The Top 12 James Bond Films Ranked Based on U.S. Box Office, Adjusted for Inflation - MovieMaker Magazine

      Here are the 12 highest-grossing James Bond films ranked by U.S. box office earnings, adjusted for inflation.

      Since the franchise began with Dr. No in 1962, there have been 25 official James Bond films featuring 007. Although Dr. No is greatly appreciated, it does not appear on this list.

      In fact, it's almost certain that the top James Bond film in terms of U.S. box office — when adjusted for inflation — isn't one you might expect.

      Here’s the list of the 12 leading James Bond movies.

      But First, Important Notes

      Claudine Auger as Dominique “Domino” Derval in Thunderball. MGM

      This list is primarily derived from data compiled by Box Office Mojo, which adjusts for ticket price inflation by tracking estimated ticket sales.

      The adjustments are based on 2022 ticket prices since that is the latest year for which this adjusted data is available. We're focusing on domestic figures, not international.

      If we consider the "actuals" — meaning unadjusted dollars — the top James Bond movie is the outstanding Skyfall from 2012, featuring Daniel Craig as 007.

      However, this list is based on adjusted domestic box office figures.

      So let’s dive in.

      12 – The World Is Not Enough (1999)

      Credit: MGM

      The 19th James Bond film from Eon Productions, and the third to feature Pierce Brosnan as our beloved spy, gets its title from the Bond family coat of arms motto first seen in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. We appreciate a Bond film that embraces its history.

      It generated $126.9 million, which translates to $232.9 million when adjusted, equating to approximately 24,853,800 tickets sold.

      This means 24,853,800 individuals got to hear Brosnan deliver perhaps the most ridiculous and risqué line ever spoken in a 007 film, referencing Dr. Christmas Jones, played by Denise Richards:

      "I thought Christmas only comes once a year."

      Moving on…

      11 – Casino Royale (2006)

      Credit: MGM

      As noted earlier, Daniel Craig's Skyfall ranks as the highest-grossing James Bond movie in terms of raw dollars. Meanwhile, Casino Royale holds the title for the highest-grossing Bond film when adjusted for inflation.

      Casino Royale is the 21st Bond film by Eon Productions, the third adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name, and marks Craig's debut as Bond.

      It grossed $167.4 million, which adjusts to $238.3 million and corresponds with an estimated 25,428,700 tickets sold.

      This indicates 25,428,700 individuals — particularly men — endured that intense torture scene featuring Mads Mikkelsen, a rope, and a chair with a missing seat.

      10 – Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

      Credit: MGM

      Sean Connery returned to the Bond franchise after George Lazenby took over in 1969’s acclaimed On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

      Diamonds Are Forever is the seventh installment in Eon Productions’ James Bond series and the sixth and final Eon film starring Connery. (He also reprised the role in 1983's Never Say Never Again, which is not an Eon film and was based on an Ian Fleming novel also adapted into another film on this list.)

      Connery's return proved to be financially successful. Diamonds Are Forever, the first Bond film of the 1970s, earned $43.8 million — or $248.8 million adjusted — selling approximately 26,557,300 tickets.

      For those who might find $43.8 million somewhat underwhelming by today's standards — akin to Dr. Evil's "one million dollars" — keep in mind that 35 years elapsed between Diamonds Are Forever and the previous entry in this ranking, Casino Royale, during which inflation significantly increased.

      9 – From Russia With Love (1964)

      The second Bond film crafted by Eon Productions after Dr. No, and the second starring Sean Connery, From Russia With Love follows 007 as he assists in the defection of Soviet consulate clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi, pictured with Connery) while SPECTRE seeks vengeance for Dr. No’s demise.

      It outperformed Dr. No at the box office, which had been a major success despite doubts about its potential. (Many associated with the production anticipated a "low-budget flop" until images of Ursula Andress emerging from the sea shifted opinions.)

      From Russia With Love garnered $24.8 million in 1964 dollars, which adjusts to $249.8 million.

      It sold approximately 26,663,200 tickets.

      8 – Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

      Credit: MGM

      Fasten your seatbelts as we experience the ’90s.

      Tomorrow Never Dies is the 18th film in the James Bond series from Eon Productions and the second to