana

    Alec Guinness, Burl Ives, Maureen O'Hara
    24 votes
    British expatriate Jim Wormold (Alec Guinness) runs a vacuum cleaner store in Havana, Cuba. He has promised his vain daughter, Milly (Jo Morrow), a horse and a country club membership, which leaves him desperate for money. When Hawthorne (Noel Coward) proposes he become a paid British agent and recruit other spies, he accepts, and haplessly embarks on a new career. Though he's delighted when he meets gorgeous fellow spy Beatrice Severn (Maureen O'Hara), Wormold finds he's now a target.
  • The Sum of All Fears
    26

    The Sum of All Fears

    Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell
    22 votes
    In this gripping political thriller, Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) is thrust into a high-stakes race to prevent nuclear devastation. A young CIA analyst, he uncovers a sinister plot to trigger a war between the United States and Russia. With President Fowler (James Cromwell) on one side and Russian President Nemerov (Ciarán Hinds) on the other, Ryan must navigate treacherous waters of international diplomacy and military escalation. Meanwhile, a rogue Austrian neo-Nazi (Alan Bates), stirs the pot from behind the scenes. Amidst this intricate dance of politics and power, the fate of humanity hangs in balance.
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  • The Ipcress File
    27

    The Ipcress File

    Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman
    27 votes
    Tasked with investigating the kidnappings and brainwashed reappearances of top scientists, including Dr. Radcliffe (Aubrey Richards), the insubordinate British spy Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) navigates his way through criminals, secret agents, and his superiors (Nigel Green, Guy Doleman). While attempting to bring in the suspect Bluejay (Frank Gatliff), Palmer discovers a mysterious audiotape labeled "IPCRESS," an inconspicuous, but ominous, piece of evidence.
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  • Moonraker
    28

    Moonraker

    Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michaël Lonsdale
    20 votes
    In the 1979 film, Moonraker, James Bond (Roger Moore) is on a thrilling mission to investigate the theft of a space shuttle. The assignment spirals into an exciting journey that takes him from Venice to Rio de Janeiro, and finally into outer space. Alongside him is the enigmatic Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), a NASA scientist with secrets of her own. The duo battles against the villainous Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), who plans to decimate Earth's population and create his own master race in space. This action-packed spy adventure, part of the iconic Bond series, won an Academy Award for its impressive visual effects.
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  • Secret Agent
    29

    Secret Agent

    John Gielgud, Madeleine Carroll, Peter Lorre
    21 votes
    British intelligence fakes the death of Edgar Brodie (John Gielgud) to send him on a mission in Switzerland, where as Richard Ashendon he is to locate and kill a Germany spy. Accompanying Brodie are fellow agents Elsa Carrington (Madeleine Carroll), who is to play Brodie's wife, and an eccentric assassin known as The General (Peter Lorre). Locating the spy on a train, Brodie and Elsa have second thoughts about their mission just as an American (Robert Young) ingratiates himself with them.
  • On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    30

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service

    George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas
    24 votes
    Agent 007 (George Lazenby) and the adventurous Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) join forces to battle the evil SPECTRE organization in the treacherous Swiss Alps. But the group's powerful leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), is launching his most calamitous scheme yet: a germ warfare plot that could kill millions!
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