The James Bond movies have been many things over the years: one of the longest-running film franchises in the history of cinema, box-office behemoths that have routinely topped all-time-money-making-films charts and textbook examples of how to stage action pictures.

There have been plenty of ups and downs, as you'll see in our list of James Bond Movies Ranked Worst to Best. Since Dr. No kicked off the franchise in 1962, six actors have suited up as Ian Fleming's M16 agent 007, starting with Sean Connery. Some have fared better than others, in terms of both fan appeal and onscreen presence, but each has delivered performances in the dozen-plus movies that capture the character's charisma and resourcefulness.

Along the way, James Bond has battled psychotics determined to conquer the world, fought a steel-mouthed henchman in outer space and hooked up with beautiful women with colorful names like Pussy Galore and Holly Goodhead. He's gone underwater, scaled the top of mountains and visited some of the planet's most luxurious locales, all in service of his country.

That's quite a legacy, as you'll see in our below list of James Bond Movies Ranked Worst to Best.

(One note: Even though they're not considered entries in the official series -- the one overseen by Eon Productions -- we've included the two other 007 movies made since Dr. No's debut: 1967's spoof Casino Royale and 1983's Never Say Never Again, which featured the return of Connery in the role for the first time in a dozen years.)

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