Top 20 Best James Bond Gadgets

“Live and Let Die” (1973) Water-resistant watches are a must if you’re a jet-setting spy like James Bond, and there are few cooler (or more useful) than the Rolex Submariner from “Live and Let Die.” Sir Roger Moore’s first outing as 007 was highly influenced by the blaxploitation cinema of hits like “Coffy” or “Shaft,” but that didn’t mean “Live and Let Die” was going to abandon Bond’s trusty arsenal of gadgets. This watch not only magnetically deflected bullets shot at Bond, but the bezel setting was also modified to spin like a small buzzsaw, enabling James to cut through even the tightest rope.

“The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974) Part of the fun of watching old Bond films is enjoying the light-hearted nature of the gadgetry on display, regardless of whether or not the physics actually makes any sense. Case in point? The flying car featured in “The Man with the Golden Gun” from 1974. This AMC Matador belongs to Bond villain Scaramanga, the titular “Man with the Golden Gun,” only it’s been modified with a few… unique attachments. Scaramanga and his henchman Tattoo drive off with a jet engine, wings, and tail on top of their car as they make their escape from Bond and Sheriff J.W. Pepper. It honestly looks…well, silly, but we suspend all disbelief and just go along for the ride with this one!

“Live and Let Die” (1973) Bond films are often defined or judged by a number of parameters, whether they be musical themes, villains, love interests, or fancy cars. Let’s not forget one other important aspect of the series: henchmen! Tee Hee was a memorable secondary villain from “Live and Let Die,” a supporting character to the movie’s main villain, Kananga. He’s a formidable source of muscle, thanks primarily to one devastating gadget: his prosthetic arm. Tee Hee decided to turn lemons into lemonade after losing his arm in the mouth of a crocodile. How you may ask? Why, adding a metal arm with a crushing claw at the end, of course! It goes a long way in making Bond miserable until 007 finally gets the better of Tee Hee.

“You Only Live Twice” (1967) Sometimes, the most effective means of assassination involves keeping your distance. Japanese SIS agent Aki, unfortunately, learns this lesson the hard way, as she takes poison meant for Bond while the pair are sleeping. The lethal dose comes from a SPECTRE agent who’s delivering the poison via a string down to Bond and Aki’s bed. Just when it looks as if the attempt on Bond’s life is going to be successful, the pair switch places in their sleep, and Aki is assassinated. Screenwriter Roald Dahl was reportedly inspired to include this deadly gadget in the script after watching a similar one being used in the 1962 film “Shinobi no Mono.” We’re glad he did, as this scene is one of the most memorable from the early days of Bond.

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) Fans are often divided as to whether or not George Lazenby was a good fit for James Bond, but many agree that his sole cinematic outing as the secret agent, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” is one heck of a movie. This gadget used by Lazenby is also a fun little bit of spy-tech, a safecracker designed to break through combination locks that’s also equipped with a little something extra: a miniature photocopier for sensitive documents. It may not be flashy, deadly, or over-the-top, but this gadget is useful and it keeps Bond grounded with some real spy work.

#15: Electrocution Chair

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“Thunderball” (1965) It’s easy to forget how spot-on the first “Austin Powers” film was in terms of its loving parody of classic Bond gimmicks. Remember the Dr. Evil trap door gags? This was a direct reference to one of the most beloved Bond flicks of all time, 1965’s “Thunderball.” Here, it’s SPECTRE head Ernst Stavro Blofeld who gets the ball rolling, as he uses an electrocution chair to eliminate an associate who’s failed the organization. The chair then drops, the man is gone and the chair is now empty… waiting for its next victim.

“From Russia with Love” (1963) Man… you just gotta love a good dagger shoe. Nobody expects it, they’re deadly as hell, and it’s virtually impossible NOT to look cool while using a pair. Former SMERSH leader and number three SPECTRE agent Rosa Klebb knows this all too well, as the dagger shoe is her weapon of choice. It doesn’t matter whether or not the blade has been poisoned, Klebb is deadly and almost always accurate when she uses these, although the cinematic adaptation of “From Russia with Love” sees the agent’s attempt on Bond’s life thwarted, and she’s fatally shot by Tatiana Romanova.

“Goldfinger” (1964) It could be argued that Bond villains get all of the coolest gadgets, and you would definitely be arguing this point if you were discussing Oddjob from 1964’s “Goldfinger.” That’s because his weapon of choice is arguably one the most iconic in the entire series, a deadly bowler hat with a sharp metal ring lurking within the brim. It slices, dices, and serves Oddjob well… that is, until Bond gets the better of him in one of the film’s most memorable scenes. No, it isn’t the sharpness of the blade that serves up Oddjob’s demise, but rather its metallic nature, as Bond electrocutes the henchman while he’s trying to retrieve his weapon from being stuck in between a pair of bars.

#12: Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish

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“Die Another Day” (2002) We’ve been firmly entrenched within classic Bond thus far in our list, so how about a comparatively more recent example from 2002’s “Die Another Day?” Although the film is likely not going to win any awards from fans as one of the series’ best, “Die Another Day” does possess a very memorable vehicular gadget in the form of an… invisible car? That’s right, Bond drives an Aston Martin Vanquish in the film, modified with some substantial upgrades in the form of a cloaking device that uses mirrors and screens to turn it “invisible.” It’s probably one of the coolest moments in this otherwise divisive Bond film.

“License to Kill” (1989) Many Bond fans welcomed the fresh blood when Timothy Dalton took over the role of 007 for 1987’s “The Living Daylights.” Dalton brought back a sense of urgency, seriousness, and even violence for a character that was becoming increasingly parodic. “License to Kill” was Dalton’s swansong as Bond, but he went out with a literal bang, thanks to this combination combustible. A tiny plastic explosive is disguised within an unassuming tube of Dentonite toothpaste, while the detonator is similarly hidden as a pack of Lark cigarettes. Bond uses both when attempting to assassinate the vicious and sadistic drug lord Franz Sanchez. Although he doesn’t succeed at this point, don’t worry: Sanchez gets his in spectacular and poetic fashion at the film’s climax.

“Octopussy” (1983) Bond fans were firmly entrenched within a humorous, spy-parody mode by the time 1983’s “Octopussy” arrived, which perhaps helps explain the ludicrousness of our next pick. The Crocodile Vessel was a submersible craft designed to look… well, like a crocodile. This was to help Bond “blend in” a bit as he attempts to infiltrate Octopussy’s lair, sneaking in under the cover of darkness. Was this gadget more than a bit silly? Yes, yes it was, but it’s all in good fun, and hey-at least it was effective, right? Sometimes that’s all that really matters.

“Moonraker” (1979) 1979’s “Moonraker” was clearly inspired by the worldwide phenomenon that was “Star Wars,” putting 007 out in space and inserting as many lasers into the plot as possible. That doesn’t mean that a good old-fashioned Dart Gun was going out of style, however. In fact, this particular model came in handy for Bond at a very crucial moment. The Dart Gun from “Moonraker” is mounted at the wrist, and doesn’t need a trigger to fire its payload of poisonous or piercing darts. Instead, the tiny weapon uses the wearer’s nerve impulses to fire, which assists Bond immensely as he uses this to incapacitate Hugo Drax at the film’s climax.

#8: Submarine Lotus Esprit [aka “Wet Nellie”]

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“The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977) The next gadget on our list is the first to possess a nickname of “Nellie,” but-spoiler alert!-it won’t be the last. “Wet Nellie” was featured in 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me,” perhaps one of the best Roger Moore Bond outings, as a tactical Submarine Lotus Esprit. This custom Lotus Esprit S1 was modified to transform into an underwater submersible, armed to the teeth with tons of gadgets. You want missiles? We got missiles, both underwater and surface-to-air. You want incapacitating extras like smoke screens, cement, and mines? Done! With “Wet Nellie,” Bond was never out of options for getting the job done.

“Diamonds Are Forever” (1971) There’s nothing super elaborate or awe-inspiring about our next pick, but rather a subtle little piece of spy-tech that makes all the difference in 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever.” The film was Sean Connery’s swansong to the official EON canon of Bond films, although the actor would reprise the role in the “unofficial” entry titled “Never Say Never Again.” Here, Bond is pretending to be the hired gun Peter Franks while on his way to meet a contact, fellow smuggler Tiffany Case. 007 uses false fingerprints to fool Tiffany’s biometric scanner, and Case herself, into believing the ruse, although by the end of the film, Tiffany has switched sides and assists Bond in defeating her former boss, Blofeld.

“You Only Live Twice” (1967) It’s time for the next Nellie on our list, a Wallis WA-116 portable gyrocopter that Bond uses in the 1967 film “You Only Live Twice.” The autogyro is affectionately known as “Little Nellie,” after the iconic British music hall performer Nellie Wallace. “Little Nellie” is similar to her underwater counterpart “Wet Nellie” in the fact that she’s basically an armada in the sky. Want proof? Well, the teeny-tiny duffel bag that contains the autogyro features, once assembled: machine guns, mines, missiles, and even rocket launchers, for cryin’ out loud! It’s spy-level overkill in the best possible way.

“Goldfinger” (1964) 1964’s “Goldfinger” is arguably where the “James Bond” cinematic franchise cohesively came together as a brand, differentiating itself as a leader amongst other spy pictures. From the music and clothing to gadgetry and action, “Goldfinger” is a favorite among many fans… but that doesn’t mean the movie was above being, let’s say a little goofy. Case in point? This handy, but honestly ridiculous gadget that’s just a wetsuit with a snorkel on top in the shape of a seagull. We know it makes for a great disguise for when you’re lurking about underwater, but we can’t help but laugh when we see it every time.

#4: The Golden Gun

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“The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974) One need only listen to the theme song to 1974’s “The Man with the Golden Gun” to take away the gist of what makes Bond villain Scaramanga so dangerous. The lyrics, written by Don Black and sung by Scottish singer Lulu, speak of the titular man charging a million for each shot of his powerful weapon. It’s an otherwise unassuming pistol that’s assembled using a pen, cigarette lighter, case, and cuff link for a trigger. It may not seem all that impressive, especially considering The Golden Gun only contains one bullet, but one is all Scaramanga needs to get the job done. After all, “no hitman can match” this Bond villain’s million-dollar skill.

#3: Anti-Shark Gun

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“Live and Let Die” (1973) You could be forgiven in comparing this strange gadget to something Adam West’s Batman might carry in his utility belt: Bat Spray, anyone? However, the Anti-Shark Gun comes into a play at a critical moment for 007 at the climax of “Live and Let Die.” The gun itself contains pressurized pellets that use compressed air within their targets, causing a deadly explosion. Bond uses one of these pellets to dispose of Kananga by making him swallow one, after which the Bond villain is seen shooting up out of the water and exploding in an almost-comical fashion. It’s perhaps the most memorable death of a Bond villain ever!

“From Russia with Love” (1963) Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics. “From Russia with Love” may be one of the most underrated Bond films, perhaps due to its placement between the iconic “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger” entries. As such, it’s still very much rooted in classic spy cinema, and this is reflected in this handy gadget, the Trick Briefcase. It’s a piece of equipment that’s actually standard issue for all 00 agents, with Bond’s containing the same gear other MI6 operatives possess in the field. The case contains weapons, of course, such as an infrared AR-7 rifle, but it also has some tricks up its proverbial sleeve, including a spring-loaded knife and blinding teargas that Bond uses to dispense with SMERSH/SPECTRE agent Red Grant during the film’s final act.

“Goldfinger” (1964) James Bond has driven many iconic cars over the years, but there are few as iconic as the Aston Martin DB5 from “Goldfinger.” This 1964 entry is usually seen by fans as one of the series’ best, with this car also serving as a highlight for 007 gear heads. It’s simply the coolest Bond car ever, featuring bulletproof screens, an ejector seat, Browning machine gun, tire slashers, and more… all the while possessing a sleek appearance. Did we mention one of the promotional cars used for “Thunderball” sold for nearly six and a half million dollars at auction in August of 2019? Although we’d venture to say this thing is priceless, that’s a pretty fair amount for this piece of iconic spy cinema.