6 Best Raymond Massey Movies

By Vlad Zakh · January 29, 2026

Raymond Massey brought commanding, gaunt intensity to Hollywood and became forever associated with his defining portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Abe Lincoln in Illinois is that role. East of Eden has a troubled son competing for his stern father’s approval, The Fountainhead refuses to compromise an architect’s vision, How the West Was Won crosses generations, and Arsenic and Old Lace discovers a newlywed’s murderous aunts. Things to Come rounds out the list.

How the West Was Won (1962)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A sweeping saga follows generations of one American family across the westward expansion.

Directed by Henry Hathaway & John Ford · 2h 44m · Rated G

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

East of Eden (1955)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A troubled young man desperate for his stern father's approval competes bitterly with his favoured brother.

Directed by Elia Kazan · 1h 55m · Rated PG

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

The Fountainhead (1949)

TMDB ★ 6.8

An uncompromising architect refuses to sacrifice his artistic vision despite immense professional pressure.

Directed by King Vidor · 1h 52m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A newlywed discovers his sweet elderly aunts have been secretly murdering lonely old men.

Directed by Frank Capra · 1h 58m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A young, self-taught lawyer rises from humble beginnings towards the presidency.

Directed by John Cromwell · 1h 50m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Things to Come (1936)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Ann Todd features in this sci-fi epic where a devastating world war plunges humanity into decades of collapse before a utopian scientific society rises.

Directed by William Cameron Menzies · 1h 40m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

▶ 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 Raymond Massey Movies

How the West Was Won (1962)

East of Eden (1955)

The Fountainhead (1949)

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

Things to Come (1936)

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