The best spy movies of all time
The top 3 according to 161 votes from people: The 39 Steps (1935) · North by Northwest (1959) · From Russia with Love (1963). (Updated Jan 16, 2026.)
From Hitchcock to Bourne and le Carré: the espionage films critics rank highest (IndieWire, The Week, Rotten Tomatoes).
Top 12
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1
The 39 Steps (1935)
Hitchcock's early template for the spy chase.
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2
North by Northwest (1959)
IndieWire's number one: Cary Grant and Mount Rushmore.
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3
From Russia with Love (1963)
The most spy-like of the Connery Bonds.
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4
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Brainwashing and paranoia with Frank Sinatra.
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5
Black Bag (2025)
Steven Soderbergh's married spies, Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.
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6
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Gary Oldman as George Smiley.
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7
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Robert Redford on the run from the CIA.
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8
The Lives of Others (2006)
A Stasi officer listening to an East Berlin couple.
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9
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
Richard Burton in le Carré's bleak Cold War.
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10
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Ethan Hunt's best mission.
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11
Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig's reboot of 007.
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12
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass at full speed.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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