Table of Contents 64q43
- The artist
- Sabrina
- Sin City – The City of Sin
- s Ha
- Frankenweenie
- Twilight of the Gods
- Indomitable Bull
- Psychosis
- the seventh seal
- Casablanca
- Citizen Kane – The World at Your Feet
- Modern times
- Frankenstein
- Schindler's List
- The Portrait of Dorian Gray
- the seven samurai
- Revenge of the 47 Ronin
- Happiness Can't Be Bought
- The sun is for everybody
- Sinister Pact
- What Happened to Baby Jane?
- Scandal Nuptials
- The Hotter the Better
Many of the black and white films — both old and newer ones that carry this palette due to some artistic decision — have become classics with fans of all ages and are well worth watching. That said, we've curated a few titles that are worth your time. 24591p
The artist 53g3
Original title: The Artist
Year: 2011
95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb
The big winner of 2012 Oscar, won awards such as Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director and 7 more on the same night. It became an instant classic with a script that tells the story of silent film star George Valentin — played by the French actor Jean Dujardin — who fears oblivion with the arrival of talking cinema. As well as the rise of dancer Peppy Miller, played by French-Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo.
The intersection of the two characters' stories takes place through Jean's attraction to Peppy, while she is still just a dancer, and he is at the top of his career. The story takes place between the years 1927 and 1932, a real period of transition from silent to talkies.
This is one of the best black and white films on the list and is available for streaming on Max, formerly HBO Max.
Sabrina 45e3g
Year: 1954
94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb
starring Audrey Hepburn, still considered today one of the best actresses in the world, winner of the Oscar for best actress in the years 1954, 1955, 1960, 1962 and 1968, Sabrina earned him his second award statuette in 1955.
The script tells the story of two brothers from a rich and powerful family. Linus — the hardworking and responsible one — and David — a playboy who is not interested in business. The drama happens because of Sabrina, daughter of the family driver, who returns from a more refined trip to Paris and ends up attracting the attention of David, with whom she has always been in love. However, David is about to marry an heiress which would result in a major merger between both families' businesses — Linus then decides to interfere in the couple's relationship, but ends up falling in love with her.
This is one of those black and white films full of encounters and disagreements with a hint of games of interests and elitism. It is available for streaming on Telecine.
Sin City – The City of Sin 635g40
Year: 2005
76% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8 on IMDb
The film features a strong cast such as A, Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Jaime king, Benicio, the bull, Elijah Wood, Devon aoki, Josh Hartnett, Brittany Murphy, Nick Offerman — just to name a few.
The story is told from the perspective of 3 main characters. The first is Marv, a street fighter who discovers that the beautiful woman he took home was murdered in her bed, and takes to the streets in search of revenge. The second is Dwight, a private detective who tries to forget his problems by protecting the ladies of the night. And the third is John Hartigan, the last honest police officer who, one hour away from retirement, decides to save an 11-year-old girl.
The film is available for rent at Prime Video.
s Ha g6g67
Year: 2012
92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb
The film stars Greta Gerwig, director of the new film live action da Barbie which went viral on social media last year.
The plot follows the story of Francis, a New Yorker without her own address, an apprentice at a dance company. The character throws herself headlong into her dreams without looking back, all without losing her high spirits and genuineness, even when real life doesn't seem to help.
The film features a young actor A in the cast and is available for streaming on MUBI.
Frankenweenie 6w1rx
Year: 2012
88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb
The director's children's horror Tim Burton, known for producing feature-length animations using the technique of stop motion and very characteristic characters created by himself.
The film tells the story of a boy named Victor, an amateur horror filmmaker, who brings his dead dog back from the dead, inspired by a science class he had at school. Sparky, however, returns with eccentric habits.
It is available for streaming on Disney +.
Twilight of the Gods 38192q
Original title: Sunset Boulevard
Year: 1950
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb
Another film that mentions the life after fame of a silent film star, however, this time, she is not the protagonist.
In this classic black and white film, decadent screenwriter Joe Gillis — played by William holden — seeks refuge in the mansion of former silent film star Norma Desmond — played by the actress Gloria Swanson. Norma, upon discovering Holden's profession, asks him to review the script she wrote for Salomé, a film in which she intends to return to acting. With no other offers, he accepts, despite finding the script horrible.
The relationship between the two is toxic to say the least, the film is full of mysteries and can be watched on YouTube Movies.
Indomitable Bull p644
Original title: Raging Bull
Year: 1980
92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb
starring Robert De Niro, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for the film, playing the controversial Jake LaMotta.
The film tells the story of boxer Jake who, as he became a professional, lost control of his personal life due to his brutal behavior inside and outside the ring.
Raging Bull is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Psychosis 25kp
Original title: Psycho
Year: 1960
97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb
The film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is one of the most classic horror films on the big screen. Anthony perkins stars in the film, playing the psychopath Norman Bates.
This classic black and white film tells how Marion Cranes, after stealing 40 thousand dollars to marry her boyfriend, stays in a roadside hotel to escape a storm. It is then that she meets Norman Bates, the owner of the establishment, and ends up living a terrifying night.
Having already inspired several films and series episodes, the film also won an adapted series called Bates Motel. The original is available for streaming on Telecine.
the seventh seal 3y3964
Original title: The Seventh Seal
Year: 1957
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb
One of the most intriguing horror films produced in black and white. Released in 1957, the Swedish film was directed by Ingmar Bergman.
In the film, a knight, upon returning from the crusades, finds his country devastated by the Black Death, which shakes his faith in God. Soon Death arrives to take him, but the soldier challenges her to a game of chess that will have his life as the prize, and Death accepts, as he never loses.
Casablanca 5e5kh
Year: 1942
99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb
Um cult classic which must be watched at least once in your life. Starring Humphrey Bogart who plays Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman who plays Ilsa Lund Laszlo, both Oscar winners, was directed by michael curtiz and released in 1942.
This classic black and white film takes place during the Second World War and tells the story of American exile Rick, a refugee in the city of Casablanca, Morocco, where he meets an old flame who needs help to escape the Nazis.
The film is available for streaming on Max.
Citizen Kane – The World at Your Feet 1a1z34
Original title: Citizen Kane
Year: 1941
99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,3 on IMDb
Often cited by cinephiles as the best film ever made, the work was directed, written and starred by Orson Welles.
It tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, a press tycoon whose last word is Rosebud (or rosebud, in Portuguese), which intrigues a journalist so much that he decides to interview people from Kane's past to discover the meaning.
The film is available for streaming on Max.
Modern times 4h3i3u
Original title: Modern Times
Year: 1936
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,5 on IMDb
A classic film starring, written and directed by Charles Chaplin. It is still studied in history books today due to social criticism and the Taylorist-Fordist assembly line model.
In this classic black and white film, the story follows a factory employee whose exorbitant demands and repetitive work ultimately result in a nervous breakdown and then hospitalization. Between stints in prison, he ends up befriending an orphan, with whom he ends up escaping and sharing his life.
The film is available for streaming on Telecine.
Frankenstein 5c4966
Year: 1931
94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb
Based on the book by Mary Shelley, the film stars Boris Karloff like the creature and Colin Clive as Victor Frankenstein. It was directed by James whale and released in 1931.
It tells the classic story of how Victor built a monster using body parts found in the cemetery and brought his creature to life using the brain of a criminal. The creature, upon coming to life, escapes from the laboratory and arrives in the city, terrorizing the population and causing havoc wherever it goes.
The film is available for streaming on Telecine.
Schindler's List 1w262
Original title: Schindler's List
Year: 1993
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 9 on IMDb
The film Schindler's List is starred by Liam Neeson and has Ralph Fiennes in the cast. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and won the Oscar for Best Film.
The classic film tells the story of Oskar Schindler — a German and member of the Nazi Party — who decided to exploit Jewish labor during the Second World War, but ended up giving up his entire fortune to save the lives of more than a thousand Jews imprisoned in concentration camps.
The film is available for streaming on Telecine.
The Portrait of Dorian Gray 4z3qq
Original title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Year: 1945
94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb
Based on the novel by Oscar Wilde, the original film was released in 1945 and to this day is one of the most classic horror films in history.
In the film, young Dorian Gray is introduced to the hedonistic world by Lord Henry Wotton and, upon having his portrait painted, wants the painting to carry the burden of aging in his place. From that moment on, his portrait becomes more and more horrible as Dorian commits sins, but the young man does not age a day.
The film is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
the seven samurai 50p1s
Original title: 七人の侍 (Shichinin no Samurai)
Year: 1954
100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb
Directed and written by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, the film, lasting more than 3 hours, was well received by critics and the public.
This cinema classic takes place at a time when samurai were falling into decline. Then, the samurai Kambei arrives at a small village that has been repeatedly looted and the residents ask for his help. Kambei then recruits 6 more ronin — masterless samurai — to train them in exchange for food.
Revenge of the 47 Ronin 1n1w31
Original title: 元禄忠臣蔵
Year: 1941
81% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb
Adapted from the play written by the Japanese novelist Seika Mayama and directed by Kenji Mizōguchi, the film was divided into two parts, the first released in 1941.
In the film, the feudal lord Asano refuses to accept a bribe from the court and the corrupt government of the time forces him to commit suicide. Helpless after his death, the samurai led by Oichi decide to avenge him.
Happiness Can't Be Bought 616r1s
Original title: It's a Wonderful Life
Year: 1946
94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,6 on IMDb
Directed by the Italian and naturalized American director Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, Henry Traver e Donna Reed, the film was released in 1946.
The film revolves around George Bailey, a good man who thinks about committing suicide by jumping off a bridge. Clarence, an angel seeking to earn his wings, is sent to convince him to give up by showing him flashbacks important parts of your life.
The film is available for streaming on Looke.
The sun is for everybody 41a6d
Original title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Year: 1962
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,3 on IMDb
Based on the book of the same name by the American author Harper Lee, the film was directed by filmmaker Robert Mulligan. It stars the actor Gregory Peck e Mary Badham, both nominated for Oscar for his performance, with Gregory taking home the award.
The story is told from the perspective of 2 children, sons of a lawyer who is defending a black farmhand accused of rape in a prejudiced town in the southern United States.
The film is available for streaming on Telecine.
Sinister Pact 60222h
Original title: Strangers on a Train
Year: 1951
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb
Released in 1951, the film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Robert Walker e Farley Granger.
In the film, two unknown men make a pact to kill each other's victims to avoid being traced to the murder. Bruno wants to kill his father and tennis player Guy Haines wants to kill his wife.
The film is available for streaming on Max.
What Happened to Baby Jane? a2e31
Original title: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Year: 1962
91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8 on IMDb
Another classic camp of the terror of HagsploitationDirected by robert aldrich and starring Bette Davis e Joan Crawford. The film was released in 1962 and earned a nomination for Oscar best actress for Davis.
The classic film tells the story of two sisters, Baby Jane and Blanche, the first a child actress who saw her career decline as she grew older. The second achieved success later, however, she ends up in a wheelchair after suffering an accident, with her sister, who hates her, as her guardian.
The film is available for streaming on Max.
Scandal Nuptials 506c44
Original title: The Philly Story
Year: 1940
100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb
Winner of numerous awards Oscar, the film was released in 1940 and directed by George Cukor. The cast includes great movie stars, such as Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn e Jimmy Stewart.
In the story, playboy Dexter Haven crashes his ex-wife's wedding with his reporter friends, which leads Tracy to a lot of introspection and self-discovery, as the two men compete for her heart.
The film is available for rent at Amazon Prime.
The Hotter the Better 244m3b
Original title: Some Like It Hot
Year: 1959
95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb
It would not be possible to end this list without mentioning a film by the greatest icons in history: Marilyn Monroe. While many of his films were shot in color, The Hotter the Better, was recorded in black and white by choice of the director, to make the look of actors Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag, according to him: “Less grotesque”.
In the film, the actors' characters witness a mafia murder and, in order to escape alive, they end up disguising themselves as women and ing a female jazz band, following them by train to Florida. This ends up causing a lot of confusion, with one of them pretending to be a millionaire to win Sugar's heart and the other being chased by a real millionaire.
The film is available for streaming on MGM's channel Amazon Prime.
Which movie is this list of best films black and white have you ever watched it? Tell us in the comments below!
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Credit: Wealth of Geeks e Screen Rant.
Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim
