6 Best Melvyn Douglas Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 18, 2026

Melvyn Douglas spent five decades moving from suave romantic comedy leads to some of the most respected supporting dramatic work of his generation. Being There has a dying businessman taking a simple gardener under his wing, Hud has a ruthless rancher threatening to corrupt his nephew, The Candidate compromises an idealistic Senate hopeful, and I Never Sang for My Father struggles with a difficult ageing parent. Ninotchka and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House round out the list.

Being There (1979)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A simple-minded gardener's literal remarks about plants are mistaken for profound political wisdom.

Directed by Hal Ashby · 2h 10m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: TCM, Howdy Amazon Channel · 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

The Candidate (1972)

TMDB ★ 7.2

An idealistic lawyer's long-shot Senate campaign compromises his principles as it gains unexpected momentum.

Directed by Michael Ritchie · 1h 50m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

I Never Sang for My Father (1970)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A son struggles to reconcile his conflicted feelings towards his difficult, ageing father.

Directed by Gilbert Cates · 1h 32m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Hud (1963)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A ruthless, amoral rancher's son clashes with his principled father over the family cattle business.

Directed by Martin Ritt · 1h 52m · Rated NR

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

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A New York advertising executive's dream of building a country home spirals into a money pit.

Directed by H. C. Potter · 1h 34m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ninotchka (1939)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A stern Soviet envoy sent to Paris is unexpectedly charmed by capitalism and a debonair count.

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch · 1h 50m · Rated NR

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. 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.

6 Best Melvyn Douglas Movies

Being There (1979)

The Candidate (1972)

I Never Sang for My Father (1970)

Hud (1963)

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

Ninotchka (1939)

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