Ever since his film debut in 1992’s The Power of One, Daniel Craig has delighted audiences with his performances in a range of films. Most notably, he portrayed suave and dangerous spy James Bond, first in Casino Royale and up to his bold send-off in 2021’s smash hit No Time To Die. More than Bond, however, he has played a range of roles, some a bit more different and out there compared to Mr. Bond, but still impressive all the same.As new generations are introduced to the James Bond films, there’s growing interest in what Craig will do next. Now seems like the perfect time to look back at his career and the versatility he has demonstrated as an actor. Here are Daniel Craig's best movies that aren't James Bond.
6 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Craig is no stranger to supporting roles, as he spent years building up his career and his notoriety to get to where he is today. In 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, he plays Alex West, an adventurer hired by Powell to help find the Triangle. As the confident and wise cracking adventurer, Craig supports Angelina Jolie and keeps the film moving. He turns the role into a three-dimensional character, rather than the wacky and forgettable supporting character the role could have been in any other hands. Craig’s natural charisma with Jolie enhances a character that could feel pointless otherwise. From the fraught scenes in which his character is distrusted to the adrenaline filled race to the sun, Craig makes this role unforgettable.
5 Logan Lucky
In a film starring multiple huge names such as Channing Tatum and Adam Driver, Craig stands out here as his role showcases an entirely unique aspect of his acting. The 2017 heist-comedy Logan Lucky has a simple enough premise: the Logan family is trying to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway without getting caught. Craig shines as Joe Bang, a criminal with extensive safe-cracking knowledge, and later won Best Comedic Actor for his performance. Logan Lucky is an ensemble film, with Craig being just one of many actors, but he dominates nearly every scene he appears in.
While Craig is widely celebrated for his stoic hero type roles, he’s a fantastic comedic actor, and was clearly having fun with the role. His portrayal of the hardened criminal who could definitely be described as eccentric shows his range as an actor, and distinguishes him from just being James Bond. While the film was a commercial success, it’s likely not the first role many associate with Craig, but it’s truly one of his best roles, solidifying him as a great comedic actor.
4 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Over the past 20 years, Craig has made a name for himself in the action/thriller genre. He has become the first choice for grizzled characters with potentially questionable morals, and one role that contributed to this persona was his performance as Mikael Blomkvist in 2011’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Based on the 2005 novel by Stieg Larsson, it tells the story of Mikael trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a girl from a wealthy family. Craig is perfect in this role as an intense and determined detective with a tendency to go too far to find the truth. Many of the most gripping scenes from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo feature Craig’s character, including the infamous torture scene and the shots and stitches scene, in which Craig is clearly no Bond.
Craig’s take of Mikael is one of his most intense, showcasing both the suave and intelligent detective roles he’s known for and also his versatility. In a career stacked to the brim with memorable action roles, Craig’s performance in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is among his deepest and subtle to date.
3 Cowboys & Aliens
By the time 2011’s Cowboys & Aliens was released, Craig was already well known as Bond. His performance as Jake Lonergan, the amnesiac outlaw at the center of the plot, could have been underwhelming due to the hype surrounding him at the time. But in this film, Craig delivers an exceptional performance, showcasing his depth as an actor. In a genre that was previously completely unfamiliar to Craig (science fiction/western) he delivers a solid performance that rivals the greats of the genre, such as Harrison Ford himself who also stars in the film. Cowboys & Aliens was generally unfavorably received; however, Craig’s performance has been praised by die-hard fans and critics alike since its release.
2 Layer Cake
Often described as the role that got Daniel Craig Bond, his portrayal of the unnamed protagonist of the 2004 British crime drama Layer Cake is widely regarded as one of the highlights of Craig’s extensive career. This role represents the best of Daniel Craig. Sensitivity mingling with the reality of the drug underworld makes for a captivating performance that launched Craig’s career to lofty new heights. Adapted from J. J. Connolly’s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of the unnamed protagonist tiring of the drug business and wanting to leave. With the performance he gives, it’s no surprise that Craig went on to become the star everyone recognizes him as today.
1 Knives Out
This list truly would be incomplete without mentioning Craig’s fantastic performance in the 2019 mystery film, Knives Out. As Benoit Blanc, the private detective investigating the death of Harlan Thrombey, portrayed by the legendary Christopher Plummer. In this role, Craig is funny with an edge of harshness surrounding his character. As the film relies on the tropes of the mystery genre, the character is not surprising, but Craig still adds something new to the detective role. In a cast as large as the one featured in Knives Out, it can be difficult to stand out but, as usual, Craig manages this with flair. Craig will reprise his role in the sequel, Knives Out 2.