The 10 Most Timeless Classic Film Noir Movies, Ranked

During the 1940s and 1950s, the film noir genre dominated the box office with classics such as The Maltese Falcon, Alfred Hitchcock‘s Shadow of a Doubt, and Sunset Boulevard, making it one of the most popular film genres of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Rooted in German Expressionism, the film noir genre was ushered in by the booming popularity of hard-boiled crime fiction during the 1930s and is traditionally a stylish criminal drama, known for its chiaroscuro lighting, dark, cynical themes, and gritty atmosphere. Today, the film noir genre continues to be a fascinating favorite among generations of movie fans and is recognized by many as a crucial cornerstone of classic cinema history.

Over the years, there have been an array of memorable and influential films in the world of noir, but like any film genre, there are certain ones, including Otto Preminger‘s Laura, Billy Wilder‘s Double Indemnity, and Carol Reed‘s The Third Man, that have stood the test of time and still have that same cinematic magic it incited in audiences decades ago. With iconic titles such as Stanley Kubrick‘s The Killing, Fritz Lang‘s sizzling classic The Big Heat, and Out of the Past starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, these are ten of the most timeless classic film noir movies, ranked!

10

‘The Killing’ (1956)

Image via Harris-Kubrick Productions

Sterling Hayden stars in Stanley Kubrick’s classic film noir The Killing as a career criminal, Johnny Clay, who, after being recently released from prison, plans a lucrative heist targeting a popular racetrack. As Clay recruits several fellow crooks, each with their own expertise, they go over the plan to the finest detail until it’s solid, but when one of the men tells his wife about it, their seemingly foolproof plan takes a series of unexpected turns that threaten not only to destroy the entire job but also send Clay back behind bars.

The Killing is considered one of the greatest classic film noir movies of all time, as well as one of Kubrick’s finest contributions to American cinema. Although the movie features the traditional tropes of the film noir genre, The Killing is an evolving picture that starts with an unusual documentary-style narrative but eventually settles into a suspenseful melodrama that ends with an unexpected twist. Despite failing to turn a profit, The Killing was well-received by the majority of critics, with many praising the overall performances and Kubrick’s ingenious style of direction.

9

‘In a Lonely Place’ (1950)

Based on Dorothy B. Hughes‘ 1947 novel, In a Lonely Place is a must-watch film noir movie starring Humphrey Bogart as a talented but troubled screenwriter, Dixon Steele, who becomes a potential suspect in the recent murder of a young woman who was last seen at his home. Steele’s alibi for the night in question is confirmed by his neighbor and aspiring actress, Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame), who falls for the charming writer, but when Gray learns more about the murder, she slowly begins to question Steele, believing that he may have been more involved than she originally believed.

In a Lonely Place is a scorned love letter to Hollywood that dives into the pitfalls and loss of morality that come with fame, as well as the intense pressure to stay on top in the cutthroat industry. Bogie and Grahame both deliver exceptional performances in this timeless noir classic, showcasing a natural chemistry that gradually deteriorates into a toxic dynamic of paranoia and uncertainty. At its core, In a Lonely Place is a fascinating character study that gives audiences a telling glimpse into those who have yet to be tainted by silver screen success and those who are driven to all-consuming madness to keep their fame from fleeting into the abyss.

8

‘Shadow of a Doubt’ (1943)

Joseph Cotten sits up in bed as Teresa Wright stands next to him in Shadow of a Doubt — Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright in Shadow of a Doubt

Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt is a slow-burning noir classic starring Joseph Cotten as Charles Oakley, a charming bachelor who, on a whim, hops on a train in New Jersey and heads out west to Santa Rosa, California, to visit his older sister and her family. His niece and namesake, Charlie (Teresa Wright), who is bored with her family’s usual routine, is thrilled to see her uncle, but when she starts to spend more and more time with him, she starts to suspect that he’s a wanted killer known as the Merry Widow killer.

Hitchcock goes beyond the exciting thriller with Shadow of a Doubt, essentially setting the plot on a smaller, intimate stage, which effortlessly lures the audience into an intense game of psychological warfare and incites the frightening fact that some monsters are found close to home. Known for his good-ole-boy characters, Cotten delivers a wicked performance in an against-type role where his natural charisma and boyish good looks provide the perfect disguise for his character’s true, sinister nature, serving as the film’s main allure and element of curiosity.

7

‘Out of the Past’ (1947)

Robert Mitchum stars in the 1947 classic film noir, Out of the Past, as a former private eye, Jeff Bailey, who left his sleuthing days behind him to start over in a small town where he owns and operates a gas station. When Bailey’s ex-partner recognizes him, he’s taken to see his last employer, Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas), a gambling kingpin, who had hired Bailey to track down his ex-girlfriend (Jane Greer), after she took off with a large sum of his money. As Bailey tries to settle his unfinished business with Sterling, he eventually realizes that, no matter what he does or where he goes, he will never be able to escape his shady past.

Out of the Past is based on the 1946 novel, Build My Gallows High, written by Geoffrey Homes, and is universally known for its complex and fatalistic plot, captivating performances, and stunning cinematography. Mitchum proves his worth as the soul of film noir with a spellbinding performance that is the epitome of the genre’s tragic anti-hero and hardened cynic, ultimately cementing Out of the Past as a timeless classic in the film noir genre. While Mitchum’s performance is one of the film’s main attractions, Greer’s performance is regarded by many as being the definitive femme fatale, conveying a cold and calculating dame who is an unpredictable master of manipulation and an expert at exploitation.

6

‘The Big Heat’ (1953)

Glenn Ford stars in Fritz Lang’s The Big Heat as Detective Dave Bannion, who, after the sudden death of a police officer, begins to suspect foul play in what officials rule as a suicide. Unable to shake his suspicions, Bannion begins to secretly conduct his own investigation into the officer’s tragic demise, which eventually leads him to a city-wide crime syndicate run by a powerful kingpin, Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby), who Bannion discovers is the main source and connection to deep-seated corruption within the detective’s own department.

The Big Heat is an essential classic known for following the basic tropes of the noir genre while still breaking a few cardinal rules. Compared to other classic noirs, The Big Heat has its moments of intense violence, but the brutal nature escalates the film’s grim atmosphere and its collection of seedy characters to a convincing degree that makes The Big Heat a uniquely timeless noir film. Ford’s character is another intriguing player who defies the traditional hard-boiled detective, going through a reverse character development from being a by-the-book detective who, after discovering the truth about the system he has sworn to uphold, becomes a ruthless avenger.

5

‘Laura’ (1944)

Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney looking at each other in Laura (1944).

Otto Preminger’s signature noir classic, Laura, stars Dana Andrews as a homicide detective, Mark McPherson, who is investigating the recent murder of a young advertising executive, Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney), who was gunned down in her home. As McPherson interviews Hunt’s friends and associates, he begins to develop a strong connection to the deceased woman, falling under her spell that so many before him fell victim to. When Hunt is discovered to be alive, McPherson finds himself in a race against time to find out who wanted the young woman dead before they have a chance to finish what they started.

Based on Vera Caspary‘s 1943 novel, Laura is a mesmerizing film noir that stands out for its unusual but thrilling plot twist and riveting performances by an all-star cast. Preminger sets the stage with an unassuming backdrop of high society and sophistication and meticulously weaves in a plot of obsession, jealousy, and deception that make Laura far from being just another average, run-of-the-mill whodunit murder mystery. The combination of Joseph LaShelle‘s immersive cinematography and David Raskin‘s hauntingly beautiful musical score casts a dreamy sensation over the audience, giving Laura a hint of illusion and fantasy that is rarely seen in other noir classics, solidifying its place as one of the most timeless contributions to the world of noir.

4

‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1941)

Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet look at a metal bird in The Maltese Falcon — Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet as Sam, Joel, Miss Wonderly, and Kasper looking at the Maltese Falcon in ‘The Maltese Falcon’.

Humphrey Bogart stars in John Huston‘s directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon, as Dashiell Hammett‘s infamous private eye, Sam Spade, who is hired by a mysterious woman (Mary Astor) to track down her sister, who she thinks has run off to the city with a man. As Spade begins his investigation, trouble seems to follow him at every turn, and what initially seemed to be a missing persons case takes an unexpected turn when Spade crosses paths with a group of sketchy characters who are all in search of a jewel-encrusted statue known as the Maltese Falcon.

The Maltese Falcon is the best detective noir film of all time and ultimately changed the course of both Bogart and Huston’s careers, elevating them to the height of infinite stardom. While Bogie’s portrayal of Spade varies from Hammett’s original depiction, Bogie’s sardonic performance and sharp style not only set the standard for the genre’s quintessential private eye archetype but also solidified Bogie as an icon of the film noir genre. Huston brings a fantastical quality to The Maltese Falcon that separates it from other detective noirs and showcases the director’s detailed eye and creative originality that earned him a reputation for being one of the genre’s greatest filmmakers.

3

‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)

Billy Wilder’s criminal noir Double Indemnity stars Fred MacMurray as an insurance salesman, Walter Neff, who, after meeting a beautiful blonde, Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), becomes entangled in a passionate affair with the married woman. As their romance heats up, the couple conjures up a devious plan to get rid of Dietrichson’s husband and collect the money from his life insurance policy, but just as they think they’ve pulled off the perfect crime, Neff’s colleague and veteran investigator, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) begins to suspect that there’s more to the man’s so-called accidental death.

Wilder’s Oscar-nominated noir Double Indemnity is credited with setting the standard for the film noir genre and is widely considered to be one of the best classic movies of all time. MacMurray and Stanwyck, who were known for their wholesome roles, delivered sinfully marvelous performances in Double Indemnity that redefined their on-screen image with audiences, dubbing them as one of noir’s most deadly duos. Even though Stanwyck and MacMurray are the heart and soul of the movie, Robinson, without question, runs away with the picture with his performance as the intuitively clever Keyes, which many consider to be one of his most memorable performances.

2

‘The Third Man’ (1949)

Joseph Cotten looking at Orson Welles, neither trusting the other, in The Third Man

Joseph Cotten stars in The Third Man as a down-on-his-luck writer, Holly Martins, who travels to Vienna to see his childhood friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles), who has offered him a job. Once Martins arrives in town, he learns that Lime was struck dead by a car while crossing the street, but Martins begins to suspect that there’s more to the story of his friend’s sudden death when he learns that an unknown third man was spotted at the scene of the accident. As Martins conducts his own inquiry, he discovers that his friend is far from an innocent victim but instead a conniving man who was desperately running from his sinister past.

The majority of classic movie fans and historians consider Carol Reed’s The Third Man to be the greatest British noir film of all time, universally praised for its labyrinthine mystery, Anton Karas‘ unique musical score, and exceptional performances by a stellar cast. The German Expressionist-inspired cinematography by Robert Krasker, combined with the post-war ruins of Vienna, conveys an authentic atmosphere of weariness and cynicism in this timeless noir classic, and, today, is credited by many as being the definitive example of the genre’s distinct visual style and signature tone.

1

‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950)

Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard surrounded by onlookers.

Hollywood’s Golden Boy, William Holden, stars in the best classic film noir of all time, Sunset Boulevard, as an aspiring screenwriter, Joe Gillis, who agrees to write a comeback script for a former silent film star, Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). As Desmond showers Gillis with a life of luxury and expensive gifts, the young writer indulges her and her seemingly harmless delusion that there’s more to their relationship than business, but as Desmond’s affection turns into an uncontrollable obsession, Gillis eventually realizes that he made an inescapable deal with the devil.

Sunset Boulevard boldly pulls back the velvet curtain of Hollywood and reveals the cruel culture and treatment of people, especially women, in the film industry, exposing the devastating aftermath of a star’s bright light being unfairly extinguished. The film features astounding cinematography by the legendary John F. Seitz, whose tedious use of natural lighting and delicately laid shadows provides Sunset Boulevard with a dream-like atmosphere, combined with a blend of glitz and glamor and a dark, tainted undertone. While Holden gives a magnificent performance, Swanson, who was one of the biggest stars during the silent era, captivates the audience with a bewitching performance, ultimately providing the film with an undeniable touch of sentiment and realism that makes Sunset Boulevard one of the most timeless classic noir movies.