85 James Stewart Movies & TV Shows, Ranked Best to Worst

A holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life is a feel-good movie that centers around a man, George Bailey, who broken down by the troubles of life wishes that he was never born. An angel appears to show him how the life of the people around him would have been if that was true and how he is loved by all.

Counted as one of Alfred Hitchcock's best movies, Rear Window is a mystery thriller that follows the observations of a wheelchair-bound man who suspects that a neighbor has murdered his wife and is disposing off the evidence. The movie was ranked no. 42 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list. 

Based on Boileau-Narcejac's 1954 novel D'entre les morts, the movie follows a former cop - John Scottie Ferguson - who suffers from acrophobia and vertigo. Gavin Elster believes that his wife Madeleine is possessed and assigns Scottie the task of following her. Scottie saves her and the two fall in love. However, Madeleine, soon commits suicide leaving Scottie devastated.

An Idealized, young Jefferson Smith is selected to be a U.S. Senator and is being mentored by the socially revered Senator Joseph Paine. But, Paine is secretly crooked and is somewhat forced by political boss Jim Taylor to destroy Smith politically. Smith must survive the political onslaught. 

While visiting frontier town Shinbone for old friend Tom Doniphon’s funeral, Senator Ransom Stoddard tells local journalist that years ago he had arrived there as a lawyer, and was assaulted by outlaw Liberty valance, but Doniphon had saved him. Later, Stoddard gets elected as representative while Valance continues to harass, so Stoddard confronts him with gun and becomes a legend. But what’s truth?

Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak, the employees of a Budapest leather-goods store, can hardly tolerate each other and are always arguing. Kralik confides in a co-worker that he has entered into a secret correspondence with an anonymous girl, while Klara, too, is taken in by her unnamed letter-writing friend. Unbeknownst to both, they are the pen pals who have unknowingly fallen for each other.

This courtroom-drama film revolves around a Michigan lawyer, Paul Biegler, who takes the case of Army Lt. Manion who murders a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he had raped her. 

Two brilliant college students, Brandon Shaw and Phillip Morgan, strangle fellow classmate David Kentley as an intellectual exercise to prove their superiority. They organize a party after hiding the body in an antique chest and invite people close to David, as well as their prep-school teacher Rupert Cadell, who unwittingly inspired them and now begins to suspect them.

This 1940 romantic comedy revolves around a socialite named Tracy, who has split from her husband Dexter, due to his drinking and her overly demanding nature. Just before she is about to wed George Kittredge, she crosses path again with Dexter as well as a reporter Macaulay, which makes her confused regarding her feelings for all three men. 

This Academy award-winning film features Tony Kirby, son of the snobbish Kirby family and his fiancée, stenographer Alice Sycamore, who hails from a friendly, eccentric family. When the two families meet, the pretentious Kirbys makes their disapproval very clear. Kirby Sr. is buying all properties to expand his business for the biggest possible deal, but Alice’s Grandpa Vanderof is holding out, adding to the existing clash. 

JB Brooks is a gunslinger who is on his deathbed. He wishes to die peacefully and with dignity. He is advised to stay in a boarding house, but problem ensues as his enemies are still lurking and seeking to put an end to his life.  

This Western action drama film tells the story of Lin, who wins a rare rifle in a contest. However, his brother Henry steals it away. Lin sets off on a difficult journey to track him down and find him, in order to claim the rifle back.  Lin’s journey eventually brings him to Dodge City, Kansas.

Bottleneck is a small town that is being ruled by Kent, a notorious gangster who has control over the local cattle ranchers as he had won a rigged game of cards. When the local sheriff asks too many questions regarding the game, Kent gets him killed. However, a legendary lawman named Tom Destry sends his daring son Tom Destry Jr. to save the town.

The Flight of the Phoenix is a survival drama film which is based on a novel of the same name. It revolves around a small group of men who try to survive, after their aircraft is forced to land in the Sahara Desert. Things take a turn when one of the survivors says that he can build a new airplane from the wreckage.

The Man Who Knew Too Much is a suspense thriller film, which revolves around an American family who were vacationing in French Morocco, only to be dragged into a huge conspiracy. 

Howard Kemp is a bounty hunter who has been tracking a murderer named Ben Vandergroat in order to bring him to justice. Eventually, he is forced to team up with two strangers who are not so trustworthy. They manage to catch Vandergroat, but on their way back, he tries to turn them against each other.

The Glenn Miller Story is a biographical musical romantic drama film which tells the story of Glenn Miller, American composer and bandleader. Born in 1904, he had passed away in 1944, while flying over the English Channel during the Second World War.

Charlie Anderson is a farmer in Virginia who refuses to take part in the American Civil War, as he wants to stay neutral. In addition, he is also unwilling to allow any of his six sons to join the army. However, he is forced to break his own rules, when his youngest son is taken prisoner.

Bend of the River is a western adventure film which tells the story of Glyn McLyntock and his friend Cole, who are leading a group of homesteaders from Missouri to Oregon. As winter nears, they establish a settlement outside Portland, and look for food supplies. Things take a turn when they soon learn about a gold mining camp nearby.

After hearing about the Klondike Gold Rush, Jeff Webster and his friend Ben Tatem drives a herd of cattle to Dawson City, Yukon, hoping to make some profit. However, on the way, his herd is confiscated by a lawman named Judge Gannon.

During a visit to Manhattan, botany professor Peter Morgan Jr. and nightclub singer Francey fall in love at first sight and get married the next day. Returning home, he is unsure about how to break the news to his authoritarian, conservative father, who, he knows wouldn’t approve. The newlyweds barely get any time together and their secret leads to many humorous situations.

How the West Was Won is an epic Western film which takes us to the 19th century, and covers several events such as the Gold Rush, the Civil War, as well as the building of the railroads.

Van Stanhope is a hard-working executive who is happily married to a beautiful woman named Linda. However, Linda’s friends warn her that her husband may be having an affair with Whitey, his secretary, who is extremely good-looking. Even Van’s mother is worried, as his father was unfaithful to her. During a trip to Havana, Linda begins to feel that the rumors might be actually true.

During WWI, a youthful Texan soldier Bill Pettigrew gets knocked down by Broadway revue star Daisy Heath’s car. As he boasts to his friends about Daisy being his date, she agrees to play along. But her rich boyfriend and show’s financier Sam Baily doesn’t approve. When Bill’s unit is being sent to France, he decides to propose to Daisy. Will she accept?

Ethan Wilkins is a poor, honest preacher, whose son Jason dreams of becoming a doctor. Jason continuously asks his mother for money to pay for his fancy things and education, which she willingly does. He earns fame during the Civil War; however, he forgets all about his mother who struggles with poverty after Ethan’s death. Will Jason ever realize his mistake? 

Bell Book and Candle is a romantic fantasy comedy film which tells the story of Gillian, a modern-day-witch who takes a liking to a good-looking man named Henderson. Since she dislikes his fiancée, she casts a spell on him, so that he would fall in love with her instead. Soon, her infatuation for Henderson turns into love, and she feels guilty for her actions.

Infamous crime-lord Joe Krozac’s son is born after he is jailed for 10 years for tax evasion. A kind reporter, Paul North, writes compassionately about Krozac’s harassed wife Talya, and loses his job in the bargain. Shocked by Krozac’s vicious behavior, Talya divorces him and marries North. Released from the jail, Krozac is impatient to avenge his ex-wife, and take back his son.  

The movie was one of the three adaptations of a Broadway musical of the same name. Two people—opera star, Marie, and  a Canadian mounted police officer, Sergeant Bruce—are looking for the same person—John Flower, a prisoner who escaped his jail and is now in need for some money to leave the country. During their journey, the two fall in love with each other.

Based on real-life incidence, the film follows family man, Bill Lawrence, who wins a radio quiz with $24,000-worth of prizes, which include a Palomino pony, a ton of beef, an interior decorator, a portrait painter, among other things. If that’s not enough, he has to pay unaffordable taxes on the prizes, while his wife suspects an affair between him and portrait painter.  

A New York heiress known for breaking several engagements develops cold feet on her wedding day; but is finally persuaded to tie the knot. However, she panics at night and runs away from her honeymoon suit, taking refuge in the adjoining room, occupied by a World War II veteran running a startup air-freight business on shoe string budget.

Guthrie is a corrupt Marshall who is pressured by his army friend into negotiating the release of several white prisoners of the Comanches, as the Army is also under pressure from their relatives. However, it soon seems that reintegrating them into society won’t be so easy.  

On his holiday, a sailor named Ted falls for a young woman Nora who aspires to become a Broadway dancer. Things however get complicated when another woman named Lucy, an already established Broadway star. is also attracted to him. After Nora spots a picture of Ted and Lucy in the newspaper, she refuses to have any more contact with Ted.

Bored with her life, Katherine Brannan decides to marry prominent surgeon Robert Dakin after a drunken night out. But Robert is engaged to socialite Priscilla Kelly. To avoid a scandal, Robert and Katherine decide to pretend to be married for six months and then divorce quietly. They end up falling in love but Priscilla complicates matters. 

Navy, Blue and Gold is a sports drama film, which tells the story of three young men, who share a common fondness for football. They become roommates at a US Naval Academy. However, one of them is hiding his identity as the son of an unfairly disgraced ex-Navy soldier.  

The Greatest Show on Earth is a drama film which revolves around the lives of a clown, an elephant trainer and trapeze artists, who work in a circus.      

Right after the USA enters World War II, reporter John Royer secures the release of and enlists the help of his friend Carnaghan to smuggle much-needed rubber out of Japanese controlled Malaya. With a dangerous Japanese commander Tomura in pursuit, Royer and Carnaghan involve an old associate The Dutchman to help them.

Mattie Appleyard is released after spending 40 years in the prison, during which time he has earned over $25,000. He and 2 other ex-convicts plan to open a store and lead a decent life. But prison Captain ‘Doc’ Council conspires with banker Grindstaff, and plots to cheat Mattie of his money, thus forcing the three to revert back to their old ways.

Next Time we Love is a romantic comedy film, which tells the story of a young married couple Christopher and Cicely. Their relationship is affected when Christopher is assigned overseas as a foreign correspondent and Cicely achieves stardom. Meanwhile, their friend Tommy, who secretly loves Cicely, tries to get close to her. 

The motivating short film is aimed at encouraging young men to join American Army Air Force. Narrator James Stewart, actor and a Lieutenant in the Air Force, discusses prospects and various aspects such as the officer positions required for B-17 Bombers, and other ground support positions to be recruited. He explains the prerequisites for recruitment and training, also pay and other benefits. 

Made for Each Other is a romantic comedy drama film which tells the story of John Mason, a young lawyer, who meets a woman named Jane, and instantly finds himself falling for her. Although he barely knows her, he gets married to her the next day. However, things don’t go as expected when his mother disapproves of Jane. Things get even more difficult when they end up having a baby.

Over-protective father, Frank Michaelson, reluctantly sends his young daughter Mollie to Paris, to study arts. Unfortunately, when Mollie informs him of her new lover artist Henri Bonnet and all her cultural experiences, Frank rushes to Paris which leads to humorous outcomes.  

Gaylord is a reporter who starts writing plays. After his most recent hit, he meets Amanda Swift at a party. She feels that his talents are being wasted in writing comedies, and urges him to write a tragedy about immortality. Soon, Gaylord finds himself attracted to Amanda, and divorces his wife Linda. However, after his play turns out to be unintentionally funny, Amanda leaves him.

On Our Merry Way is a slapstick comedy film revolving around Oliver, who has lied to wife about being a reporter in a newspaper, though he is actually a clerk there. 

A group of art thieves hijack a Boeing 747 carrying a collection of priceless works of art. Due to circumstances, however, the plane hits an oil rig, after which it crashes into the sea, which leads the passengers and crew to fight for their survival.

This historical fiction based on Samuel Hopkins Adams 1934 novel - The Gorgeous Hussy - centres around Peggy Eaton, an inn keeper’s daughter, who works her way up and gains influence in the White House during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson. The friendship generates huge controversy and results in trouble for both.

Lassie, a sensitive and affectionate dog, is taken away to Colorado by a businessman after her owner’s grandfather refuses to sell him vineyards. Lassie must now find her way back home, for which she will have to run all the way from Colorado to California. However, the road is full of obstacles.   

Talented ice-skater Larry Hall falls for and marries inexpert Mary McKay, thus jeopardizing his career. Mary gets a film contract which forbids her to marry, so they keep their marriage a secret. When Mary becomes a star, out-of-work Larry goes to New York to produce ice follicles show which is a huge success. Will their careers allow them a life of togetherness? 

This animated adventure musical film tells the story of a family of mice who is lured by the false promises of a smooth-talking cat, after which they set out on a journey towards the West.

Steve Grey, a famous New York, reporter pins the murder of corrupt businessman, Halford, on Halford’s partner, Henry Mander, who is sentenced to death. When Steve’s editor asks him to get an interview with Mander, the real truth comes out. 

Art Trouble is a comedy short film which tells the story of two brothers, who are ordered by their parents to go to Paris to study art, although they have other interests. Therefore, they decide to hire two house painters instead to go in their place. Things get complicated after the impostors win an art contest.

Important News is a drama short film which tells the story of an editor of a newspaper in a small-town, who is having trouble choosing a story headlining the newspaper. He is not sure whether he should include mundane local events, or a sensational crime story.