Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Sir Alfred Hitchcock, a cinematic luminary and one of history’s most acclaimed directors, crafted over 50 films across six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. His innovative techniques and mastery of suspense have solidified his legacy, particularly within the thriller genre. Garnering 46 Academy Award nominations throughout his illustrious career, Hitchcock not only defined the thriller genre for subsequent generations but also collaborated with some of the era’s most celebrated actors, creating timeless masterpieces that continue to captivate audiences. Here we explore a selection of audience-favored Hitchcock productions, ordered by their Rotten Tomatoes scores, revealing which of his films resonate most with viewers.
Hitchcock’s Top-Rated Films: An Audience-Approved Ranking
11. The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Audience Score: 88%
In The Lady Vanishes, Iris, a young woman portrayed by Margaret Lockwood, encounters an elderly lady, Miss Froy (May Whitty), during a train journey. Subsequently, Miss Froy disappears, and disconcertingly, other passengers deny her existence. This perplexing situation compels Iris to investigate, leading her to uncover a significant conspiracy. Recognized for its cinematic merit, this classic was ranked as the 35th greatest British film of the 20th century by the British Film Institute and was lauded as Best Picture of 1938 by The New York Times.
10. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Audience Score: 89%
Shadow of a Doubt centers on Charlotte (Teresa Wright), a young woman who begins to suspect her charming Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten), a new arrival in her tranquil town, may be the notorious “Merry Widow murderer.” The film received Academy Award recognition with a nomination for Best Story (Gordon McDonell). Teresa Wright’s performance was also acclaimed, earning her the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress.
9. Rope (1948)
Audience Score: 90%
Rope presents Brandon and Phillip (John Dall and Farley Granger), two individuals who, convinced of their intellectual superiority, commit the murder of their friend David Kentley (Dick Hogan). Believing they can evade detection, they strangle him and conceal his body in a chest. Subsequently, they host a dinner party for David’s family and friends, seemingly oblivious to their crime, while Professor Rupert (James Stewart) grows increasingly suspicious. Hitchcock garnered acclaim for his pioneering cinematic techniques in Rope, notably its innovative “one-shot” style, pushing the boundaries of filmmaking.
8. Notorious (1946)
Audience Score: 91%
Notorious unfolds as US government agent T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) enlists Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), daughter of a convicted Nazi spy, to infiltrate a network of Nazi sympathizers in Rio de Janeiro. This assignment ignites a complex narrative of love and espionage. Notorious received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Claude Rains) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Ben Hecht). Its cultural significance has been recognized through its selection for preservation in the National Film Registry.
7. Dial M for Murder (1954)
Audience Score: 92%
Dial M for Murder follows Tony Wendice (Ray Milland), a retired tennis pro devising a scheme to murder his affluent, unfaithful wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), motivated by the desire to inherit her fortune and avoid financial ruin from a potential divorce. However, on the night of the intended murder, Margot acts in self-defense, killing Swann, who attempted to strangle her. Tony, instead of being distressed, views this turn of events as an opportunity to frame Margot for Swann’s death. Grace Kelly’s performance in Dial M for Murder was widely applauded by critics, earning her Best Actress awards from both the New York Film Critics and the National Board of Review. The film also received nominations from BAFTA and the Directors Guild of America Awards.
6. Rebecca (1940)
Audience Score: 92%
Rebecca is a gothic romance and psychological thriller where a young woman (Joan Fontaine) marries a wealthy widower (Laurence Olivier) and finds herself overshadowed by the pervasive memory of his deceased first wife, Rebecca, and the unsettling obsession of the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson). Rebecca achieved the distinction of being Hitchcock’s sole Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards. It also secured an Oscar for Best Cinematography (black and white) and garnered nine additional nominations, cementing its place in cinematic history.
5. Strangers on a Train (1951)
Audience Score: 92%
Strangers on a Train features tennis player Guy Haines (Farley Granger) encountering Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker), a stranger who proposes a disturbing “perfect crime” pact: each man will murder someone the other wishes eliminated, ensuring neither will be implicated. However, when one party hesitates to fulfill his part of the agreement, a perilous cat-and-mouse game ensues. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, recognition as a National Board of Review Top Ten Film, a Director’s Guild of America nomination, and inclusion in the US National Film Registry, highlighting its critical and cultural impact.
4. Vertigo (1958)
Audience Score: 92%
Vertigo portrays John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart), a former San Francisco police detective who develops a fear of heights following a rooftop pursuit. He becomes consumed by an obsession with Madeleine (Kim Novak), a woman he is hired to observe, which unravels into a tragic and intricate narrative of fixation and identity. Many critics and film enthusiasts regard Vertigo as Alfred Hitchcock’s magnum opus, acknowledging its profound influence on the film industry. Despite initial mixed reception, Vertigo was later proclaimed the greatest film of all time by Sight & Sound magazine in 2012 and was chosen for preservation in the US National Film Registry, affirming its enduring significance.
3. North by Northwest (1959)
Audience Score: 94%
Claiming the third position is North by Northwest, a film that tracks Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), a New York advertising executive mistakenly identified as a spy. This case of mistaken identity plunges him into a thrilling cross-country chase across the United States, pursued relentlessly by both espionage agents and law enforcement, with the presence of a captivating blonde woman (Eva Marie Saint) further complicating his attempts to evade capture. North by Northwest has garnered extensive acclaim, including three Academy Award nominations, the Silver Shell for Best Director at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, and commendations from both the American and British Film Institutes, recognizing its cinematic excellence.
2. Psycho (1960)
Audience Score: 95%
Psycho, a cinematic landmark and one of history’s most iconic films, follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she seeks refuge at the ominous Bates Motel after misappropriating funds. The motel is managed by the seemingly innocuous Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and his overbearing mother. The film culminates in a legendary, shocking scene and a masterful plot twist, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of suspense and horror cinema. Perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s most renowned work, Psycho received four Academy Award nominations, a Golden Globe win for Janet Leigh, and was inducted into the US National Film Registry, underscoring its lasting cultural impact.
1. Rear Window (1954)
Audience Score: 95%
Securing the top spot is Rear Window, where Jeff (James Stewart), a photographer confined to a wheelchair, engages in voyeuristic observation of his neighbors and becomes convinced that one of them has perpetrated a murder. With the assistance of his nurse (Thelma Ritter) and girlfriend (Grace Kelly), he endeavors to solve the suspected crime. Garnering four Academy Award nominations, Rear Window is esteemed by audiences as Hitchcock’s finest film. It has also been recognized by inclusion in the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list and the National Film Registry, affirming its place as a cinematic masterpiece.