87 Orson Welles Movies & TV Shows, Ranked Best to Worst

This classic drama film examines the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane, a character loosely based on the American newspaper magnates William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. A critical success, it is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. 

Struggling American writer Holly Martins arrives in post-WWII Vienna to meet his childhood friend Harry Lime, who has offered him a job, but learns that he died in a road accident recently. Finding inconsistencies in different stories about his friend's death, he begins an investigation into the matter, and also becomes attracted to his lover Anna Schmidt.

Mike Vargas, a Mexican narcotics officer, gets involved in a car bomb blast case as the car has crossed from Mexico to America. The local American police chief, Hank Quinlan, is a former alcoholic and corrupt officer, who suspects a Mexican named Sanchez. When Vargas confronts Quinlan for planting evidence against Sanchez, Vargas inadvertently puts his new wife Susan’s life at risk. 

This biographical history drama film tells the story of Sir Thomas More, who supported King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church.

This historical war comedy film gives us a look at life of Sir John Falstaff, a fun-loving habitual liar, who tries to keep Prince Hal company, after King Henry IV ascends to the throne. The film shows us the reign of Kign Henry IV and the rise of Henry V, through the eyes of Falstaff.

The Muppet Movie is a musical road comedy film, which tells the story of Kermit the Frog, who is told by a talent agent, to try his luck in Hollywood. He soon sets out on a journey to Los Angeles, California, but on the way, he is pursued by an entrepreneur who wants him to be a new spokesperson for his restaurant.

Loosely based on the play ‘Othello’ by the famous playwright William Shakespeare, this drama film tells the story of General Othello, who begins to suspect his wife of having an illicit relationship with one of his officers. However, it is actually a scheme by one of Othello's men, who holds a deep grudge against him.

An Irish sailor Michael O’Hara meets a gorgeous blonde Elsa as she rides a horse-drawn coach.  He rescues her from a few hoodlums who try to trouble her, and escorts her home. When he comes to know that Elsa and her husband Arthur Bannister, are on their way to San Francisco via the Panama Canal, Michael agrees to sign on as a sailor aboard Bannister’s yacht.

Jane Eyre is a romantic drama film which tells the story of a young woman named Jane, who takes up a job at Thornfield Hall, after being hired by its owner Edward Rochester, to care for his young daughter. Over time, she begins to fall for Edward, although he is much older to her.

Filming 'Othello' is a 1978 documentary film which is about the production of the 1951 award winning film Othello which was based on the famous play of the same name by William Shakespeare.

‘he Trial, a 1962 drama film is screened at the University of Southern California, and after the film ends, its director Orson Welles discusses the film with the public and tries to answer their questions.

Macbeth, an 11th century Scottish nobleman, dreams of ruling over a kingdom. He receives a prophecy from three witches who tell him that he will be the next King of Scotland. He eventually achieves his dream, with the help of his ambitious wife, after murdering the King and taking the throne for himself.   

Wilson is a member of the War Crimes Commission, who travels to Harper, hoping to find Franz Kindler, whom he believes to the mastermind who planned the Holocaust. However, now he has taken on a new identity.

The sole survivor of a lost whaling ship starts narrating how the Captain of his ship had led them all to self-destruction due to his obsession with hunting a white whale.  

A drug addict, Syd, gets to know that his ex-girlfriend is about to leave the country. He gatecrashes her farewell party so that he can win her back.

A conman hears rumours about his late father's pyromaniac tendencies upon arrival in his hometown. Meanwhile, he impresses the civic leader who considers him to be a suitable prospective husband for his daughter.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic adventure novel ‘Treasure Island’ the movie revolves around pirates, secret islands, and sea adventures that lead to hidden pirate gold. 

Waterloo is an epic historical film which tells us the story of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who is banished with a thousand men after the disastrous Battle of Leipzig. Eventually, he manages to escape and rallies the French to his side. Within a short time, he assembles an army to conquer Europe, against the Allied Forces of the British, the Prussians, the Austrians, as well as the Russians.       

Captain John Yossarian is a pilot serving during the World War II, stationed in the Mediterranean. Being fed up of the madness of the ongoing war, he tries to be certified insane, so that he wouldn’t have to fight anymore.  

This French-Italian historical drama film, shows the history of the Palace of the Versailles from its founding to the present. It also portrays some of the personalities who lived in the Palace throughout the years. 

John and Rae take their yacht for a cruise through the Indian Ocean, on the occasion of their honeymoon. They rescue a young man named Hughie, who claims to have escaped from another vessel after three of its crew members died due to food poisoning. John finds Hughie’s story unconvincing, and when Hughie is sleeping, he goes to inspect the sinking ship. He is surprised to find two passengers still alive.

Three Cases of Murder is a 1955 British horror film which is a trilogy of three different stories which involves mystery, murder as well as the supernatural.

Gypsy-boy, Joseph Balsamo, vows to avenge his parents’ killings by king’s courtier. He becomes a charlatan and learns hypnotism from Dr. Mesmer. With the name Count Cagliostro, he gets involved in a plot to disgrace Marie Antoinette by using her look-alike, Lorenza, and avenges the King’s courtier. Though Lorenza doesn’t love him, he marries her; but finally, where does this take him? 

Based on a Greek folk tale, this drama film tells the story of a noble youth who marries his own mother accidentally, and later kills his father as well. Eventually, his actions invoke the wrath of the Gods.

The movie follows eco-conservationist and environmentalist, Morel, who will do anything to protect the African wildlife from extinction in French Equatorial Africa. He is helped by nightclub hostess, Minna, and a disgraced former British officer, Major Forsythe, who wants to redeem himself. 

Andrew Quint is an advertising executive disillusioned with his life and career and works for his corrupt boss Jonathan Lute. He attempts to get back at his boss by creating a satirical commercial for a Super-8 camera but the commercial ends up being hailed as a masterpiece much to his disappointment. 

Austerlitz is a 1960 historical war drama film, which tells the story of Napoleon’s coronation as emperor, and his victory in the Battle of Austerlitz, against Austrian and Russian forces. 

Anna, a wealthy French widow, sets out in her yacht in search of an old sailor friend she had known years earlier. Alan, a holidaying Englishman who has recently broken-up with girlfriend Sheila, joins Anna in her search. Some other enigmatic characters are also intrigued by her strange quest. Gradually, Alan gets attracted towards Anna, but will she forget her old love?

The Spirit of Charles Lindbergh is a short film which was made by Orson Welles. It was meant as a private video letter from Welles to his longtime friend Bill Cronshow, who was ill.

Based on an eponymous novel, this English language French murder mystery is the story of Charles Van Hom, who wakes up in a hotel room with a blank memory and bloodied hand.  Confused, he asks Paul Regis, a university professor for help. The duo then travels to the country house of Charles eccentric father. 

This biographical war drama film revolves around the life of Napoleon Bonaparte from 1769 to 1821, seen through the eyes of Talleyrand, who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs under Napoleon. The film chronicles how Napoleon had risen to power using his guile and courage, eventually becoming the Emperor.

Cethergus, who is leader of the Roman nobility, travels to Bizantium, hoping to raise an army to attack the Goths.  

A Roman leader Cethegus attempts to start a war between two kingdoms. However, things don’t according to his plan.

A highly educated young man who used to serve under King Louis XVI of France arrives in America to take part in the American Revolution. He provides military as well as diplomatic advice to Americans, and eventually he joins George’s Washington’s army as a Major General.

Retired boxer Reno Davis, presently in France, meets Anne de Villemont, affluent widow of French general, who appoints him as tutor for her son Paul. Growing closer to Anne, Reno discovers that her late husband was part of a fascist group conspiring to take over Europe. As Reno and Anne are hunted down, they try to protect Paul while dodging their chasers. 

A Hollywood actor, who is a former vaudeville performer, tries to enlist in the army after the Second World War breaks out, but is refused due to his knee. He eventually finds himself organizing the Hollywood Victory Committee, an association of motion picture, theatrical and radio personalities, dedicated to help the efforts of the war. 

Reporter Philip Trent is assigned to investigate the death of wealthy financier Sigsbee Manderson. Though Inspector Murch and the coroner conclude it to be a suicide, Trent suspects that Manderson was murdered. He has a hunch that Manderson’s widow Margaret and his secretary Marlowe are hiding something. Trent falls in love with Margaret, but focuses on the case to unravel surprising truths. 

Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel inspires yet another movie about a courageous young boy Jim Hawkins who comes across a map of pirate Flint's buried treasure. Along with Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey and Captain Smollett, Jim sets out to get the treasure and defeat the ruthless pirates.

Too Much Johnson is a silent comedy film, which tells the story of a man, who finds out that the woman he loves, is seeing another man. Therefore, he acts like a villain and starts to chase him down. 

Italian-American barber, Mario Beretti, reaches England to collect the inheritance left by his aunt. Disappointed to find just few antique chairs, he sells them only to realize that one of them contained a fortune. As he tries to get those chairs back, antique-dealer Pat joins him in this quest. They travel around Europe, encounter some interesting characters….but do they get the chair?

Vienna is a short documentary film in which its director Orson Welles presents a tour of the city Vienna, and comments on its city and its people.

An early film made by Orson Welles, the movie is a short clip that explores dark themes, such as abandonment and death. The film is believed to be an imitation of the early surrealist films of Luis Buñuel and Jean Cocteau. 

Tired of his corporate job, business executive Donald Beeman spontaneously decides to leave his work, take training from master magician Mr. Delasandro, and turn tap-dancing magician. Beeman’s boss Mr. Turnbull follows him to clubs to get him back, and then with Beeman’s help launches ‘Tap-Dancing Magicians’ course for pressured executives, which gains wide popularity bringing Beeman back to where he started from. 

Sanin Cejador is a millionaire living in South America, who moves to the Scottish Highlands, where he reassumes the title of laird of Glen Easen, which was inherited from his grandfather. However, he is unable to adjust to the climate of the place, as well as the language and customs of the people.

This biographical adventure film revolves around Marco Polo, who travels to China,  in order to help Kublai Khan fight against rebels. The rebels are, however, headed by his own son, and they are using a new invention, gunpowder.   

In 1912, a fortune hunter named Dan Rockland, comes to West Africa pretending to be a geologist. However, he is actually hired by Kramer, a diamond tycoon. Things get messy when a huge diamond is found, and everyone wants to steal it. 

A fragile young woman Noah, who lives alone in a New York apartment, prefers to lose herself in the past and looks for a ‘safe place.’ She treasures three supposedly magical objects given to her by a magician during her childhood. Though involved with two men, one of whom is practical while the other is vivacious; she is far from feeling content. 

In this spy spoof, a retired James Bond is persuaded to rejoin the secret service to counter shadowy organization SMERSH, allegedly responsible for murdering secret agents. Sir James devises a plan to assemble a group of agents, all named James Bond 007, to confuse SMERSH. Each new Bond is assigned a specific role. Now Sir James must nab the brain behind SMERSH.  

Where is Parsifal? is a comedy film which revolves around an eccentric inventor who lives in a castle. He has invented a laser skywriter which he wants to sell for millions. However, several people are interested in his invention.  

When a pregnant Kady Tyler returns home to her estranged father figure Jess Tyler, who is the caretaker of an unused silver mine, she plans to steal silver from the mine. She begins an incestuous relationship with Jess but things get complicated when her past catches up and true identities are revealed. 

This Italian drama film tells the story of David, a young shepherd, who sets out on a quest to defeat an evil tyrant who is accompanied by a fearsome giant Goliath.  

A war breaks out between the Tartars and the Vikings in the harsh landscape of the Russian Steppe, after Oleg, the Viking leader kills the Tartar leader and kidnaps his daughter. The dead man's brother retaliates by holding Oleg’s wife Helga as hostage.

This classic drama film examines the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane, a character loosely based on the American newspaper magnates William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. A critical success, it is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. 

Mike Vargas, a Mexican narcotics officer, gets involved in a car bomb blast case as the car has crossed from Mexico to America. The local American police chief, Hank Quinlan, is a former alcoholic and corrupt officer, who suspects a Mexican named Sanchez. When Vargas confronts Quinlan for planting evidence against Sanchez, Vargas inadvertently puts his new wife Susan’s life at risk. 

This documentary film revolves around the lives of infamous art forgers Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving. The film moves between their lives as well as why people commit fraud at the expense of others.

This historical war comedy film gives us a look at life of Sir John Falstaff, a fun-loving habitual liar, who tries to keep Prince Hal company, after King Henry IV ascends to the throne. The film shows us the reign of Kign Henry IV and the rise of Henry V, through the eyes of Falstaff.

George is a spoiled brat whose father passes away. After his death, his mother Isabel thinks of reuniting with her former lover named Eugene. However, George stands in the way of their reunion.

Le procès is a mystery drama film which tells the story of a man Josef K, who lives in a shared apartment. His life turns upside down one day, when detectives enter his room and put him under arrest. The problem is that he is not even told what his charges are.

Loosely based on the play ‘Othello’ by the famous playwright William Shakespeare, this drama film tells the story of General Othello, who begins to suspect his wife of having an illicit relationship with one of his officers. However, it is actually a scheme by one of Othello's men, who holds a deep grudge against him.

An Irish sailor Michael O’Hara meets a gorgeous blonde Elsa as she rides a horse-drawn coach.  He rescues her from a few hoodlums who try to trouble her, and escorts her home. When he comes to know that Elsa and her husband Arthur Bannister, are on their way to San Francisco via the Panama Canal, Michael agrees to sign on as a sailor aboard Bannister’s yacht.

Hired to play Saint Anne in a film on Saint Bernadette, a starlet is supposed to bless a group of malformed and miserable people. But to the dismay of the moviemaker, they get cured as soon as she actually blesses them, leading to chaos and loss of business for MGM. 

Filming 'Othello' is a 1978 documentary film which is about the production of the 1951 award winning film Othello which was based on the famous play of the same name by William Shakespeare.

‘he Trial, a 1962 drama film is screened at the University of Southern California, and after the film ends, its director Orson Welles discusses the film with the public and tries to answer their questions.

Macbeth, an 11th century Scottish nobleman, dreams of ruling over a kingdom. He receives a prophecy from three witches who tell him that he will be the next King of Scotland. He eventually achieves his dream, with the help of his ambitious wife, after murdering the King and taking the throne for himself.   

Wilson is a member of the War Crimes Commission, who travels to Harper, hoping to find Franz Kindler, whom he believes to the mastermind who planned the Holocaust. However, now he has taken on a new identity.

A drug addict, Syd, gets to know that his ex-girlfriend is about to leave the country. He gatecrashes her farewell party so that he can win her back.

John and Rae take their yacht for a cruise through the Indian Ocean, on the occasion of their honeymoon. They rescue a young man named Hughie, who claims to have escaped from another vessel after three of its crew members died due to food poisoning. John finds Hughie’s story unconvincing, and when Hughie is sleeping, he goes to inspect the sinking ship. He is surprised to find two passengers still alive.

Three Cases of Murder is a 1955 British horror film which is a trilogy of three different stories which involves mystery, murder as well as the supernatural.

Gypsy-boy, Joseph Balsamo, vows to avenge his parents’ killings by king’s courtier. He becomes a charlatan and learns hypnotism from Dr. Mesmer. With the name Count Cagliostro, he gets involved in a plot to disgrace Marie Antoinette by using her look-alike, Lorenza, and avenges the King’s courtier. Though Lorenza doesn’t love him, he marries her; but finally, where does this take him? 

The Spirit of Charles Lindbergh is a short film which was made by Orson Welles. It was meant as a private video letter from Welles to his longtime friend Bill Cronshow, who was ill.

Too Much Johnson is a silent comedy film, which tells the story of a man, who finds out that the woman he loves, is seeing another man. Therefore, he acts like a villain and starts to chase him down. 

Vienna is a short documentary film in which its director Orson Welles presents a tour of the city Vienna, and comments on its city and its people.

An early film made by Orson Welles, the movie is a short clip that explores dark themes, such as abandonment and death. The film is believed to be an imitation of the early surrealist films of Luis Buñuel and Jean Cocteau. 

In 1912, a fortune hunter named Dan Rockland, comes to West Africa pretending to be a geologist. However, he is actually hired by Kramer, a diamond tycoon. Things get messy when a huge diamond is found, and everyone wants to steal it. 

This Italian drama film tells the story of David, a young shepherd, who sets out on a quest to defeat an evil tyrant who is accompanied by a fearsome giant Goliath.  

This documentary film revolves around the lives of infamous art forgers Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving. The film moves between their lives as well as why people commit fraud at the expense of others.

George is a spoiled brat whose father passes away. After his death, his mother Isabel thinks of reuniting with her former lover named Eugene. However, George stands in the way of their reunion.

Le procès is a mystery drama film which tells the story of a man Josef K, who lives in a shared apartment. His life turns upside down one day, when detectives enter his room and put him under arrest. The problem is that he is not even told what his charges are.

This documentary film revolves around the life of British statesman Winston Churchill, who eventually became the Prime Minister of the UK in 1940. The film was nominated for the Oscars in the category of ‘Best Documentary Feature’.  

South Sea Adventure is an adventure film which revolves around various characters, as they travel from one place to another. They include an American girl on a cruise trip, the skipper of a sailing vessel who is taking the route followed by Captain Cook, an artist painting the sights of Tahiti, an American soldier stationed in New Zealand during the Second World War, and finally, a group of settlers arriving at the Australian outback.

The Vikings is an action adventure film which tells the story of Einar, a warrior, and Eric, a former slave, who are half-brothers. They compete for the throne of Northumbria, although the actual root cause of their rivalry is their affection for Princess Morgana.

This animated short film shows us an unnamed man who is trying to travel miles in the Yukon wilderness during the harsh winter.     

Return to Glennascaul is a mystery horror short film which tells the story of a young man who decides to give a lift to two mysterious women. However, later on, for some reason, the man is unable to shake the memory of them. He is shocked when he hears that the women were mother and daughter, who had passed away long ago.

King of Kings is an epic historical film which revolves around the life of Jesus of Nazareth from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. The film also focuses on significant events in his life, such as making cripples walk, making the blind see, multiplying loaves and fishes and so on.

Starting from the events of the Old Testament to the Spanish Inquisition to the French Revolution, and lastly the future, this film explains the story of mankind in a comical way. 

After her father is executed for shooting his wife and her lover, a half Native-American girl named Pearl, is sent to live with distant relatives in Texas. Although she is welcomed, she is met with hostility from the ranch-owner. She soon attracts the attention of Lewt, son of the ranch owner, who is lustful and unruly, but despite this, Pearl finds herself drawn physically to him as well.

Four schoolchildren uncover a plot to assassinate a visiting dignitary from the Middle East. They inform the police, but they refuse to believe their story. Therefore, they try to save the dignitary’s life and put the bad guys in jail, all by themselves. 

William Robinson is a Swiss-born watchmaker living in London, who sets sail along with his wife and three sons on a ship bound for Australia. However, due to a violent storm that approaches, the ship’s crew is thrown overboard. Soon, William Robinson and his family find themselves shipwrecked on a remote island. Far away from civilization, they decide to build a self-sufficient life for themselves.

This documentary film revolves around the inhabitants in the Belgian Congo, both humans and animals. The film focuses on the various kinds of struggles that they used to face.

The Man Who Saw Tomorrow is a biographical historical drama film which tells the story of a 17th century mystic, astrologer and physician named Nostradamus. The film also covers historical events that he is credited for predicting.

This war drama film takes us to the time of the Second World War. The film revolves around two families, one German and one American. Sons and fathers of both families are fighting in the war, and the film portrays how it affects their lives. 

Wealthy, beautiful couple, Caleb and Lutetia Swain, gives birth to deformed ugly twins, Wilbur and Eliza, who actually are an alien brother-sister team sent to solve our planet’s problems. The twins, when their heads are together, are invincible super-intelligent force capable of dealing with any problem. As their circumstances try to keep them apart, will the two continue to help the earth?   

Narrated by Orson Welles, this animated short film is a modern day parable about mankind getting along together.  

After a shattering attack on Autobot City that results in death of Optimus Prime, the Autobots valiantly try to fight off the Deceptrons and Galvatron, a regenerated form of Deceptron leader, Megatron. But both Autobots and Deceptrons are at a risk as Unicron, a gigantic planet-devouring transformer, is heading towards Cybertron. Only Autobot’s Matrix of Leadership has the power to stop Unicron.  

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is an animated short film which revolves around the experiences of a sailor who has returned from a long voyage. He meets a man who is on the way to attend a wedding ceremony, and the sailor begins to narrate him a story. Initially, he gets bored, but soon it turns to fear and eventually fascination, as the story continues to progress.   

This animated musical film tells the story of Glicko, a young chipmunk who lives in the city along with his sister, who hears from a carrier pigeon about the Great Forest, which is the real home of the chipmunks. He decides to set off alone on a journey, and on the way, he encounters various friends and enemies, as he tries to leave the city in search of his legendary homeland.

In an unnamed country resembling the US, two opposing factions, each believing that they are right, are at war against each other. This changes when someone decides to challenge the absolutist view of what is “right”.