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Five Great Spy Movies (That Don’t Feature James Bond)

Over the weekend, Paul Feig’s newest comedy Spy pummeled its competition, pulling in nearly $30 million and topping the box office. Starring Melissa McCarthy, the film spoofs the typical tropes of spy movies but with its director’s signature witty and clever style. Now, there no doubt that McCarthy kicks a lot of ass in the movie and gives James Bond (all of them!) a run for his money. But she’s not the first to play a non-Bond spy in such a critically acclaimed and commercially successful adventure flick. Here are five other films that feature all sorts of wheeling and dealings and international intrigue.

1

'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' (2011)

tinker-tailor-soldier-spy
Photo: Focus Features; Courtesy Everett Collection

Gary Oldman stars as an M16 agent who is tasked by his boss to root out a Soviet mole hiding in their ranks. A slow burn, for sure, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy features a lot of intrigue and style, and even if it’s not a fast-paced suspense story, it’s certainly easy on the eyes. [Where to stream Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy]

2

'The Bourne Identity' (2002)

the-bourne-identity
Photo: Universal; Courtesy Everett Collection

Doug Liman’s high-octane action thriller introduces Matt Damon as Jason Bourne: a CIA operative who washes up on the shore of the Mediterranean without any memory of who he is. He does, however, instinctively know multiple languages and intense fighting techniques, and he sets out to find out his true identity and avoid the various international assassins sent to take him out. [Where to stream The Bourne Identity]

3

'Breach' (2007)

breach
Photo: Universal; Courtesy Everett Collection

Oscar winner Chris Cooper stars as senior FBI agent Robert Hanssen in this true story about the agent’s two-decade career as a spy for the Soviet Union and Russia. Ryan Phillippe and Laura Linney co-star as the agents who infiltrated his schemes and brought him to justice in Billy Ray’s tense thriller. [Where to stream Breach]

4

'Charade' (1963)

charade
Photo: Everett Collection

Audrey Hepburn stars as an American woman in Paris who finally decides to divorce her distant and cold Swiss husband — that is until he’s found dead and a CIA agent (played by the dashing Cary Grant) reveals that her husband was a former OSS agent who stole a wad of cash during World War II. Soon she’s on the run from spies and the mob, uncertain who she can trust. [Where to stream Charade]

5

'Three Days of the Condor' (1975)

three-days-of-the-condor
Photo courtesy Everett Collection

Robert Redford plays a mild-mannered CIA agent who returns from lunch one to find his coworkers — including his girlfriend— executed in his office. He immediately goes on the run, evading the intelligence organization and struggling to figure out not just who is responsible for the murders but also which of his colleagues he can trust. [Where to stream Three Days of the Condor]

 

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