Top 10 James Stewart Films

James Stewart is perhaps one of the finest actors of all time, he is certainly considered so. He was the loveable every-man, at 6 foot 2" his tall lanky frame towered on the screen and he is remembered for his performances in some of the most loved films of all time. Many of his films are considered classics and his performances are fondly remembered as some of the greatest that graced the screen. He won only one Academy award which when looking back at his amazing career is extremely surprising. However he was nominated 4 other times and he was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 1985 for his contribution to the film industry.
I am a huge fan of the classic era of Hollywood movies and am an avid supporter of old films, I truly believe they just don't make em' the way they used to and James Stewart is one of my favourite stars. This is my list of my favourite James Stewart performances.

10 - The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Running Time: 2 Hours
Genre: Thriller
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: James Stewart, Doris Day

A Hitchcock classic a remake from his earlier 1934 thriller with a memorable Peter Lorre. This time Hitchcock cast the loveable every-man James Stewart as a vacationing  man desperately searching for his son who has been kidnapped after Stewart and his wife (Day) discovered an assassination plot. Dripping with suspense and Doris Day hit Que Sera Sera make this a must see.

09 - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Running Time: 2 Hours
Genre: Western
Director: John Ford
Stars: John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles

The best pairing of Stewart and Wayne, told in flashback by Stewart's ageing Senator at the funeral of an old friend this is the story of what really happened during the killing of a famous outlaw that made the Senator famous years before. Directed by the infamous John Ford this classic western is hard to beat.

08 - The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: George Cukor
Stars: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart

If Katharine Hepburn had her way this classic comedy would have starred Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. But who can imagine The Philadelphia Story without Grant and Stewart who won his only Oscar for his performance of Mike Connor a reporter covering the wedding of a rich socialite about to remarry. Drama and hilarity ensues when her ex (Grant) shows up and her true feelings begin to surface.

07 - Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Running Time: 3 Hours
Genre: Crime/Drama
Director: Otto Preminger
Stars: James Stewart, Lee Remmick, Ben Gazzara

One of the classic courtroom dramas, this is Stewart at his best, here playing the attorney assigned to the case of a man who is pleading temporary insanity after murdering the victim who raped his wife. But what really happened and does Stewart's Paul Biegler believe his clients story.

06 - Vertigo (1958)

Running Time: 2 hours 5 mins
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak

In his last film for Hitchcock, long considered the director's greatest work Stewart plays a retired detective in San Francisco suffering from, what else - vertigo. Doing a favour for an old friend he begins to investigate his wife, whilst following her he becomes obsessed to a rather unhealthy level.

05 - Rope (1948)

Running Time: 1 hour 20 mins
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: James Stewart, Farley Granger, John Dall

A masterpiece of screen writing and direction Rope was considered an experiment filmed like a stage play in 10 minute takes this was an act of sheer brilliance or madness. Stewart portrays an old and favoured teacher Rupert Cadell of two men having a dinner party. Unbeknownst to the guests the hosts have recently murdered a friend simply for the thrill of committing the perfect murder and have stashed his body in the ottoman they are dining off. All would be fine if not for Stewart's wise teacher suspecting the worst.

04 - Harvey (1950)

Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Stars: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow

One of my favourite Stewart performances Elwood P. Dowd is a simple man, kind, generous his only irregularity is his companion, a six foot tall rabbit. His family think he is insane and try to have him committed but in the process they begin to learn more about Dowd and Harvey alike and Elwood may be smarter than any of them dare realise. This is an ingenious film, incredibly performed and written, Stewart was nominated for Best Actor but lost to Jose Ferrer for Cyrano de Bergerac, in my opinion he should have won as he was at his finest here.

03 - Rear Window (1954)

Running Time: 1 Hour 50 mins
Genre: Thriller
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter

One of my favourite Hitchcock thrillers Stewart plays L.B 'Jeff' Jeffries a photographer confined to his small apartment after breaking his leg. Jeff spends the hot summer days in his uncomfortable cast up to the hip spying on his neighbours. As he gets more and more engrossed he becomes convinced that one of his neighbours has murdered his wife. Enlisting the help of his girlfriend the gorgeous Grace Kelly the wheelchair bound photographer plans to discover the truth.

02 - Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Running Time: 2 Hours 5 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Frank Capra
Stars: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains

The earliest film on this list and yet one of his greatest performances, Stewart plays Jefferson Smith a kind hearted but naive man who is enlisted to fill the vacant seat for his town at the US Senate. With big plans Smith discovers that the government he holds so dear is corrupt, but this does not stop Jefferson Smith he fights for the right of the people with one of the greatest speeches in Hollywood history. Stewart gives a knock out performance for Frank Capra and gave the audience a character to cheer for.


01 - It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Running Time: 2 Hours 10 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Frank Capra
Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

Proving that he did some of his greatest work alongside director Frank Capra the pair teamed again for It's a Wonderful Life in 1946, with the war just ended, this story of a man about to commit suicide did not sit well with audiences and amazingly did not succeed at the box office. We now know better; this is the ultimate christmas classic and is forever linked with James Stewart who plays the loveable George Bailey a man who has given up faith until an angel wanting to earn his wings comes down to show George what the world would be like without him. George realises his life has not been a waste and he has made more of a difference than he could ever realise. This is a true classic and perfectly casts Stewart as the man everybody loves, his character in this film is how he is perceived by many, audiences and critics alike. He could not be better than he is in this film, nothing beats It's a Wonderful Life at christmas time but the beauty of this film is that it can be watched all year round. If you haven't seen it I really don't know what your waiting for, it will change your perspective of movies for all time. This is truly one of the greats.


There you have it, my favourite James Stewart roles/films, and let me tell you it was not an easy list to make. Every performance James Stewart every gave is worth seeing, he captivates audiences to this day because he just had that star quality that all the greatest movie stars had, and he had it in spades. He will forever be remembered as a true gentleman, the every-man that men wanted to be or aspired to and that women fell in love with again and again. What a mega-star, there will never be another like him, hope you enjoyed the list.

What are your favourite James Stewart Films? Do you agree with the films on my list?
Let me know in the comments below.