Best Films of the 1930s List

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Last Updated: 3/22/22
Note: It's simple and straightforward: the best films of the decade in cinema history for 1930s. In order to be considered, the films must have been released any time from 1930 to 1939 according to IMDb. Multiple parts (i.e. duology, trilogy, etc.) can be put together as one if there's a continuation in the narrative. Miniseries and telefilms are fair game, but documentaries are excluded.

These films have made the cut because they have shown brilliance in most, if not all, aspects: acting, characters, screenplay, plot, direction, editing, cinematography, and so on. They must also be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Then, I think about cultural phenomenon, uniqueness, famous movie moments, iconic scenes and/or lines, cinematic power, and timelessness.

This list is based on what I have seen so far and is limited to the top 10 with 5 honorable mentions in that order.



  1. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

    2. The cinematography is stunning, even by 1920's standards. So many emotions are felt for the characters. It's understandable as to why the Nazis wanted to burn the book because of its defeating message that war is useless and trivially pointless. All Quiet on the Western Front carries so much relevance, no matter at what period of time it's seen in.


  2. I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

    3. I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang is a heartfelt story about a decent man, down on his luck, who dreams of being a civil engineer so he can build roads and bridges. The on-screen portrayal of the chain gang in the Deep South was enough for the public to denounce the practice, and forever gone that was by 1955. Paul Muni's performance is more than outstanding, and the haunting ending is timeless.


  3. The 39 Steps (1935)

    4. The most definitive Hitchcock picture made, The 39 Steps is the gold standard that many espionage pictures have failed to match. Robert Donat has never been better, and Lucie Mannheim deserves credit for setting the tone. The formula of Alfred Hitchcock's many films can be readily found here.


  4. Gone with the Wind (1939)

    5. As impressive as it can be, Gone with the Wind is a one-of-a-kind picture although it's an extremely long epic. Doing an excellent job of perpetuating the myths about the Old South which was anything but, it abounds with excellent performances, a picturesque cinematography, and a sumptuous story.


  5. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

    6. Mutiny on the Bounty is an expertly made picture given the year it was filmed in, and it features a sweeping story. It's highly watchable because of Clark Gable who steals the show in every scene. And Charles Laughton is mesmerizing as Captain Bligh.


  6. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

    7. The Daniel Day-Lewis of his time, Paul Muni is one of the greatest actors ever lived. He didn't do many films, starring in only 23 before retiring early due to health problems. When Paul Muni played a character, he became the character, doing exactly that for The Life of Emile Zola. Naturally so, the story is powerful.


  7. Gabriel Over the White House (1933)

    8. Gabriel Over the White House is one of the all-time great political fantasy pictures made. Walter Huston is brilliant. For years, the actor thought he was wasting his time with inferior films and wanted meaty roles. He finally got his wish after being handed the script for Gabriel Over the White House, causing his career to take off.


  8. Scarface (1932)

    9. This is the granddaddy of all gangster pictures. It lives up to the reputation for being the most influential of the genre. Paul Muni is the show. If there are films that escaped the swath of the Hays Code, Scarface is among them, thanks to Howard Hawks' defiance to the office's censorship orders, making it a rarity with violence never seen before in a 30's picture.


  9. The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)

    10. If you see the word "pasteurized" on milk cartons, then you know where that came from: Louis Pasteur. Paul Muni proved again and again he could play anyone at any age and of any nationality in any period of time, and he should've won more Oscars during the 30's. It's inspiring stuff just like The Life of Emile Zola.


  10. The Lady Vanishes (1938)

    11. No matter how much The Lady Vanishes resembles The 39 Steps, it's still a Hitchcock-worthy picture. What carries the show well is the marvelous pairings of Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne as the cricket enthusiasts, Charters and Caldicott, and Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave.



Honorable Mentions: Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933), Nancy Drew... Detective (1938), The Roaring Twenties (1939), Satan Met a Lady (1936), and Imitation of Life (1934)