10 Alfred Hitchcock Movies That Everyone Should Watch At Least Once
Though, they definitely deserve more than that!
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When talking about influential figures of cinema, Alfred Hitchcock has surely got to be included in that conversation. The acclaimed director and screenwriter is responsible for many of the horror movies and mystery-thriller flicks we all love today! Though he passed away in 1980, his long, iconic career of movies still reign strong—many of them regaining popularity throughout the Halloween season. Listen, he has some eerie projects that can definitely fit any Halloween movie round up! With that said, we thought we'd honor the iconic filmmaker and list 10 of Alfred Hitchcock's best movies.
You don't have to be a movie-buff to know that Psycho has earned a spot on this list. (It's only one of the most popular movies ever!) Though a lot of his movies have a similar horror-vibe (like his famous flick, The Birds), you can also count some thrilling, old-fashioned espionage movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat! You'll want to watch North by Northwest and The Man Who Knew Too Much if that's what you're into! In all, the impact Alfred Hitchcock had on the film industry can't be explained in a mere list. But still, as we head into the Halloween season, you may find that watching any of these will help set the mood!
Psycho
Arguably his most famous movie to date, Psycho focuses on a young woman who seems to be fleeing some legal trouble, and tries to hideaway at a rundown motel. The one-man staff has a keen liking to her, which ends up being pretty unfortunate for her.
The Birds
This movie initially starts off romantic, with a man and woman having a "meet-cute" at a pet store. Soon after, the many birds in their area begin acting strange... almost violent. In fact, the birds have now taken over their town, and everyone must hide or they'll face great danger.
Family Plot
Fun fact: This 1976 film was actually Hitchcock's last! It centers around a troublesome couple (a pretend-to-be psychic and a struggling actor) who—unfortunately for them—come across a group of clever thieves and kidnappers while on a trip to search for a lost heir.
Topaz
Lots of old time military, political, and government banter in this film about a French spy working with the CIA to figure out just what is going on with suspicious claims about NATO, and countries Cuba and Russia. This is a thriller that you don't want to miss!
Torn Curtain
Paul Newman and Julie Andrews play a perfect pair in this suspenseful movie about a couple caught up in a frenzy in Germany. Watch as they make their great escape in the midst of the Cold War.
Marnie
Sean Connery may be dreamy in this film, but that isn't enough to stop the woman he married from committing some heinous crimes! Not realizing who he really married until it was too late, he now has to try to save her before things get *really* bad.
North by Northwest
All this man wants to do is his job as an advertiser. He's innocent as can be, so he's confused when he's being chased by an unknown organization, claiming that he's some sort of spy. He now must run for his life, because convincing them is not an option.
Vertigo
A retired detective has a rough past with heights, which is actually what ended up causing the end of his career. He's offered a second chance when a friend hires him to look after his troubled wife, who might end up convincing him to do things he never thought he would.
The Wrong Man
There's nothing worse than being accused of something that you didn't do. No one understands that more than Manny (Henry Fonda), who is somehow deemed as the man who robbed an insurance agency at gunpoint. How will he prove his innocence?
The Man Who Knew Too Much
A husband and wife on vacation wishes they minded their business after being witnesses to an international murder. Being seen by the group of murderers results in their son being kidnapped, which was done to keep them quiet.
Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.
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