After more than 40 years as a film spy with an up-and-down box office draw, James Bond is a new man. In the character's modern incarnation via British actor Daniel Craig, the debonair Bond shows his emotional scars and actually falls in love. The ticket-buying audience can't get enough.
To date, the Craig-as-Bond film "Skyfall" released in November 2012 is
the highest-grossing spy film of all time, according to Box Office Mojo.
Runners up include films from the popular "Bourne Identity" franchise along with "Mission Impossible." Here is a list of 10 modern spy films, not including spoofs or animated movies, which have earned the most money in the 21st century, according to Box Office Mojo and other ticket sales monitors:
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1. "Skyfall" (2012)
$304 million
"The name's Bond. James Bond." The modern incarnation of British spy James Bond is portrayed by Craig, an actor who took the stylish secret agent character into darker territory. The movie's gross at the box office are the highest in successful iconic franchise.
2. "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007)
$227 million
Third in the modern spy thriller series, "The Bourne Ultimatum" continues the saga of CIA assassin with amnesiac Jason Bourne and the search for his past. The movie, starring Matt Damon, grossed $69.3 million at the box office during its weekend release and won three Academy Awards.
3. "Mission: Impossible II" (2000)
$215 million
Directed by John Woo, many critics say the acclaimed Hong Kong director was out of his depth with the large action production starring Tom Cruise. Still the film played large in the box office, and remains one of the all-time highest-grossing spy films.
4. "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" (2011)
$209 million
The "Mission Impossible" spy series is a modern-day film version of the popular television show that aired from 1966 to 1973. Starring box office powerhouse Cruise, the 2011 film is the fourth installment of the franchise that began in 1996.
The film is one of Cruise's highest-grossing ever, according to Entertainment Weekly.
5. "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004)
$176 million
Second in the Bourne franchise, Damon returns as the CIA operative who can't remember the past. The modern spy film is an action thriller based on best-selling author Robert Ludlum.
6. "Die Another Day" (2002)
$160 million
Pierce Brosnan became the new James Bond in the 2002 spy thriller also starring Halle Barry. The film made $47 million during opening weekend in November and ran in theaters for more than five months.
7. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" (2009)
$150 million.
G.I. Joe is a code name for an elite military unit sanctioned by the government, but operating in deep secret.
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8. "xXx" (2002)
$141 million
Starring Vin Diesel, this spy film follows a standard plot of uninitiated, but skilled individual recruited by the government for good – and not so good – missions.
9. "Mission Impossible III" (2006)
$133 million
The "Mission Impossible" franchise hero Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise, is now engaged to be married but keeps his identity a secret. Meanwhile, a sadistic arms dealer exploits Hunt's vulnerability.
10. "The Departed" (2006)
$132 million
A Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. A spy film centered on a police department rather than international espionage.
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