The 30 Best Movies of the 1930s

• Directed by: Frank Capra
• Watch it if you like: Laws of Attraction

Starring Clark Gable as a no-nonsense new reporter and Claudette Colbert as a heiress who typically always gets her way, this Frank Capra directed flick is something of a romantic screwball comedy that is both hilarious and slightly edgy (for the 1930s at least). It's a typical guy ends up for falling for a girl he really has no business falling for type of flick, but there's an element to this film that's quite endearing. After all, it was the first ever movie to win all five the big Academy Awards categories. That's precisely why you should give it a watch.

• Directed by: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
• Watch it if you like: The newer versions of King Kong

If you are a lover of King Kong, you might be fascinated to learn that the origins of the film actually date back to 1933. You may be even more fascinated should you choose to give the 1933 version a watch. Sure it lacks the technological advancements of the more modern versions, but that's exactly what makes it so great—you can see the early versions of filmmakers and editors playing around with the concepts that would be introduced decades later. The film stars Robert Armstrong and Ann Darrow as a director and actress who take a trip to the Indian Ocean to shoot a movie. Along the way, Ann gets kidnapped by natives who prepare her as a sacrifice for...you guessed it...Kong.

• Directed by: Raymond K. Johnson
• Watch it if you like: Land of the Blind

While we would like to tell you that 1935's Suicide Squad is a precursor to the supervillain/anti-hero film series and comics, there's actually no connection whatsoever. That said, the plot line is one that's still very much interesting as it's about a firefighter (Norman Foster) whose heads gets filled with arrogance after commanding a lot of attention for his stunts. In that way he could possibly compare to Tony Stark aka Iron-Man, but that's a bit of reach. Suicide Squad doesn't need a superhero comparison as it holds its own weight, and we consider it to be a very good film.

• Directed by: Ralph Staub
• Watch it if you like: L.A. Confidential

Pro tip: Trying watching an Old Hollywood mystery at night (even better if it's raining). It's a total vibe that will actually relax even though it's a mystery. There's something really great about detective movies from this era—they aren't the most dynamic from a film/technical standpoint, but the storytelling and acting is elite, and I actually think more current filmmakers should be pulling from these early movies as they mastered the concept of simplicity. The Mandarin Mystery is about two murders that somehow end up involving a $50,000 Chinese Mandarin stamp that's represents the motive. Simple and interesting.

• Directed by: William A. Seiter
• Watch it if you like: The Devil Wears Prada

1930s New York movies are always a fun watch. Big Business Girl stars Loretta Young as a the lonely wife of jazz band leader who's working for a rather grouchy boss at an ad agency. Determined to make a name for herself, the young woman has to learn the ins and outs of mastering the chaotic world that is New York City. Fun Fact: Big Business Girl is an American pre-Code First National sound comedy film, meaning it paved the way for future comedies.

• Directed by: Sam Wood
• Watch it if you like: The Phantom of the Opera

If you like operas/musicals, then you'll enjoy A Night at the Opera, which features a star cast that includes the names of Groucho Marx, Allan Jones, Kitty Carlisle, Chico and Harpo Marx, and more. A Night at the Opera has an enjoyable storyline that only the 1930s could produce, tunes that will get stuck in your head, and a leap of talent. Again, something to watch if you enjoy great music and musicals.

• Directed by: Oscar Micheaux
• Watch it if you like: When the Bough Breaks

At some point we'll be doing a deep dive into The Girl from Chicago because it's one of the earliest movies that feature an all-Black cast. It's not the first (that goes to a film called The Homesteader which was also directed by Micheaux), but it's still a pivotal one as it explored the concept of mystery/crime, with a secret service agent taking on the role of investigating the murder of a numbers runner in New York. This was an independent film on a lower than low budget filmed in an era that hadn't progressed yet from technological standpoint (even compared to the late 1930s), so the quality won't be the best you've ever seen, but this movie is a piece of history.

• Directed by: Richard Thorpe, John Farrow, George B. Seitz, William A. Wellman
• Watch it if you like: Tarzan

It's Tarzan and Jane, but the 1936 version. Tarzan Escapes keeps it close to the story we're familiar with—Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) falls for Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller), and wants to live life with him out in the wilderness. Her family absolutely does not approve and wants her home. Not only that, but they also want Tarzan put away into captivity. Once again, another film where it's fascinating to see an "early version" so to speak.

• Directed by: George Stevens
• Watch it if you like: Saturday Night Fever

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made a total of ten films together, and 1936's Swing Time is their sixth. In it, Astaire stars as a dancer and gambler extraordinaire named Lucky Garnett who gets cold feet ahead the wedding to his fiancee (Betty Furness), which leads to the event being called off. Lucky begs for a second chance, which her father grants on the condition that he can randomly come up with $25,000. He heads to New York to do so, but instead ends of meeting a pretty dance teacher (Rogers) that kind of makes him not want to marry his fiancee anymore. Guess it wasn't meant to be.

• Directed by: Al Ray
• Watch it if you like: M3GAN

The 1930s were the decade where the mystery genre really began being played around with by directors and actors, and A Shriek in the Night is an example of that. Don't let the negative ratings fool you—unless the review was one actually done during the time period it was released (there were certain films that newspaper journalists got assigned to and would cover within their respective columns), I don't think there's a way you can judge a film that was released decades ago in a completely fair manner without expecting more based on modern films you've seen. A Shriek in the Night is about two rival reporters (Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot) who fall for each other while investigating a serial killer. That's not a film concept you see very often, which makes it interesting and worth the watch in my opinion.

• Directed by: Howard Bretherton
• Watch it if you like: The Old Way

I must admit that my favorite era of western films is the 1960s/1970s because I think everything lined up perfectly as far as the actors, fashion, and music. I'm also a little bit biased and think that you can't get the full scope of a western without color—only because imagery is such a big part of western movies, and you don't get to see that in its totality with a black and white film. So may not agree with me and that's cool, but I can definitely appreciate how earlier decades like the 1930s laid the groundwork for what would follow. Hopalong Cassidy does just that as it tells the story of a ranch foreman (William Boyd) intent on stirring the pot by trying to star a war between two cattlemen and by helping out a gang.

Stirring the pot may not even be the correct word because that's a lot of damage he was trying to do.

• Directed by: Charles Brabin
• Watch it if you like: Pain Hustlers

Jean Harlow, one of the renowned actresses of the 1930s, stars as mob girl named Daisy Stevens, who gets into a relationship with a cop (Wallace Ford) who unbeknownst to her is the "cop brother" of a police investigation (Walter Huston) who is leaving no stone unturned in investigation of mob activities happening in the Chicago area (there's a connection present between all three). Brabin's directorial style was one that really highlighted Harlow's acting skills, which is a reason why this can present a case for being a top five or ten in her catalog.

• Directed by: William Keighley
• Watch it if you like: The modern versions of The Prince and the Pauper

You’ve seen the newer versions of The Prince and the Pauper, so you might as well see the 1930s version right. As is the case with some of the other recognizable titles on this list that have had remakes, the storyline stays within the realm of what we know…a poor boy named Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) and The Prince of Wales (Bobby Mauch) switching identities (and the results that come with it), but it’s definitely cool seeing the story told circa 1937. Dare we say—it might have even had an impact on the later films.

• Directed by: George Kukor
• Watch it if you like: This Means War

According to critics, Katharine Hepburn was “box office poison” in the late 1920s and early 1930s, so to see her bounce back and turn the tables on them to elevate her star status to the next level had to been a great “in your face” moment for her (and knowing how feisty Hepburn was…she probably did have herself a hearty laugh). The combination of Cary Grant, Hepburn, and Henry Kolker makes this a film worth watching.

• Directed by: Howard Hawks
• Watch it if you like: Marriage Story

If the Barrymore name sounds familiar, it’s acting is quite literally in their family lineage. John Barrymore takes the reins here in Twentieth Century, which is about a Broadway actor with crappy luck (Barrymore), running into a former actress flame (Carol Lombard) that he's determined to win back. Getting her back, however, is not going to be as easy as he thought as there are obstacles (in the form of other men) that are standing in his way.

• Directed by: Leslie S. Hiscott
• Watch it if you like: A Haunting in Venice

The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes is an Old Hollywood mystery you’re certain to enjoy if you love detective movies. The film stars Arthur Wontner as Holmes, who decides to take one final case before bidding farewell. Along the way, Mr. Holmes gets some twists, turns, and spots some familiar foes in the process of trying to solve the mystery. Can he get the job done? Or will he fail? You’ll have to watch for that.

• Directed by: Norman Z. McLeod
• Watch it if you like: The newer versions of Alice in Wonderland

Does the title Alice in Wonderland sound familiar? Alice In Wonderland’s origins date back to Lewis Carroll’s novel. Now as far as the movies go, before you can even get to Johnny Depp’s 2010 version (or even the 1950s Disney version), you’ve got to start here with the 1930s. It’s kind of cool seeing how they originally did the first adaptation with actors, then switched to animation, then went back to live action, etc. Talk about playing around with a concept.

• Directed by: Victor Fleming
• Watch it if you like: The Wiz

“We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!” The Wizard of Oz has an extensive background as well, and from a film perspective, many people don’t know that this 1939 version with Judy Garland is technically a remake. The first time The Wizard of Oz was tried on film was roughly a decade prior as a silent film. That said, if Judy Garland’s version is a “remake,” it’s one of the best remakes ever, and should be required viewing for all film lovers.

• Directed by: William Nigh
• Watch it if you like: The Ritual Killer

Honestly, I would like to see Monte Carlo Nights redone as it’s about a man convicted murder who escapes from jail to try to prove his innocence. We’ve seen bits and pieces kind of taken from this in different ways (I.E. the first Mission Impossible, or any other movie where a wrongfully convicted person is trying to clear their name), but not quite like this. Add in the current Monte Carlo scenery and you’ve got yourself not just a thriller, but a visually stunning film. If you’re a director and reading this, make sure to give me a shoutout if you do this!

• Directed by: David Hand, William Cottrell, Larry Morey, Wilfred Jackson, Ben Sharpsteen, Perce Pearce
• Watch it if you like: The modern version of Snow White

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs seems like an obvious choice because you can’t deny its impact and groundwork for future films. If you are shocked that Snow White has a 1930s version, you are certainly not the one. Side note: It might be cool to one day do a side by side comparison of the two to make note of similarities and differences). 

• Directed by: William A. Wellman
• Watch it if you like: The more modern versions of Call of the Wild

If you enjoyed Call of the Wild in novel/more modern formats, then you’ll most likely enjoy this film adaptation with Clark Gable, which is actually a visually stunning picture that kind of looks like a winter wonderland. Sure the chances of finding the love of your life in the Alaskan wilderness is quite slim, but that’s what movies are for right? To bring to life the things that would probably never happen in real life.

• Directed by: Tay Garnett
• Watch it if you like: The Fugitive

Slightly Honorable centers around the concept of a politician (Edward Arnold) who frames a lawyer (Pat O’ Brien) for murder. Basically, this guy is just running around rampantly killing people, and he’s putting it all on this lawyer which is wild. When you’ve got multiple false accusations to your name you’ve got to clear it, so this movie takes you through the ins and outs of the lawyer trying to prove his innocence.

• Directed by: Edwin L. Marin
• Watch it if you like: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

A little Christmas movie is something that you might find enjoyable if you’re reading this list during the holidays. A Christmas Carol is what paved the way for all of these modern Christmas movies, and is regarded as the original X-Mas classic. You get the story of grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) who’s mean to everybody around him because he hates Christmas. However, certain things happen around Scrooge that begins to make him have a change of heart.

• Directed by: Busby Berkeley, Mervyn LeRoy
• Watch it if you like: Burlesque

Gold Diggers of 1933 will have you bopping, grooving, and unleashing your spirit fingers in one of the most fun musicals of the decade. The definition of making lemons out of lemonade, the story centers around a bunch of showgirls who lost their jobs due to the Great Depression. So what do they do to obtain more work? They embark on a journey to make a musical centered around the Depression. It’s not without obstacles though…there’s a plan to have the show shutdown, and in order to save it, the girls have to become…gold diggers.

• Directed by: Melville Shyer
• Watch it if you like: Above Suspicion

Murder in the Museum is another fun mystery film from the 1930s to partake in, and the riveting twists and turns will have you thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What’s it about you ask? Well, the film centers around a carnival musician, his boss, and concessionaire all being accused of a murder that happened in their vicinity. They didn’t do it though, so who did? Well, we’re not going to spoil it!

• Directed by: Howard Jackson
• Watch it if you like: The 1983 version of Scarface

The 1983 version of Scarface recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, so now seems like a good time to revisit its 1932 predecessor, which was equally as controversial. A film that defines the “early gangster” genre, Paul Muni has the honors of being Tony in the film, and the storyline is a lot different from Pacino’s version. That alone is a good enough reason to watch because you’re practically getting two different movies despite the same name and Al Capone inspiration.

• Directed by: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley
• Watch it if you like: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Errol Flynn’s charming take as the iconic Robin Hood is one that will capture your attention if you love the general story of Robin Hood. As adventurous as what a 1930s adventure film could possibly get, Flynn invites into a wonderful mythical world that’s only enhanced by his captivating performance. The foray into the adventure world is one that can be appreciated considering the limited resources filmmakers had during that era. They made it work to the best of their abilities though.

• Directed by: William Wyler
• Watch it if you like: Be a Wicked Woman

Jezebel is one of Bette Davis’ most regarded roles as she plays a spoiled young woman with such a horrible attitude that her boyfriend is on the cusp of breaking up with fiancée. She eventually pushes him too far in a showing that results in him calling off the engagement, and upon finally returning, the young woman tries to win him back. Only it just might be too late.

• Directed by: William Wyler
• Watch it if you like: Post Grad

Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant reunited again for 1938’s Bringing Up Baby, which isn’t just a screwball comedy, but a pure comedy period. This movie is absolutely hilarious and I believe that everybody needs to see it at least once in their lives because chaos and non-sense that occurs is quite unlike anything that’s been seen since. Other films have tried it (and they’ve been funny in their own way), but it hasn’t matched the exact energy of Bringing Up Baby.

• Directed by: William Wyler
• Watch it if you like: Atonement

If you were wondering when we were going to get to Gone With the Wind, we indeed made you wait until our very last entry. Gone With the Wind is not a film that’s without controversy (even in present day), as it tells the life story of Scarlett O’ Hara (Vivien Leigh), and her life during the Civil War and Reconstruction along with her somewhat messy romantic relationships. To this day, Gone With the Wind is still being heavily analyzed and written about, which is rare for films to achieve decades after their release. That’s why it remains a must-watch.