The Best John Payne Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023 437 votes 147 voters
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best John Payne Movies
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List of the best John Payne movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. John Payne'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 Payne movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated John Payne movies will be at the top of the list. John Payne has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest John Payne movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining John Payne films to end the squabble once and for all.

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

List features films like Tripoli and The Razor's Edge.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best John Payne movies?" and "What are the greatest John Payne roles of all time?"
Most divisive: Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World
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  • Miracle on 34th Street
    1

    Miracle on 34th Street

    Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
    30 votes
    • Released: 1947
    • Directed by: George Seaton
    In the heartwarming classic, Miracle on 34th Street, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is hired as Santa Claus for Macy's department store. His unshakeable cheer and apparent authenticity capture the imagination of young Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), who's been taught not to believe in Santa by her pragmatic mother Doris (Maureen O'Hara). When Kris's sanity is questioned, a court case ensues to determine if he really is Santa Claus. This blend of drama, comedy, and fantasy won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Gwenn's charming portrayal of Santa.

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  • Kansas City Confidential
    2

    Kansas City Confidential

    John Payne, Coleen Gray, Preston Foster
    13 votes
    • Released: 1952
    • Directed by: Phil Karlson
    A mysterious fellow (Preston Foster) contacts a trio of criminals (Jack Elam, Neville Brand, Lee Van Cleef) to help with a bank heist. The four wear masks and remain strangers to each other, planning to reunite in Mexico to divvy up the loot. Joe Rolfe (John Payne), the man they framed to take the heat, gets his charges dropped, and the police offer him a reward if he can help recover the cash. He agrees, and when one of the thieves meets his end, Rolfe assumes his identity to catch the crooks.

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  • Tin Pan Alley
    3

    Tin Pan Alley

    Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie
    11 votes
    • Released: 1940
    • Directed by: Walter Lang
    From the late 19th century into the 20th century, an area of New York City nicknamed Tin Pan Alley was the heart of the American popular music scene. In this hotbed of creativity, singing sisters Katie (Alice Faye) and Lily Blane (Betty Grable) team up with musicians Harry Calhoun (Jack Oakie) and Skeets Harrigan (John Payne) to find their fame and fortune. Romance soon follows, but the rocky road to success and the looming World War I threaten to tear the couples apart.
  • Sun Valley Serenade
    4

    Sun Valley Serenade

    Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller
    11 votes
    • Released: 1941
    • Directed by: H. Bruce Humberstone
    As a surefire way to receive good press, bandleader Phil Corey (Glenn Miller) and his ensemble decide to adopt a war refugee. When it turns out that their adoptee isn't a child, but a pretty Scandinavian woman named Karen Benson (Sonja Henie), it leads to a flirtatious relationship with the group's pianist, Ted Scott (John Payne), who is already involved with singer Vivian Dawn (Lynn Bari). As the band heads to snowy Idaho for a gig, romantic drama, skiing, ice skating and musical numbers ensue.

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  • Slightly Scarlet
    5

    Slightly Scarlet

    Rhonda Fleming, Arlene Dahl, Buddy Baer
    11 votes
    • Released: 1956
    • Directed by: Allan Dwan
    Slightly Scarlet is a 1956 American film noir based on James M. Cain's novel Love's Lovely Counterfeit. The movie was directed by Allan Dwan, and the film's cinematography was shot in widescreen by noted cameraman John Alton. The picture tells the story of Ben Grace, a man working for a powerful metropolitan crime boss—Solly Caspar -- and their involvement with two sisters.

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  • Sentimental Journey
    6

    Sentimental Journey

    John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, William Bendix
    20 votes
    • Released: 1946
    • Directed by: Walter Lang
    Julie Beck (Maureen O'Hara) doesn't tell her husband, theatrical director William Weatherly (John Payne), about her heart condition, but yearns for the child she always wanted while she has time. Although Bill is less enthused, Julie finds young orphan Hitty (Connie Marshall), and they soon adopt her. Julie and Hitty grow close as she helps the girl come to care for Bill. When Julie dies suddenly, Bill rejects Hitty's attempt to comfort him -- but with Julie's ghost guiding her, Hitty persists.