Casino Royale turns 20 this November 2026. The film that rebooted James Bond for a new generation, it marked the start of the Daniel Craig era as 007, trading gadgets and camp for a grittier, more grounded take on Ian Fleming's legendary spy.
Released as Eon Productions' 21st James Bond film, Casino Royale took the series back to the beginning, charting Bond's first mission after earning his 00 status. Twenty years on, it remains the benchmark against which every subsequent Bond adventure is measured.
Casino Royale Movie Details
Film: Casino Royale (2006)
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Release Date: 16 November 2006 (UK), 17 November 2006 (US)
20th Anniversary: returned to UK cinemas in a brand-new 4K DCP from 2 October 2026, ahead of James Bond Day (5 October)
Studio: Eon Productions
Cast & Story
Daniel Craig made his debut as James Bond in Casino Royale, winning over skeptics with a raw, physical performance that redefined the character. Opposite him, Eva Green played Vesper Lynd, the Treasury official assigned to keep an eye on Bond, while Mads Mikkelsen brought chilling menace to Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorists.
The story builds to a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro, where Bond must bankrupt Le Chiffre at the card table and cut off his funding. With Judi Dench returning as M, the film plays as both a taut thriller and an origin story, setting the tone for the Craig era.
Music & Soundtrack
The score was composed by David Arnold, marking his fourth Bond soundtrack. The Casino Royale soundtrack album was released by Sony Classical on 14 November 2006, orchestrated and conducted by Nicholas Dodd, weaving the film's themes through a muscular orchestral sound.
The title song, "You Know My Name", was written and performed by Chris Cornell, who wrote and produced it jointly with David Arnold. The single was released on 13 November 2006 through Interscope Records, though it was notably NOT included on the soundtrack album itself — it later appeared on Cornell's 2007 solo album Carry On. Motifs from the song run through Arnold's score as Bond's theme, Cornell was the first male performer of a Bond theme since a-ha in 1987, and the song is unusual in that it does not reference the film's title. The film was a massive commercial hit, earning $600M+ worldwide — widely reported as the highest-grossing Bond film up to that point.
Watch the Official Trailer
Watch the official first full trailer for Casino Royale below, courtesy of the official James Bond 007 YouTube channel:
For more big-screen coverage, check out our posts on Mortal Kombat II, Frankenstein (2025), Superman (2025) and Nakhrewaalii (2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Casino Royale released?
Casino Royale premiered in the UK on 16 November 2006 and opened in the United States on 17 November 2006.
Who directed Casino Royale?
The film was directed by Martin Campbell, who had previously directed the Bond film GoldenEye.
Who sang the theme song "You Know My Name"?
The theme was written and performed by Chris Cornell, the Soundgarden frontman, who co-wrote and co-produced it with composer David Arnold.
What is the 20th-anniversary release?
To celebrate 20 years, Casino Royale returned to UK cinemas in a brand-new 4K DCP from 2 October 2026, ahead of James Bond Day on 5 October.
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