Killer 1940s Film Noirs - The Best 1940s Film Noirs by Year
This post may contain affiliate links
What is film noir? A list of the Best 1940s Film Noirs by Year
This post is all about the Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year
What is a Film noir?
For other film noir lovers out there, you know it's hard to exactly describe or define what makes a movie a film noir.
It's more like once you've seen enough of them, you can then recognize them based off of the style and common themes that tend to run through the movies.
Film noirs peaked in popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, this is generally referred to as the "classic period of flim noir."
The term film noir is a french term that means "black film" or "dark film."
This is fitting because film noirs often center around the underworld or crime of some sort. (they are also often shot in black and white, but there are also color film noirs.)
Common storyline include hardboiled detectives unraveling a mystery, an organized crime syndicate, or a heist about to take place.
The world of film noir also often has a femme fatale and/or the 'girl next door.'
Often the story can be told through flashbacks with the main character narrating the storyline.
The main character is also often flawed, again going back to the theme of the underworld, something that was rare in the 1940s.
The femme fatale was usually a woman of questionable motives or virtue, (and usually drop-dead gorgeous and stylish to boot.)
Femme fatale is another french term for "fatal woman" as she is usually seductive and often brings down the male character in film noirs.
Sometimes the femme fatale isn't all that bad and there can be a happy ending, but often either she destroys the man, or he finds the 'girl next door' character.
These girls are meant to be the wholesome female characters of the film, they can sometimes come across as being a little too goody two shoes.
Film noirs and the Motion Picture Production Code
Old film noir movies often have bad endings, due to the Motion Picture Production Code that was in effect from 1934-1968.
Among other things, the code specified that:
“Crime and immorality could never be portrayed in a positive light.”
“Criminals should not be made to be heroes.”
Since film noirs often identify with an “anti-hero” or the “not so good guy,” in order to comply with the code, if the story portrayed a main character who was involved in a bank heist, for example, he wouldn’t be able to get away with it in the end because otherwise that could be portraying crime in a positive light.
So, unfortunately if you always want a happy ending in your movies, unless the main character hasn’t been directly involved in a serious crime, then it’s not likely to end well.
But, that’s all part of the appeal…It’s amazing to see how creative the film makers were when writing the plots while adhering to the code.
And so, enough with the definitions, onto the best 1940s film noir movies!
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1940
The Letter (1940)
Directed by William Wyler, starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson
After shooting a man, a woman claims it was in self-defense, but a letter might incriminate her.
This story was based on a play, which was actually inspired by a true story.
Rebecca (1940)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson
A shy young woman that marries a wealthy aristocrat, finds herself overwhelmed by the presence of her husband's first wife in the house.
This haunting story by Daphne Du Maurier, is masterfully brought to life by Hitchcock.
Sometimes it’s classified as a drama, sometimes as a film noir, we're not entirely sure if it’s actually a film noir, but regardless, Rebecca is a must-see movies for classic movies fans.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1941
Suspicion (1941)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Cedric Hardwicke
A shy young heiress marries a charming playboy but then begins to fear that he might be trying to kill her.
Joan Fontaine plays a similar role of the timid, shy woman as she did in Hitchcock's Rebecca.
If you love Cary Grant Hitchcock movies you might like:
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Directed by John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Glady George, Peter Lorre
A detective, motivated by the death of his partner, investigates a case involving a priceless statue.
This is a classic film noir with lots of twists and turns, good luck keeping track of the plot!
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1942
This Gun for Hire (1942)
Directed by Frank Tuttle, starring Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Robert Preston
A hit man begins to feel his conscious when he is paid off by a traitor.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1943
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey
A teenage girl begins to suspect her uncle is a serial killer, putting her own life at risk.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1944
Gaslight (1944)
Newly married Paula (Ingrid Bergman) moves back into her childhood home where her Aunt had been brutally murdered years before.
Her new husband begins to show a different side as he tries to drive her mad for reasons of his own.
Joseph Cotten plays her ardent admirer, who knew her aunt and who might need to come to her rescue.
If you like Ingrid Bergman suspense movies you might like:
Ingrid Bergman Hitchcock Movies - 3 Must-See Suspense Classics
(Laura 1944)
Directed by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson
A cop investigating the murder of a beautiful woman begins to fall in love with her.
Laura is a classic film noir told through flashbacks for a large portion of the film.
There is also the noir-style detective, the gorgeous femme fatale, and some inspirational dark lighting throughout the film.
Clifton Webb stars as the witty writer Waldo Lydecker who gave Laura her career start and is also in love (or obsessed) with her.
To round out the men in love with her, add in Vincent Price, playing Laura’s fiance.
Some great 1940’s fashion here.
For more on Gene Tierney as Laura and her 1940s fashion:
Murder My Sweet (1944)
Directed by Edward Dmytryk, starring Dick Powell, Claire Trevor, Anne Shirley
Philip Marlow, a private detective, is hired to find the girlfriend of an ex-con.
To Have and Have Not (1944)
Directed by Howard Hawks, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Dolores Moran
An American helps a French resistance leader and his beautiful wife escape.
A storyline that is a bit similar to Casablanca, although there is no history this time between Bogart and the resistance leader's wife…instead he falls for the singer, played by Lauren Bacall.
Double Indemnity (1944)
Directed by Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson
A woman and an insurance provider plot to kill her husband and collect the insurance money.
Amazing 1940s clothes designed by costume designer Edith Head.
The Woman in the Window (1944)
Directed by Fritz Lang, starring Edward G Robinson, Joan Bennett, Raymond Massey
A man falls for a femme fatale and is drawn into murder and blackmail.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1945
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett
Mildred Pierce is a mother who is determined to do anything for her children.
Her determination to give her children whatever they want leads her to become a successful restaurant owner and to even leave her husband.
The film starts out with a classic film noir style flashback, centering around a murder and most of the movie is told from Mildred’s point of view.
Joan Crawford always does a phenomenal job playing strong women and this movie is no exception.
Fallen Angel (1945)
Directed by Otto Preminger, starring Alice Faye, Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell, Charles Bickford
Dana Andrews plays a drifter who become infatuated with a femme fatale (Linda Darnell).
When she gets murdered Dana Andrews becomes a suspect.
This old film noir movie feels a bit different than the others. For one thing, the femme fatale who you think is main character actually gets murdered in the beginning.
It turns out that another woman is actually the main female character (Alice Faye.) She falls for Dana Andrews and eventually marries him but he has other intentions.
Can a good woman change a bad man?
Linda Darnell is gorgeous for the few scenes she’s in. Alice Faye plays the “girl next door” personality.
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Directed by John M. Stahl, starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, Vincent Price
An obsessively jealous woman smothers anyone in her life that she loves, even to the point of murder.
For more on Gene Tierney's fashion in Leave Her to Heaven:
Gene Tierney Leave Her to Heaven - Her Lethal Femme Fatale Style
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1946
The Dark Corner (1946)
Directed by Henry Hathaway, starring Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb. William Bendix, Mark Stevens
A man is backed into a corner, and his secretary has to help him out.
Another B movie gem starring the talented Lucille Ball in a non-comedic role.
Honestly, when you're so used to her in I Love Lucy, it's a bit hard to get that image out of your head.
Lady in the Lake (1946)
Directed by Robert Montgomery, starring Audrey Totter, Lloyed Nolan, Tom Tully
A detective is hired to find the wife of a a boss, drawing Philip Marlow into a murder case.
Dead Reckoning (1946)
Directed by John Cromwell, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lizabeth Scott, Morris Carnovsky
A man researches a buddy's girlfriend and finds himself drawn into a web of love and murder.
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
Directed by George Marshall, starring Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix
A man suspected of killing his wife tries to find the real killer before it’s too late.
Gilda (1946)
Directed by Charles Vidor, starring Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, George Macready
Gilda 1946 centers around Johnny (Glenn Ford), a down and out gambler who gets into business with a casino owner and quickly becomes his number one man.
In a twist, his boss comes back from a business trip newly married to Gilda (Rita Hayworth) who happens to be Johnny’s ex.
Johnny’s jealousy of Gilda and her feisty personality make for some snappy dialogue between the two characters.
There is great on-screen chemistry between Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth.
To sweeten the deal, there is also some classy 1940’s fashion (mostly evening dresses) and some catchy song numbers.
The Killers (1946)
Directed by Robert Siodmak, starring Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O-Brien
When a man is executed by killers, his death and involvement with a beautiful woman is investigated through flashbacks.
Ava Gardner is stunning in her role as the femme fatale.
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Directed by Tay Garnett, starring Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn
A woman and her boyfriend plot to kill her husband in this classic film noir.
The Big Sleep (1946)
Directed by Howard Hawks, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers
This is one of those stereotypical film noir detective type films with Bogart starring as the trench-coat wearing private eye.
Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is a private eye hired by a wealthy family. The two daughters fight for Bogart’s attention, one of them being Lauren Bacall. (Can you guess which one he ends up with?)
It’s got snappy dialogue, femme fatales, a good mystery, and dramatic lighting.
However, the plot itself is so complicated that I’ve seen it three times and I still get confused as to what happened.
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
Directed by Lewis Milestone, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas, Judith Anderson
An old murder case is brought back when a man meets his childhood friends who all have a secret.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1947
The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
Directed by Orson Welles, starring Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett Sloane
A man who is fascinated by a beautiful woman, agrees to go along on a yachting trip, only to find that he's being set up as the fall guy.
Fun fact: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth were married in real life.
Out of the Past (1947)
Directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming
A man tries to escape his past, only to have it catch up to him.
Kiss of Death (1947)
Directed by Henry Hathaway, starring Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen Gray, Richard Widmark
A man involved in a jewelry heist is convinced into testifiying against his accomplices, but are they all behind bars for good, or will they want revenge?
Dark Passage (1947)
Directed by Delmer Daves, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead
A classic Bogey-Bacall romance, you’ll love this noir if you’re a fan of the real-life couple
Vincent Parry (Humphrey Bogart) is a wrongly convicted murderer who escapes from San Quentin. Irene (Lauren Bacall) is the woman who rescues him and helps him until he can try to prove his innocence.
Humphrey Bogart has his trademark snappy dialogue and, as usual, great chemistry with Lauren Bacall’s character Irene.
It’s seriously impressive how much she believes in his innocence as the body count continues to rise, but she never loses faith in him.
Lauren Bacall, also known for her classy fashion, wears some great 1940s fashion in this film.
For more on Lauren Bacall’s fashion in the film:
Lured (1947)
Directed by Douglas Sirk, starring George Sanders, Lucille Ball, Charles Coburn, Borlis Karloff
Lucille Ball, in an early non-comedic role, plays a woman who works with the police to become “bait” for a serial killer.
During her investigation she falls in love with Robert Fleming (George Sanders) but…Robert fits the description of the charming killer. Is he the killer they are after?
Bits of Lucille Ball’s sense of humor come through in the film.
She and George Sanders make a good couple with their opposite personalities.
Framed (1947)
Directed by Richard Wallace, starring Glenn Ford, Janis Carter, Barry Sullivan
A man trusts a femme fatale and is finds himself framed.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1948
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
Directed by Anatole Litvak, starring Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey
A disabled woman overhears a murder plot on the phone, unfortunately it might be her own.
Key Largo (1948)
Directed by John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall
Gangsters take over a hotel on the Florida keys.
Best 1940s Film Noir Movies by Year: 1949
Tension (1949)
Directed by John Berry, starring Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter, Cyd Charisse, Barry Sullivan
Tension is an underrated “B” film noir, but hard to find. It’s not even yet available on streaming!
Audrey Totter stars as Claire Quimby, the spoiled wife of Warren Quimby. (Richard Basehart).
When she leaves him for another man, he plots on how to kill the man she left him for. When the man turns up dead, he’s the prime suspect.
Criss Cross (1949)
Directed by Robert Siodmak, starring Burt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo, Dan Duryea
A man and his ex-wife who is now married to a gangster, devise a scheme to have his truck robbed.
Impact (1949)
Directed by Arthur Lubin, starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn
A woman and her boyfriend attempt to kill her husband, but the plot takes a turn when the boyfriend is killed instead.
Caught (1949)
Directed by Max Ophuls, starring James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Ryan
A socialite tries to escape her abusive husband by working in a doctors office, but her husband isn't about to let her go so easily.
This post was all about the best 1940s film noir movies by year
What is your favorite 1940s film noir?
Other posts you might like:
1940s Movie List by Genre - From Westerns to Comedies
27 Best Comedy Movies 1940s - Find Your New Favorite Classic!
20 of the Best 1950s Film Noir Movies You’ll Love
Originally published Feb 2021, updated May 2024
References:
Alice Faye, Wikipedia
Film Noir, Wikipedia
Portrayal of Women in Film Noir, Wikipedia
How the Hays Code—As Seen in Hollywood—Censored Hollywood, Men’s Health
Ethel Proudlock Case, Wikipedia