57 Charles Laughton Movies, Ranked Best to Worst

Barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts has decided to defend Leonard Vole, accused of murdering his benefactor, believing him to be innocent although strong circumstantial evidences point towards his client. He is surprised when Leonard’s wife, who has earlier provided an alibi, testifies against him. Robarts does not know that this is the first in the series of many surprises that is awaiting him. 

Based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a romantic drama film which tells the story of Esmeralda, a young gypsy girl, who is framed for murder by Jehan Frollo, the Chief Justice, who is infatuated with her. Quasmito, a hunchback, who knows that she is innocent, is determined to save the girl.

Based on the 'Mutiny of 1788,’ this Academy Award-winning movie follows British Naval vessel HMS Bounty, captained by tyrannical Bligh, on its voyage to Tahiti. When Bligh’s ruthless discipline causes surgeon’s death, and he shackles crew-members in chains, ship’s Lieutenant Christian leads rebellious crew into mutiny, setting Bligh adrift in a boat. Later, midshipman Byam, though not part of the mutiny, faces court martial.

Henry Hobson is a widower and a father to three daughters named Maggie, Alice and Vickie. He is quite miserly and tyrannical, and all three of his daughters want to get married and leave him. However, this becomes difficult because he is unwilling to provide any dowry.

Arrogant Thracian slave Spartacus, who is trained in a gladiatorial school, rises in arms against his captors following repeated humiliations and incites a violent revolt involving thousands of slaves. As the group travels south to board ships to other lands, two opposing senators attempt to use the slave revolt to seize control of the decadent Roman Republic.

Reverend Harry Powell is a misogynistic serial killer. When he is arrested for a stolen car, he ends up serving time with murderer Ben Harper who has hidden US $10k in his daughter’s doll. When Powell is released after Harper’s execution he reaches the Harpers home with murderous intentions and to recover the money. 

Robert Leffingwell is chosen as the President’s nominee for Secretary of State. However, prior to his approval, he needs to go through a Senate investigation that will determine if he is qualified. It is soon revealed that he used to have affiliations with a communist organization in the past.

Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, Les Misérables is a drama film which takes us to 19th century France, and tells the story of a French ex-convict Jean, who is pursued by Inspector Javert, after he is convicted of stealing a loaf of bread.

Ruggles of Red Gap is a comedy film which tells the story of Marmaduke Ruggles, who works for the Earl of Burnstead as a valet and butler. During his stay in Paris, his master tells him that he has gambled him away, and therefore American millionaires Egbert and Effie Floud are now his new masters. Ruggles has no other option but to accompany them to the American west, where he tries to fit into the American way of life.   

When a very ill wealthy man expresses his wish to meet his son’s fiancée, the son hastily requests a hatcheck girl to pose as his betrothed, as his real fiancée is unavailable. The father takes a liking to the girl, his health improves tremendously, and he plans their actual engagement. By then, the real fiancée is also back, complicating the matters further. 

Edward is a shipwrecked sailor who is rescued by a freighter carrying animals. After arriving at an island, he is welcomed by Dr Moreau, who introduces him to a shy and withdrawn woman named Lota. Edward soon begins to feel that something is wrong with the place, after he hears screams. He is convinced that Moreau is engaged in sadistic vivisection, and he tries to leave, but he is stopped by brutish-looking humanoid creatures resembling various animals. Dr Moreau soon reveals that he has been conducting genetic experiments on animals to turn them into human beings.

The Blue Veil is a historical drama film, which tells the story of a widow who loses her only child during the First World War. Therefore, she decides to spend the rest of her life working as a nurse for little children in order to fill the emptiness within her.

During the Second World War, an American travels all the way to Britain, to sell an old house near London, belonging to his family. However, he gets involved in much more than a simple real estate transaction. 

While driving during night time, Philip, his wife Margaret, get lost with their friend Roger in a heavy storm. They come upon an old house in the Welsh countryside, owned by man named Horace and his sister Rebecca, where they seek shelter. Horace and Rebecca warn the guests that their butler is dangerous, and their 102 year old father is still living in the house. However, things are not what they seem.

In this black and white comedy drama, Charles Staggers, a busker in London, comes across a pickpocket Libby. He spots her potential as a dancer and takes her under his wings. Later, he falls in love with her. Libby soon bags an opportunity to work with a famous theatre composer, Harley Prentiss, and thereafter climbs the ladder of success quickly. Meanwhile, Charles is heartbroken.

This romantic drama film takes us to 19th century London, and tells the story of patriarch Edward Moulton Barrett and his children. Edward is quite strict towards all nine of them. In addition, he has forbidden his children from getting married as well. This causes problems with the youngest daughter Henrietta, as she is in love with Captain Surtees Cook, with whom she wants to get married. The only child who abides by Edward’s rules is his daughter Elizabeth. Since she is bedridden due to her chronic illness, she doesn’t seem to mind. However, her outlook on life changes after she meets Robert Browning, a young poet.

A bank clerk William Marble, is desperate for money, in order to clear his family bills. When his rich nephew visits him, William asks him for a loan. When the latter refuses, William murders him, out of desperation. 

Ginger Ted leads a dissolute life on a Dutch colonial island.  However, the sister of a pious missionary tries to reform him and bring stability to his life.  

The film depicts life of 17th century Italian scientist Galileo Galilei. Using the new scientific instrument, telescope, he confirms the Copernican theory that Sun is at the center of the universe, not the Earth. When he moves to Florence for a teaching position, Galileo faces conflicts with Roman Catholic Church; he is called before Inquisition, and is made to retract his views.

Anthony Keane is an attorney who has agreed to represent Mrs. Paradine, who is being charged of murdering her wealthy husband. Due to her beauty, the lawyer finds himself quite attracted to the woman, although he has been happily married himself for eleven years. He tries to pin the crime of murder on Latour, her servant; however the plan backfires.

During the Second World War, two Navy officers take command of an obsolete World War I vintage destroyer, assigned to convoy-escort duty in the Japanese-controlled waters in the South Pacific. 

Told from a German point of view, this war drama film is based on events of the Second World War. The film revolves around a German raider who uses various disguises and forces British ships to surrender. 

Rocky and Puddin’ Head are waiting tables at an inn, when they suddenly receive a letter for delivery. However, their lives take a complete turn when it gets switched with a treasure map.

The Devil and the Deep is a drama film, which tells the story of a British submarine officer who goes crazy after learning that his wife is having an affair. Therefore, he thinks of a way to kill her and her lover. 

Tony Patucci is the successful owner of a vineyard in California, but he is self-conscious about his poor English and lack of social grace. When he starts courting a young woman by mail, he sends as photograph of his foreman instead of his own. However, this eventually leads to complications after she accepts his marriage proposal.  

Jamaica Inn is a crime adventure film which tells the story of a woman named Mary, who is sent to live with her uncle and aunt in Cornwall. Things take a turn when she discovers that her uncle’s property is being used for criminal activities, by a gang that arranges shipwrecks for profit.

Based on real events, Captain Kidd is an adventure drama film which revolves around the adventures of Captain William Kid, a ruthless pirate, whose life around his greed for treasures and treachery.  

This comedy drama film tells the story of a cleaning lady, who travels from London to Berlin and start working in Hitler’s headquarters, planning to assassinate him. However, her plan fails, and she has no option but to escape back to London.

White Woman is a drama film which tells the story of a young woman who gets married to the rich owner of a rubber plantation. However, when she returns with him to Malaysia, she finds out about his insanely possessive and cruel nature. She soon finds herself being attracted to the supervisor of the plantation.

An Australian soldier fighting in the First World War befriends a small Belgian orphaned boy and his sister on the night he is about to return home. He decides to take them home with him, and soon starts raising them himself.

Carol is an actress and fashion model from New York, who arrives at a town named Pittsfield, to live with her uncle Homer, who is a boarding-house keeper. She is upset upon learning that the money she has been sending him to pay off his mortgage is actually going to a bunch of non-paying guests.  

After the murder of a rich widow, Inspector Jules Maigret is called in to investigate. His investigations lead him to Johann Radek who has been paid by the widow’s nephew Bill Kirby to commit the murder. As Radek steps up his psychological game against Maigret, the chase for the murderer ends on top of the Eiffel Tower.  

On Our Merry Way is a slapstick comedy film revolving around Oliver, who has lied to wife about being a reporter in a newspaper, though he is actually a clerk there.