Must-See Classic Thriller Movies from Before 1980, Ranked
For even the biggest cinephiles, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to classic movies. This list of the greatest classic thriller movies ranks those suspenseful films that follow pro or amateur detectives chasing mysteries with white-hot leads and casts of suspicious characters.
To ensure the films listed are truly classic, we're only ranking those thrillers that were released before 1980. Many of the classic movies on this list were directed by the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. His greatest thrillers include Psycho, North by Northwest, Vertigo, Rear Window, Dial M for Murder, Suspicion, and Strangers on a Train. He had favorite stars who he cast multiple times, including Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, and Joan Fontaine. You will also find Orson Welles a number of times on this list in the films Touch of Evil and The Stranger, which he directed, and also The Third Man, which he did not direct but starred in.
- 1James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey
- Released: 1954
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
In Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 classic thriller Rear Window, wheelchair-bound photographer L.B. Jefferies (Jimmy Stewart) spies on his neighbors from the rear window of his apartment. Convinced one of them has committed murder, he takes it upon himself to solve the crime, with the occasional help from his girlfriend, socialite Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly). It's an incredible suspenseful story packed with thrilling twists that make it an unforgettable classic!
- 2Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
- Released: 1960
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece Psycho is considered one of the greatest films ever made and one of the most influential films in cinematic history. The classic thriller film follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), on the run with stolen money, as she checks into the Bates Motel, run by a shy, gentle man named Norman Bates. Psycho set new standards for violence, terror, and thrills in cinema, making it a great serial killer movie that still stands out today due to its psychological themes and thrilling plot twists
- 3Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
- Released: 1975
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name, Jaws tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes a small Long Island beach town called Amity Island. Steven Spielberg's 1975 classic thriller follows police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) as he tries to close the beaches, but is overruled by a greedy mayor who wants to keep the town open to capitalize on tourist revenue. Along with grizzled ship captain Quint (Robert Shaw) and marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), Brody heads out to sea to end the shark's reign of terror.
- 4Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason
- Released: 1959
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock's iconic classic thriller North by Northwest follows the story of Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage and intrigue, pursuing ruthless spy Phillip Candamm (James Mason). Through its engaging plot, use of amusing comic relief, captivating cinematography, and compelling soundtrack, North by Northwest continues to fascinate modern audiences as one of the great classics.
- 5Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Bob Cummings
- Released: 1954
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 Dial M for Murder follows ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) as he schemes to murder his wife Margot (Grace Kelly), who has been having an affair, so he can claim her inheritance. He blackmails an old college acquaintance to execute his plan and make it look like a burglary gone wrong. But as events unfold, things do not go according to plan and chaos ensues! With suspenseful plot twists and turns, this classic thriller movie is considered one of Hitchcock's greatest works.
- 6James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
