Thunderball

Play trailer

Thunderball

PG

Released Dec 29, 1965

2h 10m

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo's lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo's mistress, to become a key ally.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Lavishly rendered set pieces and Sean Connery's enduring charm make Thunderball a big, fun adventure, even if it doesn't quite measure up to the series' previous heights.

Read Critics Reviews

TIME Magazine

If Thunderball's gimmickry seems to overreach at times, Actor Connery gains assurance from film to film, by now delivers all his soppiest Jimcracks martini-dry.

Oct 13, 2008

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Slightly bloated Bond, with too much technology for my taste and a climactic slaughter that's a little too mindless to be much fun.

May 6, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

There's visible evidence that the reported $5.5 million budget was no mere publicity figure; it's posh all the way.

May 6, 2008

Full Review

Pauline Kael

McCall's

Thunderball is, at least, itself: the male fantasy mixture as before -- but perhaps a little lighter, less sadistic than Goldfinger, without the spectacular sequences but constantly in entertaining motion.

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Sadly though past the editing, in no way is Thunderball a notable outing for James Bond.

Rated: C-

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The most overrated movie in the franchise. Of course, it's not without its merits.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 25, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Rachael H

Loved it - the longest underwater fight of any film. Jet back pack and great chases - what could be better!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/26/22

Full Review

Connor S

Not in the top 3 of Bond movies, but not outside of the top 5 either. It's the closest replica of Bond in the books of any of the movies I've seen. And be-be-be-be-be-beautiful women throughout, perhaps more so than any movie I can remember, to counter the action sequences works to this day...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Jace E

"Thunderball" has been the least enjoyable of the James Bond movies so far. It's not a terrible film, but it is very dated. From how James treats women to the fight scenes, much of the movie feels archaic. A large portion of this movie is filmed underwater and though it was interesting at first, they get old quick. The rest of the action in this film is possibly the worst of the franchise so far, with the slightly sped-up fight sequences. Overall, this movie just left me confused for most of the runtime. I wasn't sure who some of the characters were, nor did I know anything about their motivations. Just look at Felix for example, the man has been played by a different actor in three different films and none of them look alike. Ultimately, I left wondering when James crossed from charming to creepy and why these women still tolerate him. Also, what in the world was with that mink glove. Best Character: Domino Best Quote: "Do you mind if my friend sits this one out? She's just dead." - James Best Scene: Trapped with the sharks Best Piece of Score: "Bond Below Disco Volante"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Dawson K

A visually beautiful movie that’s too long and action not directed well. Also the creepiest James Bond.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

Full Review

Adi 1

Thunderball is far from a great bond film but the action, gadgets, locations and the screen presence of Sean Connery make it a good one-time watch film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/24

Full Review

Lucas t

Not as good as the previous installments, and not good in its own right. 6.1/10

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Terence Young

Director

Sean Connery

James Bond

Claudine Auger

Domino

Adolfo Celi

Emilio Largo

Luciana Paluzzi

Fiona Volpe

Rik Van Nutter

Felix Leiter

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

007 - You Only Live Twice

74%

69%

007 - You Only Live Twice

Watchlist

Diamonds Are Forever

64%

57%

Diamonds Are Forever

Watchlist

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

81%

64%

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Watchlist

The Man With the Golden Gun

40%

55%

The Man With the Golden Gun

Watchlist

007: Goldfinger

99%

89%

007: Goldfinger

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The 12 Best Action Movie Franchises, Ever!

Poll: Who’s Your Favorite Bond Villain?

Digital Multiplex: Classic James Bond movies, The Hunger Games and More

View more photos

Synopsis

Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo's lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo's mistress, to become a key ally.

Director: Terence Young
Producer: Kevin McClory
Screenwriter: Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Danjaq Productions, EON Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1965, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now