List of the best movies of 1949, with movie trailers when available. Bob Hope was the highest paid actor in 1949, earning more money than actors like John Wayne and Bing Crosby. These top movies of 1949 are listed by popularity, so the movies with the most votes are at the top. This list consists of all different movie genres, but each film was released in 1949. You can filter this list of films that came out in 1949 for various bits of information, such as who directed the movie and what genre it is. Think the best 1949 movie isn't as high as it should be? Vote up your favorite so it will rise to the top.
List features movies like The Third Man, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and more!
This list answers the questions, "What are the best movies from 1949?" and "What are the most popular movies of 1949?"
1949 was a great year for movies, since a lot of classic films were released in 1949. This is a crowd sourced list that has been voted on by many people, so these top films of 1949 aren't just one persons opinion.1
4810The Fighting Kentuckian
John Wayne, Oliver HardyReleased: 1949
Directed by: George Waggner
The Fighting Kentuckian is an American comedy action film starring John Wayne and Oliver... more on Wikipedia2
6024Sands of Iwo Jima
John Wayne, Forrest TuckerReleased: 1949
Directed by: Allan Dwan
Sands of Iwo Jima is a 1949 film starring John Wayne that follows a group of United States... more on Wikipedia3
6328She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
John Wayne, Ben JohnsonReleased: 1949
Directed by: John Ford
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a 1949 Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring... more on Wikipedia4
4113I Shot Jesse James
John Ireland, Preston FosterReleased: 1949
Directed by: Samuel Fuller
I Shot Jesse James is a 1949 American film directed by Samuel Fuller about the murder of Jesse... more on Wikipedia5
5730Twelve O'Clock High
Gregory Peck, Dean JaggerReleased: 1949
Directed by: Henry King
Twelve O'Clock High is a 1949 American film about aircrews in the United States Army's Eighth... more on Wikipedia6
317The Doolins of Oklahoma
Randolph ScottReleased: 1949
Directed by: Gordon Douglas
The Doolins of Oklahoma is a film directed by Gordon Douglas released on May 27, 1949.7
4420Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff, Lou CostelloReleased: 1949
Directed by: Charles Barton
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff is a 1949 comedy horror film starring... more on Wikipedia8
3713Africa Screams
Lou Costello, Shemp HowardReleased: 1949
Directed by: Charles Barton
Africa Screams is a 1949 American adventure comedy film starring Abbott and Costello and... more on Wikipedia9
4018Samson and Delilah
Angela Lansbury, Hedy LamarrReleased: 1949
Directed by: Cecil B. DeMille
Samson and Delilah is a 1949 American romantic religious epic film produced and directed by... more on Wikipedia10
3414Mighty Joe Young
Ben Johnson, Terry MooreReleased: 1949
Directed by: Ernest B. Schoedsack
Mighty Joe Young is a 1949 American black-and-white fantasy film from RKO Radio Pictures made... more on Wikipedia11
3114The Hasty Heart
Ronald Reagan, Richard ToddReleased: 1949
Directed by: Vincent Sherman
The Hasty Heart is a 1949 Anglo-American co-production directed by Vincent Sherman and... more on Wikipedia12
2310The Forbidden Street
Maureen O'Hara, Dana AndrewsReleased: 1949
Directed by: Jean Negulesco
The Forbidden Street is a 1949 British melodrama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring... more on Wikipedia13
4739The Third Man
Orson Welles, Trevor HowardReleased: 1949
Directed by: Carol Reed
The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten,... more on Wikipedia14
2110Dancing in the Dark
William Powell, Adolphe MenjouReleased: 1949
Directed by: Irving Reis
Dancing In the Dark is a 1949 Technicolor musical comedy film directed by Irving Reis,... more on Wikipedia15
3124The Blue Lagoon
Jean Simmons, Cyril CusackReleased: 1949
Directed by: Frank Launder
The Blue Lagoon is a 1949 British romance and adventure film produced and directed by Frank... more on Wikipedia16
3833The Heiress
Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery CliftReleased: 1949
Directed by: William Wyler
The Heiress is a 1949 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Olivia de... more on Wikipedia17
2012Chicago Deadline
Donna Reed, Alan LaddReleased: 1949
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Chicago Deadline is a 1949 film directed by Lewis Allen.18
189Father was a Fullback
Natalie Wood, Maureen O'HaraReleased: 1949
Directed by: John M. Stahl
Father was a Fullback is a 1949 black-and-white Twentieth Century Fox film based on a comedy... more on Wikipedia19
1912The Story of Seabiscuit
Shirley Temple, Barry FitzgeraldReleased: 1949
Directed by: David Butler
The Story of Seabiscuit is a 1949 American drama film directed by David Butler and starring... more on Wikipedia20
2724Adam's Rib
Katharine Hepburn, Spencer TracyReleased: 1949
Directed by: George Cukor
Adam's Rib is a 1949 American romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor. Domestic and... more on Wikipedia21
2116Strange Bargain
Harry Morgan, Henry O'NeillReleased: 1949
Directed by: Will Price
Strange Bargain is a 1949 crime drama film-noir film based on the story by J.H. Wallis,... more on Wikipedia22
2319The Undercover Man
Glenn Ford, James WhitmoreReleased: 2005
Directed by: Joseph H. Lewis, Gail Rorant, Kenya Cagle, Sherman Jones
The Undercover Man is a 2005 action drama film written by Kenya Cagle and Sheila G. Wheeler... more on Wikipedia23
3940White Heat
James Cagney, Edmond O'BrienReleased: 1949
Directed by: Raoul Walsh
White Heat is a 1949 film noir starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo and Edmond O'Brien and... more on Wikipedia24
1610Battleground
Ricardo Montalbán, James ArnessReleased: 1949
Directed by: William A. Wellman
Battleground is a 1949 American war film that follows a company in the 327th Glider Infantry... more on Wikipedia25
4245Gun Crazy
Russ Tamblyn, Peggy CumminsReleased: 1950
Directed by: Joseph H. Lewis
Gun Crazy is a 1950 film noir feature film directed by Joseph H. Lewis, and produced by Frank... more on Wikipedia