Based on Tom Clancy's novel, this film is a sophisticated submarine thriller set during the Cold War. It follows CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) who believes a new, undetectable Soviet submarine commander (Sean Connery) is not planning an attack, but attempting to defect to the United States.

This was the first film appearance of the iconic Jack Ryan character, who would go on to be played by several other actors in later films. John McTiernan's direction creates immense tension within the confines of the submarines.

The film primarily focuses on naval strategy and cat-and-mouse submarine warfare, but the CIA plays a crucial role through Ryan's analysis and efforts to understand the Soviet captain's intentions. It's a smart, dialogue-heavy thriller that highlights the importance of intelligence analysis in preventing global conflict.

Matthew Vaughn directs this wildly entertaining and irreverent spy film that introduces us to Kingsman, an independent international intelligence agency operating from a bespoke tailor shop in London. A street kid is recruited and trained to become a gentleman spy.

The film is known for its over-the-top action sequences and dark humor, subverting many classic spy movie tropes. Colin Firth is brilliant as the impeccably dressed, highly lethal agent Harry Hart, mentoring the young recruit Eggsy (Taron Egerton).

While not focused on the CIA, it's firmly within the modern spy genre, presenting a fantastical version of covert operations with incredible gadgets and elaborate villain plots. It's a fresh, energetic take that's more about fun and spectacle than procedural accuracy, offering a look at an elite spy organization outside the traditional government structure.

Guy Ritchie brings his distinctive visual style to this stylish, retro spy caper based on the 1960s TV series. Set during the Cold War, it pairs a suave CIA agent (Henry Cavill) with a rugged KGB operative (Armie Hammer) who must reluctantly work together to stop a mysterious criminal organization.

The film is known for its incredible period detail, from the fashion and cars to the production design, perfectly capturing the cool aesthetic of the 1960s. The chemistry between Cavill and Hammer is a highlight, providing much of the film's humor.

It's less about realism and more about fun, cool spy adventures with witty dialogue and action sequences presented with Ritchie's unique flair. It offers a playful look at the Cold War dynamic, where agents from opposing sides are forced into an uneasy alliance against a common threat, representing the CIA and KGB in a highly stylized way.

Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in this thrilling installment of the long-running franchise. The IMF is disbanded, forcing Hunt and his team to go rogue to hunt down the Syndicate, a network of highly-skilled rogue operatives, before they can establish a new world order.

The film features incredible, practical stunts, most notably the scene where Tom Cruise hangs onto the side of a plane during takeoff. This commitment to real action is a hallmark of the recent films in the series.

While the IMF is a fictional organization distinct from the CIA, this movie (and the series) operates firmly within the high-stakes, globe-trotting spy genre, often collaborating or coming into conflict with real-world intelligence agencies within the films' narratives. It's pure, exhilarating escapism with complex plots and dazzling set pieces.

Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. Forced to go on the run, Salt uses her extensive training to evade capture while trying to clear her name and uncover a vast conspiracy.

Jolie performed many of her own stunts in this high-octane action thriller, bringing a physical intensity to the role. The film constantly twists and turns, leaving you unsure of Salt's true loyalties.

It's a fast-paced ride that focuses heavily on action and chases, exploring the terrifying possibility of deep-cover moles within the intelligence community. While perhaps less focused on procedural realism than some other spy films, it's an entertaining look at a highly capable operative fighting for survival against the very agency she served.

This movie redefined the spy thriller genre for the 21st century. Matt Damon stars as a man pulled from the sea with no memory, possessing extraordinary skills, who discovers he is the target of a relentless manhunt orchestrated by the CIA black ops program, Treadstone.

The film features groundbreaking, realistic hand-to-hand combat and car chase sequences that felt fresh and visceral compared to earlier spy films. Doug Liman's kinetic direction puts you right in the middle of the action.

While Jason Bourne is an operative created by the CIA, the film largely positions the agency as the antagonist, hunting their own asset. It kicked off a hugely successful franchise and influenced countless action films that followed, focusing on a more grounded, less gadget-reliant form of espionage action.

Based on John le Carré's classic novel, this film is a slow-burn, atmospheric spy thriller set in the 1970s. It follows retired British intelligence officer George Smiley (Gary Oldman) as he's covertly brought back to find a Soviet mole within the highest ranks of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), known as 'The Circus'.

The film boasts an incredible ensemble cast of British acting talent, including Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, and John Hurt. Gary Oldman received an Oscar nomination for his quiet, internal performance as the meticulous Smiley.

While centered on MI6, the film deeply captures the paranoia, bureaucracy, and moral ambiguity of Cold War espionage, which inherently involved interactions and rivalries with agencies like the CIA. It's a film that rewards patience, focusing on intricate plot, character depth, and mood rather than action sequences, offering a starkly realistic portrayal of spycraft.

This film takes you inside the secretive process of joining the CIA. Al Pacino plays Walter Burke, a seasoned instructor who recruits talented MIT graduate James Clayton (Colin Farrell) into the Agency. But as Clayton undergoes rigorous training, he starts to question who he can trust.

The movie offers a fictionalized glimpse into 'The Farm', the CIA's legendary training facility. It plays on themes of deception and trust, essential elements of espionage, making you wonder if anyone is who they seem.

Pacino delivers his signature intense performance, while Farrell holds his own as the bright-eyed recruit thrown into a world of shadows. It's a twisty thriller that keeps you guessing about the true motives of the characters and the nature of the spy game itself. It's a fun, albeit dramatized, look at how one might get initiated into the CIA.

Ridley Scott directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe in this gritty thriller about a CIA operative (DiCaprio) tracking a terrorist leader in the Middle East, who must navigate the complex world of alliances and deceptions, often clashing with his cynical and detached boss (Crowe) back in the US.

The film explores the moral compromises and technological surveillance involved in modern counter-terrorism efforts. It attempts to portray the difficulty of operating in a region with shifting loyalties and the bureaucratic hurdles faced by agents on the ground.

DiCaprio and Crowe deliver strong performances, showcasing the human toll of the intelligence war. While some elements were debated for accuracy, the film provides a tense, action-packed look at the challenges faced by the CIA in a post-9/11 world, highlighting the distance between those making decisions and those carrying them out.

Tony Scott directs this stylish and fast-paced spy thriller starring Robert Redford as veteran CIA agent Nathan Muir and Brad Pitt as his protégé, Tom Bishop. On Muir's last day before retirement, he learns Bishop has been captured in a Chinese prison and must use all his cunning and contacts to save him.

The film uses a non-linear structure, cutting between the present-day tension as Muir tries to manipulate the system to rescue Bishop, and flashbacks showing their complex relationship and past missions across the globe. This keeps the energy high and reveals layers of their history.

Redford and Pitt have excellent chemistry, portraying a relationship built on respect, rivalry, and unspoken history. It's a smart, procedural spy film that focuses on the strategic maneuvering and backroom deals of the intelligence world rather than just physical action, offering a cool, slick look at the CIA.

Directed by Robert De Niro, this ambitious film attempts to tell the fictionalized origin story of the CIA through the eyes of Edward Wilson, a Yale graduate recruited into the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) during WWII. It spans decades, showing the personal sacrifices made in the name of duty.

Matt Damon gives a restrained performance as Wilson, a man whose dedication to secrecy and service slowly erodes his personal life. The film has a deliberate, almost historical feel, exploring the early days of American intelligence as a complex, often morally ambiguous undertaking.

It's a dense, character-driven piece that delves into the psychological toll of living a life of secrets and paranoia. While not a fast-paced action flick, it offers a thoughtful, albeit fictional, look at the foundational years of one of the world's most powerful intelligence agencies.

Steven Spielberg directs Tom Hanks in this elegant and compelling Cold War thriller based on the true story of lawyer James B. Donovan. Donovan is thrust into the world of international espionage when he's tasked with defending a Soviet spy and later negotiating a prisoner exchange.

Mark Rylance won an Oscar for his understated yet profound portrayal of Rudolf Abel, the Soviet spy. His quiet dignity and memorable line, "Would it help?" become the film's emotional anchor.

The movie beautifully captures the tense atmosphere of the Cold War, from the stark landscapes of East Berlin to the bureaucratic corridors of power. It's a story about principles, duty, and the human element caught between two superpowers. Spielberg's direction is masterful, creating suspense not through action, but through dialogue and moral dilemmas.

Ben Affleck directs and stars in this incredibly entertaining and nail-biting film based on the true story of a CIA operation to rescue six American hostages from Iran during the 1979 revolution. The plan? Create a fake movie production as cover.

It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and for good reason! The blend of historical drama, political thriller, and even touches of Hollywood satire works perfectly. The pacing is superb, keeping you on the edge of your seat even if you know the outcome.

The film does take some creative liberties for dramatic effect, particularly regarding the level of danger during the escape, but the core story of Tony Mendez's audacious plan is fascinating and truly happened. It's a fantastic example of how intelligence work can be as much about ingenuity and deception as it is about covert action.

Kathryn Bigelow's intense and controversial look at the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden is a masterclass in procedural filmmaking. It puts you right in the shoes of the CIA analysts and operatives tirelessly pursuing leads across the globe.

Jessica Chastain delivers a powerful, career-defining performance as Maya, a composite character based on real CIA agents involved in the operation. The film doesn't shy away from showing the morally complex methods employed, sparking considerable debate upon its release.

It's less about explosions and more about the grinding, painstaking work of intelligence gathering and analysis. The tension builds relentlessly, culminating in the SEAL Team Six raid that is depicted with gripping, realistic detail. A must-watch for anyone interested in modern espionage and the real-world efforts of the CIA.