ITV Brings Bond Back: Daniel Craig’s Best 007 Film Airs Free Tonight

A surprise treat for UK viewers, as one of the most acclaimed Bond films ever made returns to terrestrial TV while streaming fatigue grows

There’s a bit of old-school magic on TV tonight. ITV is airing what many critics — and quite a few diehard Bond fans — consider to be the finest Daniel Craig James Bond film ever made. And the best part? It won’t cost you a penny.

That’s right — no subscription, no sign-up, no buffering. Just one of the slickest, sharpest spy thrillers in cinematic history, right there on your living room screen. Free. On a Monday.

The Film That Made Bond Human Again

Released in 2012, Skyfall wasn’t just another action-packed Bond flick. It was the one that changed everything.

Craig’s Bond, haunted and rough around the edges, collided with a digital-age villain played to eerie perfection by Javier Bardem. The whole thing was wrapped in cinematography so gorgeous it made even rainy London look romantic. Roger Deakins shot it. Sam Mendes directed it. Adele sang that haunting theme. It was pure gold.

Some still argue over whether Casino Royale was Craig’s best. Others swear by No Time to Die. But with a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, massive global box office, and a BAFTA for Best British Film, Skyfall holds a certain edge.

It’s got gravitas. And grief. And explosions. What more do you want?

Why ITV’s Monday Night Move Actually Matters

So why is this such a big deal? Because in 2025, watching a major blockbuster on free TV feels… weirdly refreshing.

Streaming’s supposed to be king. Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+ — they’ve cornered the market. But scroll long enough and you start to forget what you were even looking for. And the monthly prices? They’re starting to feel like a second rent bill.

That’s where free-to-air channels like ITV still land punches. Not every night, of course. But when they drop a heavy hitter like Skyfall? Yeah, people notice.

This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about accessibility.

Just click channel 3. No password required.

Streaming Burnout Is Real, And Viewers Are Tapping Out

Let’s face it — people are tired. You pay £10.99 here, £8.99 there, and suddenly you’re juggling five subscriptions to watch a film you’ve already seen. Twice.

And yet, even with endless options, folks keep coming back to the classics. Especially when they don’t have to dig for them.

Here’s the thing people don’t always say out loud:

• Sometimes you don’t want to choose.

• Sometimes you just want something good to be on.

• Sometimes you want Bond. Simple.

ITV is betting on that mood. And honestly? It’s a smart play.

Numbers Don’t Lie: Brits Still Watch Terrestrial TV

You might think linear TV is dead, but the numbers say otherwise — especially when something big airs.

According to BARB (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board), here’s how UK TV audiences shaped up last quarter:

That 48% reach for ITV? It’s nothing to scoff at. Especially when you consider the growing complaints about streaming clutter and content fatigue.

Bond Nostalgia Hits Different on a Monday

There’s something weirdly intimate about catching Bond on regular telly. No skipping credits. No pausing. Just pure, uncut Bond.

For many, it’s a trip down memory lane. For others — especially younger viewers discovering Daniel Craig’s emotional, gritty take for the first time — it’s a revelation.

Even casual fans have been known to text the family group chat with: “Bond’s on ITV. Turn it up.”

This kind of communal moment doesn’t happen often anymore. But tonight, it might.

ITV Isn’t Just Filling Airtime — They’re Betting on Loyalty

Let’s call it what it is: a quiet flex. While streaming platforms scramble for the next big thing, ITV is reminding the public that they still have some serious firepower. And a well-timed Bond night doesn’t just boost ratings — it builds trust.

It says: “We know what you like. Here it is. No fees.”

Of course, it helps that the film in question is widely regarded as a modern masterpiece. According to critics:

• The Telegraph hailed Skyfall as “the most emotionally nuanced Bond yet.”

• The Guardian called it “astonishingly beautiful.”

• And even Martin Scorsese once cited Deakins’ cinematography as “borderline operatic.”

Big words. Bigger expectations. But the film delivers.

A New Era of Bond Coming — But Craig’s Shadow Looms Large

With speculation swirling about who will step into the 007 tux next, Daniel Craig’s version continues to set the benchmark.

Casting rumors have become their own cottage industry. From Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Damson Idris, everyone’s got a favorite. But none of them — at least not yet — have sparked the cultural moment Skyfall did.

Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. But tonight, the spotlight belongs to Craig.