There is nothing like a good spy thriller to get the adrenaline pumping on a lazy night. For over half a century now, stories in the genre have been dazzling audiences across the globe. Speaking of which, the spy genre has its roots in the political intrigue of war, when shadows lurked around every corner and even the friendlier faces screamed danger. Early movies like James Bond capitalized on this atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia and kick-started a trend of globe-trotting adventures where suave heroes fought and schemed their way around.
The genre, however, has evolved over the years. As the new millennium dawned, spy movies entered glorious change. Technology raced ahead and introduced new realms of espionage just waiting to be explored.
Recent movies in the genre have intricately woven storylines that are packed with action, are innovative, and feel exhilarating to watch. But at the same time, they deliver old familiar hits of deception and incredibly dangerous missions. They treat us to stunning visuals as well as unexpected plot twists.
While the list of 21st-century spy movies can go really long, we have tried to sum up the most diverse stories where threats are unpredictable and stakes are high, and where one wrong move means the game is over. So without further ado, let’s take a look at spy movies that push the genre envelope while also satisfying our thirst for adventure.
20 Shadow Dancer (2012)
Set in 1990s Belfast during the Northern Ireland conflict, also known as The Troubles, Shadow Dancer is a political thriller that follows Colette McVeigh, a young woman who gets arrested after a failed bombing attack in London. Mac, her assigned handler, gives her a choice – to go to prison or be an informant. Collete agrees to inform and Mac gives her a new identity, which leads to a series of perils, betrayals, double lives, and family conflict.
Intelligent and Prismatic
Director James Marsh created a thoughtful political thriller and balanced it with equally pulse-pounding action sequences. Andrea Riseborough is an empathetic lead. As Collete, she nails the role of a woman trapped under dangerous circumstances and trying to humanize the brutal conflict around her. Tender, impactful, and emotionally resonant, the thriller tells its story from a rare perspective, and for that, it deserves more praise.
19 Hanna (2011)
Living mysteriously in the remote wilderness of Finland with her ex-CIA father, Erik, is fifteen-year-old Hanna. Since she was two, he trained her rigorously and helped hone her combat skills. At 16, when she decides she’s ready to be the assassin her father always wanted to be, Hanna takes on a mission and leaves Finland. Now on the run and targeted by a senior CIA officer who seeks to eliminate them both, Hanna begins coming into her own as a lethal weapon.
Cinematic Fairy Tale Infused With Action
Hanna stars Saoirse Ronan as the titular character. She delivers a breakout performance as the fierce and innocent protagonist on a uniquely personal journey. Directed by Joe Wright, the espionage thriller combines cinematic genre, thrilling action, and visceral fight scenes to craft a modern fairy tale with a decent amount of bloodshed. The pacing of the cat-and-mouse between Ronan and Cate Blanchett’s character is the highlight of the movie.
18 The Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015)
Directed by Guy Ritchie and written by Ritchie and Lionel Wigram, The Man from U.N.C.L.E is a criminally underrated spy movie set in the early 1960s. On one side, there’s CIA agent Napoleon Solo, and on the other, KGB operative Illya Kuryakin. They are both ordered to participate in a joint mission to infiltrate a secret criminal organization. Despite their differences, the duo finds itself working to stop a terrorist mastermind and prevent a global crisis from escalating.
An Underrated and Charming Thriller
Period mystery settings are Guy Ritchie’s strong suit and he infuses this one with madcap humor and visual panache. Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill co-star in the movie opposite Alicia Vikander’s Gaby and Elizabeth Debicki’s VIctoria, who each use their wits to stay one step ahead of the game at all times. The lavish sets stay faithful to the 1960s and the chemistry between the charming rivals subverts tropes. Overall, the movie is an intelligent and sophisticated thriller worth watching.
17 Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids
- Release Date
- April 4, 2001
It’s rare for a spy movie to be family friendly, and while Spy Kids may not be the most logical and realistic of all the movies in the genre, it is still very entertaining. The plot revolves around Carmen and Juni, two children who think their parents’ jobs are with the travel agency owned by their uncle. However, when Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez, their spy parents, are captured, the two kids are thrust into a secret mission to rescue them.
Two Clever Kids Save the Day
A massive hit at the box office, Spy Kids eventually turned into a franchise and spawned several sequels. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the fun romper does not shy away from complexity or excitement. It has a deft balance between heartwarming themes and intelligent tropes, mainly the scenes where Carmen and Juni (Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega) prove to be resourceful amidst genuinely tense stakes.
By infusing real espionage tools with imaginative ones, Spy Kids charmed audiences and renewed the genre for the 21st century.
16 Casino Royale (2006)
While Skyfall is technically more artful, subversive, elegant, and grander in scope, the introductory movie for Daniel Craig into the Bond universe somehow remains timeless. After being newly promoted to 00 agent status, Craig’s James Bond is on his first mission ever. He’s playing a high stakes game of poker with Le Chiffre, the private banker of choice for terrorists, and needs to make sure Chiffre doesn’t win. Vesper Lynd, a British Treasury agent, assists him.
Gritty Reboot For A New Generation
The 21st movie in the Eon Productions James Bond series, Casino Royale rebooted Bond for another 50 years of relevance by delivering an edgy, grounded and complex portrayal of the iconic spy. Craig left audiences in awe with his ruthless and vulnerable take. At the same time, the supporting cast, made of Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen (as one of the most menacing Bond villains), Judi Dench, and Jeffrey Wright, left an indelible mark on the franchise. Overall, Casino Royale was an immediate success.
15 Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
A spy thriller that brings action and comedy to the big screen, Kingsman: The Secret Service is directed by Matthew Vaughn. It follows Eggsy, a young lad from the streets of London, who seems to be unable to realize his potential until a chance encounter with an elite Kingsman agent named Harry leads him to the secret service organization. Harry recruits him as a spy and helps him begin a new chapter in his life by giving him a task – to stop Richmond Valentine, an eco-terrorist posing a threat to the world.
Humor Meets Spycraft
Adapted from the comic book series of the same name, Kingsman: The Secret Service is the first (and perhaps the best) installment in the Kingsman film series. Vaughn injects the superspy genre with a much-needed comedic jolt while also paying homage to some of the most iconic predecessors.
A wildly talented ensemble led by Colin Firth pulls out all the stops as their characters navigate the globe-trotting mission with style. Critics may have given the movie a lukewarm response but fans have loved the world-building, direction, clever dialogue, and fast-paced action.
14 Atomic Blonde (2017)
Taking place days before the collapse of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Atomic Blonde tells the story of Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent who is equal parts spy and savage hustler. She is sent to Berlin to recover a list containing credentials of double agents, but the deeper she dives into the investigation, the more she descends into a world where nothing and no one are what they seem. Amidst the lies, corruption, allure and intrigue, Lorraine is aided by David Percival, an MI6 station head David Percival.
Features Stylish Fight Scenes
For a narrative that isn’t fully established, Atomic Blonde manages to compensate with Charlize Theron’s fierce performance as the femme fatale balancing brains, brawn, and emotion. She is magnetic as the lead and her role distinguishes the movie from its predecessors by making sure the viewers feel entirely engrossed in the substance and the action. Under David Leitch’s sublime direction, the fight scenes come out exceptionally stylish and climactic.
13 Tenet (2020)
Tenet
- Release Date
- August 22, 2020
With Christopher Nolan involved, the spy genre needs to have a dash of sci-fi in it. One of the most confounding time travel movies of all time, Tenet centers around The Protagonist, who journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission to trace and retrieve objects that are traveling backwards through time and may cause major destruction in the future. Along the way, he learns that time and free will ultimately belong to no one.
Nolan Delivers a Masterpiece
Like most of his movies, Nolan’s Tenet forces us to stretch our minds in trying to understand the innovative epic that blends time paradoxes. John David Washington led with stoic charm as the action altered the fabric of reality. Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki complimented his character with their spectacular performances.
The practical stunts and philosophically enriched story was shot on a massive budget, and even though it struggled to break even and was impenetrable for some, Nolan’s spy thriller pushed boundaries.
12 Taken (2008)
Taken
- Release Date
- February 18, 2008
Taken marked a pivotal time in Liam Neeson’s career. Not only did the movie establish him as an unmatched action star but it was so financially successful that it launched a franchise consisting of two more movies.
Its premise centers around a retired CIA agent named Bryan Mills learning that his 17-year-old daughter, Kim, who is vacationing in Paris with her best friend, is kidnapped. Mills uses his skills as a former spy to track the kidnappers down and rescue her by any means necessary.
Liam Neeson Unleashes Vengeance
Dad TV wasn’t as popular before Neeson unleashed his protective and uncontrolled paternal rage upon his sadistic enemies. Directed by Pierre Morel in a visceral and unflinching way, Taken advances at breakneck pace. The stakes escalate, the action is raw, and the unflinching Parisian carnage is both thrilling and refreshing to watch. Often compared to the likes of Bourne and Bond, Neeson’s presence stays above all; his character blurs moral lines to save his family not once, but thrice.
11 RED (2010)
RED is loosely based on the DC Comics limited series of the same name. Its plot goes something like this: when his peaceful retirement is interrupted by an assassination squad, Frank Moses, after single-handedly killing them all, reassembles his old team of CIA spies for one last mission.
As they work to discover just who wants Frank dead, it becomes clear that this is no simple mystery. The opponent knows the team’s every move and has ambushed them in a deadly game. Regardless, the “Red” team uses their wit and wisdom to survive.
A Madcap Addition to the Genre
A success with critics and fans alike, RED received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture. It had this madcap/buddy spy energy that made it stand out among the more serious movies of the decade. Under Robert Schwentke’s direction, the story offered adrenaline-pumping action and popcorn escapism for fans of action comedies. Moreover, the very talented duo of Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren showcased their banter and betrayal in the most memorable ways.
10 A Call to Spy (2020)
Another spy thriller inspired by a true story, A Call to Spy takes place during the height of the Second World War. As Britain grapples with loss and courage seems short in supply, Winston Churchill orders the formation of a new spy agency that recruits and trains women as spies. Vera Atkins brings in two candidates – Virginia Hall and Noor Inayat Khan – and prepares them to help undermine the Nazi regime in France.
Spies Hiding in Plain Sight
A huge shout-out to director Lydia Dean Pilcher for rescuing this all-women spy story from obscurity and turning it into a remarkable movie. A Call to Spy features Radhika Apte and Sarah Megan Thomas as the two fresh recruits; they play the role with poise and resilience, portraying women who overcame misogyny through skill and competence. The authentic set pieces and air of suspense transported audiences to WWII Europe and celebrated a courageous and liberating story.
9 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Set during the bleak days of the Cold War, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy revolves around espionage veteran George Smiley, who is forced to return from semi-retirement to uncover the identity of a Soviet double agent at the top of the British secret service. As Smiley slowly peels back the layers of the mystery and eliminates suspects, he discovers old school ties and deep-buried secrets and gets closer to unmasking the master spy with each step.
A Complex Tale That Demands Focus
It was a bold step as it is to adapt John le Carré’s lushly intricate novel and try to breathe life into the epic story from the 1970s, but to do it with such nuance is a whole another level of triumph.
Part of the credit goes to director Tomas Alfredson, who puts together the densest and most puzzling pieces of the source material and mirrors its ambiguity and complexity to perfection. The other part, undoubtedly, is the remarkable performances by Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Kathy Burke.
8 The Bourne Trilogy (2002 – 2007)
The Bourne Trilogy is a series of movies based on the character of Jason Bourne, created by Robert Ludlum. While the entire franchise has five installments, Matt Damon’s character only appears in the first three, The Bourne Identity (directed by Doug Limon), The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum (both directed by Paul Greengrass).
They begin with the operative waking up in the Mediterranean with two bullets in his back and no memory. He races to elude capture while piecing together clues leading to his identity, past, and just why so many people want him dead.
Reinvents Action and Spy Adventure
Both Limon and Greengrass reinvigorated action thrillers for the modern audience with their direction. The kinetic fight sequences and handheld camerawork added authenticity to every scene. As for Damon, he was brilliant as the amnesiac assassin finding himself caught up in explosive chase scenes and being forced to explore the gray areas within the nation’s security. The Bourne Trilogy, thus, transcended entertainment with its relatable characters, messy realism, and splendid spy action.
7 Burn After Reading (2008)
Burn After Reading is a delightful addition to the list. Brad Pitt and Frances MCDormand play two gym employees (one excitable and riotously dumb, the other a depressed and lonely middle-aged woman) who accidentally get their hands on a CD by a now-unemployed CIA analyst, Osborne Cox. Thinking it holds classified information, they try to leverage it. But when their plan fails, they sell the memoir to the Russian embassy.
Coen Brothers In Fine Form
Directors Joel and Ethan Coen brought signature farce and wit to previously used espionage tropes and created a quintessential and darkly comedic movie. Pitt and McDormand relish their demented (and somewhat underrated) roles as the narrative’s absurdity increases. George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Marvel, J. K. Simmons, Richard Jenkins also pop in for brief guest appearances.
Overall, the unpredictable subplot, mysterious ending, and bleak moments in between make it more engaging.
6 Body of Lies (2008)
In Body of Lies, Roger Ferris is a CIA case officer responsible for tracking a high-ranking terrorist leader called Al-Saleem. But the target is too clever and elusive, so Ferris hatches a plan, uses a dangerous mix of technology and human assets on the ground, and creates a fake terrorist organization to lure him out. At the same time, Ferris must hide the plan from the head of the Jordanian Intelligence. As the mission reaches a climax. Ferris’ own life is put on the line.
Masterful Political Thriller
With shifting political alliances and being on a piece of land where no moral codes are followed, the protagonist had to navigate several clashes and dirty wars. Leonardo DiCaprio brought out the complexity and sophistication of his character with absolute excellence.
Russell Crowe was a brilliant companion, with Mark Strong and Oscar Isaac lending great supporting turns. Directed by Ridley Scott, Body of Lies rises above conventional espionage thrillers with its crisp storytelling and taut action.
5 Argo (2012)
Argo
- Release Date
- March 22, 2012
Based on an incredible true story, Argo begins with the 1979 Iranian revolution reaching a boiling point and trapping six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran, in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. They have found shelter, but meanwhile, the U.S. State Department plans to extract them.
They bring in Tony Mendez, an exfiltration specialist, for the job. He creates a risky plan of smuggling them out of the country by posing as a Hollywood producer scouting locations for his sci-fi movie.
A Tense and Gripping True Story
Ben Affleck helmed his entertaining thriller that left an impact on the industry. It retells true events with empathy and delivers timely messages about celebrating compassion under dire circumstances, but at the same time, Argo creates edge-of-your-seat suspense with its storytelling and immerses audiences in Tony’s rescue mission.
Despite falling short in developing certain characters and staying true to history, the movie won massive critical acclaim and took home an Academy Award for Best Picture.
4 Spy (2015)
Spy
- Release Date
- June 15, 2015
Written and directed by Paul Feig, Spy stars Melissa McCarthy as an unorthodox secret agent named Susan Cooper. Otherwise bound to her desk, she is thrust into the field to accompany her partner on a mission. So Susan adopts the alter ego of an international spy and joins forces with a tech officer named Bradley Fine, making sure she has both her feet in the high-stakes espionage game. Visiting exotic global locations and uncovering secrets, Susan tries to save the world.
When Comedy and Savvy Unite
It’s not every day that we’re blessed with a spy movie that is filled with action but is also very hilarious. Plus, it’s led by a female actor. Under Feig’s deft direction, Spy injects laugh-out-loud humor to a boys-club genre without compromising substance.
McCarthy shines in her star-making turn as an unlikely spy armed with maternal instincts, impressive wit, and killer kicks. Starring alongside her are Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, and Jude Law, who bring absurd yet accessible humor and make the movie enormously entertaining.
3 The Equalizer (2014)
Technically not a spy movie but a drama about a former CIA operative, The Equalizer stars Denzel Washington as Robert McCall. After retiring from his job, McCall lives a quiet life and works at a big-box home improvement store. However, when Teri, a young girl he knows, is trafficked by a group of local Russian gangsters, he cannot stand idly by. Armed with a very particular set of skills, McCall comes out of his self-imposed seclusion and transforms into an instrument of vengeance.
Denzel Washington’s Steely Resolve
Based on the 1980s TV series of the same name and the first in a series of three movies, this action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua brings more grit to the genre and acts as an origin story for an anti-hero for the new era. The Equalizer strips itself of the emotional stakes and meaning by directing all its focus to the fluid and polished fight choreography. As a result, the action sequences are mesmerizing and they fuel adrenaline but the plot is not hard-hitting.
2 Mission: Impossible III – Mission: Impossible Fallout (2006 – 2018)
Few movies in the American superspy market have a longevity as glorious and powerful as the Mission: Impossible series. While the first two movies set the stage for the A-list spy Ethan Hunt, it was J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III that saw the character transform into a distinguished character with a team of his own.
Then, writer/director Christopher McQuarrie helmed movies like Rogue Nation and Fallout, both of which saw familiar faces racing against time after a mission gone wrong while also fighting adversaries determined to destroy peace in the world.
A Perfectly Spectacular Franchise
The beloved franchise took its sweet time to turn into a globe-trotting adventure that uses razor-edge technology and stunt work that becomes more shocking and dizzying every year. Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt’s focus, however, is just as much on the non-stop action as it is on the emotion and evolving relationships with the rest of the layered cast.
While the recent movies are amazing, they also pay homage to the franchise’s origins by honoring teamwork over plot twists and gadgets. Overall, Mission: Impossible has cemented its status as a movie series with both substance and spectacle.
1 Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
A political thriller that dramatizes the nearly decade-long international manhunt for Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorists responsible for the September 11 attacks, Zero Dark Thirty sees an elite team of intelligence and military operatives working in secret across the globe. They are led by Maya, a young CIA analyst who dedicates herself to interrogations and interpretations to make sure they achieve their goal.
Authentic and Excellent
Brilliantly crafted by Kathryn Bigelow, the movie was praised enormously by critics for its unprecedented realism, as well as its editing and sound design. Without ever glorifying the actions, it adapts a documentary-like approach towards storytelling and invokes empathy for a world that was changed forever. Jessica Chastain anchored the movie with her tense and resolute performance and offered audiences a behind-the-scenes look into all that led to bin Laden’s death.
