Parodying numerous British spy films, the Austin Powers saga famously brought mystery, comedy, sex appeal and a surfeit of provocative characters. The popular movies, centered around the jittery titular character, Austin Powers, featured memorable themes, from the personification of free love to the inclusion of ‘60s spy culture. Produced and written by Mike Myers, all three movies have solidified a positive reputation throughout the years. Infusing bouts of ostentatious humor, the films provided a feel-good nostalgia that reminded viewers that laughter is truly the best medicine.
Along with crafting the triology's creation, Myers also famously played both the protagonist and antagonist. Austin Powers is a time-traveling, womanizing British spy that dedicates his professional life to foiling terrorists’ plans; meanwhile, his sworn arch-nemsis Dr. Evil is eventually revealed to be closer in Austin's life than initially anticipated. Several key elements also establish the popularity and credibility of the successful trilogy, including the character of Mini-Me, Dr. Evil's genetically-created sidekick, as well as a number of female counterparts for Austin himself.
The first film of the series, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, grossed over $67 million worldwide, while capturing a faithful audience. Today, fans are still pining for a fourth installment to the groovy franchise, though an official announcement has yet to come to fruition. Here's our ranking of the ever-popular Austin Powers movies.
3 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
The first installment in the trilogy, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery introduced the titular character of the shagadelic franchise as a British super-spy who used "mojo" to enlist personal relationships with women and professionalism when seeking out bad guys. Although the movie debuted to moderate success at the box office, it ultimately introduced a collection of Austin's most memorable and funniest catchphrases, including "Oh, behave!" and "Groovy, baby!" Moreover, Elizabeth Hurley's performance as Vanessa Kensington and Seth Green's scene-stealing turn as Dr. Evil's rebellious son Scott were some of the movie's biggest draws.
Ultimately, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery had yet to fully find its footing when it came to balancing the overall comedic tone. It's a cheerfully charming movie, but its successors garnered better reception, critically and commercially.
2 Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
By the time the third installment joined the series, the trilogy had already cemented its legacy, becoming a household name in the realm of cinematic comedy. The cast of Austin Powers in Goldmember included Michael Caine as Austin's father and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Foxxy Cleopatra. On top of that, the movie boasted a wide variety of notable Hollywood stars, including memorable cameos from Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, who played Austin in a parodied film within the film, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danny DeVito, to name a few.
In Austin Powers in Goldmember, Myers showed off his concrete acting prowess as three central characters within the film --- Austin Powers, Dr. Evil and Goldmember, the titular character based on James Bond's Goldfinger villain. Several unexpected twists are structured in the movie, including the revelation that Dr. Evil is actually Austin's half-brother, causing a new look on the situation by both parties. The overall success of the first two films allowed Goldmember to provide a suitable conclusion, and while many would not list the entertaining movie at the top of their list, its healthy hand of laughs makes it far from last.
1 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Serving as both the most critically pleasing and highest box-office success of the series, grossing $321 million, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me helped the retro franchise to find its desired footing. The film's plot once again followed the saga between Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, with the latter capturing Austin's mojo in an effort to minimize his sexual appeal to women, and his overall confidence. In part, Dr. Evil attempted to force Austin out of the picture so that he could launch a "laser" missile to destroy Washington, DC.
Heather Graham took on the role of Felicity Shagwell, replacing Austin's former love interest, Vanessa, who actually turned out to be a secret fembot. The movie marked the admired returns of Dr. Evil's son, Scott, as well as Dr. Evil's genetically-created sidekick, Mini-Me, played by the memorable Verne Troyer. Furthermore, it included the introduction of Myers portraying Fat Bastard, who became a fan-favorite character in the series.
Unlike the first film, the second beautifully blended authentic tender moments with an abundance of humor. Myers perfectly executed Austin Powers' unorthodox appeal, as well as the movie's humorous parodies of notable British features. Austin's groovy gimmick was still heavily apparent in the first film, though the second tactfully brought it to life. Indeed, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me boasted a stronger arsenal of dirty jokes and naughty one-liners, which undoubtedly connected with a much larger audience. By the time of the sequel's release, fans were already highly fixated on the trilogy's plot, both sub and major, and anxiously awaited to see what the British super-spy would do next.