Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The Best Black And White Movies They've Ever Seen

Many years ago, I sat down and watched Les Diaboliques, a moody and unnerving mystery film by the great French auteur Henri-Georges Clouzot. Having previously enjoyed The Wages of Fear, I sat down and watched.

It was incredible.

The performances by Simone Signoret and Véra Clouzot (the director's wife)? Divine.

The music? Stupendous.

The writing? Riveting.

That ending? Don't get me started.

It's a great film, truly among the best black and white films I've had the pleasure of viewing.

Some time after that, I watched Eyes without a Face, which convinced me that the French are a macabre bunch.


People shared their film recommendations with us after Redditor TheChainLink asked the online community:

"What black and white movies would you recommend?

12 Angry Men (1957)

"12 Angry Men. Phenomenal film. Absolutely still holds up in fact I would say it's more important that people see this film today."

ChipmunkBackground

A riveting production featuring great writing and wonderful acting. Truly some of Sidney Lumet's finest work as a director.

The Third Man (1949)

"The Third Man. Always at the top of my list. Just stunning in every single way."

7decadesofhistory

It's definitely a gorgeous film. Some of that cinematography is truly breathtaking. And that ending!

Arsenic and Old Lace (1943)

"I'm surprised that I haven't seen Arsenic and Old Lace mentioned yet."

The film nominally focuses on a young man with two crazy aunts. Said aunts have a habit of inviting down-and-out travelers to their bed-and-breakfast inn, then poisoning them and burying them in the basement. The protagonist's brother, on the other hand, believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt, and... you know what? Just give it a watch."

RamsesThePigeon

Truly a classic that still holds up today. More people need to see it! I have watched this movie so many times.

The Thin Man (1934)

"The Thin Man and its entire series. Made in the 1930s, it holds up as a detective story. It is as good as any modern detective movie. It is a fun detective movie, not grim or dark."

AgentElman

This film was one of the biggest hits of its day, to say nothing of the rest of the series!

Casablanca (1943)

"Casablanca."

"Stupendous. Years ago, a friend and I decided to do a films you have to have watched at least once marathon, including Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and Apocalypse Now, and I enjoyed this one (well, all of them, but this one in particular), since it barely shows its age. Truly a timeless classic."

[deleted]

If you haven't seen it yet, you really should! It's currently on HBO Max! Bogie and Bergman? Where could you go wrong?

Gaslight (1944)

"Gaslight, starring Ingrid Bergman, from which we use the popular term."

liltx

Bergman one the Oscar for this film, her first. She would later win for Anastasia (1956) and Murder on the Orient Express (1974).

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

"Dr. Strangelove. Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"

photoguy423

I… I… I don’t know how to put this sir, but do you know how much of a breach of security that would be? I mean, he’ll see everything. He’ll see the big board!

Psycho (1960)

"Psycho. Fantastic horror movie, and timeless too. Janet Leigh's stabbing shower scene is still legendary."

[deleted]

Truly! Perhaps Alfred Hitchock's most famous film – and it spawned countless imitations.

The General (1927)

"The General is incredibly funny even now and even as a silent film absolutely holds up, highly recommended."

skipperxc

Every stunt in that film was real, which makes the scene where Johnny removes the railroad ties from the tracks even crazier.

It Happened One Night (1934)

"It Happened One Night. Glorious screwball comedy with Clark Gable."

spoonfingler

The hitchhiking scene is hilarious! Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were true movie magic.

Well, what are you waiting for? I'll throw out a few others, as a bonus: It's a Wonderful Life, Strangers on a Train, Sweet Smell of Success, Seconds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Angel Face... need I go on?

Have some suggestions of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Doug Savant on 'Melrose Place'
FOX

'Melrose Place' Star Reveals Why His Gay Character Wasn't Allowed To Show Affection On Show

With the plethora of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines being normalized on various TV shows and streaming platforms, it might be difficult for younger generations to fathom that it wasn't always like this.

The cast of the popular '90s drama Melrose Place had a poignant discussion on the Still The Placepodcast.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Scott Jennings and Abby Phillip
CNN

CNN Host Drops Truth Bomb After Republican Guest Explains Why GOP 'Likes' Kash Patel For FBI Director

After conservative commentator Scott Jennings defended President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Kash Patel for FBI Director, CNN host Abby Phillip dropped a truth bomb, drawing an apt comparison to the GOP's election reform crusade.

Jennings said the following about Patel, whom he suggested would restore trust and "public confidence" in the bureau:

Keep ReadingShow less
Image of Melania, Barron and Donald Trump on election night
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Rare Video Of Barron Trump Talking On Election Night Has People Doing A Double Take

A rare video of President-elect Donald Trump's son Barron Trump speaking has many social media users doing a double take, with many pointing out the similarities between his and his father's speech patterns.

In the clip, Barron greets one of his father's supporters:

Keep ReadingShow less
John Rich; Lindsey Graham; Pete Hegseth
Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

MAGA Country Singer Rages At Lindsey Graham For Waffling On Confirming Pete Hegseth

John Rich, one half of the country duo Big & Rich, furiously took to X to question "RINO" Senator Lindsey Graham's manliness after the South Carolina GOP politician called the allegations against Trump Cabinet pick Pete Hegseth "disturbing."

Hegseth, a Fox News host who is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces scrutiny after CNN reported that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause.

Keep ReadingShow less
Flavor Flav
Bryan Steffy - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Flavor Flav's 'Spirit Is Broken' After NBC Kicked Him Out Of Backstage Area At Tree Lighting

Rap icon Flavor Flav was dispirited by the way NBC treated him in a backstage area at the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old cofounder of the rap group Public Enemy said he was kicked out for no reason.

Keep ReadingShow less