It’s not all shaken martinis and gimmicky gadgets.
Dont worry, though, even the most studious spies eventually have to engage in some action.
Along the way, directorBrian De Palmakeeps things moving with signature visual aplomb.
Credit:Everett (3)
Where to watchMission: Impossible: Paramount+
24.
Soon, it becomes clear that his earnest attempts at spycraft may have set a political disaster in motion.
Where to watchPascalis Island: Tubi
23.
Everett Collection
Where to watchTrue Lies: Hulu
22.
Where to watchBridge of Spies: AppleTV+
21.
Still,Munichs many suspense and action set pieces drive the story along with undeniable tension.
Everett
Where to watchMunich: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
20.
(Part 2isscheduled for summer 2025.)
Regardless,Dead Reckoningis the apotheosis of the big-budget spy blockbuster.
Zade Rosenthal/20th Century Fox
Where to watchMission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1: Paramount+
19.
This first sequel is arguably the series pinnacle, crafting a thrilling quest for revenge and redemption.
The reveal of his true purpose only underscores the ugly toll of this international gamesmanship.
Jaap Buitendijk/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett
Where to watchThe Bourne Supremacy: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
18.
Where to watchThe Ipcress File: Not available to steam
17.
Where to watchJulia: Google Play (to rent)
16.
Karen Ballard/Universal
Where to watchRonin: Max
15.
Where to watchZero Dark Thirty: Starz
14.
Where to watchThe 39 Steps: Tubi
13.
Paramount Pictures and Skydance
Where to watchOn Her Majesty’s Secret Service: Max
12.
The film while nominally a love triangle gradually reveals itself as another instance of empathy and espionage colliding.
Michael Caine plays a sodden British journalist during the 1950s occupation of what was then known as French Indochina.
Everett Collection
Where to watchThe Quiet American: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
11.
Like le Carre, Forsyth was an associate of MI6 (as a longtime unpaid informant).
Michael Lonsdale matches the Jackal as the French cop tasked with thwarting the rumored assassination.
Everett
Where to watchThe Day of the Jackal: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
10.
Where to watchThe Spy Who Came In From the Cold: Kanopy
9.
Eventually, the whole tangled tale hangs (literally) from the impassive visages of the presidents at Mt.
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
Rushmore, setting a template for high-concept, outlandish thrills for decades to come.
Where to watchNorth by Northwest: Tubi
8.
Its a myth that President Kennedys assassination the following year caused Sinatra to demandThe Manchurian Candidatebe pulled from theaters.
Everett
Where to watchThe Manchurian Candidate: Tubi
7.
Where to watchCasino Royale: Amazon Prime Video
6.
Where to watchThe Lives of Others: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
5.
Everett Collection
But he knows their shadowy work will inevitably put them in positions where unthinkable calls must be made.
Where to watchArmy of Shadows: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
4.
(Including a scene-stealing hitman played by the late, greatMax von Sydow.)
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty
That involves kidnapping a photographer (Faye Dunaway, also outstanding) in a desperate moment.
Where to watchThree Days of the Condor: Amazon Prime Video
3.
Where to watchTinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
2.
everett
Meanwhile, Bergmans position undercover becomes more and more fraught with danger and compromise.
Where to watchNotorious: Tubi
1.
The Conversation (1974)
Courtesy Everett Collection
Harry Caul is a spy only in the mercenary sense.
Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection
Where to watchThe Conversation: PlutoTV
Related content:
Everett
Everett
Everett Collection
Sony Pictures/Everett Collection
Everett
Everett
Ronald Grant Archive/ Mary Evans/ Everett
Everett Collection
Everett
Courtesy Everett Collection
