6 Best Pre-Code Hollywood Classics

By Vlad Zakh · June 18, 2026

Before the Hays Code clamped down on Hollywood, a brief golden era of daring, provocative films tackled sex, crime, and morality with startling frankness. In Baby Face (1933): A woman ruthlessly uses seduction to claw her way up the corporate ladder from poverty. Also notable is Design for Living (1933): A woman refuses to choose between two close friends, instead proposing they all three live together.

Design for Living (1933)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A woman refuses to choose between two close friends, instead proposing they all three live together.

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch · 1h 31m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A brassy, wisecracking saloon singer navigates a web of admirers, criminals, and an undercover cop.

Directed by Lowell Sherman · 1h 05m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Employees' Entrance (1933)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A ruthless department store manager's predatory treatment of his female employees comes back to haunt him.

Directed by Roy Del Ruth · 1h 15m · Rated NR

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Baby Face (1933)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A woman ruthlessly uses seduction to claw her way up the corporate ladder from poverty.

Directed by Alfred E. Green · 1h 16m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Red-Headed Woman (1932)

TMDB ★ 6.6

An ambitious secretary ruthlessly seduces her way up the social ladder through a string of wealthy men.

Directed by Jack Conway · 1h 19m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Blonde Venus (1932)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A struggling mother turns to nightclub singing and a wealthy admirer to support her family.

Directed by Josef von Sternberg · 1h 33m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Pre-Code Hollywood Classics

Design for Living (1933)

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

Employees' Entrance (1933)

Baby Face (1933)

Red-Headed Woman (1932)

Blonde Venus (1932)

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