Summary
- From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, every 007 actor has provided some of the best James Bond quotes in the franchise.
- 007's puns and one-liners are a key reason the James Bond movies have been so successful.
- Catchphrases like "The name's Bond, James Bond" and "I'll have a vodka martinini - shaken, not stirred" are among the most recognizable in cinema history.
007's 25 movies are so littered with witty dialogue and wry one-liners that the best James Bond quotes rank among the most globally recognized in cinema history. James Bond first appeared in Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale in 1953. However, the iconic and highly quotable 007 movies are why Britain's most famous fictional spy is a decades-spanning franchise. Sean Connery first played 007 on the big screen. Over the years, actors George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have all played the spy for Eon Productions' films, each delivering a unique slant on 007.
The most famous James Bond quotes include some of the most iconic lines from the history of movies, with great puns and catchphrases from every era of the spy franchise. From Sean Connery's influential first appearance in Dr. No to Daniel Craig's last in No Time to Die, 007 has been delivering unforgettable quotes for 60 years. Though aspects of the James Bond franchise have changed over the decades, 007's quick wit and distinctly dark sense of humor have remained.
The James Bond movies are available to stream on a variety of platforms, but most are available on Amazon Prime Video or MGM+.
Where to Watch All James Bond Movies Before No Time to Die
With the release date for No Time to Die approaching, it's time to revisit past Bond films - but which streaming services carry them?
40 "Bond. James Bond."
James Bond in Dr. No (1962)
One of the most iconic James Bond lines came from his very first scene on the big screen back in 1962. Out of all the James Bond quotes out there, “Bond. James Bond” has to be without a doubt the most well-known. When Bond is introduced, he is sitting at a casino table playing Baccarat. When his opponent, Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson), says that she admires his luck and asks him his name, Bond replies by simply saying, “Bond. James Bond.”
The line has been repeated in several of the 007 movies but there is a certain magic to Connery's first delivery of the words. Since its first use, several other films have taken inspiration from the catchphrase, showing how iconic it has become over the years. The best part of the phrase is how easily it is for 007 to drop into a conversation or moment, whether he is introducing himself, involved in a high-octane action sequence, or even during a romantic moment. It is the most crowd-pleasing of the James Bond quotes.
39 "I Always Enjoyed Studying A New Tongue."
James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
After the success of GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan returned to the role of James Bond for Tomorrow Never Dies. In the film, Bond teams up with Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) to take down a megalomaniacal media mogul (Jonathan Pryce) who's trying to start a new World War for his own personal gain. However, this James Bond quote comes from an intimate moment between 007 and a Danish professor named Inga Bergstrom (Cecilie Thomsen), who also serves as his Scandinavian language tutor.
The line is a nice double-entendre, which is normal for James Bond quotes
Bond says this line while he's in bed with Bergstrom, and it shows just how self-aware the writers of the Bond movies are regarding 007's successful bachelor lifestyle. The line is a nice double-entendre, which is normal for James Bond quotes, as she is his language tutor, so it is literally what he is with her for, but it also has more sexual connotations, which makes it perfect for the moment.
38 “Hello. We’re Teachers On Sabbatical And We’ve Just Won The Lottery.”
James Bond in Quantum of Solace (2008)
Daniel Craig's James Bond was a darker and more brooding take on the character, but that doesn't mean he wasn't able to be funny as well. Craig's humor in the role was more of a rebellious cheekiness that made for some very funny moments. When going undercover with Agent Fields in Quantum of Solace, Fields wants to keep a low profile, staying at a modest hotel as two teachers on sabbatical. Bond instead ventures into a much swankier hotel and tweaks the cover story to his needs.
This Bond quote is a sign of his recklessness and playfulness, which are evident yet underrated aspects of Craig's 007. It is a hilarious moment for Bond, especially when he glances over at Fields, making it one of the best lines in the entire movie. It was a great way for him to let Fields know that he respects her idea of the cover story, but at the same time, isn't willing to accept anything less than the best, which is exactly what James Bond is all about.