We’d be just over a month away from the domestic release of No Time to Die if things had gone to plan, and we’d have a pretty good idea of how the film would measure both the recent franchise installments and the competition. This list will not be in the order of quality, but I wanted to take a moment to rate the return rating for the 25 films. It’s no wonder that earlier movies are at the top of the list, and later movies, which cost more exponentially, are at the bottom, but those who are so inclined were surprised. And now, without wasting time…
Dr. No (1962)
Budget: $1 million
Worldwide Box Office: $59.6 million
Rate of Return: 59.6
With this comparatively small-scale and low-tech actioner, James Bond started at an all-time high. This first 007 adventure, which pitted Sean Connery against the title baddie, in a skewed irony, is both the lowest-grossing and most profitable entry in the entire franchise in terms of gross versus budget.