14 Spy Thrillers You Should Watch Before Seeing 'Beirut'
Like your international thrillers to have lots of serious-faced guys wearing reflective sunglasses, and staring seriously at explosions while spouting cool dialogue? Then "Beirut" has got you covered. Before Jon Hamm's new thriller hits theaters, check out these other must-sees from the spy thriller genre.
'North by Northwest' (1959)
It's never a bad idea to kick off a spy movie marathon with a classic Alfred Hitchcock film. Hitchcock further cemented his status as the master of suspense in this thriller about a humble ad man (Cary Grant), who finds himself on the run after being mistaken for a government agent.
'From Russia With Love' (1962)
You could toss pretty much any James Bond movie onto this list and have a good time, (except for you, "Die Another Day"). However, it makes sense to prep for "Red Sparrow" by watching a film about about Agent 007 going up against some fiendish Russian spies. "From Russia With Love" marked Sean Connery's second stint as Bond, and many would argue it's his best.
'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold' (1965)
Novelist (and former spymaster himself) John Le Carre is widely regarded as the master of the spy novel, and his books have made for some truly great films over the years. This early adaptation stars Richard Burton as a soon-to-be-retired British spy forced to undertake one last, dangerous assignment --infiltrating the shadowy underworld of East Germany in order to rescue his captured colleagues.
'True Lies' (1994)
If you crave subtlety and complex plots full of moves and countermoves, "True Lies" may not be the movie for you. But if you like your spy movies crammed full of action, sex appeal and great one-liners, then dive right in. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a seemingly ordinary family man who's actually an elite agent trying to track down some stolen nukes.
'Mission: Impossible' (1996)
Tom Cruise was at the height of his superstardom when he helped turn the classic TV series into a blockbuster Hollywood franchise. There's never a dull moment in this twisty thriller, as Cruise's Agent Ethan Hunt goes on the run to clear his name. And it's worth plowing through the entire series, as Cruise's stunts only get bigger and more impossible-r with each sequel.
'Spy Game' (2001)
Robert Redford and Brad Pitt make for a pretty appealing pair, regardless of genre or story. "Spy Game" features Redford in that familiar spy movie role as an aging, almost-retired CIA agent charged with freeing his young protege (Pitt) from imprisonment at the hands of the Chinese government.
The 'Bourne' Trilogy (2002 - 2016)
If you like your spy movies to feature attractive young secret agents jaunting across picturesque European cities, while they unravel dark conspiracies and kick all sorts of butt along the way, then the "Bourne" movies are for you. The most recent sequel and the aborted "The Bourne Legacy" have not exactly been up to snuff, but the original trilogy still holds up as some of the best the spy genre has to offer.
'Munich' (2005)
While plenty of spy movies are set against the backdrop of the Cold War, there's something to be said for a thriller that actually chronicles real events. "Munich" showcases director Steven Spielberg at his darkest, chronicling the struggles of a Mossad agent (played by Eric Bana) as he spearheads Operation Wrath of God in the wake of the 1972 Summer Olympic attacks and begins to doubt the morality of his actions.
'Casino Royale' (2006)
The James Bond franchise was in need of a major overhaul following 2002's "Die Another Day." Fortunately, that's just what it got with this 2006 reboot. "Casino Royale" gave us a brand new Bond even as it adapted one of the all-time classic Bond novels. Never has a game of poker carried this much suspense on the big screen.
'Hanna' (2011)
If you watch any one film in preparation for "Red Sparrow," it should be "Hanna." Saoirse Ronan stars here as a teenager raised in isolation by her adoptive father (Eric Bana) and trained to be the ultimate killer/spy. Those skills come in handy when young Hanna finds herself on the run from a ruthless government agent (Cate Blanchett) determined to wipe the past clean.
'Haywire' (2011)
It pretty much goes without saying that director Steven Soderbergh is a natural fit for the spy genre. Soderbergh assembled a strong cast for this underrated 2011 action thriller, but what really sets this one apart is the decision to cast MMA fighter Gina Carano in the lead role as a black ops agent swept up into a vast conspiracy. Needless to say, there's a lot you can do with a star who can combine copious fighting experience with actual acting ability.
'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' (2011)
Perhaps the most iconic John le Carre novel of all time, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" got the lavish big screen adaptation it deserved in 2011. And who better to take over the mantle of esteemed spymaster George Smiley than Gary Oldman? Oldman led a generally impressive cast in this tale of MI:6 operatives struggling to uncover a mole within their own ranks.
'Skyfall' (2012)
What spy movie marathon would be complete without "Skyfall," arguably the best of the modern Bond films? This sequel showcases Daniel Craig at his best, playing a Bond who's both dangerous and vulnerable -- a 007 confronting the idea that he may simply be too old to compete in an increasingly dangerous world.
'Atomic Blonde' (2017)
Charlize Theron has quickly developed into one of Hollywood's coolest action heroes in recent years. "Atomic Blonde" essentially gave viewers a female driven "John Wick," complete with stylish, colorful visuals -- and a heroine who can dish out as much pain as she receives.
