8 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Every Fan Must See (Except for 'Psycho'), Ranked by RT
These films turned genre conventions on their heads, broke the fourth wall, and made the most ordinary things scary.
Alfred Hitchcock's name is synonymous with suspense, tension, and cinematic genius. Psycho is undoubtedly his most famous and iconic film, and its shower scene has long been etched into cinematic history.
However, reducing the master's body of work to a single movie, albeit brilliant, is a true crime against cinema.
8. 'The Man Who Knew Too Much', 1956
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
English tourists Ben and Jo McKenna and their son, Hank, head to the Alps for a vacation with their close friend, Louis.
During a party, Louis is killed by an assassin's bullet. Before he dies, however, he reveals to Jo information about an espionage plot. However, the McKennas are unable to report the plot to the authorities because the conspirators have kidnapped Hank.
The main characters, who have no connection to politics or the police, must now solve the complex case independently and prevent the assassination of an important diplomat.
7. 'Dial M for Murder', 1954
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Tony Wendice is a handsome, spendthrift gigolo. He easily spends his wife Margot's money, but when he learns that she has taken a lover, the writer Mark Halliday, he decides to commit a crime.
It's not out of jealousy, revenge, or an Othello-like desire to possess his wife exclusively. He plans her murder out of desperation because if she leaves him for Halliday, Wendice will be penniless since they acquired nothing together.
He hires a killer, devises a brilliant murder plan, and creates an alibi for himself. However, he overlooks one crucial detail.
6. 'Vertigo', 1958
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Following the tragic death of his partner, Detective Scottie Ferguson develops acrophobia. The condition caused him to have panic attacks and interfered with his work, so he resigned.
To make ends meet, he becomes a private investigator. A client quickly comes forward: a former colleague named Gavin asks Ferguson to keep an eye on his wife, Madeleine, who is constantly contemplating suicide.
One day, while on a stakeout, Scottie saves Madeleine from jumping off a bridge and falls in love with her. One day, the woman has another mental breakdown, commits suicide, and Scottie is committed to a mental hospital. Afterward, he meets Judy, who looks exactly like Madeleine.
5. 'The Birds', 1963
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Socialite and blonde femme fatale Melanie meets lawyer Mitch at a pet store. He pretends to mistake her for the saleswoman. She falls for his prank and isn't offended at all – in fact, she decides to continue getting to know him.
Melanie learns Mitch's address and ends up in the coastal town where he lives with his mother. While they are boating together, a seagull pecks Melanie on the head. He helps tend to her wounds, and the two of them develop a close relationship.
Suddenly, the birds in the area begin to behave strangely – farm chickens are dying, and crows are attacking small animals and people.
4. 'North by Northwest', 1959
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Roger Thornhill is an advertising agent. One day, however, counterintelligence mistakenly identifies him as George Kaplan, a mythical secret agent.
The intelligence services try to kill Roger, accusing him of murdering a key witness. However, a mysterious stranger he meets on a train helps him escape.
Roger must now figure out what is going on and prove his innocence. However, he only finds himself drawn deeper into a dangerous spy network where he must play by someone else's rules.
3. 'The Lady Vanishes', 1938
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
The story is set in the Alps shortly before World War II. A young woman named Iris returns to England from a local resort, her wedding is about to take place in London.
At the hotel, she meets an elderly governess named Froy and a musician named Gilbert. While boarding the train, a flowerpot falls on Iris' head. The governess helps her into the carriage, and Iris falls asleep. When she awakes, she finds that Froy has vanished without a trace.
Everyone assures Iris that Froy wasn't there and that she imagined it all because of the blow to her head. Iris disagrees, however, so she decides to investigate, and Gilbert volunteers to help her.
2. 'Rebecca', 1940
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Maximilian de Winter is a wealthy man and the owner of an estate. He lost his first wife, Rebecca, about a year ago. He travels to Monte Carlo to unwind and meets Mrs. Van Hopper and her young companion, whose name remains unknown.
The man becomes infatuated with the young woman and eventually marries her. Soon, the couple returns to his estate. There, the young bride begins to be haunted by Rebecca's presence, which she sees in everything around her.
The maid is unnaturally devoted to Maxim's ex-wife and constantly compares the new wife to her – not in a favorable way.
1. 'Rear Window', 1954
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
Professional photographer Jeff is confined to his New York City apartment due to a broken leg. Out of boredom, Jeff watches his neighbors from his window overlooking the courtyard.
Their lives unfold before his eyes, and he even develops favorites, observing their habits and lifestyles over time. Gradually, Jeff begins to suspect that a murder has occurred in one of the apartments across the street.
Neither his friends nor the police believe him, but he persists in his attempts to uncover the truth.
