My Favourite Daniel Craig Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood are as celebrated as Daniel Craig. Since the 1990’s, Craig has become a British icon. Although he is best known for portraying James Bond, Craig has proven he can portray various characters. Given the massive number of movies that he has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Casino Royale

James Bond is a legendary spy that shaped my father’s identity. I vividly remember forming a strong bond with a father that adored the iconic character. He would always love talking about a goldeneye spy falling from the sky with no time to die. Through his strong love for James Bond, my father gave me an appreciation for movies about an iconic spy that I’ve grown to value. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that loved to recall James Bond, I adored “Casino Royale”. Ever since its release in 2006, Daniel Craig’s movie has stood the test of time as a James Bond classic. In the greatest role of his career, Craig embodies the iconic spy without fear that carries a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Unlike previous versions of James Bond, Craig brought an intensity to the character that was missing from prior movies. Craig has always excelled at playing intense characters with a strong presence, and “Casino Royale” showcased his strength. For instance, the ending scene in which James Bond states his iconic catchphrase declaring his name after killing a villain is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Casino Royale” Daniel Craig’s greatest movie is its humanity. It turns Bond into a human character that anyone can relate with. Nearly 20 years after the release of a classic film that introduced a spy that’s heroic, it’s a commemorated reminder of an actor earning a following that’s gigantic.

2. Knives Out

Murder mysteries are a genre of movies I’ve always found appealing. Several years ago, my family faced sorrow when my housemaid was killed by a psycho. Stabbed to death in the shower, she became a helpless victim of psychotic murder. A cold-blooded crime that police never investigated, it left me family emotionally devastated. As someone haunted by memories of a housemaid that loved taking knives out, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Daniel Craig’s masterpiece captured a detective investigating a mysterious murder. In the most comical role of his career, Daniel Craig embodies a wise-cracking detective investigating perplexing murders in wealthy families facing despair. With “Knives Out”, Craig showcased aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Benoit Blanc compares the murder mystery of the Thrombey family to a doughnut is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent murder mystery about housekeepers that are accused with knives out, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has become an icon without a doubt whose commemorated movies definitely deserve to be talked about.

3. Skyfall

Bosses are strong figures that have shaped my identity. I remember forming a strong bond with my store manager. Through her larger-than-life presence, she would often give me valuable life guidance. Shining a bright light in darkness, my boss always ensured her employees’ happiness. As someone treasuring fond memories of a boss that’s easy to recall, I loved “Skyfall”. Released in 2012, Daniel Craig’s sequel did an excellent job of exploring James Bond’s strong relationship with his boss M. In the most emotional role of his career, Daniel Craig embodies a spy seeking to overcome obstacles without fear. If the previous film portrayed James Bond as an isolated figure performing his job on his own, the sequel shed light on his relationship with M. For instance, the scene in which James Bond struggles to come to terms with the heartbreaking news of M’s death is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Skyfall” a great James Bond movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about grief that would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a spy facing a frightening fall, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to enthral whose movies are always easy for audiences to recall.

4. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Lisbeth Salander is a legendary feminist character my mother has always loved dearly. I remember a mother that came to adore the feminist character. An avid reader, she was a fan of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” book series that she would treasure. She grew up to value a girl with a dragon tattoo making her dreams come true. In 2011, Daniel Craig did an extraordinary job of bringing the feminist book series to the big-screen in his film “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”. In the most focused role of his career, Craig embodies a detective investigating a mystery. Craig has always excelled at using his eye movements to communicate emotions, and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” showcased his strengths. Working alongside Rooney Mara who is also excellent, Craig captures a detective facing a dilemma. For instance, the scene in which Mikael first meets Lisbeth in her apartment showcased the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” a great movie is its message. It delivers a universal message about trauma resonating with everyone. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved book about girls with a dragon tattoo, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor whose memorable movies audiences value.

5. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Suspects of crimes have impacted my family. Several years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they discovered that their housekeeper was a thief. I remember that he was a kind person that would treat my grandparents in a generous manner. However, appearances are deceiving. My grandparents were shocked to find that he was a thief that had stolen precious jewelry. As someone haunted by memories of a thief in a mystery, I loved “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”. Released in 2022, Daniel Craig’s spectacular murder mystery sequel found the actor at the top of his game. Reprising the role of Benoit Blanc, Craig brought an emotional depth to the character audiences hadn’t seen before. If “Knives Out” portrayed Benoit Blanc as a comical detective, the sequel gave the actor a chance to showcase his emotional range. For instance, the scene in which Benoit Blanc gathers suspects accused of murder showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about racial minorities in America. As precious as the Glass Onion estate detectives seek to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences appreciate.

6. Layer Cake

Daniel Craig has always been one of those actors that has strong sex appeal. Since his career began several years ago, Craig has always excelled at playing attractive men that woo over women. He has always had a muscular physique that attracts the attention of women. Craig’s aptitude for playing sexual heroes that make women swoon is clearly evident in his film “Layer Cake”. In the most provocative role of his career, Craig embodies a seductive drug dealer that has a special talent for wooing women. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sex appeal as a movie-star about whom women strongly feel. A powerful portrait of gangsters that take drugs causing heartache, it’s a riveting reminder of a strong actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make unforgettable movies that audiences love without a single mistake.

7. Logan Lucky

One of the criticisms that’s often levelled against Daniel Craig is that he doesn’t take any risks as an actor. Craig has always been closely associated with the iconic role of James Bond that has shaped his career. As a result, Craig has often been typecast in the roles of serious spies. This has left little room for surprises in his work. However, in 2017 Craig took audiences by surprise when he made his lucky film “Logan Lucky”. In the most courageous role of his career, Craig embodies a dangerous criminal with a sense of humour that’s outrageous. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave Craig opportunities to step out of his comfort zone playing a character totally different from James Bond. A commemorated portrait of dangerous criminals enacting crimes without any luck, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor whose movies always make a big buck.

8. Munich

Terrorism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of terrorists. A sensitive subject matter, terrorism rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has often avoided addressing an issue causing panic, it’s worth discussing “Munich”. Released in 2005, Daniel Craig’s movie did an exceptional job of depicting the Munich bombings on the big-screen. In the most violent role of his career, Craig embodies a spy tasked with preventing terrorism causing despair. It’s a role that gave Craig an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a complex character that isn’t a hero. 40 years following the Munich bombings that caused consequences which were terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.

9. No Time to Die

It isn’t easy to bring a beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start off on a high note. However, franchises rarely come to a satisfying closure. The final film in a franchise rarely ever sticks the landing building towards a satisfying ending. However, in 2021 Daniel Craig pulled it off when he bid emotional farewell towards an iconic spy with no time to die in his film “No Time to Die”. In his final outing as James Bond, Craig brought heartbreaking emotions to the legendary spy that audiences hadn’t seen before. Craig brought humanity to the spy in the final James Bond blockbuster that was missing from previous movies in the franchise. A spectacular goodbye towards a world-famous spy with no time to die, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies have never lost their abilities to satisfy.

10. Quantum of Solace

Sometimes, the sign of a great actor comes across when they are the bright spot in a bad movie. Daniel Craig has always poured his soul into the James Bond movies even when they are poor quality. In 2007, Craig showcased his skill for elevating bad movies when he made “Quantum of Solace”. Considered the worst James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” was a disaster. Despite the poor quality of the movie, however, Craig gave a strong performance that stood out. Craig brought a vulnerable side to James Bond that audiences hadn’t seen before. For all its faults, Craig shined in the movie. As strong as James Bond’s desire to find solace, it’s a riveting reminder of an adventurous actor that thrives playing courageous characters whose movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema that I consider to be precious.