This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Katharine Hepburn Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
52
11
The Philadelphia Story
52
11

This 1940 romantic comedy revolves around a socialite named Tracy, who has split from her husband Dexter, due to his drinking and her overly demanding nature. Just before she is about to wed George Kittredge, she crosses path again with Dexter as well as a reporter Macaulay, which makes her confused regarding her feelings for all three men. 

Role:
Tracy Lord
Starring:
James Stewart, Cary Grant, Ruth Hussey, John Howard
Directed By:
2. The Lion in Winter (1968)
29
6
The Lion in Winter
PG
29
6

The Academy Awards-winning film set in 12th century France features King Henry II, who summons his sons and family at Christmas, to name his successor. Though he favors his youngest son, John, his estranged, imprisoned wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, released for the holidays, wants the eldest son, Richard, to ascend the throne. The gathered sovereigns conspire to manipulate Henry and have their own way.

Role:
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, Peter O'Toole, Timothy Dalton, John Castle, Nigel Terry
Directed By:
Anthony Harvey
Awards:
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, BAFTA Award for Best Actress
3. Love Among the Ruins (1975)
12
2
Love Among the Ruins
12
2
Role:
Jessica Medlicott
Starring:
Laurence Olivier, Richard Pearson, Colin Blakely, Joan Sims
Directed By:
Awards:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy
4. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
48
11
Bringing Up Baby
TV-G
48
11

Bringing up Baby is a romantic comedy film, which revolves around a paleontologist, who is trying to secure one million dollars for his museum, as a donation. However, he is being pursued by a flighty and irritating heiress along with her pet leopard, Baby. 

Role:
Susan
Starring:
Cary Grant, Barry Fitzgerald, Charles Ruggles, Walter Catlett
Directed By:
Howard Hawks
5. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
37
10
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
37
10

Joanna is a young woman who was raised with liberal values. One day, when she brings home her fiance, who is an African-American widowed physician, her parent’s attitudes are challenged. 

Role:
Christina Drayton
Starring:
Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, Cecil Kellaway, Katharine Houghton
Directed By:
Stanley Kramer
Awards:
BAFTA Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
6. The African Queen (1951)
57
14
The African Queen
PG
57
14

Rose and her brother are missionaries serving in German East Africa. Although they are warned by steamer captain, rough and ready Charlie that the WWI has broken up, they refuse to leave. But after her brother’s death, Rose accepts Charlie’s offer of safe passage; but while planning their escape Rose persuades Charlie to use the steamer to destroy a German gunboat.  

Role:
Rose Sayer
Starring:
Humphrey Bogart, Robert Morley, Theodore Bikel, Peter Bull
Directed By:
7. Holiday (1938)
21
5
Holiday
21
5

This romantic comedy film tells the story of a man who has risen from humble beginnings, but his life takes a turn when he has to choose between his free-thinking lifestyle and the tradition of his wealthy fiancée’s family.  

Role:
Linda Seton
Starring:
Cary Grant, Edward Everett Horton, Lew Ayres, Doris Nolan
Directed By:
8. Stage Door (1937)
14
4
Stage Door
14
4

Terry Randall is a woman from a very rich and influential family, who decides to see if she can break into the Broadway theatre on her own merit, without taking any help from her family. She moves into the theatrical boarding house, and is disappointed to see the kind of life the aspirants live.  

Role:
Terry Randall
Starring:
Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Gail Patrick, Adolphe Menjou
Directed By:
Gregory La Cava
9. On Golden Pond (1981)
27
8
On Golden Pond
PG
27
8

A young woman Chelsea visits her aging father Norman Thayer, and attempts to repair their long-strained relationship before it’s too late.

Role:
Ethel Thayer
Starring:
Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda, Troy Garity, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman
Directed By:
Mark Rydell
Awards:
BAFTA Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
10. Adam's Rib (1949)
23
6
Adam's Rib
23
6

Adam and his wife Amanda who are both lawyers find themselves on the same case, on opposite sides. The case which involves a woman, who shot her cheating husband, turns their domestic life upside down.

Role:
Amanda Bonner
Starring:
Judy Holliday, Spencer Tracy, Tom Ewell, David Wayne
Directed By:
11. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
17
7
Suddenly, Last Summer
17
7

Suddenly, Last Summer is a mystery drama film which revolves around a young woman, who is being  evaluated for lobotomy by a psychiatric doctor, after she feels traumatized by the mysterious death of her cousin. It soon seems that her aunt is trying to hide something from her.

Role:
Mrs. Violet Venable
Starring:
Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, Albert Dekker, Mercedes McCambridge
Directed By:
12. Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962)
14
4
Long Day's Journey Into Night
14
4
Role:
Mary Tyrone
Starring:
Jason Robards, Ralph Richardson, Dean Stockwell, Jeanne Barr
Directed By:
Sidney Lumet
13. The Glass Menagerie (1973)
8
3
The Glass Menagerie
8
3
Role:
Amanda Wingfield
Starring:
Michael Moriarty, Sam Waterston, Joanna Miles
Directed By:
Anthony Harvey
14. Woman of the Year (1942)
16
4
Woman of the Year
16
4

Woman of the Year is a romantic comedy drama film which tells the story of Sam and Tess, two reporters working for a press who dislike each other. But eventually they fall for one another and get married. However, after Tess gets elected as ‘Woman of the Year’, her life gets busy and hectic and Sam begins to feel lonely.

Role:
Tess Harding
Starring:
Spencer Tracy, Reginald Owen, Minor Watson, Fay Bainter
Directed By:
George Stevens
15. Desk Set (1957)
17
4
Desk Set
17
4

Desk Set is a romantic comedy film which tells the story of a young woman named Bunny, who works at the reference library of the Federal Brodcasting Network. She feels bored with her relationship with Mike Cutler, a rising network executive. When a engineer named Richard Summer is hired to install an advanced machine at her library, she begins to fall for him.  

Role:
Bunny Watson
Starring:
Dina Merrill, Spencer Tracy, Gig Young, Joan Blondell
Directed By:
Walter Lang
16. Little Women (1933)
13
5
Little Women
13
5

Little Women is a romantic drama film which chronicles the lives of Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth, four sisters as they grow up in New England during the 19th century.

Role:
Jo
Starring:
Joan Bennett, Paul Lukas, Edna May Oliver, Jean Parker
Directed By:
17. State of the Union (1948)
9
3
State of the Union
9
3
Role:
Mary Matthews
Starring:
Angela Lansbury, Carl Switzer, Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Adolphe Menjou
Directed By:
Frank Capra
18. Summertime (1955)
15
4
Summertime
15
4

Jane Hudson is an unmarried middle-aged woman who is on a vacation of her dreams in Venice, after saving money for it for several years. However, she feels quite lonely, being all by herself. Things take a turn when she meets a handsome Italian man, although he is married.  

Role:
Jane Hudson
Starring:
David Lean, Isa Miranda, Darren McGavin, Rossano Brazzi, Mari Aldon
Directed By:
19. Pat and Mike (1952)
11
4
Pat and Mike
11
4
Role:
Pat Pemberton
Starring:
Charles Bronson, Spencer Tracy, Carl Switzer, Aldo Ray, William Ching
Directed By:
20. Alice Adams (1935)
11
4
Alice Adams
11
4

Alice Adams is a romantic comedy drama film which tells the story of a woman named Alice, belonging to a working class family living in a small town. However, she aspires to be among the upper class. She soon gains the attention of a man named Arthur Russell, but she hides her true social standing from him. Meanwhile, her mother pressurizes Mr Adams to invest in a business venture, hoping that they can truly become part of the upper class.

Role:
Alice Adams
Starring:
Hattie McDaniel, Walter Brennan, Fred MacMurray, Frank Albertson, Fred Stone, Evelyn Venable
Directed By:
George Stevens
21. The Rainmaker (1956)
9
4
The Rainmaker
9
4
Role:
Lizzie Curry
Starring:
Burt Lancaster, Lloyd Bridges, Earl Holliman, Wendell Corey
Directed By:
Joseph Anthony
22. The Corn Is Green (1979)
7
3
The Corn Is Green
7
3
Role:
Miss Lilly Moffat
Starring:
Anna Massey, Patricia Hayes, Bill Fraser, Ian Saynor
Directed By:
23. The Trojan Women (1971)
7
3
The Trojan Women
GP
7
3

After the defeat of Troy in Trojan War, Hecuba, Queen of Trojans, who has lost her son Hector, is left with ruins of her city and family. Hector’s widow, Andromache, dreads for her son Astyanax’s life, because the Greeks have ordered extermination of royal linage. Hecuba’s daughter, Cassandra suspects that she would be enslaved; whereas Helen of Troy fears possibility of execution.

Role:
Hecuba
Starring:
Brian Blessed, Vanessa Redgrave, Irene Papas, Geneviève Bujold, Patrick Magee
Directed By:
Mihalis Kakogiannis
24. Rooster Cogburn (1975)
11
5
Rooster Cogburn
PG
11
5

US Marshal Rooster Cogburn is an aging one-eyed US Marshall, who has been stripped of his badge by Judge Parker, due to his drunkenness and his questionable use of firearms. To earn back his badge, he is sent to hunt for a gang of robbers, who have hijacked a shipment of explosives. His job becomes complicated because a girl, who was a victim of the robbers, insists on coming along with him.

Role:
Eula Goodnight
Starring:
John Wayne, Richard Jordan, John McIntire, Anthony Zerbe
Directed By:
Stuart Millar
25. Song of Love (1947)
6
3
Song of Love
6
3

The film presents a dramatized association between three renowned 19th century musicians. Clara Wieck Schumann, an accomplished concert pianist, staunchly supports her husband, composer Robert Schumann. Johannes Brahms, Schumann’s student, who lives with them, is drawn towards Clara. Disheartened with failure, Schumann suffers a breakdown, and later, dies. Brahms proposes to Clara, but she prefers to devote her life to Robert’s memory.

Role:
Clara Wieck Schumann
Starring:
George Chakiris, Paul Henreid, Leo G. Carroll, Henry Daniell, Robert Walker
Directed By:
Clarence Brown
26. Keeper of the Flame (1943)
8
5
Keeper of the Flame
8
5
Role:
Christine Forrest
Starring:
Spencer Tracy, Richard Whorf, Forrest Tucker, Margaret Wycherly
Directed By:
27. A Delicate Balance (1973)
7
3
A Delicate Balance
PG
7
3

An uneasy yet peaceful relationship is preserved by the well-to-do couple Agnes and Tobias as they share house with Agnes’s alcoholic sister Claire. Then their 36-year-old daughter Julia returns home after her 4th divorce, and their friends Harry and Edna turn up unexpectedly with an intention to stay on. The presence of new arrivals prompts each one to discover their inner selves. 

Role:
Agnes
Starring:
Lee Remick, Paul Scofield, Joseph Cotten, Kate Reid
Directed By:
28. Without Love (1945)
9
4
Without Love
9
4
Role:
Jamie Rowan
Starring:
Keenan Wynn, Lucille Ball, Spencer Tracy, Carl Esmond
Directed By:
Harold S. Bucquet
29. Undercurrent (1946)
8
6
Undercurrent
8
6
Role:
Ann Hamilton
Starring:
Robert Mitchum, Robert Taylor, Edmund Gwenn, Marjorie Main
Directed By:
30. A Bill of Divorcement (1932)
7
3
A Bill of Divorcement
7
3
Role:
Sidney
Starring:
John Barrymore, Billie Burke, David Manners, Paul Cavanagh
Directed By:
31. A Woman Rebels (1936)
10
3
A Woman Rebels
10
3
Role:
Pamela Thistlewaite
Starring:
Herbert Marshall, Donald Crisp, Elizabeth Allan, Doris Dudley
Directed By:
Mark Sandrich
32. Morning Glory (1933)
8
4
Morning Glory
8
4

Eva Lovelace is a girl from a small town who has always dreamt of becoming a successful Broadway star. Although she has tried in several auditions, she could never get a break. Her life however takes a turn when she is taken under the wing of several theatre veterans, who decide to help her, and mentor her to success.

Role:
Eva Lovelace
Starring:
John Carradine, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Adolphe Menjou, C. Aubrey Smith, Mary Duncan
Directed By:
Lowell Sherman
Awards:
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
33. Christopher Strong (1933)
6
3
Christopher Strong
6
3
Role:
Lady Cynthia Darrington
Starring:
Billie Burke, Colin Clive, Helen Chandler, Ralph Forbes
Directed By:
Dorothy Arzner
34. Mary of Scotland (1936)
6
5
Mary of Scotland
6
5
Role:
Mary Stuart
Starring:
Fredric March, John Carradine, Douglas Walton, Florence Eldridge
Directed By:
35. The Sea of Grass (1947)
7
6
The Sea of Grass
7
6
Role:
Lutie Cameron Brewton
Starring:
Spencer Tracy, Melvyn Douglas, Robert Walker, Phyllis Thaxter
Directed By:
36. Stage Door Canteen (1943)
7
4
Stage Door Canteen
7
4
Starring:
Arlene Francis, Johnny Weissmuller, Merle Oberon, Ethel Merman, Helen Hayes, Harpo Marx, Paul Muni
Directed By:
Frank Borzage
37. Quality Street (1937)
7
4
Quality Street
7
4

In this adaptation of J.M. Barrie play Quality Street, Phoebe’s dull life takes a turn when her former beau Valentine returns after a decade of service in the British army. However, Valentine is disappointed by her worn out look. Angered, Phoebe puts on a beautiful dress and works on her looks to appear beautiful. Her new looks deceive even Valentine who thinks that she is Phoebe's niece Livvy.

Role:
Phoebe Throssel
Starring:
Joan Fontaine, Fay Bainter, Eric Blore, Franchot Tone
Directed By:
George Stevens
38. The Little Minister (1934)
6
4
The Little Minister
6
4
Role:
Babbie
Starring:
Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, John Beal, Lumsden Hare
Directed By:
Richard Wallace
39. Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
11
5
Sylvia Scarlett
TV-PG
11
5

After an embezzlement charge, widower Henry Scarlett escapes to England. He is accompanied by his daughter Sylvia, who disguises herself as a boy, in order to avoid being detected. They soon get acquainted with a con man named Jimmy Monkley, who decides to partner up with them. All this while, nobody recognizes that Sylvia is not a boy, but things get complicated when she meets Michael Fane, a handsome artist.

Role:
Sylvia Scarlett a.k.a. Sylvester
Starring:
Cary Grant, Brian Aherne, Edmund Gwenn, Robert Adair
Directed By:
40. The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969)
5
4
The Madwoman of Chaillot
G
5
4

Adapted from Jean Giraudoux’s 1945 play La Folle de Chaillot, the movie follows Countess Aurelia and her three friends as they learn about a big conspiracy to drill oil from beneath the streets of Paris. The women decide to take action against the powerful men that include financiers, military men, and a religious opportunist by putting them on trial for crime against society.

Role:
Countess Aurelia
Starring:
Richard Chamberlain, Danny Kaye, Yul Brynner, Donald Pleasence, Charles Boyer, Paul Henreid
Directed By:
Bryan Forbes
41. Dragon Seed (1944)
7
5
Dragon Seed
7
5

When the Japanese invade a farming village and the men of the Tan family appease the invaders to be on the safe side, a courageous young woman named Jade is determined to oppose. She learns to read and fight to build up a resistance, which in turn inspires the entire village to follow suit.

Role:
Jade Tan
Starring:
Lionel Barrymore, Walter Huston, Agnes Moorehead, Akim Tamiroff, Turhan Bey, Aline MacMahon
Directed By:
Harold S. Bucquet, Jack Conway
42. Love Affair (1994)
6
4
Love Affair
PG-13
6
4
Role:
Ginny
Starring:
Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harold Ramis, Rebecca Miller, Garry Shandling, Pierce Brosnan
Directed By:
Glenn Gordon Caron
43. Break of Hearts (1935)
5
3
Break of Hearts
5
3

The story centers on the relationship between an aspiring composer and a well-known conductor, who is also a reputed womanizer. They meet, fall in love and get married. But very soon, he reverts back to his old habit, which forces her to leave. However, they cannot forget each other,  which has a negative effect on their work.  

Role:
Constance Dane Roberti
Starring:
Charles Boyer, Jean Hersholt, John Beal, Sam Hardy
Directed By:
Philip Moeller
44. Grace Quigley (1984)
5
4
Grace Quigley
PG
5
4

Grace Quigley is an old woman who is approaching the end of her life. When she witnesses a murder being committed by an assassin, she decides to blackmail him into killing her, as she has no will to live further.

Role:
Grace Quigley
Starring:
Nick Nolte, Chip Zien, William Duell, Kit Le Fever
Directed By:
Anthony Harvey
45. Spitfire (1934)
6
4
Spitfire
6
4
Role:
Trigger Hicks
Starring:
Robert Young, Ralph Bellamy, Martha Sleeper, Louis Mason
Directed By:
John Cromwell
46. Olly, Olly, Oxen Free (1978)
4
3
Olly, Olly, Oxen Free
G
4
3
Role:
Miss Pudd
Starring:
Dennis Dimster, Kevin McKenzie, Peter Kilman, Jayne Marie Mansfield
Directed By:
Richard A. Colla
47. The Iron Petticoat (1956)
5
6
The Iron Petticoat
5
6

Russian Captain, Vinka Kovelenko, lands her jet willingly in a West German territory, where the U.S. forces take her captive. But she is neither defecting nor on a mission, and Captain Chuck Lockwood is given the job to convince her to defect. Pursued by KGB agents and former lovers, the two eventually find love.

Role:
Captain Vinka Kovelenko
Starring:
Bob Hope, James Robertson Justice, Robert Helpmann, Noelle Middleton
Directed By:
Ralph Thomas
48. Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry (1986)
7
3
Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry
7
3
Role:
Margaret Delafield
Starring:
Denholm Elliott, Bibi Besch, Charles Frank, Brenda Forbes
Directed By:
George Schaefer
49. Laura Lansing Slept Here (1988)
8
3
Laura Lansing Slept Here
8
3
Role:
Laura Lansing
Starring:
Joel Higgins, Lee Richardson, Karen Austin, Brenda Forbes
Directed By:
George Schaefer
50. The Man Upstairs (1992)
6
4
The Man Upstairs
6
4
Role:
Victoria Brown
Starring:
Ryan O'Neal, Henry Beckman, Helena Carroll, Brenda Forbes
Directed By:
George Schaefer
51. This Can't Be Love (1994)
6
3
This Can't Be Love
6
3
Role:
Marion Bennett
Starring:
Anthony Quinn, Jason Bateman, Jami Gertz, Maxine Miller
Directed By:
Anthony Harvey
52. One Christmas (1994)
5
3
One Christmas
5
3
Role:
Cornelia Beaumont
Starring:
Swoosie Kurtz, Henry Winkler, T.J. Lowther, Tonea Stewart
Directed By:
Tony Bill

Katharine Hepburn Awards

Academy Awards
On Golden Pond Best Actress in a Leading Role 1982
The Lion in Winter Best Actress in a Leading Role 1969
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Best Actress in a Leading Role 1968
Morning Glory Best Actress in a Leading Role 1934
Primetime Emmy Awards
Love Among the Ruins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy 1975
People's Choice Awards
Winner Favorite Motion Picture Actress 1983
Winner Favorite Motion Picture Actress 1976
BAFTA Awards
On Golden Pond Best Actress 1983
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Best Actress 1969
The Lion in Winter Best Actress 1969