No Time to Die is a 2021 British-American spy thriller film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Eon Productions, it is the 25th film in the James Bond series and the sequel to Spectre (2015). The film stars Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes. It marks the fifth and final film in which Craig plays the British MI6 agent James Bond.

Principal photography took place from April to October 2019 in Jamaica, Italy, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom. After repeated delays caused by a change of director and the COVID-19 pandemic. The film premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 28 September 2021 and was released in theatres on 30 September 2021. In the United Kingdom and India and on 8 October 2021 in the United States. It received generally positive reviews from critics and achieved significant commercial success, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2021 and the third-highest-grossing Bond film.

No Time to Die – Movie Details

Category	Details
Movie Name	No Time to Die
Release Date	30 September 2021 (UK and India); 8 October 2021 (USA)
Country	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English (also released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in India)
Genre	Spy Thriller, Action
Director	Cary Joji Fukunaga
Lead Cast	Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Rami Malek
Supporting Cast	Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Ana de Armas, Billy Magnussen, Rory Kinnear, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah
Production Companies	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Eon Productions
Runtime	163 minutes
Estimated Budget	$250–301 million
Box Office Collection	$774.2 million worldwide
Franchise	James Bond
Previous Film	Spectre (2015)

Plot

No Time to Die continues the story of James Bond following the events of Spectre (2015). Bond, played by Daniel Craig, has left active service with MI6 and is living a quiet life in Jamaica. His peace ends when his old friend Felix Leiter, a CIA officer, asks for help in rescuing a kidnapped scientist. The mission leads Bond into a dangerous trail connected to a deadly new weapon, and the past he has tried to leave behind begins to return.

The situation becomes more complicated with the arrival of Lyutsifer Safin, a bioterrorist played by Rami Malek, whose plan could threaten millions of lives. Meanwhile, Dr. Madeleine Swann, played by Léa Seydoux, remains connected to Bond and to Safin through events from her childhood. Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch, now holds the 007 number and works for MI6, which creates a tense relationship with the retired Bond. As the mission develops, Bond must confront new threats while trying to protect the people he cares about.

Unlike the earlier films in the series, No Time to Die was designed as an emotional conclusion to Daniel Craig’s time in the role. It ties together threads from Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, and its central narrative revolves around love, loss, trust and the cost of a life spent in espionage. The film continues the series’ focus on spectacular action, international travel and personal stakes.

Main Cast and Characters

Daniel Craig as James Bond: Bond is a former MI6 agent known as 007, now retired for five years when the story begins. After years of service, he faces a mission that is more personal than any he has undertaken before. His character remains central to the film’s action and emotional drama, and director Cary Joji Fukunaga described him as a wounded figure struggling with the changing nature of his work.

Léa Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann: Madeleine is a psychotherapist and the daughter of Mr. White, a former member of the criminal organisation SPECTRE. She has experienced considerable emotional pressure because of her family’s past and her relationship with Bond. Seydoux’s character is important to the film’s exploration of trust, and she is the first female lead to appear in consecutive Bond films.

Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin: Safin is a scientist and bioterrorist driven by revenge against SPECTRE, and he becomes Bond’s main adversary. Producer Barbara Broccoli described him as a villain who gets under Bond’s skin, while Malek said Safin sees himself as a hero. His masked appearance was inspired by Japanese Noh theatre.

Lashana Lynch as Nomi: Nomi is a new MI6 agent who has been assigned the 007 number during Bond’s absence. Her arrival introduces a fresh challenge for Bond, as she brings a more modern and human approach to the role.

Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory / M: M is the head of MI6 and Bond’s superior officer. His character adds another layer to the story through the secrets held inside the service.

Supporting Cast and Characters

Ben Whishaw as Q: Q is the MI6 quartermaster who equips agents with field technology. He supports Bond and Nomi during the film’s final mission.

Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny: Moneypenny is M’s secretary and one of Bond’s closest allies. Harris said her character has grown more independent since Spectre.

Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter: Felix is Bond’s friend and a CIA field officer. His request starts the film’s main mission, and Wright became the first actor to play the character three times.

Christoph Waltz as Ernst Stavro Blofeld: Blofeld is Bond’s long-standing enemy and the founder of SPECTRE, now held in MI6 custody. His connection to Madeleine and Bond plays an important part in the film’s central conflict.

Ana de Armas as Paloma: Paloma is a young CIA agent who helps Bond during his mission in Cuba. The role was expanded during development, and de Armas described her as bubbly and irresponsible. It was her second film with Craig after Knives Out.

Billy Magnussen as Logan Ash: Logan is a State Department agent assigned to support Bond in the search for the missing scientist.

David Dencik as Dr. Valdo Obruchev: Obruchev is the scientist behind the dangerous weapon known as Project Heracles.

Dali Benssalah as Primo: Primo is a mercenary with a bionic eye who appears in several action sequences.

Rory Kinnear as Bill Tanner: Tanner is M’s chief of staff, and Kinnear returns after earlier Bond films.

Lisa-Dorah Sonne as Mathilde: Mathilde is a young child whose connection to Madeleine and Bond becomes important to the story.

Production, Creative and Technical Aspects

Development and Story

Development of No Time to Die began in February 2016. Writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who had worked on every Bond film since The World Is Not Enough (1999), were approached to write the script in 2017. Director Danny Boyle was attached in 2018, with John Hodge writing a new screenplay, but both left in August 2018 because of creative differences. Cary Joji Fukunaga was announced as the replacement in September 2018, becoming the first American to direct an Eon-produced Bond film.

The final screenplay was credited to Purvis, Wade, Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was brought in at Daniel Craig’s request to improve the dialogue and humour and to develop the characters. The film’s title was announced on 20 August 2019. Producer Barbara Broccoli said that the makers wanted a title that would not reveal the story but would gain deeper meaning after viewing the film. The film was intended to tie up narrative threads from Craig’s earlier Bond films and to reach an emotionally satisfying conclusion.

Casting and Characters

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, alongside Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, Rory Kinnear as Bill Tanner, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Christoph Waltz as Blofeld. Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, David Dencik and Dali Benssalah joined the franchise in new roles. The new cast members were announced at a live event at Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate in Jamaica on 25 April 2019, which marked the official start of production. The returning actors maintain continuity with the earlier instalments, while the new additions introduce different perspectives to the central conflict.

Filming and Locations

Principal photography began on 28 April 2019 in Jamaica, including Port Antonio. Continued until 25 October 2019 at Pinewood Studios. Filming also took place in Norway, with a frozen lake sequence in Nittedal and a driving sequence along the Atlantic Ocean Road. In the Faroe Islands, and in southern Italy, including Matera, Gravina in Puglia, Maratea and Sapri. Scenes set in London were filmed around Whitehall, Senate House and Hammersmith, while the Scottish Highlands, including Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park, were also used.

The production faced several difficulties. Craig injured his ankle in Jamaica in May 2019 and underwent minor surgery, and a controlled explosion damaged the 007 Stage at Pinewood in June 2019, leaving a crew member with minor injuries. The film is also the first in the series to include sequences shot with 65mm IMAX film cameras.

Production Companies

The film was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Eon Productions. It is the only Craig-era Bond film not co-produced by Columbia Pictures. Following the expiry of the Sony deal after Spectre. United Artists Releasing, a joint venture of MGM and Annapurna Pictures, distributed it in the United States. While Universal Pictures handled international distribution. The film was the last in the franchise released by MGM before the studio’s acquisition by Amazon in March 2022, and the final Bond film produced under the stewardship of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, after Amazon MGM Studios gained creative control of the franchise in February 2025.

Music and Background Score

The film’s music was composed by Hans Zimmer, with Steve Mazzaro as score producer and Johnny Marr playing guitar. Dan Romer was originally announced as the composer in July 2019 but left in November 2019 because of creative differences, and Zimmer replaced him by January 2020. This is the first time in the series that a composer was replaced during post-production. In a spy thriller built around danger and emotion, music plays an important role in controlling pace and reinforcing tension, and the score supports both the large action sequences and the quieter personal scenes.

Cinematography and Editing

Linus Sandgren handled the cinematography, while Tom Cross and Elliot Graham were associated with the editing. Fukunaga and Sandgren pushed to shoot on film instead of digital to give the story a richer look. The visual style uses wide locations, long action sequences and carefully controlled lighting to support the film’s scale. Editing is equally important in a long action film, where the timing of revelations. The balance between action and emotion can influence the audience’s understanding of the story. Visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, DNEG and Cinesite, with Charlie Noble as visual effects supervisor.

Music and Soundtrack Details

The soundtrack of No Time to Die combines Hans Zimmer’s original score with a new theme song and two classic pieces. The score album was released through Decca Records on 1 October 2021 to. Coincide with the film’s release, after being delayed from its original March 2020 date. The key musical pieces are the title song “No Time to Die” by Billie Eilish, Louis Armstrong’s “We Have All the Time in the World”. The French song “Dans la ville endormie” by Dalida and Zimmer’s score.

1. No Time to Die

“No Time to Die” is the film’s theme song, performed by Billie Eilish and co-written and produced by her brother, Finneas O’Connell. Released on 13 February 2020, the song establishes a quiet and emotional tone. Eilish was 18 at the time, making her the youngest artist to record a Bond theme. The song’s music video followed on 1 October 2020. It won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The Golden Globe for Best Original Song and the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

2. We Have All the Time in the World

Louis Armstrong’s version of “We Have All the Time in the World”, composed by John Barry with lyrics by Hal David. Originally appeared in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). In this film it recurs three times within the score and plays in full during the closing credits. The piece recalls the themes of love and loss that run through Bond’s story.

3. Dans la ville endormie

“Dans la ville endormie” is a song by French singer Dalida that is heard briefly in the opening scene. It plays at the start of the film, before the story moves into its main action.

Background Score

Hans Zimmer composed the film’s background score, which supports its action sequences, tense confrontations and emotional family moments. Unlike the songs, the background score works primarily through instrumental music and scene-specific sound design. It helps control the pace of suspense, building anticipation before important moments and intensifying dramatic scenes. Together with the soundtrack, it contributes to the film’s overall sound and atmosphere.

Release Date and Theatrical Distribution

No Time to Die Release Details

Detail	Information
Film Title	No Time to Die
World Premiere	28 September 2021, Royal Albert Hall, London
Release Date in UK and India	30 September 2021
Release Date in USA	8 October 2021
Trailer Release Date	First trailer on 4 December 2019; further trailers in 2020 and 2021
Certification	PG-13 (USA), 12A (UK); check the certificate on Indian listings
Production Companies	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Eon Productions
Theatrical Distribution	United Artists Releasing (USA), Universal Pictures (international)
Music Label	Decca Records (score album)
Worldwide Release Date	Late September to October 2021 in most markets, depending on territory; 29 October 2021 in China
Digital Release	9 November 2021 (USA)
OTT Release in India	Amazon Prime Video, from 4 March 2022

Official Release Date

No Time to Die was released in cinemas in the United Kingdom and India on 30 September 2021 and in the United States on 8 October 2021, after its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 September. The film was originally scheduled for November 2019 but was postponed several times, first because of Danny Boyle’s departure and then because of the pandemic. In March 2020, the release was moved to November 2020, and in October 2020 it was delayed again to April 2021 before finally being scheduled for October 2021. It was the first major film affected by the pandemic.

The film was also screened at the Zurich Film Festival on the same day as the world premiere, the first time that a Bond film was part of an official festival selection. The release marked the end of Daniel Craig’s time as 007 and was promoted as his final mission.

Worldwide Theatrical Release

The film received a worldwide theatrical release, with openings in South Korea and a number of European markets the same week as the United Kingdom. Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Russia followed the next week, while China released the film on 29 October 2021 and Australia on 11 November 2021 after being delayed by lockdowns. Universal Pictures handled most international markets, and the film had the biggest opening weekend ever recorded for a Bond film in the United Kingdom.

Certification and Runtime

The film is rated PG-13 in the United States and 12A in the United Kingdom. In India, viewers should check the certificate shown on their ticketing app or streaming platform. The runtime is 163 minutes, equivalent to two hours and 43 minutes, which makes it the longest film in the Bond series. Deadline attributed the film’s slightly lower opening in the United States partly to this length, as it limited the number of daily showtimes. The extended runtime gives the thriller room to develop its action, its personal stories and its emotional conclusion.

Theatrical Formats and Presentation

The film was released in multiple presentation formats, including 2D, RealD 3D, 4DX, ScreenX, Dolby Cinema and IMAX, depending on theatre availability. Selected sequences were shot with 65mm IMAX cameras, which made large-format screens particularly suited to its action scenes. Availability varied by cinema and location, so not every format was offered at every venue. The film returned to IMAX screens for the weekend ending on 23 January 2022 as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Bond film series.

Significance of the Release

The release carried significance for several reasons. It marked the end of Daniel Craig’s 15-year tenure as Bond and was the last film in the franchise to be released by MGM before its acquisition by Amazon. It was also the only Bond film distributed by United Artists Releasing. Its theatrical performance was widely seen as an encouraging sign for cinemas during the pandemic recovery, and its 31-day theatrical window before digital release was considered relatively short for a film of its size. Its release therefore represented both the conclusion of the Craig era and a major test of the return of large-scale films to theatres.

OTT Release and Streaming Availability

In the United States, No Time to Die became available for digital purchase and rental on 9 November 2021, about 31 days after its theatrical release. It reached the top of the Vudu and Google Play charts for two weeks and the iTunes chart for five weeks. It was released on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray in the United Kingdom on 20 December 2021 and in the United States on 21 December 2021.

In India, Amazon Prime Video announced the subscription digital premiere of No Time to Die from 4 March 2022, alongside a slate of 24 earlier Bond films. The film was made available in several Indian languages, including English and Hindi. Streaming rights change over time, so viewers should check current listings on Prime Video or a streaming guide before planning to watch.

Budget and Box Office Collection

No Time to Die Budget and Box Office

Box Office Detail	Reported Figures
Estimated Production Budget	$250–301 million
Reported Production Cost (Eon’s B25 Limited)	£214 million
Estimated Break-Even Point	About $800 million worldwide
Release Date	30 September 2021 (UK and India), 8 October 2021 (USA)
Opening Weekend (International)	$119.1 million from 54 countries
Opening Weekend (USA and Canada)	$55.2 million (three-day)
Opening Day Collection (India)	About ₹2.2 crore
First Week Collection (India)	About ₹14.97 crore
India Collection	About ₹18 crore (English version)
USA and Canada Collection	$160.9 million
Overseas Collection	$613.3 million
Worldwide Gross Collection	$774.2 million

Production Budget

The reported budget of No Time to Die ranges from $250 million to $301 million, according to different trade reports, while Eon’s subsidiary B25 Limited reported a total production cost of £214 million. This made it one of the most expensive Bond films ever made. The production budget covers expenses associated with filming, cast and crew, locations, sets, visual effects and post-production, while the wider cost also includes advertising and the heavy expense of repeated delays. Variety reported that the studio had already spent $66 million on promotion before the 2020 delay, and combined production and promotional costs were estimated at a minimum of $350 million. These amounts are industry estimates rather than publicly audited figures.

Opening Day Box Office Collection

No Time to Die opened strongly in cinemas in September and October 2021. In the United States and Canada, it earned $23.3 million on its first day, including $6.3 million from Thursday previews, which was the best preview total in the franchise. It went on to earn $55.2 million over the weekend, topping the box office and recording the fourth-best opening in the Bond series. A further $6.9 million on Columbus Day brought the four-day total to $62.2 million.

Internationally, the film opened to $119.1 million from 54 countries, beating its $90 million projection. It was the first film since the start of the pandemic to cross $100 million in an overseas opening without the Chinese market. In India, trade reports estimated the opening-day collection at roughly ₹2.2 to ₹2.4 crore, although figures varied between tracking services.

First Week Box Office Collection

During its first weeks, the film continued to add substantial revenue despite the usual decline in weekday collections. The United States and Canada box office dropped 56% in the second weekend to $24.3 million, behind the newcomer Halloween Kills. By 14 November, the film had earned an estimated $558.2 million overseas, including about $126 million in the United Kingdom, $70 million in Germany and $57.9 million in China. During the weekend of 19–21 November, it passed F9 to become the highest-grossing non-Chinese film of 2021, with a global total of around $734 million.

In India, the English version reportedly earned ₹11.13 crore by the end of its extended opening weekend, which benefited from the Gandhi Jayanti holiday, and ₹14.97 crore by the end of the first week. Actual totals may vary according to reporting cut-off times, revisions and the methodology used by individual box-office trackers.

India Net and Gross Collection

According to Bollywood Hungama, the English version of the film collected about ₹18 crore in India, while other reports suggested that the total crossed ₹20 crore when the dubbed versions were included. India net refers to ticket revenue after tax deductions, whereas India gross represents ticket revenue before those deductions. These figures measure different aspects of box-office performance and should not be treated as interchangeable. The film’s Indian run was affected by lower attendance, as cinemas were still recovering from the pandemic restrictions. Since the film’s theatrical run has long ended, the totals can be treated as final, although sources report slightly different numbers.

Overseas and Worldwide Collection

The film recorded substantial overseas earnings, with reports placing its international gross collection at approximately $613.3 million. Markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, China, France and Japan contributed strongly. Combining domestic and overseas earnings, the reported worldwide gross was $774.2 million, which made it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2021 and the third-highest-grossing Bond film. It was also the third-highest-grossing film of all time in the United Kingdom, and the second-highest Bond film there after Skyfall. Different publications may report slightly different totals because of variations in reporting periods and collection estimates. Worldwide gross revenue should not be confused with the amount ultimately received by the producers or distributors, and because analysts estimated a break-even point near $800 million, its theatrical run was widely reported as falling slightly short of breaking even.

Ratings, Reviews and Audience Reception

Rating Platform	Rating / Review
IMDb	7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes	83% (425 critic reviews, average 7.3/10)
Metacritic	68/100
CinemaScore	A−
PostTrak	83% positive, 63% definitely recommend
The Guardian	Critics’ review available
The Daily Telegraph	Critics’ review available

Ratings and review availability should be verified against current listings before publication, as scores and audience votes can change.

IMDb Rating and User Reviews

No Time to Die has an IMDb rating of 7.3/10 in the available listing, based on roughly 485,000 votes. Viewers have shown interest in the film’s action, emotional storyline and farewell to Daniel Craig. Audience discussions have focused on Craig’s farewell performance, the film’s emotional tone and its action sequences. IMDb ratings can change as more users submit votes, so the score should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent rating.

Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic Ratings

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 83% based on 425 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3 out of 10. The critics’ consensus describes it as not the sleekest or most daring Bond adventure but a satisfying conclusion to Craig’s tenure. Metacritic gives it a score of 68 out of 100 based on 67 critics, which indicates generally favourable reviews.

CinemaScore and Audience Response

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of A−, while PostTrak reported that 83% of viewers rated it positively and 63% said they would definitely recommend it. Audience scores were strong, and feedback has centred on Craig’s final performance and the film’s emotional conclusion. Some viewers have also discussed the length of the film, the complicated plot and comparisons with earlier instalments. The platform’s rating and vote count may change as more people submit reviews.

Critics Reviews and Overall Reception

Film reviews published by outlets such as The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and The Times provide a critical perspective alongside audience ratings. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as a large and confident entertainment mixing action, emotion and humour, while Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph praised its cinematography, its prologue and its moving conclusion. Kevin Maher of The Times called it magnificent and later named it among the best films of 2021.

Other critics were less convinced. Empire’s John Nugent said that the middle section did not justify the long runtime, although he still saw the film as a fitting end to the Craig era. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey felt that the film was uneventful and criticised its weapon plot and the villain’s performance, and Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave it two stars out of four. Taken together, professional reviews and audience feedback offer different perspectives on the film’s strengths and weaknesses, and the general view is that it works best as an emotional farewell to Craig’s Bond.

No Time to Die Awards

The film received three nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, for Best Sound, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song, and won the award for Best Original Song, becoming the third Bond film to do so after Skyfall and Spectre. It also received five BAFTA nominations, winning one, and two Critics’ Choice nominations, winning one. The title song won a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award.

No Time to Die Photos

The photo gallery of No Time to Die features memorable moments from the film, including James Bond, key characters, dramatic confrontations and action scenes. These photos offer a closer look at the cast, the film’s international locations and important moments from the spy thriller.

Where to Watch No Time to Die

No Time to Die ended its main theatrical run in early 2022, so viewers now watch it at home rather than in cinemas. Its current availability may vary by country and platform, so viewers should check listings before planning to watch. In India, the film has been available on Amazon Prime Video since March 2022. The following options can be used to find it:

• Amazon Prime Video: Search for the film to check whether it is included in the subscription or available to rent or buy in your region.
• Apple TV: Check for digital purchase and rental options.
• YouTube Movies and Google Play: Browse rental and purchase prices.
• Blu-ray and DVD: The film was released on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray in December 2021.
• JustWatch: Use the streaming guide to see which services currently list the film in your country.

Availability depends on the country, platform and current licensing agreements. These links lead to the platforms’ main websites; search for the film there to confirm whether it is available.

Is No Time to Die Worth Watching?

No Time to Die is worth considering for viewers who enjoy spy thrillers, large-scale action and emotional stories built around a long-running hero. Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, while the wider cast, including Léa Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas, brings the film’s personal conflicts and dangerous mission into focus. The film’s main appeal lies in its spectacular locations, its car and chase sequences, and its attempt to conclude Craig’s story in a way that carries real emotional weight. Fans of Casino Royale, Skyfall and Spectre may appreciate the connections to earlier events and characters. However, viewers unfamiliar with the previous instalments may find some references and motivations less meaningful, and the 163-minute runtime and the serious tone have divided critics. Overall, it is worth considering for fans of the Craig era, and watching the earlier four films beforehand can make the story easier to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions