When audiences go into a James Bond movie, there are certain expectations they have. One of them is that the film will end with a bang, delivering a suitably thrilling climax to wrap the adventure. And the franchise has done a lot to rightly earn that expectation from fans.
While there are certainly some Bond movies that have delivered a lackluster ending or one that is too silly to take seriously, there are also plenty of Bond climaxes that end the movie right. With huge set-pieces and a fitting end to the villain and his schemes, these big finishes remain the best in the series.
Octopussy (1983)
It's not a good sign that Octopussy's biggest legacy as a Bond movie is its own laughable title. The movie is a perfect showcase of the more ridiculous and silly aspects of the Roger Moore-era movies. However, one thrilling action scene does do a lot to make up for that.
After foiling the villain's plot to detonate a bomb at a circus, Bond tracks him down as he is attempting to make his getaway in a plane. This results in Bond fighting one of the villain's henchmen on top of a flying plane which is an incredible feat of stunt work.
Moonraker (1979)
Many dismiss Moonraker as a cheap attempt by the Bond franchise to capitalize on the success of Star Wars. While that influence is quite clear, it's no more far-fetched than some of the other Bond movies and it does indeed have some very memorable moments.
Certainly, the highlight comes with the space-set finale that delivers on the promise of the sci-fi slant of the story. It's true that it is hard to take the laser battle in space seriously, but it is entertaining. Also, Jaws's redemption arc and Drax's memorable end all help to end the movie on a high note.
The Living Daylights (1987)
Timothy Dalton's short stint as Bond is sometimes seen as an underwhelming era of the series, but that's an unfair criticism. Not only does Dalton make for an interesting new take on Bond, but both of his movies took the series' action to another level.
While the plot of The Living Daylights may not be overly memorable, the climactic battle on a plane runway is thrilling. This also leads to a thrilling set piece in which Bond and a henchman fight while hanging in midair out the back of a cargo plane.
Thunderball (1965)
Given the kind of action sequences modern audiences are used to with superhero movies, it's easy to forget what these movies were able to accomplish over 50 years ago. While some might now find the climax of Thunderball underwhelming, it is still a stunning feat.
Bond and his allies lead an underwater attack on the villainous Largo and his goons. The stunt work required for this fight is truly remarkable and makes for a very unique sequence despite it being a little slower moving than what might be expected.
License To Kill (1989)
In another example of how Dalton's Bond was an interesting departure, License to Kill was a surprisingly dark and violent Bond adventure. It followed Bond on a mission of revenge against the man who tried to kill his best friend.
With the villain on the run with a convoy of trucks, Bond attacks, leading to a wonderful action-packed chase. This sequence also ends with Bond finally getting payback on the villain in a moment that cements the movie's violent reputation.
From Russia With Love (1963)
While many of the most memorable Bond climaxes are the big extravagant action sequences, From Russian with Love proves these finales can be just as memorable on a smaller scale. The intense spy tale culminates with Bond unwittingly onboard a train with S.P.E.C.T.R.E. agent Red Grant.
The sequence makes great use of tension as Grant poses as an ally as the audience waits for the moment when he will strike. The conversation between Bond and his enemy is captivating and it all results in one of the best hand-to-hand combat sequences in the series.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Though George Lazenby only played James Bond in one film, that movie has since been considered as one of the highlights of the series. Along with Lazenby's effective performance as 007, there are some excellent action sequences that have become iconic.
The movie is most well-known for its snow-set action, including the final set-piece where Bond pursues his arch-nemesis Blofeld down a mountain. This results in a fantastic moment of Bond chasing Blofeld down a bobsled track.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
There are certain aspects of the Bond franchise that have been so parodied that it's surprising to see where the joke actually originated. The idea of an evil genius having a lair in a hollowed-out volcano might seem like something out of Austin Powers, but it makes for a great final sequence in You Only Live Twice.
In order to take on Blofeld in his well-fortified base, Bond recruits an army of ninjas to leads an attack. The sight of ninjas repelling into a volcano lair to take on an army of bad guys is impossible not to find fun. It is an over-the-top sequence in all the best possible ways.
GoldenEye (1995)
Pierce Brosnan's first outing as James Bond resulted in one of the best movies in the series. GoldenEye is a wonderful reboot of the series that once again elevated the franchise and its epic climax is a great example of how the movie took Bond into the 1990s with a bang.
With the action taking place on a giant satellite dish station, Bond and his former ally-turned-villain, Alec Trevelyan, have a brutal brawl in the midst of the place blowing up. The personal connection between Bond and Trevelyan makes the fight more impactful and leads to one of the best villain deaths in the series.
Goldfinger (1964)
Though not the first Bond movie, Goldfinger is often seen as the movie that established many of the franchise's trademarks. Along with a memorable villain and an even more memorable henchman, it set up a thrilling action-packed finale.
As Goldfinger attempts to destroy the gold in Fort Knox, Bond attempts the thwart his plans with the clock literally ticking. Along with the assault on the massive vault, Bond gets an iconic battle with Oddjob. It all culminates with the nice touch of the bomb timer stopping at 0.07.