The Best Esther Williams Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 557 votes 157 voters
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Esther Williams Movies
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List of the best Esther Williams movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Esther Williams's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Esther Williams movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Esther Williams movies will be at the top of the list. Esther Williams has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Esther Williams movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Esther Williams films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Esther Williams role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Esther Williams performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

This list below has a variety of films in it, from Dangerous When Wet to Raw Wind in Eden.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Esther Williams movies?" and "What are the greatest Esther Williams roles of all time?"
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  • Jupiter's Darling
    1

    Jupiter's Darling

    Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Gower Champion
    17 votes
    • Released: 1955
    • Directed by: George Sidney
    Rome is on the verge of being conquered by Hannibal (Howard Keel). While Rome's ruler, Fabius Maximus (George Sanders), plots a defense against Hannibal's armies, Fabius' fiancée, Amytis (Esther Williams), is curious about the fearless conquerer. Amytis travels to Hannibal's camp just to get a look at him, but she ends up being captured. However, she is instantly smitten by the Carthaginian commander, so she tries to shift his attentions away from Rome -- and to her instead.
  • Dangerous When Wet
    2

    Dangerous When Wet

    Esther Williams, Fernando Lamas, Jack Carson
    34 votes
    • Released: 1953
    • Directed by: Charles Walters
    Athletic farmer's daughter Katie Higgins (Esther Williams) and her tightly knit family all love swimming. When traveling salesman Windy Weebe (Jack Carson) comes to the farm, he spots Katie's talent and encourages her to swim the English Channel. While training she meets a charming Frenchman, Andrea Lanet (Fernando Lamas), and has a dreamy dip with cartoons Tom and Jerry. In the end, her focus is torn between the swim and deciding between her two suitors, Lanet and Weebe.

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  • This Time for Keeps
    3

    This Time for Keeps

    Esther Williams, Lauritz Melchior, Jimmy Durante
    17 votes
    • Released: 1947
    • Directed by: Richard Thorpe
    During World War II, synchronized swimming starlet Nora Cambaretti (Esther Williams) is sent overseas to entertain the U.S. troops. There she meets young serviceman Dick Johnson (Johnnie Johnston), who quickly falls in love with her. When Dick returns to the states, he is delighted to learn that Nora is performing with his father's opera company. Unfortunately, to pursue his love he must first contend with his parents' objections, Nora's bodyguard and several other suitors.
  • Thrill of a Romance
    4

    Thrill of a Romance

    Van Johnson, Esther Williams, Lauritz Melchior
    25 votes
    • Released: 1945
    • Directed by: Richard Thorpe
    Cynthia Glenn (Esther Williams), a beautiful swimming teacher, marries Robert (Carleton G. Young), a dull but wealthy white-collar worker. The couple travels to the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains for their honeymoon, but Robert's work gets in the way of romance, and he leaves on a business trip. Before long, Thomas (Van Johnson), a distinguished serviceman on vacation, catches Cynthia's eye -- and the more she gets to know the soldier, the more she wishes she hadn't married Robert.
  • The Unguarded Moment
    5

    The Unguarded Moment

    Esther Williams, John Saxon, Jack Albertson
    12 votes
    • Released: 1956
    • Directed by: Harry Keller, Victor Saville
    The Unguarded Moment is a 1956 drama mystery film directed by Harry Keller.
  • Ziegfeld Follies
    6

    Ziegfeld Follies

    William Powell, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire
    16 votes
    • Released: 1946
    • Directed by: Lemuel Ayers, Roy Del Ruth, Robert Lewis, Vincente Minnelli, George Sidney
    Running between 1907 and 1931, the Ziegfeld Follies were elaborate stage revues mounted by the great Broadway showman Florenz Ziegfeld, inspired by the Folies Bergères of Paris. In 1945, film producer Arthur Freed recreated the lavishness of Ziegfeld's shows with this all-star revue, consisting of comedy sketches and song-and-dance numbers featuring MGM Studios' musical comedy stars including Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Lena Horne and Red Skelton.

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