If you loved
Licence to Kill
John Glen · Film · 1989
What hooked you in Licence to Kill was the visceral satisfaction of watching a rogue operative dismantle criminal empires outside the law.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Spy Who Loved Me
Lewis Gilbert · Film · 1977
Adaptation
GoldenEye
Martin Campbell · Film · 1995
Books on the same thread
I, Alex Cross
James Patterson · Book · 2009
Like Bond in Licence to Kill, Alex Cross navigates a world of high-stakes corruption where personal vendettas drive him to dismantle powerful syndicates that operate above the reach of conventional justice.
Sycamore Row (Jake Brigance)
John Grisham · Book · 2013
This story mirrors the relentless pursuit of vengeance found in Licence to Kill, focusing on how past traumas and deep-seated grudges fuel a singular, uncompromising quest to settle a score.
Alex Cross
James Patterson · Book · 1993
Much like the rogue mission in Licence to Kill, this narrative features a protagonist fighting against compromised institutions while trying to bring down those who abuse their immense power.
THE EDGE
David Baldacci · Book
If you enjoyed the investigative infiltration seen in Licence to Kill, this thriller captures that same tense atmosphere of a operative operating within the shadows of government corruption and secrets.
Series on the same thread
The Terminal List
David DiGilio · Series · 2022
James Reece mirrors the rogue path of Bond in Licence to Kill, shedding his military ties to execute a brutal, personal campaign of retribution against a vast, hidden conspiracy.
Marvel's The Punisher
Steve Lightfoot · Series · 2017
Frank Castle embodies the same vigilante spirit as Bond in Licence to Kill, navigating military betrayals and personal tragedy to exact lethal justice against those responsible for his family's destruction.
Gangs of London
Gareth Evans · Series · 2020
This drama captures the volatile power struggles of a criminal underworld, echoing the way Bond dismantles Sanchez's organization from within while navigating a dangerous landscape of betrayal and shifting loyalties.
Person of Interest
Jonathan Nolan · Series · 2011
John Reese operates with the same lethal efficiency as Bond in Licence to Kill, using his specialized background to act as an independent force against threats that authorities cannot handle.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
While grounded in reality, this investigation mirrors the obsession found in Licence to Kill, following a man driven by deep-seated disdain to challenge a powerful and corrupt local dynasty.
To Live and Die in LA
Tenderfoot TV & Audacy · Podcast · 2023
This investigation reflects the high-stakes risk-taking of Licence to Kill, as a journalist pushes past systemic corruption to uncover the truth behind a disappearance, mirroring Bond's own relentless pursuit.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Licence to Kill the first time James Bond appears in a film?
No, Licence to Kill was released in 1989, long after the James Bond character first appeared in the 1953 book. The film franchise also features earlier entries such as The Spy Who Loved Me, which was released in 1977.
Should I watch GoldenEye after finishing Licence to Kill?
Yes, GoldenEye is a logical follow-up to Licence to Kill for fans of the franchise. While Licence to Kill centers on Bond going rogue to avenge Felix Leiter, GoldenEye continues the cinematic legacy of the series that originated with the 1953 James Bond book.
Does Licence to Kill feature the same Bond as The Spy Who Loved Me?
Yes, both Licence to Kill and The Spy Who Loved Me are part of the same cinematic series featuring the James Bond character. The franchise began with the 1953 book and continued through various films, including these two distinct entries.
What is the primary motivation for Bond in Licence to Kill?
In Licence to Kill, Bond goes rogue to seek vengeance after his close friend and former CIA agent Felix Leiter is left for dead and his wife is murdered by the drug lord Franz Sanchez. Bond infiltrates the organization from the inside to pursue those responsible.