I Ranked Alfred Hitchcock Films, And I Dare You To Disagree
When it comes to psychological thrillers, there is one name that stands above all others: Alfred Hitchcock. For decades, the iconic director mastered the art of delving into fear, paranoia, and mystery in a way that no other filmmaker has ever been able to do.
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As a tribute to this one-of-a-kind mind, I decided to rank all of Hitchcock's Hollywood feature films. From the action-packed espionage adventures in North by Northwest and The Man Who Knew Too Much to the chill-inducing horror of The Birds and Vertigo, Hitchcock has no shortage of classic mind-bending films that remain beloved decades after his death.
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This ranking is, of course, entirely definitive and will once and for all objectively settle the exact order of all of his films in terms of quality. So, without further ado, here is the work of Hitchcock, from worst to best.
30.Under Capricorn (1949)
Alfred Hitchcock is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think of romance, but he tried his hand at the "will-they, won't they" game with Under Capricorn. Based on the novel of the same name, the film explores a complex love triangle in Australia during the early 19th century. There are certain elements of Hitchcock's signature style that are hiding in this otherwise okay love story, including an air of mystery and a few classic misdirects thrown in for good measure. Under Capricorn also features some of Hitchcock's early explorations into long takes, which is a device he would come to master through his career. It's one that Hitchcock completists would likely want to check out, but for everyone else, it's certainly not an essential watch.
Watch it on IndieFlix.
29.The Paradine Case (1947)
Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck) is hired to defend Maddalena Anna Paradine (Alida Valli) in court after she is accused of poisoning her husband. Despite being happily married for over a decade, Anthony finds himself falling for Maddalena, potentially putting his marriage and career at risk. While the widespread sense of ambiguity in the story is a natural fit for Hitchcock, the pacing here can feel a bit stilted, and it leads to a movie that has some great scenes, but as a whole, is less coherent than Hitchcock at his best.
28.Topaz (1969)
After defecting to the United States, a former Soviet official tells the US government that the USSR is using Cuba as a launching ground for nuclear missiles. CIA agent Mike Nordstrom (John Forsythe) teams up with French spy André Devereaux (Frédérick Stafford) to figure out if these claims are true and end up uncovering a larger conspiracy. The cast of Topaz, which includes the likes of Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin, John Vernon, Karin Dor, and Claude Jade, is phenomenal. However, the movie itself is competent but does not have the same level of thrill or innovation that you expect from someone like Hitchcock.
Rent it on Prime Video.
27.Saboteur (1942)
Another one of Hitchcock's favorite plot devices: man is wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit and has to prove his innocence by figuring out whodunnit. This time, it's Barry Kane (Robert Cummings) who ends up on the wrong side of the law after a deadly fire at the airplane plant he works at. It's not up there with Hitchcock's best man-on-the-run adventures, but this wild goose chase is still filled with excitement, romance, and a few laughs that will keep you entertained.
Watch it on Peacock.
26.Family Plot (1976)
This was the final feature film of Hitchcock's career, and it is an interesting last project, as Family Plot is a dark comedy with hints of suspense thrown in for good measure. An elderly woman hires Blanche (Barbara Harris), a slightly shady psychic, and George (Bruce Dern), Blanche's very shady boyfriend, to track down Arthur (William Devane), her long lost nephew. They're able to locate Arthur, but he's a bit of a scoundrel himself and assumes the two have more nefarious reasons for tailing him. It's not an all-timer, but Family Plot is a fun, seedy romp that shows off Hitchcock's genre range.
Rent it on Prime Video.
25.The Trouble with Harry (1955)
What's the trouble with Harry? Well, for one thing, he's dead, and nobody in a small Vermont town knows what happened when his corpse pops up on a hillside above town. Everyone has their guesses and suspicions about what happened, despite the fact that nobody seems all that broken up about Harry no longer being alive. Hitchcock once again shows that he is a solid comedic director here, though The Trouble with Harry does suffer from a somewhat meandering script.
Rent it on Prime Video.
24.The Wrong Man (1956)
Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda) is, you guessed it, falsely accused of robbing a group of men at gunpoint and finds his life falling apart as his defense attorney, Frank O’Connor (Anthony Quayle), attempts to clear his name. The Wrong Man came out just as Hitchcock was entering the most prolific stretch of his career, and while it is a quality picture, it can't quite match the heights of his greater works. However, The Wrong Man's greatest legacy might be the influence it had on the future of film, as it was apparently a massive influence on Martin Scorsese making a little film called Taxi Driver.
Rent it on Prime Video.
23.I Confess (1953)
Father Logan (Montgomery Clift) is accused of murdering a wealthy member of his parish. He not only knows he is innocent; he knows who did it, as the real murderer told him of his misdeeds in confession. This is quietly one of Hitchcock's darker films, as it explores faith and the strain of having a strict moral code in a morally bankrupt world. I Confess also was influential on the coming French New Wave movement in cinema.
Rent it on Prime Video.
22.Torn Curtain (1966)
Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman) is an American physicist who defects to East Germany to help the Soviets, much to the shock of everyone in his life. His fiancee, Sarah (Julie Andrews), follows him behind the Iron Curtain and finds there's more going on than Michael let on. Having the likes of Newman and Andrews in a Hitchcock film seems like a guaranteed hit, but this movie feels a bit underwhelming, likely due partially to the fact that Newman and Hitchcock reportedly did not get along during filming.
Rent it on Prime Video.
21.Frenzy (1972)
Richard (Jon Finch) is a down-on-his luck drifter who finds himself the prime suspect in his ex-wife's murder due to a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's the kind of plot that, by this time, viewers had seen a dozen times from Hitchcock, but he manages to keep it fresh thanks to a dynamite lead performance from Finch and a masterful control of the camera at all times. And despite the grim subject matter, Frenzy is one of the funnier films Hitchcock ever made.
Watch it on Peacock.
20.Stage Fright (1950)
Jonathan Cooper (Richard Todd) is on the run after the police think he murdered a man and takes shelter with his ex-girlfriend Eve (Jane Wyman). To help prove Jonathan's innocence, Eve does a bit of sleuthing that involves elaborate disguises and false identities while trying to prove that the famous actress Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich) actually committed the crime. What really makes Stage Fright work is Wyman's magnificent performance, as she effortlessly carries the film with a blend of humor, charm, and earnestness.
Watch it on Pluto.
19.Marnie (1964)
Marnie (Tippi Hedren) robs her employer of $10,000 and goes on the run, eventually applying to work at a company owned by Mark (Sean Connery). The only problem is Mark recognizes Marnie from her previous gig and knows what she did, so he tries to blackmail her into marrying him. The premise is a little goofy, but Hedren and Connery have fun with it and cook up some strange but compelling chemistry onscreen.
Watch it on Peacock.
18.Spellbound (1945)
Dr. Anthony Edwardes (Gregory Peck) arrives at a mental hospital to replace the hospital director. However, Dr. Constance Petersen (Ingrid Bergman) knows that this man is not the real Dr. Edwardes, and when she confronts him, he confesses that Dr. Edwardes is dead, but he can't remember what happened. Putting Peck and Bergman together is a recipe for great movie-watching, and they both are firing on all cylinders here, making Spellbound one of Hitchcock's most underrated films.
17.Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
David Smith (Robert Montgomery) expresses his unhappiness in his marriage to his wife Ann (Carole Lombard), who discovers that they aren't technically married due to a legal mix-up. The bickering couple tries to figure out if their marriage is worth it, while shenanigans naturally ensue. It's one of the few times that Hitchcock directed a pure comedy, and this time, it does not quite land, primarily due to the thinness of the premise. However, Montgomery and Lombard are both extremely capable comedic actors and help elevate the material quite a bit.
Rent it on Prime Video.
16.Foreign Correspondent (1940)
John Jones (Joel McCrea) is a crime reporter who is sent to Europe to get out of a work funk, but when he ends up stumbling upon a spy ring, he recruits Carol Fisher (Laraine Day) and an English journalist (George Sanders) to help him. Foreign Correspondent has all of the suspense and action you would expect from Hitchcock, but what really makes it work is the humor, as the lead trio deliver laughs throughout the entirety of the film.
Watch it on HBO Max.
15.Rope (1948)
As a philosophical experiment, Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger) and Brandon Shaw (John Dall) decide to choke their friend with a rope. After hiding the body, the duo host a dinner party with the deceased's family and friends to prove they can get away with murder. This is when Hitchcock really started to hone in his long-take craftsmanship, and despite the story arguably being better suited for the stage (where it originated), Rope remains an inarguably important step in Hitchcock's ascension as a filmmaker.
Watch it on Peacock.
14.The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Dr. Ben McKenna (James Stewart) accidentally stumbles upon a massive international conspiracy while on vacation with his wife (Doris Day) and son in Morocco. When the couple's son is kidnapped to ensure the assassination plot is kept secret, they must get to the bottom of it to ensure their child's safety. This is technically a remake of a film of the same name Hitchcock made earlier in his career. Only this time, he had a Hollywood budget and big name stars.
Rent it on Prime Video.
13.Suspicion (1941)
Johnnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant) is a charming ne'er-do-well who wins the affection of Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine), a wealthy woman whose father is suspicious of Johnnie's intentions. Once they are married, a business partner of Johnnie's turns up dead, and Lina begins to wonder how well she really knows her husband. This is a classic example of Hitchcock playing the hits and letting his stars shine to create a wonderfully entertaining film.
Rent it on Prime Video.
12.Lifeboat (1944)
Based on a John Steinbeck novella, Lifeboat is the story of a group of British and American civilians who end up on a lifeboat after a German submarine sinks their ship. Tensions rise when a German officer is discovered in the water, as the group allows him onboard but remain skeptical of harboring someone who just attacked them. Lifeboat was controversial at the time of its release for its perceived sympathetic portrayal of a German during the height of World War II, but it has been rightly re-appreciated as one of Hitchcock's most engaging and thoughtful films.
Rent it on Prime Video.
11.Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
When Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) comes to visit relatives in Santa Rosa, they are delighted. But his niece Charlotte "Charlie" Newton (Teresa Wright) suspects that her beloved uncle may actually be wanted for murder and begins to wonder if he is as swell of a guy as everyone thinks. Hitchcock thrives at throwing suspense into unexpected situations, and this is one of the best examples, as it is thrilling to watch Charlotte and Uncle Charlie play an easy game of cat-and-mouse, with the tension slowly reaching a boiling point.
Watch it on Peacock.
10.To Catch a Thief (1955)
John Robie (Cary Grant) is a former burglar forced out of retirement when a string of robberies on the French Riviera are tied to him. Francie (Grace Kelly) suspects that John may have stolen her precious jewels, even as the two are drawn to each other romantically. To Catch a Thief may not be the most complex or twist-filled story Hitchcock has handled, but the movie is total fun and absolutely gorgeous, thanks in no small part to Grant and Kelly displaying some of the most crackling onscreen chemistry of all-time.
Watch it on Prime Video.
9.Dial M for Murder (1954)
Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) cooks up a scheme to have his wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), murdered so that he can get his hands on her substantial inheritance. But when the plan goes wrong, Tony has to figure out a way to cover his tracks and avoid the suspicion of his wife and the police. Hitchcock is phenomenal at pulling the strings to play with his audience, and this is one of the best examples of his puppeteering as a director. Dial M for Murder unfolds absolutely brilliantly, building up just the right amount of intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Watch it on Tubi.
8.Rebecca (1940)
This was Hitchcock's first Hollywood film, and he entered with a bang, as the complex and intense love story between Maxim de Winter (Sir Laurence Olivier) and the second Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine) was a massive hit with audiences and critics alike. Rebecca won Hitchcock his Oscar for Best Picture, but like many iconic filmmakers, few would argue it's the one that really deserved it in his filmography. However, don't let that fool you into thinking Rebecca isn't a fantastic film in its own right, as it is an entrancing, romantic story filled with twists and turns that demonstrate how Hitchcock would become a powerhouse director.
Watch it on YouTube.
7.North by Northwest (1959)
After being mistaken as a government agent, Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) finds himself being hunted down by the relentless spy Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) and forms a tentative bond with Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) while attempting to clear his name. North by Northwest is a complicated web of espionage and romance, but Hitchcock was such a seasoned pro at this point that he weaves it all together perfectly to create an outstanding film. The action sequences remain legendary, and Grant delivers one of the best acting performances in any Hitchcock film, bar none. Also, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't mention the film's score, which is among the greatest in cinema history and, quite simply, rules.
Watch it on HBO Max.
6.The Birds (1963)
In a small village in the Bay, birds mysteriously start to attack people with no clear motive or reason. It's really that simple, and that simplicity is what makes The Birds such an extraordinary exercise in tension. There's no getting into the minds of these creatures, so the characters have nothing to do but wonder when and where they will next be attacked by their feathered foes. It might not have the psychological examination in Hitchcock's other masterpieces, but The Birds is every bit as effective in creating a tone of uneasiness. And after watching it, I guarantee you'll find yourself a little nervous the next time you see a bird out in the world.
Watch it on Peacock.
5.Strangers on a Train (1951)
While on a train, Guy Haines (Farley Granger) explains to a fellow passenger Bruno Antony (Robert Walker) his frustration at his wife's refusal to end their marriage, which would allow him to marry Anne (Ruth Roman). Bruno suggests a sinister scheme in which the two commit murders for each other, an idea which Guy pretends to humor before leaving as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for Guy, Bruno goes ahead with the plan and attempts to blackmail him into killing Bruno's father as repayment. Hitchcock is clearly having a blast directing this nonstop thrill ride, as the buildup to the final confrontation between Guy and Bruno is some of the finest work of his esteemed career.
Rent it on Prime Video.
4.Rear Window (1954)
Photographer Jeff (Jimmy Stewart) finds himself stuck in a wheelchair in his Greenwich Village apartment while he recovers from a broken leg. Overrun with boredom, he begins observing his neighbors for fun but is shocked when he believes he may have witnessed a murder. Hitchcock weaponizes paranoia and doubt seamlessly here, as Jeff tries to dive deeper into this possible murder while also wondering if he is putting his life in danger by doing so. Setting a movie almost entirely in an apartment could seem dull, but Hitchcock manages to make it one of his most visually intoxicating works thanks to some groundbreaking camerawork and a pitch perfect performance from Stewart.
Watch it on Peacock.
3.Notorious (1946)
US government agent T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) enlists Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), the American daughter of a convicted German war criminal, to work as a spy by getting in the good graces of Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), a Nazi hiding out in Brazil. As Sebastian grows fonder of Alicia, she and Devlin find themselves falling for each other, creating an absolute mess of a situation that puts them both in danger. What really makes Notorious stand out among Hitchcock's other films is how deeply romantic it is as a film, as the love story between Devlin and Alicia is not simply the backdrop to the main story; it is the main story, and it is a hell of a journey to watch these two try to navigate the impossible circumstances they find themselves in.
Watch it on Prime Video via FilmBox.
2.Vertigo (1958)
Scottie Ferguson (Jimmy Stewart) is a retired detective who is hired to help prevent a friend's wife from committing suicide, which leads to a fascinating and slightly unsettling journey into human psychology. Vertigo is a weird and haunting film that shows Hitchcock's borderline obsession with exploring the human psyche reaching a beautifully bizarre peak. It examines fear and desire and all of the contradictions that come with those emotions in a way that leaves you with as many questions as answers. And it's all brilliant. This is Hitchcock at the height of his powers, as he displays complete mastery of his craft in a way that few filmmakers have ever been able to do. While it is second on my ranking, if you have Vertigo as your #1, I'm certainly not going to argue with you.
Watch it on Peacock.
1.Psycho (1960)
I admittedly wanted to avoid putting Psycho first because it's the obvious choice. But you know what? Sometimes, the obvious choice is obvious for a reason. And in this case, Psycho is simply one of the greatest films ever made that is every bit as intoxicating to watch today as it was over 60 years ago. Hitchcock is at the top of his game here, pulling out all of the stops to deliver a psychological masterpiece posing as a whodunnit. From the iconic shower scene to the chilling final scene, every minute of Psycho feels like a masterclass in filmmaking that shows why Hitchcock is still regarded as the undisputed titan of thrillers. Whether you've never seen it before or watched it a hundred times, Psycho is the type of movie that never grows old. It's not just Hitchcock's best film; it's one of the best films ever made, period.
Watch it on Peacock.
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