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Tomorrow Never Dies

Tomorrow Never Dies

Yesterday is a memory. Today is history. Tomorrow is in the hands of one man.

1997119 minPG-13Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
Director
Roger Spottiswoode
Starring
Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher

A deranged media mogul is staging international incidents to pit the world's superpowers against each other. Now James Bond must take on this evil mastermind in an adrenaline-charged battle to end his reign of terror and prevent global pandemonium.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Tomorrow Never Dies?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Tomorrow Never Dies streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Tomorrow Never Dies?

Tomorrow Never Dies earns 8 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Box Office Hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Tomorrow Never Dies worth watching?

Tomorrow Never Dies' Midcredits score is the 59th percentile of all films, from 378K ratings across 6 sources. 54% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

59th percentile

Better received than 59% of films

74th percentile among Action62nd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)58th

64 /100

58th percentile of all films

74th percentile among Action62nd percentile among 1990s

Critics 52 · Audience 65

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.6 — solid but not unanimous.

54% liked it

58th percentile of all films

71st percentile among Action60th percentile among 1990s
54% rated it 7–1046% rated it 1–6

Critics 58% · Audience 53%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 9 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Original Song - Motion Picture

98th percentile

377K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Action97th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$110M
Opening weekend$25M
Domestic gross$125M
Worldwide gross$333M

Returned 3.0× its budget — 94th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A fast-paced, gadget-heavy action movie that leans into Bond formula rather than espionage or character depth.

Fans praised

  • Prescient media-manipulation plot
  • Michelle Yeoh's capable, action-driven Wai Lin
  • Thrilling set pieces: remote-control BMW chase, motorcycle sequence

Detractors panned

  • Generic, by-the-numbers plot
  • Jonathan Pryce's cartoonish, unthreatening villain
  • Over-reliance on gadgets and product placement

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive75

Big explosions, stealth ship, practical stunts outshine CGI

PacingDivisive70

Fast-moving but occasionally rushed between action beats

ActingDivisive65

Brosnan confident and charming, Pryce hammy, Yeoh physically commanding

TensionDivisive55

Action-driven rather than suspenseful; stakes feel low

CharactersDivisive50

Wai Lin a capable partner, Paris Carver underused, Carver one-dimensional

Dialogue50

Cheesy one-liners and innuendo, 'cunning linguist'

Plot and storyDivisive45

Derivative 'start a war for ratings' premise, thin and predictable

OriginalityDivisive40

Recycles Spy Who Loved Me / You Only Live Twice formula

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 27 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is Tomorrow Never Dies like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingTense
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its over-the-top plot with a light, knowing touch, mixing espionage thrills with quips and cool gadgetry.
The rideThe film maintains a steady pulse of action and global stakes from the opening arms bazaar to the final stealth-ship confrontation.
StructureStandard beginning-middle-end structure with opening action sequence, investigation, and climactic showdown on Carver's stealth ship.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer energized and entertained by the action-packed mission and spy thrills.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeBond must uncover and stop media baron Elliot Carver's plot to trigger a war between China and the UK, using his past relationship to infiltrate Carver's organization.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% (this title) · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1% (this title)

Power

Power · 2% of filmsDeception · 9% of filmsTechnology · 1% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how media and technology concentrate power in one man's hands, and the capacity for information manipulation to control global events.
StanceThe film treats its theme of concentrated media power as a colorful threat to be neutralized rather than a systemic critique, observing without moralizing.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernRockForeground music · original score · David Arnold
Settingglobal espionage and media empire — from Hamburg to the South China Sea
MusicArnold's score blends a traditional orchestral Bond sound with 90s rock elements, notably the theme song performed by Sheryl Crow.

Content guide

Is Tomorrow Never Dies okay for kids?

PG-13

Tomorrow Never Dies is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, sexuality and innuendo” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (69/100), sexual content at moderate (49/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (35/100) and frightening material at moderate (56/100). Overall it is heavier than 79% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 18 other countries
  • UK12
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina13
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • Hungary12
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 49% of all filmsHeavier than 79% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 90%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 89%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 25%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 65%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 65%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Tomorrow Never Dies have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Tomorrow Never Dies?

Cast

Pierce Brosnan
as James Bond
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jonathan Pryce
as Elliot Carver
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michelle Yeoh
as Wai Lin
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Teri Hatcher
as Paris Carver
Ricky Jay
as Henry Gupta
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Götz Otto
as Stamper
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Joe Don Baker
as Wade
Vincent Schiavelli
as Dr. Kaufman
Judi Dench
as M
Desmond Llewelyn
as Q

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Tomorrow Never Dies?

Movies like Tomorrow Never Dies include Live and Let Die (1973), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Ian Fleming, and half are stories about spies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: espionage. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Tomorrow Never Dies?

832 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: spy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.