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 Ronald Colman Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Random Harvest (1942)
27
8
Random Harvest
27
8
Role:
Charles Rainier
Starring:
Greer Garson, Henry Travers, Susan Peters, Philip Dorn
Directed By:
Mervyn LeRoy
2. A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
23
6
A Tale of Two Cities
23
6

Based on the popular novel by Charles Dickens of the same name, A Tale of Two Cities is a historical romantic drama film which takes us to the time before the French Revolution. It revolves around a former French aristocrat and an alcoholic English lawyer, who both fall for the same woman Lucy, whose father was unjustly imprisoned for eighteen years.  

Role:
Sydney Carton
Starring:
Reginald Owen, Edna May Oliver, Elizabeth Allan, Basil Rathbone
Directed By:
Robert Z. Leonard, Jack Conway
3. The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
19
6
The Prisoner of Zenda
19
6

While vacationing in a small European country, Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll realizes his uncanny resemblance to the distant relative and would-be king Rudolf V. When Rudolf V is drugged and kidnapped, a reluctant Rassendyll is persuaded to take the King’s place at coronation. Then Rudolf V’s fiancée Princess Flavia, who notices ‘Personality Change’ in her betrothed, falls for Rassendyll, complicating the matters further.

Role:
Major Rudolf Rassendyll / The Prisoner of Zenda
Starring:
David Niven, Mary Astor, C. Aubrey Smith, Raymond Massey, Madeleine Carroll
Directed By:
John Cromwell, W.S. Van Dyke
4. Lost Horizon (1937)
38
13
Lost Horizon
38
13

After a diplomat’s plane is hijacked and reverted, it crashes in the peaks of Tibet, in the middle of the Himalayas. However, the survivors are rescued and taken to a monastery in a place named Shangri-La, an idyllic valley that is sheltered from the bitter cold. Although they were initially anxious to return to civilization, they soon take a liking to the peace and harmony in Shangri-La.

Role:
Robert Conway
Starring:
Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton, John Howard, Thomas Mitchell
Directed By:
Frank Capra
5. The Talk of the Town (1942)
27
10
The Talk of the Town
27
10

Leopold Dilg is a mill worker and political activist who gets accused of setting fire to a wool mill and killing its foreman Clyde. Dilg escapes from prison in the middle of the trial, and soon seeks shelter with Nora, a former schoolmate living in a remote village. Nora decides to hide him in the attic till the authorities stop looking for Dilg. The case takes a complete turn when it seems that Clyde is still alive.

Role:
Professor Michael Lightcap
Starring:
Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Lloyd Bridges, Edgar Buchanan, Glenda Farrell, Jean Arthur
Directed By:
George Stevens
6. Champagne for Caesar (1950)
10
3
Champagne for Caesar
10
3

Genius Beauregard Bottomley is rejected in a job interview by Burnbridge Waters, the owner of Milady Soap. Beauregard plans his revenge by entering the game show, Masquerade for Money, sponsored by Milady Soap and winning until the company goes bankrupt. Things get complicated when Waters hires Flame O'Neal to find Bottomley’s weakness. 

Role:
Beauregard Bottomley
Starring:
Mel Blanc, Celeste Holm, Vincent Price, Art Linkletter, Barbara Britton
Directed By:
Richard Whorf
7. Stella Dallas (1925)
8
3
Stella Dallas
8
3

Stella is a girl from a small town, who gets married to a socialite named Stephen Dallas, a man with whom she has nothing in common. Their marriage eventually fails, and after the birth of their daughter, Stephen returns to New York, leaving his daughter with Stella. However, Stella is unable to provide for her daughter properly, and upon realizing this, she sends her daughter to live with Stephen.

Role:
Stephen Dallas
Starring:
Belle Bennett, Jean Hersholt, Alice Joyce, Beatrix Pryor
Directed By:
Henry King
8. Two Lovers (1928)
7
3
Two Lovers
7
3
Role:
Mark Van Rycke
Starring:
Noah Beery, Nigel De Brulier, Vilma Bánky, Virginia Bradford
Directed By:
Fred Niblo
9. The Late George Apley (1947)
8
5
The Late George Apley
8
5

George Apley is a wealthy man living in Boston, who takes pride in the superiority of his hometown and his family. His life takes a turn when he learns that both his son as well as his daughter has fallen in love with people from outside Boston. 

Role:
George Apley
Starring:
Richard Ney, Vanessa Brown, Richard Haydn, Charles Russell
Directed By:
10. The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926)
8
4
The Winning of Barbara Worth
8
4

After her parents’ death while trying to cross the California desert, Barbara is rescued and raised by a rancher. Fifteen years later, an engineer comes to their settlement with the task of diverting the Colorado River and begins to vie with a local cowboy for Barbara’s affection. But his task is not easy as his employer refuses to release the required fund, resulting in catastrophic flood. 

Role:
Willard Holmes
Starring:
Gary Cooper, Paul McAllister, Vilma Bánky, Charles Lane
Directed By:
Henry King
11. The Night of Love (1927)
7
3
The Night of Love
7
3
Role:
Montero
Starring:
Montagu Love, Vilma Bánky, Natalie Kingston, John George
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
12. A Double Life (1947)
14
7
A Double Life
14
7
Role:
Anthony John
Starring:
Shelley Winters, Ray Collins, Edmond O'Brien, Signe Hasso
Directed By:
Awards:
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
13. Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (1934)
7
3
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back
7
3

While returning back home after attending partner Algy’s wedding, British detective Captain Hugh ‘Bulldog’ Drummond wanders into an old mansion in search of a telephone, where he finds a corpse. But the body disappears as Drummond calls the police. With friend Algy and the dead man’s daughter, Lola, Drummond uncovers Achmed’s evil plot to get illicit cargo in London. But the annoyed Achmed resolves to hunt down Drummond.

Role:
Capt. Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond
Starring:
Lucille Ball, Loretta Young, Charles Butterworth, C. Aubrey Smith, Una Merkel
Directed By:
Roy Del Ruth
14. The White Sister (1923)
7
4
The White Sister
7
4

Angela, the daughter of Prince Chiaromonte, is set to marry Ernesto Traversi, a banker, but things take a turn when she meets the dashing Lt. Giovanni Severi, and they fall for one another. She informs her father that she is not going to marry Ernesto and will marry Giovanni instead. However, due her father’s untimely death, and a war outbreak, her marriage is put on hold. When it seems that Giovanni has been killed in battle, Angela decides to devote her life to God, and never get married.

Role:
Capt. Giovanni Severini
Starring:
Lillian Gish, Gail Kane, J. Barney Sherry, Charles Lane
Directed By:
Henry King
15. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
62
31
Around the World in 80 Days
62
31

Around the World in 80 Days is an Oscar winning adventure comedy film which is based on a novel of the same name by Jules Verne. The story revolves around Phileas Fogg, an English gentleman, living in the 19th century, who makes a bet that he can travel around the world in eighty days.  Along with his French valet Passepartout, he sets out on an adventurous journey.

Starring:
David Niven, Cantinflas, Shirley MacLaine, Marion Ross, Sir John Mills, Red Skelton, Buster Keaton
Directed By:
16. The Devil to Pay! (1930)
7
4
The Devil to Pay!
TV-G
7
4

When Willie returns home from East Africa, once again a failure, his aristocrat father is furious. However, Willie smooth talks him into letting him stay and then goes on to use his charm on an heiress, who is also a family friend. Impressed, she breaks her engagement to a Russian Grand Duke; but imposes one condition; that he will never see his old girlfriend. 

Role:
Willie Hale
Starring:
Loretta Young, David Torrence, Frederick Kerr, Florence Britton
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
17. The Light That Failed (1939)
8
4
The Light That Failed
8
4

Dick Heldar, an artist from London, suffers a head injury during a battle in Sudan, and as a result of this, his eyesight begins to deteriorate. Therefore, before his eyesight gets even worse, he throws his soul into painting his masterwork, a portrait of Bessie, a barmaid, whom he is in love with. Problem however arises because Bessie is in love with Torpenhow, Dick’s friend.

Role:
Dick Heldar
Starring:
Walter Huston, Dudley Digges, Ida Lupino, Muriel Angelus
Directed By:
William A. Wellman
18. Under Two Flags (1936)
7
4
Under Two Flags
7
4

In order to escape his past, Sergeant Victor joins the French Foreign Legion. He is sent to Africa and placed under the charge of a cruel officer named Major Doyle. When the woman Doyle loves, falls for Victor, Doyle decides to send the Victor on a dangerous mission in order to get him killed. 

Role:
Sgt. Victor
Starring:
Rosalind Russell, Claudette Colbert, Victor McLaglen, John Carradine, Gregory Ratoff
Directed By:
Frank Lloyd
19. Lucky Partners (1940)
8
4
Lucky Partners
8
4

Upon seeing his neighbor Jean on the street in Greenwich Village, David Grant wishes her good luck. Although she doesn’t know him, she decides to ask him to become a partner in an Irish Sweepstakes ticket. David agrees on the condition that she goes on a world tour with him, if they win the prize. Despite the objections of her fiancé Fred, she agrees. Jean is however unaware of the fact that David is actually a famous painter, who is living under a different identity, after serving three years in jail.

Role:
David
Starring:
Ginger Rogers, Spring Byington, Jack Carson, Cecilia Loftus
Directed By:
Lewis Milestone
20. Raffles (1930)
7
4
Raffles
7
4

AJ Raffles is a jewel thief who decides to give up his criminal life behind, after he falls in love with Lady Gwen. However, when he learns about his friend Bunny’s attempted suicide, as he was unable to pay off his gambling debts, Raffles decides to take on one more job for the sake of his friend. Therefore he sets his eyes on the Melrose necklace, but complications arise because a gang of thieves are also after the same necklace.

Role:
A.J. Raffles
Starring:
David Torrence, Kay Francis, Frederick Kerr, Bramwell Fletcher
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice, Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast
21. Cynara (1932)
7
5
Cynara
7
5

Cynara is a 1932 romantic drama film, which revolves around the theme of adultery. The film tells the story of a British lawyer, who has to pay a heavy price after he has an affair with a young woman. 

Role:
Jim Warlock
Starring:
Henry Stephenson, Kay Francis, Phyllis Barry, Viva Tattersall
Directed By:
22. Condemned! (1929)
6
4
Condemned!
6
4

Colman is a thief who is sentenced to prison, and is soon sent to Devil’s Island. He soon gets romantically involved with the wife of the cruel and sadistic warden.

Role:
Michel Oman
Starring:
William Elmer, Louis Wolheim, Dudley Digges, Ann Harding
Directed By:
Wesley Ruggles
23. The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935)
6
3
The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo
6
3

After the events of the World War I, a Russian royal Paul runs off to France, in order to avoid the political turmoil going on in his country. He soon tries his luck at a Monte Carlo Casino, hoping that he will win something big, so that he can use the money to benefit his fellow Russians. He ends up being so successful that it surprises the casino’s proprietors, and they decide to come up with a plan.

Role:
Paul Gallard
Starring:
John Carradine, Montagu Love, Joan Bennett, Nigel Bruce, Colin Clive
Directed By:
Stephen Roberts
24. The Masquerader (1933)
6
3
The Masquerader
6
3

The Masquerader is a drama film which tells the story of Sir John Chilcote, a politician with a high-pressure position in the Parliament, which he is unable to handle anymore. In addition, he is also having a troubled relationship with his neglected wife Eve. Therefore, in order to ease his tensions, he decides to take the help of his unemployed cousin John, who is his doppelganger. Things however get complicated when Eve begins to fall for John, thinking that it is her ‘reformed’ husband.

Role:
Sir John Chilcote / John Loder, His Cousin
Starring:
David Torrence, Elissa Landi, Juliette Compton, Claude King
Directed By:
Richard Wallace
25. Bulldog Drummond (1929)
7
4
Bulldog Drummond
7
4

Hugh Drummond is a demobilized British captain, who is getting bored with civilian life. Therefore, he places an advertisement in a newspaper stating that he is offering his services for ‘any excitement’, and he soon receives a response from a woman named Phyllis, who claims to be in danger. He learns that her uncle is being treated in a hospital, but she feels that something is not right about the place. She also feels that she is being watched constantly.

Role:
Capt. Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond
Starring:
Montagu Love, Wilson Benge, Lawrence Grant, Claud Allister
Directed By:
F. Richard Jones
26. Clive of India (1935)
6
4
Clive of India
6
4

Clive of India is an American historical biographical film, which revolves around the life of Robert Clive, who is known for laying the foundation of the British Empire in India. The film is based on a play of the same name by RJ Minney. 

Role:
Robert Clive
Starring:
Don Ameche, John Carradine, Loretta Young, C. Aubrey Smith, Colin Clive, Francis Lister
Directed By:
Richard Boleslawski
27. Arrowsmith (1931)
8
5
Arrowsmith
8
5
Role:
Dr. Martin Arrowsmith
Starring:
Helen Hayes, Richard Bennett, A.E. Anson, Clarence Brooks
Directed By:
28. Kismet (1944)
7
6
Kismet
7
6

Based on a story from the Arabian Nights, this adventure fantasy film takes us to ancient Baghdad, and the story revolves around Hafiz, the King of Beggars. Wishing to become wealthy, he enters high society, hoping to get his daughter married to a prince.

Role:
Hafiz
Starring:
Marlene Dietrich, Hugh Herbert, James Craig, Edward Arnold, Marlene Dietrich
Directed By:
William Dieterle
29. Romola (1924)
5
3
Romola
5
3

Tito is a good-for-nothing young man who is pretending to be a scholar. He wins the admiration of a blind man, who was looking for someone to finish his scholarly work. He also asks him to marry Romola, his daughter. Although Romola doesn’t really love him, because she loves an artist named Carlo, she gets married with him anyway, due to her father’s wishes. Over some time, he manages to rise to power in the new government.

Role:
Carlo Bucellini
Starring:
Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Charles Lane, William Powell
Directed By:
Henry King
30. Personalities (1942)
5
3
Personalities
5
3

This 1942 short film revolves around performers for MGM, whose careers were just beginning at the time. Excerpts from some of their films are also included.

Role:
(uncredited) (archiveFootage)
Starring:
Donna Reed, Mickey Rooney, Fay Bainter, Greer Garson, Patricia Dane, Edward Arnold
31. The Unholy Garden (1931)
5
4
The Unholy Garden
5
4

An old man staying at a hotel with his daughter in the middle of the Sahara Desert, is trying to keep the location of a treasure a secret, from a group of criminals who are determined to loot the treasure. Soon, a gentleman thief arrives at the hotel with a plan to obtain the treasure, but things get complicated when he falls for the daughter.

Role:
Barrington Hunt
Starring:
Tully Marshall, Estelle Taylor, Fay Wray, Warren Hymer
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
32. The Magic Flame (1927)
3
3
The Magic Flame
3
3
Role:
Tito the Clown / The Count
Starring:
Harvey Clark, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Vilma Bánky, Agostino Borgato
Directed By:
Henry King
33. The Story of Mankind (1957)
5
6
The Story of Mankind
5
6

Loosely based on Hendrik Willem van Loon nonfiction book of the same name, this movie has a devil and an angel acting as prosecutor and defender respectively in the Great Court of Outer Space. The argument revolves around whether to allow humanity to continue existing despite its faults or let it get destroyed by the Super H-bomb invented by earth scientists. 

Role:
The Spirit of Man
Starring:
Vincent Price, Dennis Hopper, John Carradine, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Agnes Moorehead, Peter Lorre
Directed By:
Irwin Allen
34. The Sporting Venus (1925)
7
3
The Sporting Venus
7
3
Role:
Donald MacAllan
Starring:
Blanche Sweet, Josephine Crowell, Edward Martindel, Lew Cody,
Directed By:
Marshall Neilan
35. Lady Windermere's Fan (1925)
10
4
Lady Windermere's Fan
10
4
Role:
Lord Darlington
Starring:
Edward Martindel, May McAvoy, Irene Rich, Bert Lytell,
Directed By:
Ernst Lubitsch
36. The Rescue (1929)
7
3
The Rescue
7
3
Role:
Tom Lingard
Starring:
Lili Damita, John Davidson, Alfred Hickman, Theodore von Eltz
Directed By:
Herbert Brenon
37. If I Were King (1938)
9
4
If I Were King
9
4
Role:
François Villon
Starring:
C.V. France, Frances Dee, Basil Rathbone, Ellen Drew
Directed By:
Frank Lloyd
38. Beau Geste (1926)
8
3
Beau Geste
8
3
Role:
Michael 'Beau' Geste
Starring:
Victor McLaglen, Neil Hamilton, Alice Joyce, Mary Brian
Directed By:
Herbert Brenon
39. The Dark Angel (1925)
7
3
The Dark Angel
7
3
Role:
Captain Alan Trent
Starring:
Wyndham Standing, Charles Lane, Frank Elliott, Vilma Bánky,
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
40. Her Night of Romance (1924)
7
3
Her Night of Romance
7
3
Role:
Paul Menford
Starring:
Constance Talmadge, Jean Hersholt, Albert Gran, Robert Rendel
Directed By:
Sidney Franklin
41. Kiki (1926)
7
3
Kiki
7
3
Role:
Victor Renal
Starring:
Marc McDermott, Norma Talmadge, Gertrude Astor, George K. Arthur
Directed By:
Clarence Brown
42. Her Sister from Paris (1925)
7
3
Her Sister from Paris
7
3
Role:
Joseph Weyringer
Starring:
Gertrude Claire, Constance Talmadge, Mario Carillo, George K. Arthur
Directed By:
Sidney Franklin
43. A Thief in Paradise (1925)
6
3
A Thief in Paradise
6
3
Role:
Maurice Blake
Starring:
Alec B. Francis, Claude Gillingwater, Aileen Pringle, Doris Kenyon
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
44. The Eternal City (1923)
5
3
The Eternal City
5
3
Starring:
Lionel Barrymore, Montagu Love, Bert Lytell, Barbara La Marr, Richard Bennett
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
45. Twenty Dollars a Week (1924)
5
3
Twenty Dollars a Week
5
3
Starring:
Taylor Holmes, Edith Roberts, George Arliss, Wallie Howe
Directed By:
F. Harmon Weight
46. My Life with Caroline (1941)
5
4
My Life with Caroline
5
4
Role:
Anthony
Starring:
Anna Lee, Gilbert Roland, Charles Winninger, Reginald Gardiner
Directed By:
Lewis Milestone

TV Shows

The Jack Benny Program
25
4
The Jack Benny Program
25
4
Starring:
Liberace, Kirk Douglas, James Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Oscar Levant, Sean Connery
Directed By:
Frederick De Cordova, Ralph Levy, Norman Abbott, Seymour Berns, Don Weis
The Halls of Ivy
8
2
The Halls of Ivy
8
2
Role:
Dr. William Todhunter Hall (38 episodes, 1954-1955)
Starring:
Mary Wickes, Benita Hume, Ray Collins, Herbert Butterfield
Studio 57
10
2
Studio 57
10
2
Starring:
Werner Klemperer, Hume Cronyn, Jerry Mathers, Charles Laughton, James Whitmore, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor
Directed By:
Four Star Playhouse
9
3
Four Star Playhouse
9
3
Starring:
Broderick Crawford, Charles Boyer, Dina Merrill, John Banner, Joan Fontaine, Joanne Woodward, Amanda Blake
Directed By:
General Electric Theater
9
4
General Electric Theater
9
4
Starring:
Ron Howard, Angela Lansbury, Cloris Leachman, Michael Landon, Ryan O'Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Bob Crane
Directed By:

Special Appearance/Cameo

The Eternal City (1923)
7
5
The Eternal City
7
5
Role:
Extra (uncredited)
Starring:
Lionel Barrymore, Montagu Love, Bert Lytell, Barbara La Marr, Richard Bennett
Directed By:
George Fitzmaurice
Personalities (1942)
11
7
Personalities
11
7

This 1942 short film revolves around performers for MGM, whose careers were just beginning at the time. Excerpts from some of their films are also included.

Role:
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Starring:
Donna Reed, Mickey Rooney, Fay Bainter, Greer Garson, Patricia Dane, Edward Arnold

Ronald Colman Awards

Academy Awards
A Double Life Best Actor in a Leading Role 1948
Golden Globe Awards
A Double Life Best Actor 1948