For over 50 years and in 26 films loosely based on Ian Fleming's novels, James Bond, the best-known secret agent in the world, has attracted a huge, and constantly growing, audience to the cinema. Yet with 26 films to choose from, it is exceptionally easy to get confused between them. If only there was simple way to remember which Bond film had the theme tune sung by Shirley Bassey, starred Sean Connery as Bond and had Felix Leiter in? Well, now there is. Here's the ultimate James Bond film guide.

This is an easy-to-access list of all the James Bond films in order of their release. Also listed are the villains, henchmen, and Bond girls of each film, as well as the actor who plays them. Recurring characters, actors and directors have their names in bold. Each film's title track has the same name as the film, unless otherwise stated.

Sean Connery Era: 1962-1967

During the five films made in this era, Bernard Lee played M and Lois Maxwell played Miss Moneypenny in all the films. Desmond Llewelyn played Q in all except the first film, Dr. No, where his role is played by Peter Burton. Many of the films involved Bond battling SPECTRE, the SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terror, Revenge and Extortion. SPECTRE agents are frequently known by their number, for instance Blofeld is known as Number 1.

1. Dr. No (Sean Connery) - 1962

Dr. No was released at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis on 5 October, 1962. This was the very same day that 'Love Me Do', the first single by The Beatles, was released.

Lois Maxwell was originally offered the role of Sylvia Trench, but chose the part of Moneypenny so she would not have to show her legs. Sylvia Trench returned in From Russia With Love but was written out of Goldfinger when Guy Hamilton replaced Young as the director of that film. Maxwell's Moneypenny appeared in Bond films for the following 23 years.

2. From Russia with Love (Sean Connery) - 1963

In the novel the decoder was called the Spektor, but this is renamed Lektor to avoid confusion with SPECTRE. This is Desmond Llewelyn's first appearance as Major Boothroyd aka Q.

3. Goldfinger (Sean Connery) - 1964

This film introduces the phenomenon of the James Bond car with the heavily-armed Aston Martin DB5. The revolving numberplate was inspired by director Guy Hamilton's continual stream of parking tickets.

Honor Blackman, the first Bond girl to use her own voice onscreen, had previously appeared in British television series The Avengers, playing Cathy Gale. In the following series of The Avengers, in the episode 'Too Many Christmas Trees', Steed receives a Christmas card from Cathy posted from Fort Knox, in a nod to this film's climax.

4. Thunderball (Sean Connery) - 1965

This is the first film in which Sean Connery plays James Bond in the opening sequence, in which he walks across the screen from the right, turns and shoots at an assailant who had him in his sights.

Raquel Welch was originally chosen for the role of Domino, but she was unable to accept as she was filming Fantastic Voyage. Faye Dunaway was considered, but former Miss France Claudine Auger was cast.

John Stears won the Best Visual Effects Oscar for his work on this film. Martine Beswick had previously appeared in From Russia with Love as Zora, one of the fighting gypsy girls.

5. You Only Live Twice (Sean Connery) - 1967

This film is memorable for the first full appearance of Blofeld. The character of Dr Evil in the James Bond spoof Austin Powers trilogy is clearly modelled on Pleasence's definitive Blofeld. This is also the only film to date in which Bond does not drive a car. The car that appears, the Toyota 2000 GT convertible, was made as a convertible because Sean Connery was unable to fit into the hard-top model.

All Change: A Spoof, A New Bond and Sean Connery's Last Stand

These three films mark the first period of transition from the Bond films that came before to what came later. The first, a rival production of Casino Royale and not part of the official James Bond series, was intended as a spoof, but ended up a glorious mess.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the first official film without Connery that shows Bond in a more mature relationship than seen before or after. Diamonds Are Forever moves Bond in an Avengers-inspired comedy direction, complete with bizarre sequences involving slow-moving astronauts, moon buggies and a climax consisting of Blofeld being waved around an oil rig while being used as a demolition ball.

In both the official films Lois Maxwell continued to play Miss Moneypenny, Bernard Lee played M and Desmond Llewelyn played Q.

A. Casino Royale (David Niven) - 1967

After writing Casino Royale, Fleming sold the screen rights and in 1954 the story was used as the basis for a one-hour television drama. Some 13 years later it became a big-screen spoof. The actors, writers and directors involved in the film came and went, leaving no-one in a position to guide the film from start to finish.

6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (George Lazenby) - 1969

This is only film in which George Lazenby plays Bond. George Baker, the actor who played Sir Hilary Bray, dubs the scenes in which Bond impersonates him. George Baker had been considered a potential actor to play Bond in Dr. No. Dame Diana Rigg had, of course, shot to fame playing Emma Peel in The Avengers.

7. Diamonds Are Forever (Sean Connery) - 1971

Reclusive millionaire Howard Hughes inspired the character of Willard Whyte.

Back for Moore

The Roger Moore era has more recurring characters than before. M (Bernard Lee until Moonraker, Robert Brown after Octopussy), Q and Moneypenny are joined by a recurring Minister of Defence, Frederick Gray. They also have a regular competitor, occasional enemy and ally General Gogol, played by Walter Gotell, who had been Morzeny in From Russia with Love. Sadly, Q, though mentioned, does not appear in Live and Let Die.

The Roger Moore era would fluctuate between the camp and silly to a more 'back to basics' Bond. This era was punctuated by Sean Connery's brief return to playing James Bond in rival film Never Say Never Again.

8. Live and Let Die (Roger Moore) - 1973

The character of Quarrel Junior is the son of Quarrel, who appears in Dr. No. The original novel was set before Dr. No. The excellent theme tune was nominated for an Oscar. This was the first film in which Q does not appear.

9. The Man with the Golden Gun (Roger Moore) - 1974

Christopher Lee, who plays Scaramanga, was Ian Fleming's cousin.

Bond Girl Britt Ekland was married to Peter Sellers, who played Evelyn Tremble 'James Bond 007' in Casino Royale (1967).

10. The Spy Who Loved Me (Roger Moore) - 1977

The second most famous car in the James Bond series, the Lotus Esprit submarine car, appears in this film. The plot is very similar to Gilbert's previous Bond film You Only Live Twice, and it had originally been intended to include SPECTRE, however a lawsuit prevented them so the villain became Stromberg instead.

Barbara Bach, who plays Major Anya Amasova, is the wife of Beatle Ringo Starr.

11. Moonraker (Roger Moore) - 1979

This is the last film in which Bernard Lee appears as M, and was made as a co-production with French company Les Productions Artistes Associés. There are some outstanding moments in the film, however there are also several silly ones and the film was made as an attempt to jump on the Star Wars bandwagon.

12. For Your Eyes Only (Roger Moore) - 1981

Sadly, Bernard Lee passed away shortly before this film was made. In respect, he was not immediately recast and instead his role was split between Bill Tanner (M's chief of staff), Q and Sir Frederick Gray.

The Wheelchair Villain was intended to be Blofeld, but due to legal action was not able to be named as such. Cassandra Harris, who plays Countess Lisl, was the wife of future James Bond Pierce Brosnan.

13. Octopussy (Roger Moore) - 1983

In Octopussy M is played by Robert Brown. He had previously played Admiral Hargreaves in The Spy who Loved Me, and it is unclear whether the character of Hargreaves has been promoted to be the new M, or whether Brown is playing the same character Bernard Lee had. Most assume that Hargreaves has been promoted to M. Maud Adams had previously appeared as Andrea Anders in The Man with the Golden Gun. The character of Penelope Smallbone was introduced as a potential replacement for Moneypenny, but never appeared again.

B. Never Say Never Again (Sean Connery) - 1983

An unofficial, rival Bond film starring Sean Connery in his last outing in the role that made him famous.

In 1959 Ian Fleming, Ernest Curero, Ivar Bryce, Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham developed a screenplay that was used as the basis of Ian Fleming's novel Thunderball. When Fleming published his novel, McClory sued and was awarded the rights to make a film of Thunderball. McClory co-operated with Eon, the company behind the official Bond films in the 1960s on condition that he not make another film based on the story for 10 years. A decade later McClory began plans to remake Thunderball, and after some legal delays, here it was.

Rowan Atkinson would later star in the Johnny English Bond-spoof films.

14. A View to a Kill (Roger Moore) - 1985

This was both Roger Moore and Lois Maxwell's last Bond film. Patrick Macnee's most famous role was playing John Steed in The Avengers.

Dawn of Dalton's Days

In the Timothy Dalton era, Caroline Bliss takes over as Moneypenny, but is not given much to do in either film in which she appears, while Robert Brown continues as M and Desmond Llewelyn remains as Q. Dalton is driven, seeking violence, vengeance and vendetta, with a rage barely contained behind his smiles. Dalton portrays Bond as someone who will not compromise on seeing what he considers justice done, even if his superiors disagree. His films are more complex and grown-up than any Bonds since On Her Majesty's Secret Service, adult in theme. Gone are one-liners and pick-up lines, leaving raw, focused brutality barely hidden behind tuxedos and charm.

15. The Living Daylights - (Timothy Dalton) 1987

A strong start to Dalton's Bond, complete with a new gadget-laden Aston Martin. Originally the story would have revolved around General Gogol's intention to kill British spies, but as Walter Gotell was ill he only appears briefly, and John Rhys-Davies plays a replacement character. Felix Leiter finally returns to a Bond film for the first official time since 1973, but sadly in only a blink-and-you'll-miss-him role.

16. Licence to Kill - (Timothy Dalton) 1989

The last Bond film for six years, and the last for Dalton, Robert Brown and Caroline Bliss. This film remains the most adult in the series, and also has the best scenes featuring Q, who is finally allowed out and about on a mission. The climactic oil tanker chase is a highlight of the series.

Piercing: The Pierce Brosnan Era

A new Bond Era also marks a new M, Dame Judi Dench, and a new Moneypenny, played by the appropriately-named Samantha Bond. Finally Bond is seen working for an organisation that consists of more than an office, hat stand and a lab in which Q tinkers with watches. M, Q and Moneypenny are joined by recurring characters Bill Tanner and Robinson, while Q gains an assistant and later replacement, played by John Cleese.

17. GoldenEye (Pierce Brosnan) - 1995

The reason behind the gap between making Licence to Kill and GoldenEye was caused by legal wranglings over television distribution rights. MGM/UA were merging with Pathé and Danjaq, the company that actually made the Bond films, felt the television distribution deal was unfair.

Minnie Driver plays Irina, Zukovsky's tone-deaf Russian mistress and nightclub singer. This film also inspired the phenomenally successful GoldenEye 007 - video game.

18. Tomorrow Never Dies (Pierce Brosnan) - 1997

19. The World is Not Enough (Pierce Brosnan) - 1999

This is the first appearance of John Cleese as Q's assistant, whom Bond nicknames 'R'. It is also the last film in which Desmond Llewelyn appears.

20. Die Another Day (Pierce Brosnan) - 2002

John Cleese is now Q, full time; Desmond Llewelyn sadly passed away before this film, made to celebrate the Bond films' 40th anniversary.

Blond Bond? The Daniel Craig Era

In the early 21st Century, Bond was played by an actor who, apparently controversially for some reason, didn't have naturally dark hair. His era loses the team ethos, returning to the angry, driven, solitary wolf approach of the Dalton days. The Craig era does at least finally feature Felix Leiter again, even if initially missing Moneypenny and Q.

21. Casino Royale (Daniel Craig) - 2006

A strong start and finally an official version of Ian Fleming's first novel.

22. Quantum of Solace (Daniel Craig) - 2008

This film begins where the previous film ended, forming the second part of the same story, with Bond battling Quantum.

C. Happy and Glorious (Daniel Craig) - 2012

A short film that formed part of the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games. The Queen won an honorary BAFTA award for her role in playing herself. A stunt double, rather than the Queen herself, is believed to have done the actual parachute² jump from a helicopter.

23. Skyfall (Daniel Craig) - 2012

Finally for the Craig era we get a Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and a new Q, played by Ben Whishaw rather than a return to John Cleese. We also get a new M (Ralph Fiennes). All three would appear in the following film too.

24. Spectre (Daniel Craig) - 2015

This film also features a cameo from former M actress Dame Judi Dench, who in the story leaves a video message for Bond.

Recurring Characters

One extra piece of trivia is that Desmond Llewelyn has appeared in more James Bond films than any other actor, playing the role of Q.

Recurring Actors in the Same Role