Best Ava Gardner Movies

A wonderful leading lady whose career spanned decades, Ava Gardner is an iconic Old Hollywood star from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Miss Gardner could do any genre, be it a thrilling Film Noir or a family musical. While she’s possibly most known for her role in The Killers — which is VERY good — there are so many amazing movies that Gardner starred in that deserve attention and love, as well. Therefore, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 best Ava Gardner movies of all time.

The 10 movies listed below are all feature films that Gardner starred in. We’ve tried to focus on her best films, but also the films where her performance itself really shines. Remember, these are based on opinion, so your own Ava Gardner Top 10 List may differ — and that’s okay! Enjoy!

The Top 10 Best Ava Gardner Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best

Honorable Mention: Bhowani Junction (1956)

• Genre: Adventure / Drama / History
• Starring: Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger
• Directed by: George Cukor

While Bhowani Junction isn’t the best Ava Gardner movie, we had to include it on this list. When it was first released in 1956, her performance in the film gained a lot of critical respect. She was even nominated for a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress! So, while the movie falls in certain places, this wouldn’t be a good list without recognizing Gardner’s amazing performance here. Bhowani Junction tells the story of an Anglo-Indian beauty who falls for a British officer as her country fights for independence.

10. Mogambo (1953)

• Genre: Adventure / Drama / Romance
• Starring: Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: John Ford

While Mogambo gave Gardner her one and only Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the movie can’t be considered her best. It’s definitely on the list of her best films, but while she’s absolutely amazing here, she has many other films that are better than this one. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a great watch — it is! With Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly in ONE film, you can expect to have a lot of fun.

Mogambo follows an African hunter (Gable) who is torn between a lusty showgirl and a married woman, per TCM’s brief synopsis. Mogambo is a remake of Red Dust, which also starred Clark Gable, as well as Jean Harlow. Red Dust is superior, but Mogambo is still quite enjoyable, especially if your fans of those in the cast.

9. Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)

• Genre: Drama / Fantasy
• Starring: James Mason, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: Albert Lewin

A riveting film, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman tells the story of a Spanish temptress who falls for a haunted ship’s captain. It’s a spellbinding movie that never gets old. It’s a shame this film was never nominated for any awards because it’s SO good. If you’re looking for a mystical, magical movie that also happens to be one of the best Ava Gardner movies, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman is the movie for you.

8. Show Boat (1951)

• Genre: Drama / Musical
• Starring: Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Agnes Moorehead
• Directed by: George Sidney

Based on an excellent novel, Show Boat is a great Old Hollywood family musical that still manages to stand the test of time. Specifically, Gardner is wonderful here, proving that she can perform in literally any genre of film. Show Boat follows riverboat entertainers who find love, laughs, and hardships as they sail. It’s a really interesting, really fun, movie! It was also received well critically back when it was released and ended up being nominated for two Academy Awards.

7. 55 Days at Peking (1963)

• Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
• Starring: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, David Niven, Flora Robson
• Directed by: Nicholas Ray

Directed by Nicholas Ray, one of the best Old Hollywood directors in our opinion, 55 Days at Peking follows an American major who leads the defense against Chinese revolutionaries in 1900 Peking. The film boasts an all-star cast, which is the main reason why this movie is so good. The cast really brings it. Gardner herself is at one of her best film moments here, which is why it’s one of the best Ava Gardner movies of all time. The film was also received well critically back in 1963, and it was nominated for two Academy Awards!

6. The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)

• Genre: Drama / Comedy / Romance
• Starring: Paul Newman, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: John Huston

Also one of the best Ava Gardner movies ever made, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean tells the story of a self-appointed judge who cleans up a corrupt western town… twice. Paul Newman and Ava Gardner in one movie together is going to be a good one, even if it is one of their 70s films. Here, older in age but still as talented and radiant as ever, Gardner once again proves what a star she is. For any Ava Gardner fan, this is a must-watch, hands down.

5. The Barefoot Contessa (1954)

• Genre: Crime / Mystery / Drama
• Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Possibly one of the most iconic Ava Gardner movies, The Barefoot Contessa also happens to be one of her absolute best. Plus, we get her opposite Humphrey Bogart! That’s a win! The Barefoot Contessa tells the story of a Spanish dancer who becomes an international star but still longs to get her feet in the dirt. Gardner really controls this whole movie. The film was also received quite well when it was released, and it ended up being nominated for two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe.

4. On the Beach (1959)

• Genre: Drama / Romance / Sci-Fi
• Starring: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins
• Directed by: Stanley Kramer

On the Beach really boasts an all-star cast. I mean, how could a movie starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, AND Anthony Perkins not be amazing? Luckily, this film is as good as the star lineup. It also happens to be one of the best Ava Gardner movies, as she’s absolutely stunning here. On the Beach follows U.S. sailors stationed in Australia who deal with the end of civilization after a nuclear war. It’s amazing. All stars really bring it here.

On the Beach was received quite well back in 1959, and it ended up being nominated for two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes (it won one), and two BAFTA nominations. Gardner, for her excellent performance, was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress!

3. The Night of the Iguana (1964)

• Genre: Drama
• Starring: Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr
• Directed by: John Huston

Definitely one of the absolute best Ava Gardner movies of all time, The Night of the Iguana follows a defrocked priest (Burton) who surrenders to the sins of the flesh in a Mexican hotel. With Richard Burton as the star, you know it’s going to be good. But don’t sleep on Gardner! And when you watch the movie, it’s impossible to not see the real talent she had. The film was received quite well and ended up being nominated for four Oscars.

The Night of the Iguana was also nominated for five Golden Globes — and Gardner was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama! Gardner was also nominated for a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress for her wonderful performance in this movie!

2. Seven Days in May (1964)

• Genre: Drama / Thriller
• Starring: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: John Frankenheimer

While Gardner doesn’t have as big a role here as, say, Burt Lancaster, we had to include Seven Days in May as one of her absolute best movies. She’s stunning here, as she always is. Seven Days in May tells the story of an American military officer who discovers his superiors are planning a military coup. It’s a wonderful, intriguing movie that still stands the test of time today. And when Gardner appears, she reminds viewers how wonderful she is. The movie as a whole is incredible, which is why it’s ranked so high on this list.

1. The Killers (1946)

• Genre: Crime / Film Noir / Drama
• Starring: Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner
• Directed by: Robert Siodmak

The best Ava Gardner movie is The Killers, hands down. One of her first big roles, it’ll probably forever be the movie most associated with her. The Killers tells the story of an insurance investigator who uncovers a string of crimes when he tries to find a murdered boxer’s beneficiary. Lancaster and Gardner together here? Beautiful. This also happens to be one of the best film noirs of all time. While a hit, there is a feeling that it didn’t get the love it deserved back in the day, even though it was nominated for four Academy Awards. Now, however, it’s a part of the Criterion Collection at spine #176!

The Best Ava Gardner Movies + More Nostalgic News

Comment below what you think about this list of the top 10 best Ava Gardner movies of all time. Do you agree? Or would you include some of her other movies? Hit the comments below with your thoughts! I’d love to hear your opinions!