The spy movie genre is by far one of the most stylish and entertaining there are. Taking elements from action movies, thrillers, and all sorts of other genres, these are films about seemingly unsolvable mysteries and insurmountable obstacles that badass heroes prove are not, in fact, so. Plenty of spy films are highly popular, but a few others sadly don’t get nearly as much recognition as they should.
Everyone loves a good blockbuster likeMission: Impossibleor 007movie, but what about a solidTony Scottthriller likeSpy Gameor an old Cold War classic likeThe Spy Who Came In from the Cold? Theseunderrated spy movies are just as fun, suspenseful, and satisfyingas their better-known peers, featuring riveting plots and compelling performances, not to mention more than a few powerful dialogues. They may not be talked about quite as often, but they definitely should.
10’The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' (2015)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Divisive yet always entertaining,Guy Ritchieis one of the action genre’s most entertaining directors working today. He’s made plenty of enjoyable movies over the past decade, and one of the most memorable isThe Man From U.N.C.L.E., about a CIA agent and a KGB operative participating in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization. It may not be particularly underrated among Ritchie’s filmography, but it sure does get overshadowed by other spy comedies.
One of themost underrated spy movies of recent years, Ritchie’sThe Man From U.N.C.L.E.is fizzling with charm and style. Anchored by exceptional stars, a satisfying pastiche tone, and Ritchie’s idiosyncratic high-octane style, it’s a gripping globetrotting adventure that’s an absolutely perfect fit for fans of the genre.The Man From U.N.C.L.E.may not be particularly clever or creative, but it sure does get the job done.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
9’A Most Wanted Man' (2014)
Directed by Anton Corbijn
Based on a book byJohn le Carré, one of the most important writers of spy novels of all time,A Most Wanted Manis about a Chechen Muslim who illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught in the midst of the international war on terror. With a star-studded cast featuring the likes ofPhilip Seymour HoffmanandWillem Dafoe, this is one of the best-ever adaptations of John le Carré’s work.
A Most Wanted Manoffers a sharp, meticulously paced story that rewards patience with some of the coolest moments the genre has seen in years.
A Most Wanted Manis one ofPhilip Seymour Hoffman’s most underappreciated movies, so it makes sense that it also includes one of his most underrated performances. It’s not all about him, though. As a whole,A Most Wanted Manis aterrific thriller with an absorbing atmosphere and a smart, subtle narrative. Benefitting from a restrained approach that emphasizes mood and setting, the film offers a sharp, meticulously paced story that rewards patience with some of the coolest moments the genre has seen in years.
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8’Enemy of the State' (1998)
Directed by Tony Scott
The lateTony Scott, younger brother ofRidley Scott, worked in both comedies and dramas, but much more often than not, his movies belonged to the action genre. Such is the case ofEnemy of the State, anoutstanding political conspiracy thrillerstarringWill Smithas Robert Clayton Dean, a lawyer who becomes targeted by a corrupt politician when he accidentally receives evidence that’s key to a political crime.
While Scott’s action thrillers could sometimes be a little bit of a mixed bag,Enemy of the Stateis undeniably great. The sense ofparanoia and fear of surveillance permeating the story has unfortunately aged like fine wine, as it’s even timelier today than it was a quarter of a century ago. With fun action, nail-biting suspense, and a great Smith performance in the lead, this is a spy movie that fans of the genre shouldn’t miss.
Enemy Of The State
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7’Spy Game' (2001)
Another exceptional Tony Scott spy thriller,Spy Gameis arguably the best film the director made in this genre. It’s about retiring CIA agentNathan Muir, played bythe legendaryRobert Redford, who recalls his training of Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) while working against agency politics to free him from Chinese captors.
The script isn’t particularly polished, seeing as it’s all too predictable throughout, but Scott’s execution and the Redford-Pitt duo in action more than make up for whatever writing shortcomingsSpy Gamemay have. It’s a relatively clever, good-looking, fun globetrotting adventure that proves there’s more to the spy genre than just a twisting, unexpected, and gimmicky story. Using all the tools at its disposal,Spy Gameelevates the spy formulato decently above-average heights.
6’The Ipcress File' (1965)
Directed by Sidney J. Furie
One ofthe bestMichael Cainemoviesof all time,The Ipcress Fileis about a wisecracking spy investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists while dealing with the constraints of his agency’s bureaucracy. With Caine at his coolest and an intriguing narrative that’s hard to look away from,The Ipcress Fileproves thatBond movies aren’t the only kind of spy movies that the British can nail.
Canadian directorSidney J. Furie, terrible though he could sometimes be, having made films as infamously awful asSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace, does what’s arguably the best work of his career here. His directing approach imbues the story with endless energy, taking an already compelling narrative to a new level. The cast is stylish, the plot never ceases to be gripping, and the cool spy gimmicks do their job perfectly.
The Ipcress File
The Ipcress Fileis currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.
5’Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' (2002)
Directed by George Clooney
Though he’s still best known as an actor,George Clooneyhas already proved on repeated occasions that he can be a pretty good director, too. Back in 2002, though, audiences were surprised by this newfound skill of his in his directing debut,Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, an unconventional biopic aboutChuck Barris— successful game TV show impresario by day, CIA hitman by night, o so Barris claimed in his memoir.
Written by highlyacclaimed screenwriterCharlie Kaufmanin what’s easily one of his most singular scripts,Confessions of a Dangerous Mindsports a terrific cast, led by an incredibleSam Rockwellas Chuck Barris, energetic directing, and a solid script. Clooney and Kaufman play this rather ludicrous spy story as though it was not only real but actually more common than one might believe, making foran interesting execution that says a lot about the collaboration between reality and fiction.
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind
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4’Where Eagles Dare' (1968)
Directed by Brian G. Hutton
One ofClint Eastwood’s most underappreciated works,Where Eagles Dareis a war epic following Allied agents as they stage a daring raid on a castle where the Nazis are holding American Brigadier General George Carnaby prisoner. The result is a nearly 3-hour-long action-packed spectacle that never lets up, despite having deep layers of more profound meaning than one would initially think.
This is one ofthe coolest yet most criminally underrated men-on-a-mission moviesof the 20th century. The visuals and sound are great, the actors do a terrific job (Clint Eastwood’s performance stands out as the most memorable), and the riveting action sequences range from shocking to breathtaking to just downright amazing. This thrilling approach is what makesWhere Eagles Dareone ofthe best non-Bond spy movies of all time, even if it remains sadly underappreciated.
Where Eagles Dare
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3’The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' (1965)
Directed by Martin Ritt
One of the best Cold War movies of all time, with one ofthe best romances from any spy movie,The Spy Who Came in from the Coldis another John le Carré adaptation that proves the writer was in the highest tier when it came to writing spy stories. It stars the iconicRichard Burtonas Alec Leamas, a British agent who, instead of coming home from the Cold War, chooses to face another mission.
The Spy Who Came in from the Coldis riveting and powerful, a true highlight of 1960s spy fare.
Tense, bleak, and refreshingly patient with how it executes its narrative and drip-feeds surprises to its audience,The Spy Who Came in from the Coldis the ultimate anti-Bond spy film,presenting espionage as more of a suspenseful danger than an exhilarating adventure, adding lots of refreshing elements to a genre that can sometimes feel a bit stale. However, that doesn’t mean the movie itself is any less exciting or nail-biting. Powered by Burton’s Oscar-nominated performance,The Spy Who Came in from the Coldis riveting and powerful, a true highlight of 1960s spy fare.
2’The Day of the Jackal' (1973)
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Nominated only for one Oscar— Best Film Editing —The Day of the Jackalisn’t often talked about today, certainly not nearly as much as it deserves to be talked about. It’s set in the aftermath of Algeria’s independence from France, following a group of resentful military veterans who hire a professional assassin to kill President Charles de Gaulle.
The Day of the Jackalsteers clear of any clichés and instead portrays an espionage plot that’s as tense as it is amusing, as cold as it is enveloping, and as entertaining as spy films can be.
The Day of the Jackalis one of themost underappreciated conspiracy spy thrillers, steering clear of any clichés and instead portraying an espionage plot that’s as tense as it is amusing, as cold as it is enveloping, and as entertaining as spy films can be.Fred Zinnemann’s direction is beautiful,Edward Fox’s performance as the titular “Jackal” is quintessentially cool, andthe escalating action of the whole movie is a masterclass in raising the stakesand building suspense.
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1’Army of Shadows' (1969)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville
One ofthe highest-rated movies on Letterboxd,Army of Shadowsis a French-Italian war drama directed by one of the best French filmmakers ever:Jean-Pierre Melville. It’s an account of the underground resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied France.Army of Shadowsis one of the best war films andone of the best spy films ever made, achieving greatness by subverting both of the genres' typical tropes.
Army of Shadowscould be counted among those fewspy movies that are pretty much perfect. It’s a flawless and engrossing portrayal of the machinations seen within World War II’s resistance movements, full of artistic merit and narrative complexity.Army of Shadowsis a brutal movie that’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s an absolute must-see for those who love the spy genre’s hijinks and delicate plotting. Sadly, it remains underrated, especially among modern audiences, but it’s surely worth a watch.
