The top 20 public domain films, according to IMDB
Classic cinema holds a special place in the hearts of movie enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the storytelling and filmmaking styles of earlier eras. We’ve curated a list of the top-10 rated public domain films since 1930, with their IMDB rating. All are available to watch here on Classic Movies Stream.
20. Three Came Home (1950) – 7.3
Based on the memoir of Agnes Newton Keith, Three Came Home is a harrowing account of a woman and her family’s survival in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Claudette Colbert stars as Keith, who endures hardships and emotional turmoil while separated from her husband. The film is a poignant exploration of resilience and humanity under extreme conditions.
19. Too Late for Tears (1949) – 7.3
When a bag of cash is accidentally thrown into their car, Jane and Alan Palmer’s lives take a dark turn, especially as Jane (Lizabeth Scott) becomes obsessed with keeping the money. As greed drives her to desperate acts, including murder, her moral downfall is both riveting and tragic. Too Late for Tears is a tightly-wound noir thriller that explores the corrosive power of greed and deception.
18. Love Affair (1939) – 7.3
In this romantic classic, Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne play two people who meet and fall in love on a cruise, despite being engaged to others. They agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building six months later, but tragedy strikes before they can fulfil their romantic promise. Love Affair is a bittersweet tale of love and fate, later remade as An Affair to Remember.
17. Kansas City Confidential (1952) – 7.3
In Kansas City Confidential, ex-convict Joe Rolfe is framed for a meticulously planned armored car heist executed by a masked mastermind and his trio of hardened criminals. Determined to clear his name, Rolfe embarks on a relentless pursuit that leads him to Mexico, where he confronts the true culprits. As tensions escalate, hidden identities and double-crosses culminate in a dramatic showdown aboard a fishing boat.
16. The Big Combo (1955) – 7.3
The Big Combo is a stylish film noir that follows dogged police detective Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) as he obsessively pursues sadistic crime boss Mr Brown (Richard Conte). As Diamond digs deeper into Brown’s empire, he uncovers dark secrets, including Brown’s psychological grip over his troubled mistress, Susan (Jean Wallace).
15. A Star is Born (1954) – 7.3
Judy Garland stars in this musical drama about Esther Blodgett, an aspiring singer whose career rises as her husband, fading movie star Norman Maine (James Mason), spirals into alcoholism. As her fame eclipses his, their relationship is tested by personal demons and professional jealousy. A Star is Born is a poignant exploration of fame, love, and sacrifice, anchored by Garland’s legendary performance and iconic musical numbers.
14. The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) – 7.3
In this ground-breaking drama, Frank Sinatra delivers a powerful performance as Frankie Machine, a heroin-addicted jazz drummer struggling to stay clean after being released from prison. Directed by Otto Preminger, the film tackles addiction with a frankness rarely seen at the time, portraying the destructive pull of substance abuse and the battle for redemption. The Man With the Golden Arm is considered one of Sinatra’s finest roles and a landmark in Hollywood’s portrayal of addiction.
13. Detour (1945) – 7.3
This low-budget noir film, directed by Edgar G Ulmer, follows Al Roberts (Tom Neal), a down-on-his-luck pianist who becomes ensnared in a deadly chain of events after a fateful encounter with a femme fatale, Vera (Ann Savage). As Al’s life spirals out of control, the film explores themes of fate, guilt, and moral decay. Detour is celebrated for its dark, fatalistic tone and is a quintessential example of film noir.
12. The Stranger (1946) – 7.3
Directed by and starring Orson Welles, The Stranger follows a war crimes investigator (Edward G Robinson) tracking down a Nazi fugitive who has assumed a new identity in a small American town. Welles plays the villainous Nazi hiding in plain sight, creating a tense atmosphere as the net tightens around him. The film is noted for its exploration of post-war justice and paranoia, along with Welles’ brilliant direction.
11. Salt of the Earth (1954) – 7.4
Directed by Herbert J Biberman, Salt of the Earth is a powerful drama inspired by a real-life strike by Mexican-American miners in New Mexico. The film follows the struggle of the workers, particularly focusing on the role of women, who demand equality both in the home and at the picket lines. Despite facing censorship and blacklisting due to its progressive themes, the film remains a landmark in social realist cinema.
10. Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) – 7.4
This adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s play features José Ferrer in his Oscar-winning role as Cyrano, a nobleman with a large nose who is both a poet and swordsman. Despite his feelings for the beautiful Roxane, Cyrano believes his appearance makes him unworthy of her love, so he helps the handsome but tongue-tied Christian woo her instead. Cyrano de Bergerac explores themes of unrequited love, honour, and self-sacrifice.
9. The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) – 7.4
This noir thriller stars Barbara Stanwyck as the scheming Martha Ivers, whose dark childhood secret comes back to haunt her when an old acquaintance, played by Van Heflin, returns to town. The Strange Love of Martha Ivers is a tense exploration of guilt, power, and the lengths people will go to protect their past. As secrets unravel, Martha’s marriage and her carefully constructed life begin to collapse.
8. And Then There Were None (1945) – 7.4
Based on Agatha Christie’s best-selling mystery novel, this film follows ten strangers who are invited to a remote island under false pretences, only to be killed off one by one. As the survivors try to uncover the identity of the murderer among them, paranoia and fear take over. And Then There Were None is a masterclass in suspense, with a tightly woven plot that keeps viewers guessing until the end.
7. Meet John Doe (1941) – 7.6
Frank Capra directs this socially conscious drama about a down-and-out man, played by Gary Cooper, who is hired to pose as “John Doe,” a fictional character created by a newspaper to denounce society’s injustices. As the John Doe movement gains momentum, the man behind the persona struggles with the ethics of continuing the deception. Meet John Doe is both a critique of political manipulation and a celebration of grassroots activism.
6. Patterns (1956) – 7.7
Written by Rod Serling, Patterns is a sharp, incisive drama about corporate ambition and moral compromise. Van Heflin stars as a new executive who finds himself caught in a power struggle between his idealistic predecessor and the ruthless company president. The film delves into the harsh realities of the corporate world, where loyalty is expendable and the pursuit of success often comes at a personal cost.
5. Scarlet Street (1945) – 7.7
Directed by Fritz Lang, this noir film tells the story of a meek cashier and amateur painter, played by Edward G Robinson, who becomes entangled with a femme fatale, portrayed by Joan Bennett. The woman and her con-artist boyfriend manipulate him into a scheme that leads to theft, murder, and ultimately, tragedy. Scarlet Street is a bleak exploration of desire, deception, and the destructive power of obsession.
4. His Girl Friday (1940) – 7.8
This fast-paced screwball comedy stars Cary Grant as a newspaper editor trying to win back his ex-wife and star reporter, played by Rosalind Russell, who is about to remarry. The film is renowned for its rapid-fire dialogue and witty banter, as the characters juggle a high-profile news story and their complicated personal relationships. His Girl Friday is a brilliant showcase of classic Hollywood comedy, with sharp performances and a clever script.
3. Charade (1963) – 7.8
Starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, Charade is often described as “the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made.” The film blends romance, comedy, and suspense as Hepburn’s character, a widow pursued by several men searching for her late husband’s fortune, teams up with Grant’s enigmatic stranger. Set in Paris, Charade is a stylish and playful thriller with an unforgettable plot full of twists and turns.
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968) – 7.8
George A Romero’s ground-breaking horror film revolutionised the genre with its gritty realism and social commentary. The story follows a group of people trapped in a farmhouse as they try to survive an onslaught of flesh-eating zombies. With its stark black-and-white cinematography and unsettling atmosphere, Night of the Living Dead remains a seminal work in horror cinema, influencing countless films that followed.
1. My Man Godfrey (1936) – 7.9
My Man Godfrey is a classic screwball comedy about a wealthy but ditzy socialite, Irene Bullock, who hires a homeless man, Godfrey, as her family’s butler – only to discover he is more refined and intelligent than any of them. As Godfrey brings order to the chaotic Bullock household, he and Irene develop a complicated romance, complicated by class differences and misunderstandings.