1. Johnny English Reborn (2011)
Rowan Atkinson, the king of awkward. After a mission in Mozambique botches up spectacularly, Johnny English, the bumbling MI7 spy, gets tucked away in a remote part of Asia. Sounds chill, right? Wrong. He's honing his skills, becoming a monk-like, uh, spy?
Anyway, cue his re-entry into civilization, and he's up against a plot to assassinate the Chinese premier. Expect misfires, literal and figurative, slapstick combat, and a sprinkle of goofy gadgetry.
2. Red Sparrow (2018)
Imagine a Russian ballerina forced into espionage because, you know, life happens. Jennifer Lawrence, as Dominika, gets injured, bids adieu to ballet, and hello to Sparrow School – a place teaching the fine art of seduction and spying. Her task? Target an American CIA agent and find a mole within the ranks.
Things twist, turn, and twirl, just like her ballet days, but with more treachery and fewer tutus.
3. The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
Two best friends, Audrey and Morgan (played by Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon), thrown into the world of international espionage. Why? Because Audrey's ex-boyfriend was a spy. Now they're zipping through Europe, dodging bullets, cracking jokes, and botching every spy move.
Classic buddy comedy, but with more guns and Euro-tripping. Is it spy-thrilling? Ehh. Is it a hilarious take on the genre? Oh, absolutely.
4. Salt (2010)
One moment, Evelyn Salt is a respected CIA officer. Blink, and she's on the run, accused of being a Russian spy.
Angelina Jolie is flipping trucks, leaping off buildings, changing her appearance, and leaving viewers wondering, "Is she or isn't she?" The movie sways, stumbles, but man, does it keep you guessing.
5. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
What's the recipe for an over-the-top spy flick? Take gentleman spies, add a dash of cowboy swagger, stir in a villainous Julianne Moore with robotic dogs, and sprinkle some Elton John with dirty jokes for good measure.
Eggsy's back, and the Kingsman HQ just got blown up. Their next stop? Statesman, the American counterpart with whiskey and lassos. They must thwart a global drug pandemic, but the antics are as infectious as the plot.
6. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Berlin, 1989. A wall's about to fall, but not before some smashing action! Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) isn't just a top-level MI6 agent; she's the queen of neon-lit fight scenes. Tasked to retrieve a dossier that spells doom for agents worldwide, she teams up with David Percival (James McAvoy) — a wild card of an operative.
7. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Tom Cruise. Enough said? Nah, you crave plot. Reacher's returning to his old military base, expecting dinner with a friend, Major Turner (Cobie Smulders). Surprise! She's arrested for espionage. Someone's framing her, and our guy Reacher doesn't buy it.
A chase ensues – from D.C. to New Orleans – unraveling a conspiracy that spans wars and illicit arms deals. Along the way, a teenager claiming to be Reacher's daughter complicates matters.
8. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Cold War's never been cooler. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) teams up with KGB's Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer). Why? A Nazi sympathizer and her cronies are cooking up nuclear weapons.
Our duo, as opposite as vodka and cola, must work with Gaby (Alicia Vikander) to thwart this threat. Car chases in vintage vehicles, stylish 60s fashion, and a tug-of-war of wits and ideologies.
9. Spy (2015)
Desk-bound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is suddenly thrust into the world of espionage, thanks to the apparent death of her partner (Jude Law).
Task: Prevent a nuclear device from reaching New York. However, this isn't a straightforward spy romp. Italian playboys, rogue agents (Jason Statham, hilariously playing against type), and high-octane chases pepper her journey. And Susan? She discovers she might just be the best spy for the job.
10. Spectre (2015)
Bond. James Bond. Daniel Craig's 007 finds a cryptic message leading him to the mysterious organization, Spectre. Remember Quantum? This is bigger.
As Bond races from Rome to Austria to Morocco, MI6 faces its challenges back home. Christoph Waltz, the puppet master Oberhauser, has connections to Bond's past. Old wounds open, cars fly (literally), and secrets unfurl.