Daniel Craig's best performances, ranked by critics

Daniel Craig.Lionsgate/MGM Studios

• Daniel Craig is best known for his dark and gritty performances as James Bond.
• However, before suiting up as Britain's best-known top-secret agent, Craig built up a resume of acclaimed and diverse performances.
• He appeared as the English poet Ted Hughes in 2003's "Sylvia" and teamed up with Steven Spielberg for 2005's historical crime thriller "Munich."
• Here are Daniel Craig's best performances, ranked by critics.

Daniel Craig's career will undoubtedly be defined by his role as James Bond. Craig's dark and physical portrait of the top-secret British spy helped to revive the struggling franchise and put Craig on the world map as a serious leading man.

However, long before Craig picked up the Bond mantle he built up a diverse collection of performances in a wide range of films, from the first Angelina Jolie "Tomb Raider" film to his portrayal of writer Ted Hughes in 2003's "Sylvia."

And by 2005, Craig was drafted in by Steven Spielberg for a leading role in his historical crime thriller "Munich."

Here's a look at Daniel Craig's best performances, ranked by critics.