20 Best Spy Movies On Netflix UK for Your Inner James Bond

How can we forget the spy movies genre when it comes to the best titles available for streaming on Netflix UK? Spy movies have a unique level of intrigue.

Dashing agents stride into high-stakes situations, speed through exotic locales, and form sensual partnerships, bringing fans along the ride.

Eye-popping gadgetry, heart-pounding action scenes, and mind-bending surprises are all predictable, but they’re nonetheless entertaining. Spies can be found in every shadow in a secret-filled world. 

Spies have become a mainstay in modern society and movies, whether working for governments or operating as solo spies with their own positive or destructive goals.

There are still many best spy movies on Netflix UK accessible for you, but if you’re searching for sound choices, especially in the espionage genre, look no further than our list, which has some of the greatest spy films now streaming on Netflix UK.

Read on to discover the 20 best Spy movies currently on Netflix UK!

Best Spy Movies On Netflix UK in 2022

1. Legacy of Lies (2020)

Legacy of Lies (2020)

IMDB Rating: 5.0/10

Director: Adrian Bol

Writers: Adrian Bol

Cast: Yuliia Sobol, Scott Adkins, Martin McDougall

Runtime: 1h 41m

Adkins takes a break from his creative connection with filmmaker Jesse V Johnson in Legacy of Lies. However, they’ve collaborated on some great action pictures as a team, which carries a sense of security.

With writer/director Adrian Bol at the helm, Legacy of Lies has an aura of mystery. Adkins portrays an ex-MI6 agent who is plagued by the loss of his wife after a botched assignment. In the present, he is a single father with a bright 12-year-old daughter.

He takes his daughter to his illegal MMA fights, ignoring her tactical advice on how to win. This might not be on the top of the list of best spy movies on Netflix UK, but it is a complete entertainment package for you to watch.

2. Official Secrets (2019)

Official Secrets (2019)

IMDB Rating: 7.3/10

Director: Gavin Hood 

Writers: Gavin Hood

Cast: Rhys Ifans, Matt Smith, Ralph Fiennes

Runtime: 1h 51m

Official Secrets is a 21st-century morality tale about British intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun, who revealed a top-secret NSA paper detailing a combined US-UK unlawful espionage operation targeting members of the UN Security Council in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Katharine was arrested and accused of violating the Official Secrets Act as Iraq slid into turmoil. Martin was also facing accusations.

Their court challenges revealed that top government officials in London and Washington distorted intelligence to promote an unlawful war.

3. Total Recall (2012)

Total Recall (2012) - Best Spy Movies to Watch on Netflix

IMDB Rating: 6.2/10

Director: Len Wiseman

Writers: Kurt Wimmer

Cast: Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy, Colin Farrell

Runtime: 1h 58m

Douglas Quaid, a disgruntled assembly-line worker, contacts the memory-implant corporation Recall Inc. to get rid of a terrible recurrent nightmare involving his secret-agent character and a beautiful unidentified lady.

Unfortunately, instead of acquiring the perfect virtual holiday experience, the method fails to work, and Douglas gets himself caught up in a well-planned plot and on the run from the cops. Someone now wants him dead, and the bullets begin to fly.

But how can you know what’s genuine and what’s not? Will Douglas ever figure out what his weird visions signify and who the scary brunette in his nightmares is?

4. Wasp Network (2019)

Wasp Network (2019) - Spy Movies Netflix

IMDB Rating: 5.9/10

Director: Olivier Assayas

Writers: Olivier Assayas

Cast: Edgar Ramírez, Ana de Armas, Penélope Cruz, Chris Hemsworth

Runtime: 2h 3m

The early 1990s in Havana. René González, a Cuban pilot, stole a jet and departed the country, abandoning his wife and children.

In Miami, he begins a new life. Other Cuban defectors soon followed, forming a spy ring. Their objective is to penetrate violent anti-Castro organizations that are behind the island’s terror acts. They even deliver fliers across Cuban airspace.

Gerardo Hernández, also known as Manuel Viramontez, is the director of la Red Avispa, or the “Wasp Network,” a Cuban secret organisation. René refuses to comply, despite the FBI’s offer to lessen his sentence in return for information.

5. Smoke & Mirrors (2016)

Smoke & Mirrors (2016)

IMDB Rating: 6.9/10

Director: Alberto Rodríguez

Writers: Alberto Rodríguez

Cast: Eduard Fernández, Jimmy Shaw, Jose Coronado

Runtime: 2h 2m

A former Spanish government secret agent, Francisco Paisa, is forced to flee after being engaged in an extortion case. Unfortunately, his life is wrecked when he returns.

The former Civil Guard director general and his wife then offer Paisa a large prize if he can save 1,500 million pesetas in stolen state funds.

Paesa seizes the opportunity to rebuild his life and exact vengeance on the government, enlisting the support of his buddy Jesus Camoes.

6. Clear and Present Danger (1994)

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

IMDB Rating: 6.9/10

Director: Phillip Noyce

Writers: Tom Clancy

Cast: Willem Dafoe, Henry Czerny, Harrison Ford

Runtime: 2h 21m

Jack Ryan is back, and the bad guys this time come from within his administration. Ryan is named acting CIA Director General of Intelligence when Admiral James Greer is diagnosed with cancer.

One of the president’s closest friends and his family are assassinated in their sleep by what appear to be drug gangs almost as soon as he takes office.

Captain Clark walks into the room when another narcos break-in and kills the top narcos, and a sharpshooter saves Ryan from afar.

They are on their way to release the two inmates who are in horrible shape. Despite several obstacles, they can escape in the helicopter. Ryan accused Trump of being a liar.

7. Operation Finale (2018)

Operation Finale (2018) - Best Spy Movies to Watch on Netflix

IMDB Rating: 6.6/10

Director: Chris Weitz

Writers: Matthew Orton 

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Lior Raz, Michael Aronov 

Runtime: 2h 2m

In Argentina, the story of how a group of Israeli secret operatives apprehended legendary SS member Adolf Eichmann – the man who orchestrated the “Final Solution” – is told in director Chris Weitz’s historical drama.

Oscar Isaac portrays Peter Malkin, a famous Mossad spy, while Ben Kingsley portrays his extremely manipulative arch-nemesis.

Malkin and his men tracked Eichmann in Buenos Aires and caught him, bringing him to Israel for a historic 8-month trial. Fuldner uses anti-Semitic abuse, citing the Hitlergrüsse, which causes Sylvia to become visibly upset and leave.

8. Red Notice (2021)

Red-Notice

IMDB Rating: 6.4/10

Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Writers: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot

Runtime: 1h 57m

In the world of international crime, an Interpol agent attempts to hunt down and capture the world’s most wanted and smart art thief.

During this game of hiding and seek, they both become partners in crime to catch an illusory crook which they, later on, find out is always one step ahead of them.

9. The Coldest Game (2019)

The Coldest Game (2019) - Best Spy Movies Netflix

IMDB Rating: 6.2/10

Director: Lukasz Kosmi cki

Writers: Lukasz Kosmicki, Marce, Sawicki

Cast: Bill Pullman, Lotte Verbeek, James Bloor

Runtime: 1h 42m

The Coldest Game is a Polish spy film released in English in 2019. It stars Bill Pullman as Joshua Mansky, an alcoholic former chess champion who becomes embroiled in a Cold War showdown between nuclear superpowers.

It is directed by Lukasz Komicki and stars Bill Pullman as Joshua Mansky. Piotr Woniak-Starak, who died in an apparent boating accident shortly before the premiere, created this spy thriller.

What could go wrong in a film that combines chess and spy games between vested parties? It’s the best spy movie on Netflix UK right now!

10. The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019)

The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019) - Spy Movies Netflix

IMDB Rating: 6.6/10

Director: Gideon Raff

Writer: Gideon Raff

Cast: Mbulelo Grootboom, Sizo Mahlangu, Michael Kenneth Williams

Runtime: 2h 9m

Hollywood has a long history of adapting true heroic stories into suspenseful dramas. The finest of them take terrifying stories of danger and make them relatable to viewers in theaters or, increasingly, on their couches.

The true story of a group of Mossad agents who rescued hundreds of Jewish-Ethiopian immigrants through Sudan and then back to Israel in the early 1980s is told in The Red Sea Diving Resort. 

11. Romeo Akbar Walter (2019)

Romeo Akbar Walter

IMDB Rating: 6.7/10

Director: Robbie Grewal  

Writers: Ishraq Shah, Robbie Grewal, Shreyansh

Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff

Runtime: 2h 21m

Robbie Grewal’s Romeo Akbar Walter is a Bollywood action drama directed by him. John Abraham and Mouni Roy play key roles in the film.

John plays a RAW agent dispatched to Pakistan for a mission “that could change the course of history for India” in the film Romeo Akbar Walter. RAW is based on true events and follows a guy who sacrifices his identity to protect his country from all ills and foes.

The spy movie on Netflix is a foreign language, so make sure to turn on your subtitles!

12. Body of Lies (2008)

Body of Lies

IMDB Rating: 7.0/10

Director: Ridley Scott

Writers: William Monahan, David Ignatius

Cast: Russel Crowe, Mark Strong, Leonardo DiCaprio

Runtime: 2h 8m

Roger Ferris is the best guy on the ground for US intelligence in situations where human life is worthless compared to the information it can provide.

Ferris’ next breath often hinges on the voice on the other end of a secure phone line—CIA veteran Ed Hoffman—during operations that take him throughout the world.

Hoffman is on the trail of an emerging terrorist commander who has coordinated a bombing campaign while dodging the world’s most advanced intelligence network while strategizing from a laptop in the suburbs.

This spy movie is a nail-biting thriller!

13. True Memoir of an International Assassin (2016)

True Memoir of an International Assassin

IMDB Rating: 1h 38m

Director: Jeff Wadlow

Writers: Jeff Morris, Jeff Wadlow

Cast: Kevin James, Kim Coates, Maurice Compte

Runtime: 5.9/10

James plays Sam Larson, a budding author whose first book, Memoirs Of An International Assassin, is mislabeled as nonfiction by a zealous publicist. Sales of Sam’s books soar, drawing much attention to him.

Despite the fact that he makes it as far as a live Yahoo interview with Katie Couric before being revealed, some fans still assume Sam is the character Mason Carter, commonly known as “The Ghost.” This Netflix movie can be seen with the entire family!

14. Munich: Edge of War (2021)

Munich Edge of War

IMDB Rating: 6.9/10

Director: Christian Schewochow

Writer: Ben Power

Cast: George MacKay, Jeremy Irons, Jannis Niewöhner

Runtime: 2h 10m

Munich: The Edge of War is a historical drama about a frightened England’s efforts to do anything about the looming Nazi threat without igniting full-scale war.

The film depicts the tense days when Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons) could hear the drumbeat of war but sought peace on paper by convening a meeting with Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) in Munich to see if an agreement could be reached to avoid violence.

Fans of Marvel’s Spiderman will recognize Tom Holland in the movie, who plays a pivotal role in this spy Netflix drama.

Read More: Best Drama Movies on Netflix UK Right Now

15. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

IMDB Rating: 7.8/10

Director: David Fincher

Writer: Steven Zaillian

Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer

Runtime: 2h 38m

David Fincher’s picture is a masterwork that dazzles from start to finish, especially the opening titles, which are a feast. Lisbeth Salander is excellently embodied by Rooney Mara; her boiling personality is perpetually on the verge of erupting, yet her mind is fascinating to observe: cold, attentive, and almost savage in how she creates and destroys bonds.

Mikael Blomquist, played by Daniel Craig, is believable, charming, and vulnerable, and she plays him well. The film features a talented group of Swedish and British performers who are all experts in their fields.

16. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

IMDB Rating: 7.0/10

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Writers: Bridget O’Conner, Peter Straughan

Cast: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy

Runtime: 2h 7m

In 1973 “Control,” head of British intelligence (“The Circus”), sent Jim Prideaux to meet a Hungarian general. Prideaux, realizing the meeting is a trap, is shot as he tries to leave. Control and his right-hand man George Smiley are forced to retire, and Control dies soon after.

Smiley tells Guillam that he was having an affair with Ann Smiley and kills Haydon for betraying him to her.

Tarr visits the Paris station and informs London that he has vital information. Alleline, Haydon, Bland, and Esterhase have been exchanging low-grade British intelligence with Polyakov.

This Netflix spy movie will enthrall you and your entire family till the very last scene!

17. The Angel (2018)

The Angel

IMDB Rating: 6.7/10

Director: Ariel Vromen

Writer: David Arata

Cast: Toby Kebbell, Hannah Ware, Maisa Abd Elhadi

Runtime: 1h 54m

In 1973, Ashraf Marwan met Arab terrorists outside Rome International Airport. He smuggled a missile launcher into Italy in his suitcase from Egypt to carry out an attack on a commercial airliner that was en route to Israel.

His wife Mona fears he is having an affair with actress Diana Ellis. In 1973, Egyptian secret agent Ashraf meets his Mossad handler, Alex. Alex and Ashraf develop a mutual rapport, with Ashraf codenamed “the angel.”

Eventually, Ashraf warns the Israelis that Egypt will launch a military invasion, which never comes to pass. In the film, Ashraf warns Alex and Zvi Zamir about an imminent invasion of Israel on Yom Kippur.

He was inspired by the fable of the Boy Who Cried Wolf to launch a surprise attack on Israel.

18. Madras Cafe (2013)

Madras Cafe

IMDB Rating: 7.7/10

Director: Shoojit Sircar

Writers: Juhi Chaturvedi, Somnath Dey, Shubhendu Bhattacharya

Cast: Raashi Khanna, Prakash Belawadi, John Abraham

Runtime: 2h 10m

The Indian political thriller Madras Cafe stars John Abraham as an Indian intelligence operative and Nargis Fakhri as an international reporter. Terrorism is also a topic addressed in the film.

The film is set in the aftermath of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. The film’s title comes from the fact that the plot to assassinate Gandhi was devised in a cafe in Madras.

The film does not specify the cafe’s original location. The film is one of the best foreign language spy movies on Netflix UK.

19. Turks and Caicos (2014)

Turks and Caicos

IMDB Rating: 6.5/10

Director: David Hare

Writer: David Hare

Cast: Winona Ryder, Christopher Walken, Bill Nighy

Runtime: 1h 35m

Following the chain of events on Page Eight, ex-MI5 officer Johnny Worricker (Bill Nighy) hides in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A seemingly chance encounter with Curtis Pelissier (Christopher Walken) leads Johnny to a shady American company called Gladstone.

Gladstone has been overcharging the U.S. government for the construction of black site torture camps. Johnny’s old girlfriend, Margot Tyrell (Helena Bonham-Carter), contacts Rollo Maverley (Ewen Bremner) to extract information regarding The Bridge.

20. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty

IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Writer: Mark Boal

Cast: Chris Pratt, Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain

Runtime: 2h 37m

In 2003, Maya Harris was stationed at the U.S. embassy in Pakistan. She and Dan Fuller attend black site interrogations of Reda Kateb, suspected of links to 9/11 hijackers.

In 2009, during the Camp Chapman attack, Maya’s friend Jessica was killed by a suicide bomber. May 2, 2011: The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment flies two stealth helicopters from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

SEALs gain entry and kill a number of people in the compound, including bin Laden. Maya says that their beards and native clothes make the brothers look alike.

Conclusion

Almost every youngster has fond memories of playing spy as a child. We leaped from one roof to another, believing we were hunting an intercontinental drug trafficker; we swapped the old and inexpensive beads from mom’s ornament collection as if they were valuable African diamonds.

Spy movies are perfect for you if your interests include spying on passers-by using binoculars or listening in on your roommates with your ear pressed up against a wall.  For the Indian audience, there is a section of best spy movies on Netflix UK in Hindi dubbed as well.

Though you can watch anything and everything on Netflix, including comedy, thriller, horror showsHalloween movies, suspense, horror movies, cartoon, action, romance, cooking shows, sci-fi, 80s movies, reality, emotional drama, Marvel shows, and documentaries – its time to enjoy the best spy movies on Netflix UK and be the new James Bond!

David Michaels

BestNetflixVPN

Coming from the field of software development and PC building, David Michaels knows the importance of protecting your online identity. He works tirelessly to assess VPN performance and does not hold back the criticism. He discusses streaming platform, technology, and internet privacy on weekdays while spending his weekend binge-watching Netflix and Traveling!

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