Best Charles Laughton movies
If you love cinema, you will share this ranking of the best Charles Laughton movies, although you may have ordered them differently. In any case, we hope you love it and with a little luck discovering a movie that you still don't know about Charles Laughton.
TOP 25:
Tales of Manhattan
Charles Laughton as: Charles Smith
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Release: 1942
Ten screenwriters collaborated on this series of tales concerning the effect a tailcoat cursed by its tailor has on those who wear it. The video release features a W.C. Fields segment not included in the original theatrical release.
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Release: 1942
Ten screenwriters collaborated on this series of tales concerning the effect a tailcoat cursed by its tailor has on those who wear it. The video release features a W.C. Fields segment not included in the original theatrical release.
TOP 24:
The Paradine Case
Charles Laughton as: Judge Lord Thomas Horfield
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Release: 1947
Attorney Anthony Keane agrees to represent Londonite Mrs. Paradine, who has been fingered in her husband's murder. From the start, the married lawyer is drawn to the enigmatic beauty, and he begins to cast about for a way to exonerate his client. Keane puts the Paradine household servant on the stand, suggesting he is the killer. But Keane soon loses his way in the courtroom, and his half-baked plan sets off a stunning chain of events.
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Release: 1947
Attorney Anthony Keane agrees to represent Londonite Mrs. Paradine, who has been fingered in her husband's murder. From the start, the married lawyer is drawn to the enigmatic beauty, and he begins to cast about for a way to exonerate his client. Keane puts the Paradine household servant on the stand, suggesting he is the killer. But Keane soon loses his way in the courtroom, and his half-baked plan sets off a stunning chain of events.
TOP 23:
The Bribe
Charles Laughton as: J.J. Bealer
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 1949
United States Federal agent Rigby travels to the Central American island Carlotta to investigate a stolen aircraft engines smuggling racket.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 1949
United States Federal agent Rigby travels to the Central American island Carlotta to investigate a stolen aircraft engines smuggling racket.
TOP 22:
Piccadilly
Charles Laughton as: A Continental Visitor
Genre: Drama, Crime
Release: 1929
A young Chinese woman, working in the kitchen at a London dance club, is given the chance to become the club's main act.
Genre: Drama, Crime
Release: 1929
A young Chinese woman, working in the kitchen at a London dance club, is given the chance to become the club's main act.
TOP 21:
The Private Life of Henry VIII
Charles Laughton as: Henry VIII
Genre: History, Drama
Release: 1933
Renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn, his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour, but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.
Genre: History, Drama
Release: 1933
Renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn, his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour, but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.
TOP 20:
O. Henry's Full House
Charles Laughton as: Soapy (segment "The Cop and the Anthem")
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release: 1952
Five O. Henry stories, each separate. The primary one from the critics' acclaim was "The Cop and the Anthem". Soapy tells fellow bum Horace that he is going to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a nice jail cell. He fails. He can't even accost a woman; she turns out to be a streetwalker. The other stories are "The Clarion Call", "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief", and "The Gift of the Magi".
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Farley Granger movies?
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release: 1952
Five O. Henry stories, each separate. The primary one from the critics' acclaim was "The Cop and the Anthem". Soapy tells fellow bum Horace that he is going to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a nice jail cell. He fails. He can't even accost a woman; she turns out to be a streetwalker. The other stories are "The Clarion Call", "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief", and "The Gift of the Magi".
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Farley Granger movies?
TOP 19:
If I Had a Million
Charles Laughton as: Phineas V. Lambert
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release: 1932
An elderly business tycoon, believed to be dying, decides to give a million dollars each to eight strangers chosen at random from the phone directory.
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release: 1932
An elderly business tycoon, believed to be dying, decides to give a million dollars each to eight strangers chosen at random from the phone directory.
TOP 18:
The Canterville Ghost
Charles Laughton as: Sir Simon de Canterville / The Ghost
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Release: 1944
The descendent of a ghost imprisoned for cowardice hopes to free the spirit by displaying courage when under duress.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Leslie Phillips movies?
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Release: 1944
The descendent of a ghost imprisoned for cowardice hopes to free the spirit by displaying courage when under duress.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Leslie Phillips movies?
TOP 17:
Rembrandt
Charles Laughton as: Rembrandt van Rijn
Genre: Drama, History
Release: 1936
A character study depicting the life of Rembrandt Van Rijn at the height of his fame in the mid 1600s. Beginning with the death of his wife, Rembrandt's work takes a dark turn, which offends many of his patrons.
Genre: Drama, History
Release: 1936
A character study depicting the life of Rembrandt Van Rijn at the height of his fame in the mid 1600s. Beginning with the death of his wife, Rembrandt's work takes a dark turn, which offends many of his patrons.
TOP 16:
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Charles Laughton as: (in "The Bribe") (archive footage)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Release: 1982
Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Norma Varden movies?
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Release: 1982
Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Norma Varden movies?
TOP 15:
The Old Dark House
Charles Laughton as: Sir William Porterhouse
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Release: 1932
In a remote region of Wales, five travelers beset by a relentless storm find shelter in an old mansion.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Mervyn Johns movies?
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Release: 1932
In a remote region of Wales, five travelers beset by a relentless storm find shelter in an old mansion.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Mervyn Johns movies?
TOP 14:
Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's “Island of Dr. Moreau”
Charles Laughton as: Self (archive footage)
Genre: Documentary
Release: 2014
The story of the insane scandals related to the remake of “Island of Dr. Moreau” —originally a novel by H. G. Wells—, which was brought to the big screen in 1996. How director Richard Stanley spent four years developing the project just to find an abrupt end to his work while leading actor Marlon Brando pulled the strings in the shadows. Now for the first time, the living key players recount what really happened and why it all went so spectacularly wrong.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Fairuza Balk movies?
Genre: Documentary
Release: 2014
The story of the insane scandals related to the remake of “Island of Dr. Moreau” —originally a novel by H. G. Wells—, which was brought to the big screen in 1996. How director Richard Stanley spent four years developing the project just to find an abrupt end to his work while leading actor Marlon Brando pulled the strings in the shadows. Now for the first time, the living key players recount what really happened and why it all went so spectacularly wrong.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Fairuza Balk movies?
TOP 13:
The Suspect
Charles Laughton as: Philip Marshall
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 1945
Genial shopkeeper Philip has to endure the constant nagging of a shrewish wife while he secretly yearns for a pretty young stenographer. When the henpecking gets to be too much, Philip murders his wife and manages to make her death look like an accident. A ruthless blackmailer and a low-key detective both discover Philip's secret, and he has to decide which of them poses the more dangerous threat.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Jo Jae-yun movies?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 1945
Genial shopkeeper Philip has to endure the constant nagging of a shrewish wife while he secretly yearns for a pretty young stenographer. When the henpecking gets to be too much, Philip murders his wife and manages to make her death look like an accident. A ruthless blackmailer and a low-key detective both discover Philip's secret, and he has to decide which of them poses the more dangerous threat.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Jo Jae-yun movies?
TOP 12:
Island of Lost Souls
Charles Laughton as: Dr. Moreau
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction
Release: 1932
An obsessed scientist conducts profane experiments in evolution, eventually establishing himself as the self-styled demigod to a race of mutated, half-human abominations.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Lars Mikkelsen movies?
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction
Release: 1932
An obsessed scientist conducts profane experiments in evolution, eventually establishing himself as the self-styled demigod to a race of mutated, half-human abominations.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Lars Mikkelsen movies?
TOP 11:
Ruggles of Red Gap
Charles Laughton as: Marmaduke Ruggles
Genre: Comedy
Release: 1935
In this comedy of an Englishman stranded in a sea of barbaric Americans, Marmaduke Ruggles, a gentleman's gentleman and butler to an Earl is lost in a poker game to an uncouth American cattle baron. Ruggles' life is turned upside down as he's taken to the USA, is gradually assimilated into American life, accidentally becomes a local celebrity, and falls in love along the way.
Genre: Comedy
Release: 1935
In this comedy of an Englishman stranded in a sea of barbaric Americans, Marmaduke Ruggles, a gentleman's gentleman and butler to an Earl is lost in a poker game to an uncouth American cattle baron. Ruggles' life is turned upside down as he's taken to the USA, is gradually assimilated into American life, accidentally becomes a local celebrity, and falls in love along the way.
TOP 10:
It Started with Eve
Charles Laughton as: Jonathan Reynolds
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Music
Release: 1941
A young man asks a hat check girl to pose as his fiancée in order to make his dying father's last moments happy. However, the old man's health takes a turn for the better and now his son doesn't know how to break the news that he's engaged to someone else, especially since his father is so taken with the impostor.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Music
Release: 1941
A young man asks a hat check girl to pose as his fiancée in order to make his dying father's last moments happy. However, the old man's health takes a turn for the better and now his son doesn't know how to break the news that he's engaged to someone else, especially since his father is so taken with the impostor.
TOP 9:
This Land Is Mine
Charles Laughton as: Albert Lory
Genre: Drama, War
Release: 1943
Somewhere in Europe, in a city occupied by the Nazis, a gentle school teacher finds himself torn between collaboration and resistance, cowardice and courage.
Genre: Drama, War
Release: 1943
Somewhere in Europe, in a city occupied by the Nazis, a gentle school teacher finds himself torn between collaboration and resistance, cowardice and courage.
TOP 8:
Advise & Consent
Charles Laughton as: Senator Seabright Cooley
Genre: Drama
Release: 1962
Proposed by the President of the United States to fill the post of Secretary of State, Robert Leffingwell appears before a Senate committee, chaired by the idealistic Senator Brig Anderson, which must decide whether he is the right person for the job.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Walter Pidgeon movies?
Genre: Drama
Release: 1962
Proposed by the President of the United States to fill the post of Secretary of State, Robert Leffingwell appears before a Senate committee, chaired by the idealistic Senator Brig Anderson, which must decide whether he is the right person for the job.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Walter Pidgeon movies?
TOP 7:
Les Misérables
Charles Laughton as: Inspector Emile Javert
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Release: 1935
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Richard Bremmer movies?
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Release: 1935
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Richard Bremmer movies?
TOP 6:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Charles Laughton as: The Hunchback Quasimodo
Genre: Drama, Romance, Horror
Release: 1939
Paris, France, 1482. Frollo, Chief Justice of benevolent King Louis XI, gets infatuated by the beauty of Esmeralda, a young Romani girl. The hunchback Quasimodo, Frollo's protege and bell-ringer of Notre Dame, lives in peace among the bells in the heights of the immense cathedral until he is involved by the twisted magistrate in his malicious plans to free himself from Esmeralda's alleged spell, which he believes to be the devil's work.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best David Suchet movies?
Genre: Drama, Romance, Horror
Release: 1939
Paris, France, 1482. Frollo, Chief Justice of benevolent King Louis XI, gets infatuated by the beauty of Esmeralda, a young Romani girl. The hunchback Quasimodo, Frollo's protege and bell-ringer of Notre Dame, lives in peace among the bells in the heights of the immense cathedral until he is involved by the twisted magistrate in his malicious plans to free himself from Esmeralda's alleged spell, which he believes to be the devil's work.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best David Suchet movies?
TOP 5:
The Big Clock
Charles Laughton as: Earl Janoth
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Release: 1948
Stroud, a crime magazine's crusading editor has to post-pone a vacation with his wife, again, when a glamorous blonde is murdered and he is assigned by his publishing boss Janoth to find the killer. As the investigation proceeds to its conclusion, Stroud must try to disrupt his ordinarily brilliant investigative team as they increasingly build evidence (albeit wrong) that he is the killer.
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Release: 1948
Stroud, a crime magazine's crusading editor has to post-pone a vacation with his wife, again, when a glamorous blonde is murdered and he is assigned by his publishing boss Janoth to find the killer. As the investigation proceeds to its conclusion, Stroud must try to disrupt his ordinarily brilliant investigative team as they increasingly build evidence (albeit wrong) that he is the killer.
TOP 4:
Mutiny on the Bounty
Charles Laughton as: Captaine Bligh
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Release: 1935
Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on revenge.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best David Niven movies?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Release: 1935
Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on revenge.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best David Niven movies?
TOP 3:
Hobson's Choice
Charles Laughton as: Henry Horatio Hobson
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release: 1954
Henry Hobson owns and tyrannically runs a successful Victorian boot maker’s shop in Salford, England. A stingy widower with a weakness for overindulging in the local Moonraker Public House, he exploits his three daughters as cheap labour. When he declares that there will be ‘no marriages’ to avoid the expense of marriage settlements at £500 each, his eldest daughter Maggie rebels.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release: 1954
Henry Hobson owns and tyrannically runs a successful Victorian boot maker’s shop in Salford, England. A stingy widower with a weakness for overindulging in the local Moonraker Public House, he exploits his three daughters as cheap labour. When he declares that there will be ‘no marriages’ to avoid the expense of marriage settlements at £500 each, his eldest daughter Maggie rebels.
TOP 2:
Spartacus
Charles Laughton as: Sempronius Gracchus
Genre: History, War, Drama, Adventure
Release: 1960
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Laurence Olivier movies?
Genre: History, War, Drama, Adventure
Release: 1960
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Laurence Olivier movies?
TOP 1:
Witness for the Prosecution
Charles Laughton as: Sir Wilfrid Robarts
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime
Release: 1957
When Leonard Vole is arrested for the sensational murder of a rich, middle-aged widow, the famous Sir Wilfrid Robarts agrees to appear on his behalf. Sir Wilfrid, recovering from a near-fatal heart attack, is supposed to be on a diet of bland, civil suits—but the lure of the criminal courts is too much for him, especially when the case is so difficult.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Ruta Lee movies?
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime
Release: 1957
When Leonard Vole is arrested for the sensational murder of a rich, middle-aged widow, the famous Sir Wilfrid Robarts agrees to appear on his behalf. Sir Wilfrid, recovering from a near-fatal heart attack, is supposed to be on a diet of bland, civil suits—but the lure of the criminal courts is too much for him, especially when the case is so difficult.
Did you know that this movie is also one of best Ruta Lee movies?
If you like the best Charles Laughton movies, then you will also like the best Norma Varden movies, where many of their films coincide.
