The top 20 public domain movies, rated by Rotten Tomatoes
In the vast landscape of cinema, there’s a treasure trove of films that have entered the public domain, freely accessible for all to enjoy.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, a renowned platform for film critique and aggregation, there are 20 exceptional movies that have near-perfect score.
Here’s an exploration of these top 20 public domain films celebrated by audiences, offering a cinematic journey of film.
20. Penny Serenade (1941) – 75%
Penny Serenade is a heartfelt drama about Julie and Roger Adams, who navigate the joys and sorrows of marriage and adoption. Their journey is underscored by the music from their record collection, particularly the song “Penny Serenade.” The film poignantly captures their struggle with infertility, the joy of adopting a child, and the emotional turmoil when they face the possibility of losing her.
19. Detour (1945) – 77%
Al Roberts, a pianist, hitchhikes from New York to Los Angeles to reunite with his singer girlfriend but ends up in a nightmare scenario. After accepting a ride from a man who mysteriously dies, Al assumes his identity, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Detour is famous for its bleak outlook and the concept of fate as an inescapable detour.
18. Life with Father (1947) – 77%
Set in the late 19th century, Life with Father follows the daily life of the Day family, particularly focusing on the strict but lovable patriarch, Clarence Day. His wife, Vinnie, often uses her charm and wit to manage both her husband and their four sons. The film humorously explores the dynamics of family life, religious differences, and the warmth of familial love.
17. And Then There Were None (1945) –78%
Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island off the Devon coast, only to find themselves accused of murder by a mysterious host. As they are killed off one by one according to the rhyme “Ten Little Indians,” the survivors must unravel who the killer is among them. And Then There Were None is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel and a classic whodunit with a tense, suspenseful atmosphere.
16. Woman on the Run (1950) – 78%
Eleanor Johnson’s life turns upside down when her husband, Frank, witnesses a murder and goes into hiding to avoid the mob’s wrath. With the police and the killers on his trail, Eleanor sets out to find him first, uncovering secrets about her marriage along the way. Woman on the Run is notable for its strong female lead and its blend of suspense and emotional depth.
15. The Big Combo (1955) – 79%
Police Lieutenant Leonard Diamond is obsessed with bringing down crime boss Mr Brown. As Diamond digs deeper, he uncovers a complex web of crime, corruption, and personal vendettas. The Big Combo is a classic noir with its moody cinematography, focusing on themes of obsession and moral ambiguity.
14. The Southerner (1945) – 79%
Sam Tucker and his family leave sharecropping to farm their own land in Texas, facing numerous hardships including poverty, weather, and illness. This film by Jean Renoir portrays the struggles of rural life with realism and sympathy, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit. The Southerner is a tale of hope versus adversity, with the family’s bond as their strongest defense.
13. The Stranger (1946) – 80%
Mr Wilson, a war crimes investigator, tracks down Franz Kindler, a Nazi fugitive who has assumed a new identity in a small American town. Kindler, now a respected professor, marries into the local community, but Wilson’s arrival threatens to expose his past. The Stranger sees Orson Welles direct and star in a suspenseful tale of hidden identities and the quest for justice.
12. The Little Princess (1939) – 80%
Set during the Boer War, The Little Princess follows Sara Crewe, a wealthy girl at a London boarding school, who becomes an orphan when her father goes missing in action. She loses her status and is made to work as a servant at the school, enduring hardships but maintaining her kindness and imagination. Shirley Temple’s performance captures the essence of resilience and hope amidst adversity.
11. Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) – 81%
Cyrano, a poet and swordsman with an oversized nose, loves Roxane but believes his appearance makes him unworthy of her love. He helps Christian, a handsome but inarticulate soldier, win Roxane’s heart by providing eloquent love letters, all the while suffering in silence. Cyrano de Bergerac is an adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s which play glorifies Cyrano’s wit, bravery, and tragic love.
10. A Star is Born (1954) – 81%
Norman Maine, a fading Hollywood star, discovers Esther Blodgett, a talented singer, and helps her rise to fame as Vicki Lester. As her star ascends, Norman’s career and personal life spiral downward, leading to a tragic conclusion. This version of the A Star is Born is renowned for its emotional depth and the iconic performances by Judy Garland and James Mason.
9. Salt of the Earth (1954) – 82%
Based on real-life events, Salt of the Earth depicts a strike by Mexican-American zinc miners in New Mexico, focusing on the women who support the strike when their husbands are legally barred from picketing. It explores themes of labour rights, gender roles, and racial discrimination. The narrative is unique for its time in showcasing the empowerment of women and the community’s fight for dignity.
8. Meet John Doe (1941) – 82%
A newspaper columnist fabricates a story about “John Doe,” a homeless man who plans to jump from City Hall’s roof to protest societal ills, to boost circulation. When the public responds, the paper hires a real man to play Doe, leading to a movement for kindness and community. Directed by Frank Capra, Meet John Doe examines the power of media, the manipulation of public sentiment, and the quest for personal integrity.
7. The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) – 83%
Frankie Machine, a talented jazz drummer, returns from a drug rehab only to face the pressures of his old life, including his wife’s wheelchair-bound pretence and the temptation of narcotics. His struggle for sobriety is complicated by his love for his girlfriend, Molly, and his desire to play music again. The Man With the Golden Arm was groundbreaking for its frank depiction of drug addiction.
6. Patterns (1956) – 83%
A young engineer, Fred Staples, is brought into a large corporation by its ruthless president, Walter Ramsey, to replace an aging executive, Mr Briggs. Fred is torn between ambition and ethics as he witnesses the corporate machine’s cold efficiency in dealing with its employees. Patterns offers a sharp critique of corporate culture and the moral dilemmas faced by those within it.
5. Scarlet Street (1945) – 87%
Chris Cross, a meek bank clerk with artistic talents, falls for Kitty, a grifter who, along with her lover Johnny, plans to exploit Chris. Believing Kitty loves his art, Chris gives her his paintings, not knowing she and Johnny are selling them for profit. Scarlet Street explores themes of deception, obsession, and the tragic consequences of misplaced trust.
4. Night of the Living Dead (1968) – 87%
A group of people take refuge in an abandoned farmhouse after the dead begin to rise and attack the living. As they barricade themselves inside, they must deal with both external threats of the undead and internal conflicts. Night of the Living Dead is seminal for its genre, introducing many of the horror conventions still used today.
3. His Girl Friday (1940) – 90%
In this fast-paced screwball comedy, newspaper editor Walter Burns tries every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter—and ex-wife—Hildy Johnson from remarrying and leaving the paper. Their dynamic is filled with rapid-fire dialogue and sharp wit, set against the backdrop of a major news story. His Girl Friday is celebrated for its humour, pacing, and the chemistry between its leads.
2. My Man Godfrey (1936) – 90%
During the Great Depression, a wealthy socialite, Irene Bullock, hires a homeless man, Godfrey, as her family’s butler for a scavenger hunt. Godfrey brings order to the chaotic Bullock household while navigating the eccentricities of its members. My Man Godfrey blends comedy with social commentary, offering a critique on class differences and the absurdity of the rich.
1. Charade (1963) – 92%
After her husband is murdered, Regina Lambert is pursued by several mysterious men who claim her husband stole money from them. With the help of a charming stranger, Peter Joshua, she unravels the identity of her late husband and the whereabouts of the missing fortune. As a stylish romantic thriller, Charade is known for its plot twists, the charm of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, and its Parisian setting.