The (00) 7 Best James Bond Villains

We are almost at the Ultimate Rankings of all 23 James Bond films now that I’ve viewed them all over the past month and a half. Before that, though, I’ve ranked my Top 7 Theme Songs and Bond girls, so it’s time for the (00) 7 Best James Bond Villains. This was tough and I’ll throw out there already that Sophie Marceau as Elektra King in The World Is Not Enough and Harold Sakata as the series most famous henchman Odd Job nearly made the cut. There could only be seven though and here they are.

7. Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) in A View to a Kill

OK, the movie is pretty mediocre, but Christopher Walken’s performance as psychotic industrialist Max Zorin is easily the film’s high point. The great actor genuinely seems to be soaking up and enjoying playing a 007 baddie.

6. Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi) in Licence to Kill

Timothy Dalton’s second Bond entry is by far one of the most underrated of the franchise and Robert Davi’s terrific performance as drug lord Sanchez is a big part of the film’s success. He gets more screen time than your typical villain and he makes the most of it.

5. Ernst Stavro Blofeld (various actors)

Some Bond fanatics would consider it sacrilege not to list Bond’s most well-known nemesis Blofeld as #1. Honesty has to prevail though. Blofeld’s history for me is checkered. He appeared prominently in three Bonds with Donald Pleasance playing him in You Only Live Twice, Telly Savalas in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and Charles Gray in Diamonds Are Forever. He was seen barking orders without his face shown in From Russia with Love, Thunderball, and was finally killed in For Your Eyes Only in the opening scene. However, appearing in six movies doesn’t make you the greatest Bond villain. I preferred Pleasance’s take on Blofeld more than any other. By Diamonds Are Forever, even though Gray’s performance was decent, the character was written poorly. Still, Blofeld earns a spot on here.

4. Red Grant (Robert Shaw) in From Russia with Love

Odd Job may be considered the best henchman, but my personal favorite is definitely Robert Shaw’s fantastic performance as Red Grant in the second 007 adventure. He proves to be one of the more worthy Bond adversaries and their scenes on the long train sequence in the film are classic.

3. Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) in From Russia with Love

And while we’re talking From Russia with Love, the film’s main villain is wonderful. Lenya’s performance as ex Soviet agent turned SPECTRE baddie Rosa Klebb is one of a kind. She looks nothing like what you think a Bond villain and that’s part of her appeal.

2. Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) in Goldfinger

He’s long been considered the classic and best Bond villain and there’s a reason for it. Goldfinger is one of the most colorful and fun antagonists to Mr. Bond and he’s given some classic bits, including trying to cut 007 in half with a giant frickin laser. And he gets that wonderful line: “No, Mr. Bond! I expect you to die!” that is probably the most famous scene ever in the series.

1. Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) in Skyfall

And Goldfinger would’ve been first, if not for a little picture called Skyfall last year. Bardem’s performance as the ex-agent turned bad guy who has plans to kill M is amazing. The character is well-written and given a number of memorable moments. Mostly though, we have a true example of the best Bond villain being the best actor to ever play one.