The Best John Carradine Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023 918 votes 106 voters
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List of the best John Carradine movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. John Carradine'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 John Carradine movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated John Carradine movies will be at the top of the list. John Carradine has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest John Carradine movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining John Carradine films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best John Carradine role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest John Carradine 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 The Wizard of Mars to Blood of Dracula's Castle.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best John Carradine movies?" and "What are the greatest John Carradine roles of all time?"

Martin Scorsese and Hal Roach both worked with John Carradine over the years, as have plenty of other well-known directors.

Most divisive: The Ice Pirates
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  • The Grapes of Wrath
    1

    The Grapes of Wrath

    Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine
    22 votes
    • Released: 1940
    • Directed by: John Ford
    The Joad clan, introduced to the world in John Steinbeck's iconic novel, is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom (Henry Fonda) -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped.

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  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
    2

    The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

    James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles
    21 votes
    • Released: 1962
    • Directed by: John Ford
    Questions arise when Senator Stoddard (James Stewart) attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard, then a lawyer, when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town, led by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). As the territory's safety hung in the balance, Doniphon and Stoddard, two of the only people standing up to him, proved to be very important, but different, foes to Valance.

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  • Bride of Frankenstein
    3

    Bride of Frankenstein

    Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive
    17 votes
    • Released: 1935
    • Directed by: James Whale
    Bride of Frankenstein unfolds as a sequel to the original 1931 Frankenstein film. The movie sees Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) once more embroiled in his monstrous pursuits, coerced by his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger). Their objective is audacious: creating a companion for the Creature (Boris Karloff). As they delve into their grim task, Elsa Lanchester portrays both Mary Shelley and the titular Bride with aplomb. This 1935 horror classic, directed by James Whale, remains a touchstone of the genre, blending gothic dread and tragic pathos with remarkable cinematography and groundbreaking special effects. Notable for its iconic characters and eerie atmosphere, it's a testament to Hollywood's Golden Age of horror.

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  • Stagecoach
    4

    Stagecoach

    John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine
    18 votes
    • Released: 1939
    • Directed by: John Ford
    John Ford's landmark Western revolves around an assorted group of colorful passengers aboard the Overland stagecoach bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico, in the 1880s. An alcoholic philosophizer (Thomas Mitchell), a lady of ill repute (Claire Trevor) and a timid liquor salesman (Donald Meek) are among the motley crew of travelers who must contend with an escaped outlaw, the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), and the ever-present threat of an Apache attack as they make their way across the Wild West.
  • Captains Courageous
    5

    Captains Courageous

    Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore
    11 votes
    • Released: 1937
    • Directed by: Victor Fleming
    When spoiled Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is suspended from boarding school, his businessman father (Melvyn Douglas) takes him to Europe on a business trip. When the rebellious lad falls overboard from the steamship, he is saved from death by humble fisherman Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy) and forced by the captain of the fishing schooner (Lionel Barrymore) to become a low-ranking member of the ship's crew alongside the captain's own son (Mickey Rooney).
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles
    6

    The Hound of the Baskervilles

    Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene
    12 votes
    • Released: 1939
    • Directed by: Sidney Lanfield
    Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is intrigued by a centuries-old legend in which every generation of the wealthy Baskerville family is eventually killed by a monstrous hound. Suspecting there is more to the story than meets the eye, he sends Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) to the estate to investigate. Sir Henry (Richard Greene), the only Baskerville left, is grateful for his help. But when a crazed convict escapes and footprints from a beast are found, Baskerville wonders if Watson will be enough.

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