Alfred Hitchcock Movies Filmography 30. The Lodger (1927)

The Lodger — Recut Full Film

Although Hitchcock directed several feature films in the mid 1920s, it wasn’t until the release of The Lodger in 1927 that he caught his big break. The Lodger is a suspense-thriller that’s largely inspired by the serial killings of Jack the Ripper and stars Ivor Novello in the title role. The Lodger is a suspense-thriller that’s largely inspired by the serial killings of Jack the Ripper and stars Ivor Novello in the title role.

60% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 50% Story 67% OVERALL SCORE The Good Technical Ingenuity

Enduring Legacy

Strong Visuals The Bad Pacing

Lacks Suspense

Story Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Lodger is a silent-era Hitchcock thriller about a serial killer on the loose. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 29. Stage Fright (1950)

Stage Fright — Trailer

Stage Fright is one of Hitchcock’s early “amateur detective” stories, in which a young or unsuspecting woman has to unravel a troublesome mystery. In this picture, that woman is Eve (Jane Wyman) who must discover the true identity of a reckless murderer.

85% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 80% Story 82% OVERALL SCORE The Good Stage Metaphor

Suspenseful

Well-Directed The Bad Not Well Remembered

At Times Confusing

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Stage Fright is a fun, yet ultimately minor work from Alfred Hitchcock. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 28. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1935)

The Man Who Knew Too Much — Restoration Demo

Alfred Hitchock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much is a fascinating thriller that largely established the director’s affinity for the international espionage trope. The film stars Leslie Banks, Edna Best, and Peter Lorre, who had only recently left Germany before production. Lorre, perhaps best known for starring in Fritz Lang’s M, didn’t even know the English language before being cast in the role of the dastardly villain Abbot. The film stars Leslie Banks, Edna Best, and Peter Lorre, who had only recently left Germany before production. Lorre, perhaps best known for starring in Fritz Lang’s M, didn’t even know the English language before being cast in the role of the dastardly villain Abbot.

70% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 65% Story 72% OVERALL SCORE The Good Peter Lorre

Concert Hall Scene

Filmmaking Technique The Bad Inconsistent Story

Suspense Lulls

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Alfred Hitchcock remade The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956 with James Stewart and Doris Day, but the original remains the best version, especially in light of the new Criterion restoration. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 27. Saboteur (1942)

Saboteur — Trailer

Hitchcock’s early tale of mistaken identity, Saboteur, is another foundational piece in his filmography. There’s no doubt that Saboteur would go on to inspire some of Hitchock’s most iconic works. The film follows a man named Kane (Robert Cummings) who is on the run from the police after being framed for a deadly fire.

70% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 65% Story 77% OVERALL SCORE The Good Visuals

Groundbreaking

Strong Story The Bad Muddled Legacy

Middle Lull

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Though it’s been lost within the plethora of Hitchock’s other stories about mistaken identity, Saboteur remains a mostly fun spy thriller. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 26. The Trouble with Harry (1955)

The Trouble with Harry — Full Movie

The Trouble with Harry doesn’t quite seem like an Alfred Hitchcock film: It isn’t all that suspenseful, the setting isn’t busy, and the story is unusually quaint. That said, The Trouble with Harry succeeds because it stands apart from the rest of Hitchcock’s works. The best part of the film may very well be Bernard Hermann’s score, which was the first time he composed for Alfred Hitchcock. That said, The Trouble with Harry succeeds because it stands apart from the rest of Hitchcock’s works. The best part of the film may very well be Bernard Hermann’s score, which was the first time he composed for Alfred Hitchcock.

70% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 80% Story 77% OVERALL SCORE The Good Visuals

Ending

Soundtrack The Bad Plodding

Low-Stakes Story

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Trouble with Harry is like a classic landscape painting: It’s great to look at on the surface, but there’s not much substance in the background. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 25. I Confess (1952)

I Confess — Trailer

I Confess is definitely one of the most dramatic and consequential of Hitchcock’s pictures. Released between Strangers on a Train and Dial M for Murder, I Confess has been somewhat lost to time. The film stars Montgomery Clift in the leading role as a priest who’s wrongly suspected of murder. I Confess puts the ethics of privacy of the church on the stand, which ultimately results in showing the oath of silence in a new light. The film stars Montgomery Clift in the leading role as a priest who’s wrongly suspected of murder. I Confess puts the ethics of privacy of the church on the stand, which ultimately results in showing the oath of silence in a new light.

75% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 90% Story 82% OVERALL SCORE The Good Strong Story Arc

Elaborate Sets

Moral The Bad Heavy-Drama

Overlooked

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion I Confess is a good film that’s held back by melodrama and unbelievable circumstances. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Movies Ranked 24. Marnie (1964)

Sean Connery on Hitchcock and Marnie

Just one year after the release of The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock released Marnie, his second collaboration with star Tippi Hedren. Marnie is a rather heavy-drama about trauma in the wake of sexual abuse. Hedren never worked with Hitchcock again after the release of Marnie, citing the director’s obsessive infatuation with her as the main reason. In her later years, Hedren accused Hitchcock of making obscene sexual demands of her, which he strongly denied. These accusations have surely complicated the legacy of Marnie, due to its illicit subject matter. These accusations have surely complicated the legacy of Marnie, due to its illicit subject matter.

85% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 80% Story 82% OVERALL SCORE The Good Bold

Story Arc

Cast The Bad Message of the Film

Marred Legacy

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Marnie is known as one of Hitchcock’s more contentious pictures, but Bernard Hermann’s excellent score alone makes it worth seeing. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 23. The Wrong Man (1956)

The Wrong Man — Trailer

The Wrong Man represents a mid-stage reflection for Alfred Hitchcock, as the director analyzed the nature of crime under a modern, more dramatic light. This film is based on a true story of a man falsely accused of robberies throughout New York City in the early 1950s.

80% Suspense 75% Filmmaking 80% Story 78% OVERALL SCORE The Good Henry Fonda

Original

Moral Lesson The Bad Dry Elements

Visually Bland

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Wrong Man is one of the great Hollywood “wrongful conviction films” and one of Hitchcock’s more unique works. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 22. The 39 Steps (1935)

The 39 Steps — Full Movie

Few films of the 1930s and 1940s were as influential on writers of the “Hollywood New Wave” as The 39 Steps was. In an interview with The New Yorker, renowned screenwriter Robert Towne said, “It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that all contemporary escapist entertainment begins with The 39 Steps.” I’ll admit, I’m not quite as fond of the movie as Towne is, but his assertion that the film was a foundational piece of escapist cinema is undeniable. Twenty-four years before there was North by Northwest, and 53 before Enemy of the State, there was The 39 Steps, a film that has inspired countless stories of wrongfully convicted people on the run. Twenty-four years before there was North by Northwest, and 53 before Enemy of the State, there was The 39 Steps, a film that has inspired countless stories of wrongfully convicted people on the run.

75% Suspense 70% Filmmaking 75% Story 73% OVERALL SCORE The Good Influential

Strong Story Arc

Iconic Climax The Bad Slow Pace

At Times Dull

Visually Mediocre Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The 39 Steps is a film that every director should see, regardless of how it has aged in the past 85 years. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 21. Family Plot (1976)

Alfred Hitchcock Family Plot — Trailer

First and foremost: Can we please acknowledge the trailer above? Alfred Hitchcock was widely known to not only cameo in his own films, but narrate their trailers as well. That being said, the Family Plot trailer is beyond absurd — and not in a bad way. Actually, quite the contrary, it’s a kind of comic masterpiece. Family Plot was the last film Hitchcock made before his death, and although it’s not his greatest work, it still boasts a fun, albeit ludicrous story with classic elements of suspense, drama, and dark comedy. Family Plot was the last film Hitchcock made before his death, and although it’s not his greatest work, it still boasts a fun, albeit ludicrous story with classic elements of suspense, drama, and dark comedy.

80% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 80% Story 80% OVERALL SCORE The Good Comically Fun

Inventive

Suspenseful The Bad "Psychic" Prop

Unbelievable Story

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Family Plot is “middle of the road Hitchcock” that sees the director’s lighter side break through in his twilight years. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 20. Frenzy (1972)

Alfred Hitchcock on Frenzy

Frenzy was not only one of Hitchcock’s last films ever made, but also a return to England for the director. Most of the film’s cast was unknown at the time of production, which was atypical for a Hitchcock picture. (Most of his works feature at least one star.) Despite being unoriginal to a fault, Frenzy stands apart for its clear, purposeful narrative and impressive cinematography. Despite being unoriginal to a fault, Frenzy stands apart for its clear, purposeful narrative and impressive cinematography.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 90% Story 87% OVERALL SCORE The Good World Building

Story Arc

Cinematography The Bad Unoriginal

Tonally Disjointed

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Frenzy is yet another Hitchcock tale of mistaken identity and murder — one elevated by great visuals and a strong story arc. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 19. The Paradine Case (1948)

The Paradine Case — Trailer

Courtroom dramas weren’t widely popularized until the late 1950s, with the likes of 12 Angry Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Inherit the Wind and many more. But that didn’t stop Hitchcock from directing the influential The Paradine Case 10 years prior. The Paradine Case is a story about a lawyer who falls in love with his client that was accused of murder. In a rare turn for Hitchcock, we don’t know whether or not the accused woman is guilty or not. It’s refreshing to see a Hitchcock picture that doesn’t have a wrongful suspicion or “wrong-man” plot. The Paradine Case is a story about a lawyer who falls in love with his client that was accused of murder. In a rare turn for Hitchcock, we don’t know whether or not the accused woman is guilty or not. It’s refreshing to see a Hitchcock picture that doesn’t have a wrongful suspicion or “wrong-man” plot.

85% CHARACTERS 75% TRAGEDY 80% VIOLENCE 80% OVERALL SCORE The Good Unique Perspective

Pioneering Story

Nuanced Ending The Bad At Times Bland

Lacks Motif

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Paradine Case received mixed reviews from fans and critics for lacking dynamic interest, but its influence and ending make it a strong Hitchcock picture that’s worth a watch. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 18. Lifeboat (1944)

Hitchcock Cameo in Lifeboat

Lifeboat is a brilliant minor work from Hitchcock, produced in the midst of World War II. The film takes place entirely on a lifeboat, and was shot mostly at the studio lot (fake ocean). It’s certainly not an epic by studio standards, but it makes the most of what it’s got — which, as it turns out, happens to be a great deal.

75% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 80% Story 82% OVERALL SCORE The Good Technical Ingenuity

Focused Story

Moral of Mercy The Bad Not Great Suspense

Story Can Drag

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Lifeboat is a story of mercy across the seas, told and released in a very troubling time. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 17. Young and Innocent (1938)

Crane Shot in Young and Innocent

Young and Innocent is a by-the-book story of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, elevated by narrative nuance and excellent filmmaking. The film stars Nova Pilbeam as a well-intentioned young woman who’s caught in the middle of a murder case. Pilbeam gives an excellent performance, which ties together the picture quite nicely.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 85% Story 85% OVERALL SCORE The Good Leading Acting

Crane Shot

Final Act The Bad Forgotten Legacy

Slow

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Young and Innocent is perhaps best known for the excellent crane shot used in the film’s climax. Watch It Now

Alfred Hitchcock Filmography 16. Spellbound (1945)

Spellbound — Full Movie

Spellbound is a twisting and turning suspense thriller from Alfred Hitchcock that nearly reaches the heights of his greatest works. Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck star in the film and both give excellent performances. The picture’s progressive story follows a psychoanalyst who must use her intelligence and training to deduce the psyche of a killer. It’s a fantastical film, marred only by poor pacing and some rare filmmaking blunders from director Alfred Hitchcock.

90% Suspense 75% Filmmaking 90% Story 85% OVERALL SCORE The Good Ingrid Bergman

Suspense

Forward-Thinking The Bad Ski Scene

Third Act Pacing

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Spellbound may be best known for the dream sequence conceived by Salvador Dali, but there’s plenty more going on in the story to make it a worthwhile watch. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 15. Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Alfred Hitchcock on Foreign Correspondent

Foreign Correspondent is a classic Hitchcock tale of espionage that stands apart for its timely social commentary. Released in 1940, Foreign Correspondent was a cinematic response to the tension of world politics before World War II. Released in 1940, Foreign Correspondent was a cinematic response to the tension of world politics before World War II.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 80% Story 83% OVERALL SCORE The Good Plane Crash Scene

Technical Effects

Timely The Bad At Times Plodding

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Foreign Correspondent was just one of two Hitchcock movies nominated for Best Picture at the 1941 Oscars. The other was Rebecca. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Movies Ranked 14. Rope (1940)

Hitchcock on the long take in Rope

Rope is widely known as the “one take” Alfred Hitchcock film, but in reality, it was actually cut together to seem continuous through elaborate camera tricks. The story of Rope revolves around two young men who murder their aquintance, then host a dinner party with the deceased’s family and friends. They do this as a twisted philosophy experiment in which they hope to prove that they can get away with murder. I’m not the first to suggest that Rope was better suited for the stage than it was for the screen, but the story is dynamic enough that it still entertains through a cinema projector or TV. I’m not the first to suggest that Rope was better suited for the stage than it was for the screen, but the story is dynamic enough that it still entertains through a cinema projector or TV.

85% Suspense 75% Filmmaking 95% Story 85% OVERALL SCORE The Good Dynamic Story

Philosophical

Strong Acting The Bad Gimmicky

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Rope is perhaps more significant as a lesson in filmmaking than it is as a film, as pushing the envelope in a new direction doesn’t always make a picture better. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 13. To Catch a Thief (1955)

To Catch a Thief — Trailer

To Catch a Thief is a 1950s popcorn-picture that has just enough suspense to work through to the end. The film is carried, perhaps more than any other Hitchcock film, by its two lead actors: Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, who have great on-screen chemistry. As you watch To Catch a Thief — especially if you’re a first-timer — note how many times Cary Grant’s character, Robie, is referred to as “The Cat.” It’s insane how widely the character is associated with his robber moniker — as if he’s some plunderous comic book villain whose superpower is stealing jewels across the French Riviera. As you watch To Catch a Thief — especially if you’re a first-timer — note how many times Cary Grant’s character, Robie, is referred to as “The Cat.” It’s insane how widely the character is associated with his robber moniker — as if he’s some plunderous comic book villain whose superpower is stealing jewels across the French Riviera.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 80% Story 83% OVERALL SCORE The Good Great Performances

Beautiful Visuals

At Times Thrilling The Bad Cheesy Story

Cliched

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion To Catch a Thief is a classic Hitchcock picture, sans the drama that the majority of his catalogue is famous for. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 12. The Lady Vanishes (1938)

The Lady Vanishes — Criterion

The Lady Vanishes was one of the last pictures Hitchcock directed in Great Britain before relocating to Hollywood in 1939. It’s fitting, then, that the film would go on to inspire many of his later works, including Strangers on a Train. It takes a little while for the plot of The Lady Vanishes to get going, but once it does, its freight train-like narrative never lets up. What starts as a benign story about people being snowed in at an overpacked inn morphs into an all-out international war thriller. It takes a little while for the plot of The Lady Vanishes to get going, but once it does, its freight train-like narrative never lets up. What starts as a benign story about people being snowed in at an overpacked inn morphs into an all-out international war thriller.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 85% Story 85% OVERALL SCORE The Good Thematically Rich

Strong Visuals

Horrifying The Bad Low Suspense

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Lady Vanishes is a great mystery-thriller that roars with life once it gets going. Watch It Now

Best Hitchcock Films 11. The Birds (1963)

Alfred Hitchcock Discusses The Birds

“Birds? Why would someone make a horror film about birds?,” you might ask. I hate birds. Lots of people hate birds. That’s due to a phenomenon known as ornithophobia — the fear of birds — and Hitchcock understood better than anyone how to tap into it. The Birds is one of Hitchcock’s most iconic works and it’s inspired countless spoofs and parodies over the years. For as silly as a swarm of birds inexplicably attacking people may seem to some, the film speaks more broadly to base human fears about how fragile our sense of security in the world actually is. The delicate balance of our daily routines could unravel and disrupt our lives forever — a horrifying theme indeed. The Birds is one of Hitchcock’s most iconic works and it’s inspired countless spoofs and parodies over the years. For as silly as a swarm of birds inexplicably attacking people may seem to some, the film speaks more broadly to base human fears about how fragile our sense of security in the world actually is. The delicate balance of our daily routines could unravel and disrupt our lives forever — a horrifying theme indeed.

80% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 85% Story 85% OVERALL SCORE The Good Thematically Rich

Strong Visuals

Horrifying The Bad Low Suspense

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion The Birds is a multi-layered horror thriller from Hitchcock whose weighty themes cut beneath its story’s strange and frightening surface. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 10. Dial M for Murder (1954)

“I have crossed oceans of time to find you.”

A seminal title in Alfred Hitchcock’s canon, Dial M for Murder is a complex thriller with elaborate branching narratives. The film is based on a play of the same name that was written by Frederick Knott. Dial M for for Murder’s enduring cinematic legacy rests upon the sophistication and strong resolution of its narrative. The principal cast, led by Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, carries the film with absorbing and wonderful performances. Dial M for for Murder’s enduring cinematic legacy rests upon the sophistication and strong resolution of its narrative. The principal cast, led by Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, carries the film with absorbing and wonderful performances.

90% Suspense 80% Filmmaking 90% Story 87% OVERALL SCORE The Good Lead Cast

Story Resolution

Suspense The Bad Best Suited for the Stage

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Dial M for Murder is a great stage story that’s solidly adapted to the silver screen by Alfred Hitchcock. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 9. Suspicion (1941)

Suspicion — Milk Scene

Hitchcock turns a nighttime glass of milk into a thrilling narrative device in Suspicion. As the name of the film implies, suspicion abounds, right up until the credits roll. In a film in which nothing is for certain, Cary Grant delivers a nuanced performance that keeps the audience guessing as to his true character.

90% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 90% Story 90% OVERALL SCORE The Good Cary Grant

Milk Scene

Climax The Bad Not Well Remembered

Driving POV

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Ultimately, Suspicion proves to be one of the most engaging of Hitchcock’s early works. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Films 8. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Shadow of a Doubt — Full Movie

Boy, Alfred Hitchcock sure does love crimes on trains. Gruesome train crime aside though, Shadow of a Doubt really is one of Hitchcock’s most well-rounded pictures. Shadow of a Doubt has a strong narrative arc that doesn’t suffer from the pacing issues in some of his other pictures. Although not rare for a Hitchcock work, the film is anchored by excellent lead performances, especially from Joseph Cotten. Shadow of a Doubt has a strong narrative arc that doesn’t suffer from the pacing issues in some of his other pictures. Although not rare for a Hitchcock work, the film is anchored by excellent lead performances, especially from Joseph Cotten.

90% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 90% Story 90% OVERALL SCORE The Good Story

Thrilling

Joseph Cotten The Bad Easy Mystery

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Alfred Hitchcock declared Shadow of a Doubt to be his favorite of the films he made on more than one occasion, which should speak volumes about its quality. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 7. Rear Window (1954)

Making of Rear Window

It’s hard to find fault with the brilliant Rear Window. The film is undoubtedly one of the most iconic made during the Golden Age of Hollywood, and has inspired countless pictures since its release, such as The Conversation and Disturbia. Considering the time in which it was made, Rear Window’s forward-thinking story is perhaps its most notable element. At the time of the film’s release, anyone labeled a voyeur was usually assumed to have psychological issues. But with the advent of technology and smartphones in particular, voyeurism has become normalized in mainstream culture. Millions of people obsessively follow others’ daily lives on the internet. The only difference between when Rear Window was released and now is that it’s easier for anyone being “watched” online to create idealized images of themselves. Millions of people obsessively follow others’ daily lives on the internet. The only difference between when Rear Window was released and now is that it’s easier for anyone being “watched” online to create idealized images of themselves.

80% Suspense 100% Filmmaking 80% Story 87% OVERALL SCORE The Good Filmmaking

Enduring Legacy

Iconic The Bad Pace

Lower Suspense

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Need an example of how to make the most of a single location on your next shoot? Look no further than Rear Window. Watch It Now

Hitchcock Movies Ranked 6. Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca — “Why Do You Hate Me?” Scene

Rebecca is one of Hitchcock’s great early works. The film is full of suspense and intrigue, which invites the audience into an otherworldly setting where the truth seems as elusive as a white rabbit. Joan Fontaine, who also collaborated with Hitchcock on Suspicion, steals the show as a well-intentioned wife whose embroiled in a dark, sinister environment. Joan Fontaine, who also collaborated with Hitchcock on Suspicion, steals the show as a well-intentioned wife whose embroiled in a dark, sinister environment.

95% Suspense 33% Filmmaking 89% Story 72% OVERALL SCORE The Good Joan Fontaine

Mystery

Tense The Bad Character Development

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Rebecca is the only Alfred Hitchcock film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It’s essential viewing for the auteur’s committed fans. Watch It Now

Top Alfred Hitchcock Movies 5. Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock on Psycho

It’s a bit funny that of all the 50-plus films Hitchcock has made, Psycho is far and away the most iconic. Psycho is much more intimate than Hitchcock’s epics, and that intimacy is what brings the director’s attention into focus. The sinister story of Psycho was a major sparkplug for horror cinema, which would only continue to grow in the decades following the release of the film. The sinister story of Psycho was a major sparkplug for horror cinema, which would only continue to grow in the decades following the release of the film.

90% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 90% Story 90% OVERALL SCORE The Good Anthony Perkins

Narrative Focus

Enduring Legacy The Bad Obvious Mystery

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Anthony Perkins steals the show in Psycho as the maniacal slasher killer Norman Bates. Watch It Now

Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked 4. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Strangers on a Train — Trailer

Strangers on a Train is a surprisingly engrossing thriller. What begins as a simple encounter between — you guessed it — two strangers on a train becomes a cat-and-mouse game of murder and blackmail. The film is probably most famous for a scene in which the two strangers have a deadly battle aboard a carousel moving at light speed. Jokes aside, Strangers on a Train is an undoubtedly thrilling movie from Alfred Hitchcock, even when delving into its dark subject matter. The film is probably most famous for a scene in which the two strangers have a deadly battle aboard a carousel moving at light speed. Jokes aside, Strangers on a Train is an undoubtedly thrilling movie from Alfred Hitchcock, even when delving into its dark subject matter.

95% Suspense 90% Filmmaking 85% Story 90% OVERALL SCORE The Good Set Design

Technical Effects

Suspenseful The Bad Sometimes Cheesy

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Strangers on a Train is a classic suspense-thriller from Hitchcock and one of the most engrossing pictures that he ever made. Watch It Now

Hitchcock Movies Ranked 3. North by Northwest (1959)

Crop duster attack in North by Northwest

Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous film about mistaken identity North by Northwest is also one of his best. The film stars his frequent collaborator Cary Grant in the starring role as a man on the run from mysterious, yet deadly forces. Although it’s sometimes held back by poor pacing, North by Northwest’s elaborate sets and epic scale make it one of the great big budget pictures of the 1950s. Although it’s sometimes held back by poor pacing, North by Northwest’s elaborate sets and epic scale make it one of the great big budget pictures of the 1950s.

90% Suspense 100% Filmmaking 80% Story 90% OVERALL SCORE The Good Mt. Rushmore Scene

Fun Story

Cary Grant The Bad Pacing Issues

Unoriginal Story

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion North by Northwest is escapist entertainment done right, with outstanding performances and vision to boot. Watch It Now

Hitchcock Movies Ranked 2. Notorious (1946)

The most famous shot in Notorious

Alfred Hitchcock hit the lottery casting Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman opposite one another in Notorious. The duo have excellent chemistry, which carries the narrative through thick and thin to an excellent finale. Notorious is also a film of clear, intentional design. Few films in Hitchcock’s catalogue have shots directed as purposefully as the ones Hitchcock composed for Notorious. Notorious is also a film of clear, intentional design. Few films in Hitchcock’s catalogue have shots directed as purposefully as the ones Hitchcock composed for Notorious.

90% Suspense 100% Filmmaking 95% Story 95% OVERALL SCORE The Good Lead Cast

Camera Control

Ending The Bad Drags in Middle

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Notorious epitomizes Hitchcock’s signature blend of dark humor, suspense, and relationship drama. Watch It Now

Top Alfred Hitchcock Movies 1. Vertigo (1976)

Filmmakers of Vertigo

Vertigo is Alfred Hitchcock’s undisputed masterpiece: a deeply nuanced story of obsession conveyed with dreamlike imagery. Although many of Hitchcock’s other films deal with taboo subject matter, none do so as explicitly as Vertigo. James Stewart stars as Scottie, a detective who develops severe acrophobia (fear of heights) after witnessing a woman fall to her death. What follows is a thinly-connected story of Scottie’s aimless wanderings across San Francisco, and his obsession with an idealized woman. Vertigo explores the subconscious of a perverted mind with piercing insight. The film asks audiences: How far would you go to get back what you once loved? Vertigo explores the subconscious of a perverted mind with piercing insight. The film asks audiences: How far would you go to get back what you once loved?

100% Suspense 100% Filmmaking 100% Story 100% OVERALL SCORE The Good Visuals

Layered Story

Acrophobia Metaphor The Bad N/A

N/A

N/A Alfred Hitchcock Films Conclusion Vertigo is a shining example of Alfred Hitchcock’s trademark stylistic flourishes and thematic obsessions. Ultimately, the film is the very best in an ouvre filled with timeless classics. Watch It Now