When it comes to spy movies, the first things that probably come to mind are James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Bourne, or even Kingsman. Everyone thinks of explosions, wild chases, high-tech gadgets, and scenes that make your heart race. But the truth is that the genre is way more than that. There’s a whole bunch of quieter films, often based on true stories or focused on psychological tension and clever strategy, that get overlooked. These are smart movies, full of real suspense from start to finish, ranging from action-heavy to more contained and cerebral. There’s a little bit of everything, and they deserve just as much attention as the bigger hits.

Here are 7 great spy movies that almost never get talked about by fans of the genre or cinema in general. These are the kinds of films that leave you feeling entertained, and sometimes even genuinely surprised by how cleverly they pull it off.

7) Enemy of the State

image courtesy of buena vista pictures

If you’re thinking specifically about ’90s action thrillers, you probably remember Enemy of the State, but it’s still kind of surprising how rarely it comes up in conversations about the genre today. It’s basically a high-stakes blockbuster before the digital era really took off, with labor lawyer Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith) being hunted by the government after accidentally getting his hands on a video that proves a political assassination. What the movie does best is show how anyone can become a target when technology and institutional power come together — a concept that’s still terrifyingly relevant.

The film is packed with tension and paranoia, but it doesn’t rely on over-the-top explosions or crazy devices. Dean’s every move is calculated, the chase scenes have real stakes, and the constant feeling that “no one can protect you” keeps the urgency dialed up the whole time. Enemy of the State is a spy movie drenched in surveillance and threat from start to finish, and being such a solid thriller, it deserves a lot more recognition. It’s aged incredibly well and remains a top pick for anyone looking for smart, edge-of-your-seat espionage entertainment.

6) Allied

image courtesy of paramount pictures

Allied is seriously underrated, but why exactly? A lot of people overlook that it’s actually a spy film because of the central romance. Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) and Marianne Beauséjour (Marion Cotillard) are spies embedded in World War II, but the real intrigue comes from how every personal decision could jeopardize the entire mission. It’s almost like a Mr. & Mrs. Smith, only more elegant and restrained, thanks to the period setting. The tension is constant — you can feel that one wrong look could blow everything, and every lie carries real weight. This is espionage with emotional stakes.

In the movie, they’re trying to pull off a critical mission while keeping up the facade of a normal married couple. The beauty of Allied lies in that balance: it explores the human side of spying without losing suspense. It’s perfect for anyone looking for something smarter than the typical historical thriller and deserves more recognition for blending low-key action with psychological drama. It’s not for everyone (and there are flaws), but overall, it delivers for anyone craving a spy story that’s a little different from the usual formula.

5) The Courier

image courtesy of lionsgate

The Courier is one of those movies you watch, think is brilliant, and can’t believe no one ever talks about it the way it deserves. The story follows Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch), a businessman turned secret courier between the West and a Soviet officer. The approach is grounded in realistic danger since it’s based on real events, so any slip-up could realistically trigger a nuclear war. It’s not pure action, so don’t expect nonstop explosions; it’s more serious and classic, focusing on meetings, discreet encounters, document exchanges, and decisions that carry life-or-death consequences.

What makes it so compelling is watching Wynne dealing with agents from multiple countries while keeping his cool, carrying secrets that could literally change the world. The tension is the real draw here — no need for over-the-top stunts. The script is tight, the direction is fantastic, and the performances are next-level. This is historical espionage done right, featuring an ordinary person thrown into a massive, high-stakes game. The Courier is a true gem that deserves a lot more recommendations.

4) Operation Finale

image courtesy of annapurna pictures

Another spy thriller that’s incredibly satisfying to watch is Operation Finale, and it deserves way more attention for the way it blends suspense and historical drama so precisely. The story follows Mossad agent Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac) as he attempts to capture Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley) in Argentina during a secret operation full of practical and especially moral risks. What makes the story so gripping is that it frames espionage around planning, patience, and courage, rather than the over-the-top cinematic action we’re all used to seeing.

In Operation Finale, the agents infiltrate, study every move, and carefully calculate the risks involved in bringing Eichmann to justice. It’s the kind of espionage that twists your stomach, because the tension makes you feel every decision’s weight. Based on real events, it also hits on emotional beats, giving depth to the characters beyond the mission itself. Overall, it’s a masterfully executed spy film that every cinema fan should see: entertaining while also being pretty informative. It’s a shame it slips through the cracks in discussions, and hardly anyone remembers it.

3) A Most Wanted Man

image courtesy of lionsgate

Based on John le Carré’s novel, A Most Wanted Man is a nice corrective for anyone who thinks spy stories have to be full of car chases and adrenaline. This one offers a modern plot packed with political manipulation, terrorism, and morally ambiguous decisions that drive the tension. It follows Issa Karpov (Grigoriy Dobrygin), an immigrant suspected of terrorism, who arrives in Germany, and suddenly, multiple agencies start maneuvering him for their own agendas. The cast is a major highlight here: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, and Daniel Brühl all bring serious weight to the story.

However, A Most Wanted Man is a film you have to be in the mood to experience, not just watch casually. It demands attention to detail, which probably explains why it isn’t as widely remembered (after all, not everyone today wants to engage with a movie on that level). The tension doesn’t come from action but from strategic moves and ethical dilemmas that can be explored endlessly. It’s espionage for viewers who prefer brains, and it deserves rediscovery as a perfect example of how subtlety and intelligence can be far more dangerous than an agent defusing a bomb or breaking into a vault.

2) Anthropoid

image courtesy of icon film distribution

Ever heard of Anthropoid? Maybe not, and that’s probably because it rarely shows up on any recommended lists. But this is a movie that deserves way more attention, considering the experience of watching it is genuinely unmatched. It’s a lean, no-frills, brilliant thriller. The story stars Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan and revolves around the real-life operation to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most dangerous figures in the Nazi regime. The energy of the film comes from fear — fear rooted in meticulous planning and the high stakes for everyone involved, including innocent people. In short, it’s raw, human, and brutally intense — and exactly because of that, it works.

Anthropoid deserves more talk because it shows that espionage is about courage, strategy, and consequences as well. The film is serious, with explicit, high-stakes moments, and can easily be considered “absolute cinema.” Its biggest critiques are the slower pacing and heavy accents in the dialogue, which can make it feel less fluid for some viewers. Still, the production is almost a masterclass in combining suspense and realism. It’s precise, complex, brutal, and carries a message about the weight of the world it portrays.

1) Kill the Messenger

image courtesy of focus features

One of the most underrated spy films of recent years, Kill the Messenger stands out particularly for Jeremy Renner’s performance. But beyond that, it’s also a really compelling look at investigative journalism and how a reporter can get caught up in a dangerous web. The story follows Gary Webb (Renner), who becomes a target when he starts digging into the CIA’s connections to drug trafficking in Central America. The film shows that often, a spy’s greatest weapon isn’t a gun or gadget — it’s information, courage, and the ability to survive in an environment where every move is monitored and every word can be used against you.

Here, Webb faces threats, blackmail, legal battles, and attempts to discredit his work, highlighting the personal cost of taking on powerful, corrupt systems. The tension comes from the constant risk of exposure, where every interview, published document, and misstep could literally change the course of history or ruin a life. Kill the Messenger is extremely effective at what it sets out to do, leaving you feeling like this was a story that truly needed to be told (even if there are minor flaws in the script).

What do you think of these spy movies? Have you seen any of them? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!