What Do Critics Say? The Best & Worst Bourne Films

In just a couple of weeks, Matt Damon returns to the big screen with one of the most iconic roles of his long career, that of the amnesiac assassin called Jason Bourne, so let's take a look at the previous films in the franchise and see how they rank with critics.

Year: 2012

Director(s): Tony Gilroy

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Scott Glenn, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Corey Stoll, Oscar Isaac.

Synopsis: The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 56%

Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 58%

Metacritic: 61

IMDB: 6.7/10

Cinemascore: B

Year: 2004

Director(s): Paul Greengrass

Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Karl Urban, Marton Csokas, Tom Gallop, Michelle Monaghan, Karel Roden.

Synopsis: The action continues with Oscar winner Matt Damon as assassin Jason Bourne in this state-of-the-art espionage thriller packed with some of the most intense chase sequences ever filmed!

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 81%

Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 90%

Metacritic: 73

IMDB: 7.8/10

Cinemascore: A-

Year: 2002

Director(s): Doug Liman

Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Julia Stiles, Brian Cox, Clive Owen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Walton Goggins.

Synopsis: A blockbuster hit, The Bourne Identity stars Academy Award-winner Matt Damon as a man fished out of the ocean by an Italian boat who has a complete loss of memory. Why are assassins after him? Why is he a master of martial arts and fluent in several languages? The answers will thrill and astonish you! Featuring amazing action scenes, taut direction, and beautiful European locations.

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 83%

Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 93%

Metacritic: 68

IMDB: 7.9/10

Cinemascore: A-

Year: 2007

Director(s): Paul Greengrass

Cast: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, Albert Finney, Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez.

Synopsis: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is back in a non-stop race around the globe from a new generation of skilled CIA operatives as he finally learns the truth behind his mysterious past.

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 93%

Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 91%

Metacritic: 85

IMDB: 8.1/10

Cinemascore: A

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