Thunderball
A criminal organization has obtained two nuclear bombs and are asking for a 100 million pound ransom in the form of diamonds in seven days or they will use the weapons. The secret service sends James Bond to the Bahamas to once again save the world.
Directed by Terence Young · Adventure · Action · Thriller · 2h 10m · 1965
Trailer
Director
Terence Young
Writer
Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins, Jack Whittingham, Ian Fleming
Studio
EON Productions
Release
1965-12-11
Runtime
2h 10m
Genres
Adventure, Action, Thriller
Full Plot
James Bond continues on his fourth mission, with his aim to recover 2 stolen warheads. They've been taken by the SPECTRE organisation, and the world's held hostage as Bond heads to Nassau, Bahamas. Here, he meets Domino and is forced into a thrilling confrontation with SPECTRE agent Emil Largo on-board his boat, the Disco Volante.
Cast & Characters
James Bond
Sean Connery
Dominique 'Domino' Derval
Claudine Auger
Emilio Largo
Adolfo Celi
Fiona Volpe
Luciana Paluzzi
Felix Leiter
Rik Van Nutter
Count Lippe
Guy Doleman
Patricia Fearing
Molly Peters
Paula Caplan
Martine Beswick
Patricia Fearing: A physiotherapist at the health clinic
Molly Peters (voice dubbed by Barbara Jefford)
"M": Head of MI6
Bernard Lee
"Q": MI6's quartermaster, he supplies Bond with multi-purpose vehicles and gadgets useful for the latter's missions.
Desmond Llewelynthe Home Secretary: British Minister who briefs the "00" agents for Operation Thunderball and has doubts about Bond's efficiency
Roland Culver
Pinder: Bahaman intelligence operative who serves as Bond and Leiter's contact in Nassau
Earl Cameron
François Derval / Angelo Palazzi (credited for Palazzi): François Derval is a French Air Force pilot assigned to the NATO staff and also Domino's brother. He is killed by Angelo, who impersonates him.
Paul Stassino
Madame Boitier: purportedly the widow of Colonel Jacques Bouvar, while in reality 'she' is Bouvar in disguise
Rose Alba
Did You Know?
Did You Know that Thunderball was originally meant as the first James Bond film, causing legal disputes with Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that Sean Connery came close to being bitten by a shark while filming an underwater scene in the movie's saltwater pool?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the film's complex production required four different units and about a quarter of the film was shot underwater, showcasing its extensive action scenes?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the iconic sky hook used to rescue Bond at the end of the film was actually a real-life US military rescue system?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Thunderball holds 6.9/10 on IMDb (139K votes), 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 73% audience score.
Critics and audiences are broadly aligned on this one.
Ratings as of August 3, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedThunderball's 6.9 IMDb average and 85% Rotten Tomatoes score place it solidly mid-pack in the 60-plus-year Bond franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thunderball's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Thunderball holds a 85% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 73% audience score.
What is Thunderball's IMDb rating?+
Thunderball has a 6.9/10 rating on IMDb from 139K votes.
Is Thunderball good? What are critics saying?+
Thunderball holds 6.9/10 on IMDb (139K votes), 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 73% audience score.
How long is Thunderball?+
Thunderball has a runtime of 2h 10m.
Who directed Thunderball?+
Thunderball was directed by Terence Young.
Where can I watch Thunderball?+
Thunderball is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex, Rakuten TV, Sky Store.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to the movie "Thunderball" is overwhelmingly positive. Many reviewers praise its action sequences, beautiful locations, and the cast's performances. The film's intricate plots, more interesting female characters, and improved special effects are also highlighted as major positives. However, some critics note that it may be difficult to compare early James Bond movies to later ones due to differences in style and tone.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Sir, I'd respectfully request that you change my assignment to Nassau. Thunderball is directed by Terence Young and adapted to screenplay by Richard Maibaum and John Hopkins from a story by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham and Ian Fleming. It stars Sean Connery, Adolfo Celi, Claud…
John Chard · 7/10It can be difficult and not very useful to compare the early James Bond movies to the later ones. The female characters become more than merely ornamental and more interesting, the plots become more intricate, the villains less stereotypical, and the special effects better and be…
Peter McGinn · 10/10_**James Bond underwater adventure with the best female cast**_ After a couple atomic bombs are stolen from the RAF, agent 007 (Sean Connery) travels to Nassau, Bahamas, to clash with SPECTRE agent Emil Largo (Adolfo Celi) and his femme fatale accomplice (Luciana Paluzzi). Claudi…
Wuchak · 8/10**Thunderball goes all out, taking James Bond to new heights (and depths) with bigger action sequences, new gadgets, deadly villains, and beautiful locations. Thunderball is peak 60s Bond!** Thunderball is my favorite of Sean Connery’s James Bond films. How could it not be? With…
The Movie Mob · 8/10This is certainly the last of the classic 007 films. This is the last time we see 007 as the cold hearted assassin that he is. The last time we see a Bond that, the only reason he's really a good guy is because of what side he is on and not what he is. In later films they call hi…
GenerationofSwine · 10/10This is the hay day of Bond. We get it all. Stunning women, great gadgets, non stop action, wit, and the exotic scenery that make 007 films so iconic. We also get the two greatest evil henchmen deaths in 007 film History, and may in film History. The boardroom assassination stick…
drystyx · 9/10Whilst he isn't quite as megalomaniac as "Auric Goldfinger"; Adolfo Celi is great here as "Largo" - the Spectre agent charged with their most ambitious mission yet. A great deal of meticulous planning has gone into their scheme to hijack an RAF plane carrying nuclear missiles tha…
CinemaSerf · 7/10Thunderball is definitely one of the worst Bond films, after the 1st act nothing exciting happens and it is rather boring.
tmdb93836550 · 5/10
From the trailer's comments
Rest in peace Sean Connery and thanks for all this good moments.
@justiciaideal46 · 257 likesThunderball is probably my favorite flick of the whole Connery Bond series. Lots of great action in this one. RIP Sean Connery 😥❤
@laurah6845 · 68 likesOne of the greatest Bond movies in history. R.I.P. Claudine Auger.
@universalexports777 · 80 likesMan trailers back then were pretty great
@MurrayEnders · 187 likesRest in Peace Claudine Auger 🥀
@RomelioSanz · 97 likesWatched 'From Russia with Love' in 1964. Since then, life has never been dull. Thanks Sean. RIP
@videofanclip · 46 likesI was 11 years old in 1965 when a friend took me to see Thunderball at the movies. First time seeing a Bond movie. This movie was a blast. I've never seen anything like it before then.
@aerostock1 · 92 likesRip Sean Connery and all the actors and actresses of this film!
@willampatmon5885 · 80 likes
