9 Best James Stewart Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 8, 2026

James Stewart’s everyman warmth made him one of classic Hollywood’s best-loved stars, and directors like Frank Capra and Alfred Hitchcock both found ways to darken it into something more complicated. Vertigo spirals a former detective’s obsession with a mysterious woman, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance hides the truth about a senator’s gunslinger reputation, Anatomy of a Murder defends an army lieutenant, and The Man Who Knew Too Much kidnaps a couple’s son after an assassination. Rear Window, Harvey, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Philadelphia Story and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington round out the list.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

TMDB ★ 8.1

Andy Devine features in this western about a senator whose reputation is built on a legendary shootout whose true story is far different.

Directed by John Ford · 2h 03m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

TMDB ★ 8.0

A small-town lawyer defends a soldier who killed the man he says raped his wife.

Directed by Otto Preminger · 2h 41m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Vertigo (1958)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 94% Metacritic 100

A retired detective with a fear of heights becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman he is hired to follow.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 2h 08m · Rated PG

Nominated for 2 Oscars9 wins & 8 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

TMDB ★ 7.5

Alan Mowbray features in this thriller where a couple's holiday is upended after they uncover an assassination plot.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 2h 01m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Rear Window (1954)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 99% Metacritic 100

A photographer laid up with a broken leg becomes convinced he's witnessed a murder across the courtyard.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 1h 53m · Rated PG

Nominated for 4 Oscars7 wins & 14 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Harvey (1950)

TMDB ★ 8.0

A gentle man's friendship with an invisible six-foot rabbit worries his image-conscious family.

Directed by Henry Koster · 1h 44m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

IMDb ★ 8.6 RT 94% Metacritic 89

A despairing man is shown by a guardian angel what his community would have lost without him.

Directed by Frank Capra · 2h 11m · Rated PG

Nominated for 5 Oscars11 wins & 7 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A socialite's wedding weekend is complicated by her ex-husband and a charming tabloid reporter.

Directed by George Cukor · 1h 53m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 85% Metacritic 73

A naive, idealistic new senator battles entrenched political corruption in Washington.

Directed by Frank Capra · 2h 10m · Rated NR

Won 1 Oscar8 wins & 12 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · 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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

9 Best James Stewart Movies

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Vertigo (1958)

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Rear Window (1954)

Harvey (1950)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

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