It’s easy to see why the 1950s was many people’s favorite decade at the cinema. Even if they weren’t alive or old enough to watch films when they were originally released, many current movie buffs believe that the acting, directing and writing were top-notch back then, despite limited special effects and film budgets. Look at a list of movies from the 50s, and you’ll likely hear a lot of titles that you’ll instantly recognize, even if you’ve never seen them. There were many films produced during that time, and even today some are considered better than ever. Today we’re going to talk about the best 50s movies that will never get old.
The movies on this list are considered to be so good that we believe you can watch them over and over and you won’t get bored. Almost every genre is represented. There are awe-inspiring thrillers, like the Alfred Hitchcock films “Vertigo” and “Rear Window.” You’ll also see gripping dramas, like “On the Waterfront” and “A Streetcar Named Desire,” that feature some of the best acting of any decade. Finally, there are several films from foreign lands, like “Seven Samurai” and movies like “Ben-Hur” that took place hundreds of years in the past.
You’ll be amazed at how many classic films make the list of the best 50s movies. We highly recommend that you watch at least a few of them. Just know that you’ll probably want to watch these films more than once. There are many other great flicks to celebrate from this time, so when you’re done here, check out our list of the best but forgotten movies of the 1950s.
“Vertigo”
- Year Released: 1958
- Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 92%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 93%
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
One of the best 50s movies that will never get old is also considered to be one of the best of the decade in general. It’s Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” The movie centers around a retired detective who has a fear of heights, but when he’s hired to track someone’s wife, he must face his fears. This film is applauded for its filming style, and it has won awards for its visuals and sound. It was a very ambitious film for the time, and it’s not for the faint of heart. Still, we can’t help watching it over and over.
“Seven Samurai”
- Year Released: 1954
- Cast: Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 100%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%
- IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
A surefire way to be one of the best 50s movies is to have a film that involves different cultures and a unique plot, and “Seven Samurai” delivers in both regards. The movie, about a group of samurai who defend a village, is very exciting and easy to rewatch. It’s also a very influential film that has inspired other classic films over the years, including “The Avengers” and “Saving Private Ryan.” They just don’t make movies like this anymore.
“On The Waterfront”
- Year Released: 1954
- Cast: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 99%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
This is a very poignant and award-winning movie about corruption and crime on the waterfronts of New Jersey. There’s a lot to unpack in this drama. Marlon Brando plays a boxer who must throw a fight for the mob. Later, he’s forced to keep quiet after he witnesses a murder. It’s a stirring drama that raises a lot of questions and lacks many answers. It’s one of those films that you could watch over and over and always witness something new. This is also one of the finest performances in Marlon Brando’s career.
“War of the Worlds”
- Year Released: 1953
- Cast: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 89%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 71%
- IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
Long before the recent Tom Cruise remake of “War of the Worlds,” there was the infamous radio broadcast and this 1953 adaptation. While there were plenty of alien invasion films before this time, none of them hit as close to home as this adaptation. It was truly a terrifying film for audiences of that time and it still holds up rather well today. While there were fewer special effects, there was more human drama, and that made all of the difference. If you haven’t seen this original film, take the time to do so.
“North by Northwest”
- Year Released: 1959
- Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 97%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
The 1950s were a great time for spy thrillers, and one of the best ones is this iconic film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant. Most of us of a certain age have at least seen the iconic scene where Grant is chased by the crop duster plane in broad daylight. It’s a scene that we love to rewatch and it complements the rest of the film that is filled with twists and turns. The acting and directing make this a movie that everyone must see at least once.
“Kiss Me Deadly”
- Year Released: 1955
- Cast: Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 98%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
This is considered to be one of the best 50s movies in the category of film noir. It centers around a detective who picks up a hitchhiker. However, the woman he picks up leads him down a path of intrigue and calamity. People loved this movie back then because it was different from the wholesome movies often made during the decade. It continues to be a cult classic because of its unique themes and the fact that you can always notice something different every time you watch it.
“A Streetcar Named Desire”
- Year Released: 1951
- Cast: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 97%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Another Marlon Brando classic makes this list of the best 50s movies that will never get old. This time, it’s a movie based on the stage play from Tennessee Williams. It’s a film about various toxic relationships that intersect, and it’s worth a repeat viewing, if only for the superb acting. There’s also some great direction in this film with uncomfortable close-ups and a deep atmosphere.
“Ben-Hur”
- Year Released: 1959
- Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 85%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
If you only watch one film on this list, make it “Ben-Hur.” This film, which is based on the religious story of Judah Ben-Hur, who is enslaved by the Romans and comes back vowing revenge, is a must-see. While the story is engrossing, what really makes us want to rewatch this film over and over is the production value. This is the movie with the famous chariot race. It was one of the biggest movies at the time. It demanded over 100 wardrobe professionals, 2,500 horses and over 10,000 extras. The result is a film of grand scale.
“12 Angry Men”
- Year Released: 1954
- Cast: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 100%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%
- IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
One of the best 50s movies that brought drama to a whole new level is the 1954 version of “12 Angry Men.” The film centers around a jury of men who hear a case and go into their room to deliberate. However, what seems straightforward at first becomes more of a challenge, and eventually, the men start to change their minds. This idea has been redone several times since then, but this early version is very dramatic, and all of the actors work well together. It’s worth watching repeatedly to try to catch all of the little details.
“From Here to Eternity”
- Year Released: 1953
- Cast: Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 88%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
This is another one of those films that everyone has heard of, and not only is it good, but it’s worth seeing over and over again. The film is about soldiers who are stationed in Hawaii, and they each have unique storylines leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This movie is very dramatic, and it captures your attention from beginning to end. Plus, it’s loaded with A-list actors of the time, from Frank Sinatra to Burt Lancaster, and more. Watch this movie once and it may just become your favorite film of all time.
“Rebel Without A Cause”
- Year Released: 1955
- Cast: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 93%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 88%
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
This is the movie that made James Dean a household name, and when you watch it, you’ll realize what a shame it was that we lost him way too soon. The story is also very relatable, especially to younger viewers. It’s about a teen who acts out after being caught between his bickering parents. James Dean died a few weeks before the film was released, so it’s worth rewatching to see his great acting capabilites. It’s like watching “The Dark Knight” and realizing how sad it is to lose Heath Ledger.
“Singin’ in the Rain”
- Year Released: 1952
- Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 100%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
One of the best 50s movies is also one of the best musicals of all time, and it’s the Gene Kelly classic “Singin’ in the Rain.” If you think the movie seems older, it’s because it’s set in 1927, and that’s what makes the film so memorable. The direction and cinematography are so great that the film seems timeless, and it has some great musical numbers. The movie is also very colorful and there are many unique details. You’re bound to see something new during each new viewing.
“Some Like It Hot”
- Year Released: 1959
- Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 95%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
One of the few comedies on this list is “Some Like It Hot,” which is notable for being a classic screwball comedy and for being one of the last performances by Marilyn Monroe. In fact, the main reason to watch this film repeatedly is to enjoy Monroe like you never will again. The movie is also quite wild because it’s about two male jazz musicians who dress up as women to escape from the mob. There’s a lot to enjoy in this memorable film.
“Rear Window”
- Year Released: 1954
- Cast: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 98%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
- IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
“Rear Window” is one of the best 50s movies and one of the most noteworthy films directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It’s the story of a man confined to a wheelchair who believes he has witnessed a crime, but he may also be losing his mind. This film is very relatable because we’ve all become too nosy for our own good, so it’s not hard to imagine us being in the same situation. The movie is also a masterclass in acting. (If you love James Stewart as much as we do, check out this list of his most famous quotes.)