Scaling some of the tallest buildings in the world, flashing extremely cool gizmo, driving the hottest automobiles are some of the things that we envision when talking about spy movies. The thrill of watching an engaging spy movie goes beyond the story but usually stops at an overly attractive protagonist who can easily charm their way in on anyone’s secrets. At least that’s what we gather from all the Bond movies. Now, all spy films may not be the same but one can certainly hope for great action and a thrilling setting.

One of the reasons we all love spy movies is because it facilitates escapism. The visual treat of watching characters taking life-changing risks and decisions, planning various sophisticated schemes, unravelling secrets and disguises, among many other things, help us escape our monotonous daily lives. Ahead are some of our most favourite spy films to help you escape the mundane and enjoy the weekend.

Casino Royale

There can be no list of spy films that won’t mention any of the 007 movies. Well, this list is no different. Although there are many iconic Bond adventures to choose from, one of our most favourites is Casino Royale. The movie is about how after earning 00 status and a license to kill, the titular character Bond, James Bond (sorry for that) sets out on his first mission as 007.

While everyone has personal preferences when it comes to the Bonds, our number one is Pierce Brosnan, but a close second is Daniel Craig. And Andrew Sarris agrees, “I consider Daniel Craig to be the most effective and appealing of the six actors who have played 007, and that includes even Sean Connery.”

IMDb rating: 8.0

Director: Martin Campbell

Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench and Mads Mikkelsen, among others

Watch the trailer:

Raazi

This is one of the few Hindi movies on spy and espionage that has to be on this list, solely because of its performance. The movie is set during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. The leading lady of the film, Alia Bhatt, essays the role of an Indian spy from Kashmir who must do anything and everything to protect her ‘watan’ (country).

Said to be based on a true story, the movie soon made it to the headlines. This is what Anna MM Vetticad said about the movie in her review for Firstpost, “Raazi is an espionage venture with heart and soul tempering its gritty core. Even as it kept me on the edge of my seat for its entire 140 minutes, it broke my heart.”

IMDb rating: 7.8

Director: Meghna Gulzar

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Rajit Kapoor and Soni Razdan, among others

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Watch the trailer:

Spies in Disguise

Yes, this is an animation spy movie and it is on the list. Simply because we love animation, plus the movie has a great story skipping the part when the world's best spy is turned into a pigeon, it’s pretty good. This is what Wendy Ide has to say about the movie, “With its giddy pace and dizzying action set pieces, it's an enjoyable holiday watch for family audiences.”

IMDb rating:

Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane

Starring: Rachel Brosnahan, Jarrett Bruno, Claire Crosby and Will Smith, among others

Where to watch: Disney+ HotStar

Watch the trailer:

The Bourne Identity

The movie is about a man who is bullet-riddled and suffering from amnesia and has to elude assassins all the while attempting to regain his memory. Apart from great acting, the movie is one of the best films to escape reality. Mike Clark validates this in his review for the film, and writes, “The Bourne Identity is what summer screen escapism used to be in the decades when it was geared more to grownups.”

IMDb rating: 7.9

Director: Doug Liman

Starring: Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper and Clive Owen, among others

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play

Watch the trailer:

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Well if we have learnt anything from Bond movies, it is that the English play spy with utter grace. This movie is no different. With a bit of sass, a pinch of sarcasm and a ton of British charm, the movie is about a secret spy organisation that recruits promising kids. Meanwhile, a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Even though this is a cliché spy movie, with fancy gizmos and cool secret office, this movie takes you on a thrilling adventure too. In his review, Bilge Ebiri writes, “Kingsman is not a film for gentlemen. It's for us, the great unwashed, bloodthirsty audience. It's an immaculately engineered, laugh-out-loud appeal to our own depravity.”

IMDb rating: 7.7

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Caine, among others

Where to watch: Disney+ HotStar, YouTube, Google Play

Watch the trailer:

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Just like a Bond film, is it possible for anyone to not mention any film from the Mission Impossible franchise? The answer is no, definitely no! Stylishly paced film is about IMF shutting down as it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin. This causes Tom Cruise/Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name. While we would say it, but Peter Bradshaw already did, the movie is “Solid entertainment.”

IMDb rating: 7.4

Director: Brad Bird

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton, among others

Where to watch: YouTube, Google Play

Watch the trailer: