One of the most popular actresses in the 1950s and 1960s, Kim Novak starred in so many wonderful films that are still incredibly enjoyable to watch today. An icon through and through, Novak starred in many great movies, including a film that many consider to be the greatest film ever made.
Below, I’ve compiled the top 10 best Kim Novak movies of all time. Every single movie on this list is worth a watch. If you’re looking for a place to start when it comes to watching Novak’s filmography, this list is a great place to start!
The Top 10 Best Kim Novak Movies, Ranked
10. Pal Joey (1957)
- Genre: Musical / Romance / Drama
- Starring: Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Barbara Nichols
- Directed by: George Sidney
In tenth place, we’ve got Pal Joey. While this musical has landed the last place on this list, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad film. Quite the opposite. While Pal Joey isn’t perfect, it is an enjoyable film that combines the talents of Novak, Frank Sinatra, and the legendary Rita Hayworth. And for that alone, it’s worth a watch.
Pal Joey follows a philandering singer (Sinatra) who dreams of opening up his own nightclub. When he meets a wealthy widow (Hayworth), he believes that he may get his chance by seducing her. However, his growing feelings for a chorus girl (Novak) threaten to get in the way of his dreams.
Related — The Top 10 Best Rita Hayworth Movies of All Time
9. The Notorious Landlady (1962)
- Genre: Mystery / Comedy
- Starring: Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Fred Astaire
- Directed by: Richard Quine
The Notorious Landlady is a lot of fun and stars Novak opposite Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire. Needless to say, it’s another winner of a film. This movie follows an American diplomat (Lemmon) who rents an apartment from a landlady (Novak) that everyone thinks killed her husband. After meeting her and learning of the rumors, he and his boss (Astaire) try to clear her name.
8. Middle of the Night (1959)
- Genre: Drama
- Starring: Kim Novak, Glenda Farrell, Fredric March
- Directed by: Delbert Mann
Middle of the Night is full of drama — and therefore so fun to watch. It also happens to be one of the best Kim Novak movies ever, as well as one of the best movies Fredric March made later on in his life! Middle of the Night follows a wealthy widow (March) in his 60s who, upon growing lonely, begins a romance with his 24-year-old divorced receptionist (Novak). Everybody — family members, etc — dislikes the romance and believes it should come to an end.
7. Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
- Genre: Fantasy / Romance / Comedy
- Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs
- Directed by: Richard Quine
We’re big fans of Bell, Book and Candle . It’s just such a fun movie! This witchy comedy follows a modern-day witch (Novak) who puts a love spell on a publisher (Stewart) when she learns he’s engaged to her college rival. However, things become rather difficult for her when she actually starts falling in love with the man!
6. Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)
- Genre: Romance / Comedy
- Starring: Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston
- Directed by: Billy Wilder
Kiss Me, Stupid is, like so many of the films on this list, just grand fun — and one of the best Kim Novak movies ever. This romantic comedy follows a popular singer (Martin) who gets stranded in a small town near Las Vegas as a songwriter (Walston) tries to get him to sing some of his songs. Worried that the singer will hit on his wife, the songwriter hires a prostitute (Novak) to pretend to be his wife instead. It’s a lot of fun!
5. Strangers When We Meet (1960)
- Genre: Romance / Drama
- Starring: Kirk Douglas, Kim Novak, Ernie Kovacs, Barbara Rush
- Directed by: Richard Quine
Strangers When We Meet is definitely one of the best Kim Novak movies, as it’s a riveting romantic drama. This film follows two married neighbors (Douglas and Novak) who end up having an affair with each other, threatening their marriages in the process. Riveting.
4. Pushover (1954)
- Genre: Film Noir / Crime / Drama
- Starring: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Dorothy Malone
- Directed by: Richard Quine
Now we’re getting to the absolutely perfect Kim Novak movies. These are the movies that stand the test of time, are so engaging to watch, and really just are such wonderful and exciting films.
Pushover is definitely one of these movies. This film-noir follows a police detective (MacMurray) who ends up falling in love with a robber’s girlfriend (Novak), the woman he’s supposed to be watching and tailing. The movie, like most great film noirs, gets very fun as the detective tries to keep this relationship a secret.
3. Picnic (1955)
- Genre: Romance / Drama
- Starring: William Holden, Kim Novak, Betty Field, Susan Strasberg
- Directed by: Joshua Logan
Picnic is by far one of the absolute best movies on this list. It’s one of the best movies to come out of the 1950s! This romantic drama follows a handsome, charming drifter (Holden) who arrives at a small Kansas town with the idea of reuniting with his old friend… only to then become interested in his friend’s girlfriend (Novak).
2. The Man With the Golden Arm (1955)
- Genre: Crime / Romance / Drama
- Starring: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker
- Directed by: Otto Preminger
The Man With the Golden Arm is absolutely riveting and one of the best movies ever made. While this movie is definitely Frank Sinatra’s show, Novak’s performance is vital to the film and has to be noted for how great it is. This drama follows a man (Sinatra) who gets clean while in prison, yet struggles to stay clean when he gets out. A must-watch!
1. Vertigo (1958)
- Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Romance
- Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
And now, we’re to the best Kim Novak movie ever. Vertigo. Many believe this to be the best movie ever made, which is completely understandable because it is a phenomenal film. Both Stewart and Novak are at their absolute best here. More than fifty years after this movie was made, it’s still highly enjoyable to watch — and doesn’t get old after multiple rewatches!
Vertigo follows a former police officer (Stewart) who suffers from Vertigo being asked by an old friend to follow his wife (Novak) who believes she is being possessed by the ghost of her ancestor. Haunting, thrilling, with so many twists and turns, this movie is definitely the one on this list you need to watch!
What’s Your Favorite Kim Novak Movie?
Comment below your favorite Kim Novak movie! Are there some movies you feel should’ve been on this list but didn’t make the cut? Hit the comments below with your thoughts and opinions — we’d love to hear them!
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