Jimmy Stewart (also known as James) was a film giant, both literally (at more than six foot three) and figuratively. Stewart could make any character into a relatable and likable figure, and his dry delivery makes every line twice as funny. He showed off his acting range in movies, dramatic and comedic alike, and is famous across the board for westerns like his astounding series of movies with director Anthony Mann, along with How the West was Won and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Updated May 15, 2023: This article has been updated with even more Jimmy Stewart performances for your viewing pleasure.

Stewart was also famous for his Alfred Hitchcock films, like the thrillers The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rear Window, and Rope. Stewart is tied with John Wayne for having the second most movies with perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes (12 movies rated 100%). If you are an old fan looking to reminisce or a new film connoisseur looking to branch out, Jimmy Stewart has something in his portfolio to please everyone. Here are nine of his best films.

10 The Man Who Knew Too Much

A Still From The Man Who Knew Too Much
Paramount Pictures

The Man Who Knew Too Much sees Stewart plays Dr. Benjamin McKenna, a loyal husband and father visiting Morocco with his wife, Josephine (Doris Day), and son, Hank (Christopher Olsen). Their vacation takes an unexpected turn when they find themselves making friends with some peculiar people. One of them happens to be a spy assigned to stop an assassination plot, but when he is killed in front of the family, he uses his last words to give Benjamin the only clue there is to stop it. Unfortunately for the family, their other new friends are part of the team involved with the assassination. They take Hank captive to keep his parents from revealing what they know to the police, forcing Benjamin and Josephine to thwart the plan themselves to save their son secretly.

The Man Who Knew Too Much is one of many collaborations between Hitchcock and Stewart. The film is a wild story, but Stewart and Day manage to keep their performances grounded, focusing on their motivation as two parents desperate to save their child. Hitchcock actually made a different movie with the same name in 1934, but the two versions are drastically different.

9 Anatomy of a Murder

Anatomy of a Murder Jimmy Stewart
Columbia Pictures

Anatomy of a Murder is a 1959 courtroom drama that sees Stewart play Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler who takes on a client that supposedly murdered a local innkeeper after the defendant's wife claimed the innkeeper raped her. The movie has been called one of the greatest courtroom dramas of all time. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Stewart for Best Actor. It was selected in 2012 to be added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

8 The Shop Around the Corner

 James (Jimmy) Stewart in The Shop Around the Corner
Loew's Inc.

The Shop Around the Corner is a timeless love story that inspired the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan comedy You've Got Mail and a Broadway musical spin-off, She Loves Me. The Shop Around the Corner continues to warm the hearts of all viewers, following two store employees who hate each other by day as they slowly fall in love with each other through their anonymous letters by night. Stewart shows his soft side and comedic timing in this classic enemies-turned-lovers plot.

7 Harvey

Jimmy (James) Stewart in Harvey
Universal Pictures

Do you believe in mystical white rabbits that only a select few can see? Well, Harvey may change your tune. The way that Jimmy Stewart plays Elwood, it is honestly difficult to tell if he is suffering from a mental illness, alcoholism, or if he has powers and intelligence greater than the rest of us.

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In Harvey, Elwood's sister (played by Josephine Hull in an Oscar-winning performance) is ready to commit him to an insane asylum because he believes he can see a giant white rabbit that no one else can. When the doctors at the asylum commit the sister to the institution instead, the comedic story brings up questions about reality and the treatment of the mentally ill. This hilarious film is one of the best to showcase Jimmy Stewart's dry but good-natured sarcasm.

6 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

James (Jimmy) Stewart holds a book in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Columbia Pictures

In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stewart again plays the everyman, but this time with the confidence and determination many actors lack. Stewart brings his usual wit and depth to what could otherwise be a plain role. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington follows an average man who is sent to the Senate by those who intend to use him as a puppet. However, his superiors underestimated Mr. Smith's determination and integrity, and the more he learns of Washington's affairs, the harder he fights to change things for the better. The film remains one of the best movies about politics from the 20th century and an inspiring tale for anyone looking to get into politics.

5 The Philadelphia Story

The Cast of The Philadelphia Story 1940
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

This movie is a master class in witty dialogue. The Philadelphia Story showcases the acting excellence of not only Stewart but also his co-stars, Katharine Hepburn, and Cary Grant. In The Philadelphia Story, Stewart pulls off a young and naive reporter who bites off more than he can chew. As the reporter becomes more in-over-his-head, Stewart manages to become increasingly comical without compromising the likability of the character. The Philadelphia Story takes place in the days leading up to Tracy Lord's wedding.

4 Vertigo

James (Jimmy) Stewart in Vertigo
Paramount Pictures

One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest works, Vertigo, centers around Stewart's portrayal of a disadvantaged police officer. John "Scottie" Fergeson, who has acrophobia (the fear of heights), is hired to follow an old friend's wife and keep her from taking her own life. As John follows the woman, he finds that she is in danger from more than just herself. As he falls in love with her, he becomes increasingly invested in her safety and her similarity to a woman from his past. Stewart excellently plays this intelligent and capable police officer with a staggering Achilles heel. He masters both the dramatic moments of intense worry and the subtle moments of quiet discontent.

3 Rear Window

James (Jimmy) Stewart uses binoculars in Rear Window
Paramount Pictures

Alfred Hitchcock once again delivers a nail-biting thriller guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Stewart makes the movie more suspenseful by making his character more likable, making audience members anxious to see if he will make it through to the end.

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Rear Window tells the story of a globetrotting photographer who broke his leg in an accident and is confined to his home. With nowhere to go and nothing to do, he watches the neighbors in his apartment complex out of his rear window. The casual looks into life make for great entertainment until he witnesses one of his neighbors being murdered. Or at least, he thinks that's what happened, but how can he know for sure when he can literally only see into a small window of their lives?

From the beginning of the film, audiences can't help but love the immobile photographer who is so entranced by this whodunit mystery happening across the courtyard. As the danger intensifies, Stewart plays up his vulnerability, keeping everyone guessing what will happen until the very end. It's also worth noting that the conditions on set weren't always the most ideal for filming in, as production required an insane amount of heat-producing light bulbs to create the illusion of sunlight. Stewart, as well as everyone on set, proved how dedicated they were to their craft.

2 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence

Jimmy Stewart points a gun alongside John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence
Paramount Pictures

Jimmy Stewart is a Western star, but his character in this movie is anything but a cowboy. Stewart pulls off the wide-eyed optimism and sincere heart in the fish out of water in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. His performance, alongside co-star John Wayne, inspires questions about true love, sacrifice, and even democracy.

In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Jimmy Stewart, and John Wayne battle it out for the same girl. Stewart plays a lawyer from the city who is appalled at the uncivilized and wild West. On the other hand, Wayne plays the seasoned and hardened cowboy. The film's intricate themes and carefully crafted dialogue make The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance a must-watch for any Stewart fan or film connoisseur. It's simply one of the best Western movies of all time.

1 It’s a Wonderful Life

James (Jimmy) Stewart in Its a Wonderful Life
RKO Radio Pictures

It's a Wonderful Life is Jimmy Stewart's most iconic and recognizable film. He embodies the generous heart of George Bailey through all the character's ups and downs. He is just as believable as the giving banker as he is as the desperate father. Even though this film was made over 70 years ago, his performance only becomes more relatable with time.

It's a Wonderful Life walks the tightrope between realism and optimism. The harsh realities against the fairytale picturesque backdrop are what allows everyone to relate to this film and walk away with hope in their hearts. However, for people fresh out of World War II, the hardships of George Bailey may have hit a little too close to home. Stewart put some of his own emotional baggage into his performance of the weary and eventfully suicidal George Bailey. One of America's most beloved Christmas classics didn't start out that way and was originally a box office disappointment. Over the years, It's a Wonderful Life has taken its place at the forefront of cinema where it belongs.