Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked by a Non-Horror Fan

I thought it might be fun to share my list of Alfred Hitchcok movies ranked by a non-horror lover during lockdown! During the Covid Pandemic, instead of baking yet another batch of chocolate chip cookies, I decided to watch and rank all of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies. I am not particularly a “scary movie” fan, but I do appreciate suspense and a well-crafted movie, so I figured this might keep me amused.

These are purely my subjective rankings based on how much I enjoyed the film, with a little influence from my college background studying film.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my rankings. Also, which of the movies I haven’t yet watched should be next? Please add a comment.

1. Rear Window (1954)

Such a fun watch! Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly could take turns reading the phonebook and it would be entertaining though. But great story, great set! Fun watching the various lives going on across from Jimmy’s window. Grace Kelly’s entrance scene where she kisses Jimmy is stunning! 😍

2. Notorious (1946)

Ingrid Bergman is so cool! And what’s not to like about Cary Grant? Amazing chemistry between them. Suspenseful Nazi spying! Really enjoyed this! Cool camera work at the big party, starting with a wide overhead shot, zooming to the important key clutched in Ingrid’s hand.

3. Rope (1948)

Jimmy Stewart! Great dialog. Loved the “movie done all in one shot” plan and the obvious times they panned to something filling the screen with black for a second for a break. Good suspense.

4. Psycho (1960)

Sexy opening! Per my kid “this Norman is cuter than the tv show Norman,” screeching music at the murders, blood-like water covering Janet’s car when it sank, Norman’s ultra creepy expression fading into his mother’s corpse at the very end. Click here for tips on where to stay to see filming sites of Psycho.

5. North by Northwest (1959)

Cary Grant! Charm! NYC. Auction scene. Sexy train ride. Scary cornfield/plane scene! Bizarre chase across Mt. Rushmore.

6. The Birds (1963)

First time I’ve seen this and I was surprised how good it was! I expected it to be very hokey, and it was a bit, special effects-wise, yet still managed to be very creepy and even shocking! I loved Tippi Hedren. Fun to see Bodega Bay. Click here for tips on where to stay to see filming sites for The Birds.

7. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Great, freaky premise! Farley Granger. Freaky carousel scene at the end.

8. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Hitchcock’s favorite of his films. Filmed in Santa Rosa. Charming teenaged girl. Serial killer uncle coming to visit was interesting and scary. Certain scenes like the Dutch Tilt and the teen silhouette in the doorway were striking. Good, suspenseful ending.

9. To Catch a Thief (1955)

Cary Grant and Grace Kelly charm and beauty. Scenery and style!

10. Vertigo (1958)

Jimmy Stewart! San Francisco/San Juan Bautista scenes. Typically ranked as top Hitchcock movie. I bought this one to watch again since I am not getting why this is typically called Hitchcock’s masterpiece.

11. The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Surprisingly charming and amusing moments, leading to danger! Interesting how much movies changed in 5 years or so. The acting got more subtle with time. In the 30’s things were definitely racier than the next couple of decades.

12. Spellbound (1945)

Ingrid Bergman is complex and cool once again. Kind of long, but a big couple of bangs near the end for my buck! Interesting milk drinking shot and an interesting gun holding shot! Dream sequence was cool. I read afterwards that Salvador Dali helped create it.

13. Marnie (1964)

Wow! I had no idea how attractive and compelling Sean Connery was as a leading man! I think I’ve only seen him as James Bond in a “romantic type role” and he’s just silly there. Tippi was very good again. This movie kept my interest, trying to understand what the heck was going on.

14. Rebecca (1940)

Unlikeable main characters (weirdo Laurence Olivier and dull Joan Fontaine), who got better and more developed as the movie went on. Great scary-looking mansion and super freaky maid!

15. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day. Fun to watch them both. Having their kid taken was scary, but after the scene where Jimmy tells Doris what happened, they don’t seem quite as freaked out as I’d imagine one would be. I would be an absolute basket case if my 10 year old son was kidnapped while we were in Morocco (or anywhere!) The “mystery” was kind of dumb.

16. Lifeboat (1944)

First time I’ve seen Tallulah Bankhead in a movie, she’s very cool. Good moral ideas/discussions. Suspenseful at times.

17. Dial M for Murder (1954)

Grace Kelly. “Fun” murder plotting.

18. The Wrong Man (1956)

Based on a true story. Henry Fonda was not very impressive except for being pretty blank all the time. Painfully long, detailed scenes like Henry being fingerprinted after being arrested. They showed every finger being fingerprinted! Wouldn’t it have been enough to show 2 fingers or even 5? Interesting points were that Henry was arrested solely on witness identification. No Miranda rights, no offer of a lawyer, no one phone call. Made me grateful for how far we have come.

19. Suspicion (1941)

Cary Grant, but not a very engaging movie to me. Joan Fontaine was dumb and wimpy.

20. The Trouble with Harry (1955)

Only watched about the first 20 minutes. Found it silly in a bad way and slow.

Not Watched Yet

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

The 39 Steps (1935)

Secret Agent (1936)

Sabotage (1936)

Young and Innocent (1937)

Jamaica Inn (1939)

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

Saboteur (1942)

The Fighting Generation (1944)

The Paradine Case (1947)

Under Capricorn (1949)

Stage Fright (1950)

I Confess (1953)

Torn Curtain (1966)

Topaz (1969)

Frenzy (1972)

Family Plot (1976)

So, What Do You Think?

These rankings are totally based on my own enjoyment—some based on suspense, others on standout scenes or performances that stuck with me. I’d love to hear your thoughts:

• Do you agree with my top picks?
• Which Hitchcock film do you think I need to watch next from my “Not Watched Yet” list?
  Drop a comment below and let’s geek out about Hitchcock together!

Want to Walk in Hitchcock’s Footsteps?

If you’re as obsessed with these films as I am, you’ll love this: I tracked down real-life filming locations from several of Hitchcock’s classics. Check out my guide to Hitchcock filming sites and where to stay nearby—perfect for planning your own suspense-filled getaway!