Lana Turner’s illustrious career propelled her to become one of the most iconic figures of Old Hollywood. Her filmography is stacked with some of the greatest movies ever made, and we’ve curated a list of our picks for the top 10 best Lana Turner films. From classic musicals to dark melodramas, these timeless classics showcase Lana’s captivating presence in all its glory. So grab your popcorn and get ready for a roller coaster ride of laughter, tears, and heart-stopping suspense — you never know what to expect while watching a Lana Turner movie!
The Top 10 Best Lana Turner Movies, Ranked
10. Green Dolphin Street (1947)
- Genre: Adventure / Romance / Drama
- Starring: Van Heflin, Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Richard Hart
- Directed by: Victor Saville
Green Dolphin Street is an interesting romantic drama set during a national disaster in New Zealand. Lana Turner and Donna Reed play two sisters who fall in love with the same man — and compete against each other to gain his love. An interesting, highly watchable movie!
9. Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
- Genre: Musical / Romance / Drama
- Starring: James Stewart, Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner
- Directed by: Robert Z. Leonard
Ziegfeld Girl is a highly enjoyable Lana Turner movie — and also one of her very best. This movie has stood the test of time in many ways, mainly because the main stars here are just so glamorous and fun to watch! In this romantic musical, Turner, Garland, and Lamarr play three women who become Ziegfeld Girls… only to then have their romantic lives struggle.
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8. Madame X (1966)
- Genre: Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban
- Directed by: David Lowell Rich
Madame X is a riveting 1960s drama — and the best movie Lana Turner made during this decade. In Madame X, she plays the unhappy wife of a high-powered diplomat. This drama follows her throughout the years as she has an affair, loses her lover, and then abandons her family.
7. Johnny Eager (1941)
- Genre: Film Noir / Thriller / Crime
- Starring: Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Van Heflin
- Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy
Johnny Eager is a very engaging film noir from the early 1940s with an all-star cast. Turner and Van Heflin really shine here. The film follows a racketeer (Taylor) who seduces the DA’s daughter (Turner) when he gets out of prison… but what happens if he actually falls in love with the woman?
6. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
- Genre: Horror / Sci-Fi / Drama
- Starring: Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, Lana Turner, Donald Crisp
- Directed by: Victor Fleming
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is an amazing adaption of the classic story, with Spencer Tracy playing the title character(s). Turner has a supporting role here, but is still amazing! The horror film follows the classic tale of a scientist who turns into a monster as he investigates the good and evil of man.
Related — The Top 10 Best Ingrid Bergman Movies of All Time
5. Peyton Place (1957)
- Genre: Romance / Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, Lee Phillips, Lloyd Nolan, Arthur Kennedy
- Directed by: Mark Robson
Peyton Place is definitely one of the best Lana Turner movies of all time! Her marvelous performance here earned her an Oscar nomination — her one and only — for Best Actress in a Leading Role. However, she ended up losing this award to Joanne Woodward (The Three Faces of Eve).
Peyton Place follows the residents of a small town after World War II. While the town looks ideal and calm, dark undercurrents are soon revealed — everything from suicide, rape, murder, incest, and more.
4. The Three Musketeers (1948)
- Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, June Allyson, Van Heflin
- Directed by: George Sidney
The Three Musketeers is one of the best adventure movies ever made — and also one of the best Lana Turner movies ever made! This classic movie follows the iconic Alexandre Dumas story of the King’s musketeers and their quest to protect France.
Related — The Best Gene Kelly Musicals of All Time
3. The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
- Genre: Romance / Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell
- Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
The Bad and the Beautiful is both one of the best Lana Turner movies ever made as well as one of the best movies about Classic Hollywood. Goodness, what a riveting picture! The film follows a movie producer (Douglas) who uses and then alienates everyone on his quest to reach the top. Turner plays one of those people left behind — a movie star.
2. Imitation of Life (1959)
- Genre: Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Juanita Moore
- Directed by: Douglas Sirk
Imitation of Life is one of the very best movies of all time. It’s absolutely phenomenal, and Turner is amazing here. In this drama, she plays a mother (to Sandra Dee) who wants to be a Broadway star. When she meets a black widow (Moore), the two work together to improve their lives — though they both deal with the difficulties of motherhood.
1. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
- Genre: Film Noir / Crime / Drama
- Starring: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway
- Directed by: Tay Garnett
The Postman Always Rings Twice is the best Lana Turner movie of all time. This film is definitely the most iconic movie Turner ever starred in — and also one of the best film noirs ever made. Turner is stunning here, which isn’t a surprise.
In this film noir, she plays the wife of an older man (Kellaway) who owns a roadside diner. When a drifter (Garfield) arrives and begins an affair with her, the two decide to kill her husband. As you could probably guess, things don’t turn out great for them.
What’s Your Favorite Lana Turner Movie?
Comment your own favorite Lana Turner movie below! Do you prefer Imitation of Life or The Postman Always Rings Twice — two very different films — the best? Hit the comments below with your favorite Turner movies — we’d love to hear your comments!
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