The James Bond franchise has long been celebrated for its exotic locales, cutting-edge gadgets, and heart-pounding action. But perhaps no tradition defines 007 better than the pre-title sequence—a mini-movie that sets the tone for the adventure ahead. In the 1970s, these opening scenes grew more daring and elaborate, pushing the boundaries of what audiences expected. From Roger Moore's debut to Sean Connery's final official outing, here's every Bond pre-title sequence from the decade, ranked.
5. 'Live and Let Die' (1973)
Roger Moore's first mission as James Bond opens with a trio of British agents being eliminated in far-flung corners of the globe: a mysterious death at the United Nations, a murder in New Orleans' French Quarter, and a voodoo ritual involving a deadly snake on the fictional island of San Monique. While the sequence efficiently sets up the plot—leading Bond to Dr. Kananga (Yaphet Kotto)—it fails to introduce Moore's 007 in action. It's a functional but forgettable start, lacking the punch of later entries.
4. 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971)
Sean Connery returns as Bond in his final official 1970s film, and the pre-title sequence wastes no time re-establishing his suave brutality. Bond is on a mission to track down Blofeld, the mastermind behind his wife's death. The scene features a memorable one-liner—"There's something I'd like to get off your chest"—as Bond uses a bikini top to strangle a woman. The action includes fistfights, a clever gadget, and a mud bath finale where Bond seemingly dispatches Blofeld. It's a solid, Connery-era opener that blends humor and violence.
3. 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (1974)
Roger Moore's second Bond film introduces the world's most expensive assassin, Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), in a stylish pre-title sequence. A thug arrives on Scaramanga's private island and is led through a bizarre fun-house filled with mirrors and secret passages. The cat-and-mouse chase culminates in a duel, with Scaramanga using trickery to win. The only appearance from Bond is a wax statue whose fingers Scaramanga shoots off. It's a clever, atmospheric scene, but it lacks the 007-driven action fans crave.
2. 'Moonraker' (1979)
Moonraker's pre-title sequence is a thrilling roller-coaster. It begins with a space shuttle being stolen mid-flight, then cuts to Bond on a plane, where a flight attendant turns out to be an enemy agent. After a scuffle, Bond is pushed out of the plane by the iconic villain Jaws (Richard Kiel). Bond free-falls without a parachute, wrestles one from the pilot, and opens it just in time to escape Jaws' teeth. The sequence blends humor, suspense, and a memorable comedic landing for Jaws. It's a high-flying start to an often-overlooked film.
1. 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977)
The Spy Who Loved Me boasts the best pre-title sequence of the 1970s—and one of the greatest in Bond history. After a British nuclear submarine vanishes, Bond is called back from a romantic rendezvous in Austria. He escapes a chalet on skis, pursued by a team of henchmen. The ski chase is set to a funky disco-rock version of the Bond theme, building to a breathtaking cliff jump. As Bond free-falls, the music cuts to silence, then erupts into the classic theme as his Union Jack parachute opens. The seamless transition into the title sequence, accompanied by Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better," is pure cinematic magic. For more on Bond's legacy, check out our ranking of Rachel Zegler Movies.
These five sequences showcase the evolution of Bond's opening gambits, from plot-driven setups to adrenaline-fueled spectacles. Whether you prefer Connery's grit or Moore's charm, the 1970s proved that nobody does it better than 007.
