125 Shelley Winters Movies, Ranked Best to Worst

Selina is a blind young woman who has spent her whole life confined in a small apartment with her abusive mother. Her life takes a turn when she meets a man who wants to help her escape her impoverished life. He introduces her to the outside world, and over time, she falls in love with him, unaware that he is black. When her mother finds out about their relationship, she tries to prevent her from seeing him anymore, due to his race.

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. 

A Place in the Sun is a romantic drama film which tells the story of George Eastman whose uncle is a wealthy industrialist. However, he is excluded from high society and is given a job at his uncle’s factory, involving manual labor. He soon finds himself involved with a co-worker named Alice. However, when he is introduced to Angela Vickers, a socialite, he falls for her as well.

While sailing from New York City to Athens, an ocean liner is hit by tsunami and overturns. Trapped in the dining room, most of the survivors elect to stay put until helps come, while a passionate priest, who believes that God helps those who help themselves, decides to find a way out. A few of the passengers also follow him. 

A bureaucrat rents an apartment in a spooky old building. He soon finds that the inhabitants of the building are quite suspicious, and eventually also comes to know that the previous tenant tried to kill herself by jumping out of the window. As he grows more and more paranoid, he reaches the conclusion that his new neighbors want to kill him. 

This Western action drama film tells the story of Lin, who wins a rare rifle in a contest. However, his brother Henry steals it away. Lin sets off on a difficult journey to track him down and find him, in order to claim the rifle back.  Lin’s journey eventually brings him to Dodge City, Kansas.

European professor, Humbert Humbert, moves to Beardsley, Ohio, on work assignment. When he rents a room in widow Charlotte Haze’s house, he gets obsessed with her alluring teenage daughter, Lolita, and marries Charlotte just to be near Lolita. After Charlotte’s accidental death, he is sure of having his own way, but has not taken into account Lolita’s interest in other males.

Red River is a Western drama film which tells the story of Tom Dunson who builds a cattle empire with his adopted son Matthew. However, due to his tyrannical ways, Matthew decides to take the herd away from him.

David Burke is a former cop whose career had a downfall due to his refusal to work with state crime investigators. He soon hires a tough ex-con artist named Earle Slater, to help him rob a bank. Earle is promised $50,000 if the robbery is a success. Burke also recruits another man named Johnny Ingram, who works at a nightclub. Although Ingram doesn’t want the job, he is forced to accept due to his debts.  

A sequel to Knock On My Door, the story revolves around a little boy, who lives in a Chicago tenements with his mother after his father dies in electric chair. Working as a barmaid, she hopes to see him attend college. Meanwhile, he befriends several of his neighbors, who team up together to protect him from following his father’s ways. 

Alfie Elkins is a limo driver in Manhattan. Being a sex addict, he indulges in one-night stands with various women. He also maintains a casual relationship with Julie, a single mother, and Dorie, a woman in an unhappy marriage. However, soon he starts to rethink his life.

Three sisters are stuck in a Russian town after their father’s death, but they long to return to their lives in Moscow. Things get even worse for them, when Andrei, their only brother gets married to a boorish local woman named Natasha, who makes their lives even more miserable, as she wants to run the family her way.

Lew Harper is a private investigator in Los Angeles, who is having a divorce from a woman whom he still loves. He is soon hired by a wealthy but disabled woman to find her missing husband. On the way, he gets involved with several strange characters, who threaten him. He continues his investigation which eventually leads him to an alien-smuggling ring.

Anne, a young widow, who has succeeded her husband as the mayor of the town, takes her duties much too seriously, spending most of her time at the office, making her father-in-law worried about her health and happiness. Then she meets George, who has been hired to sculpt a statue of her late husband and the two develop an instant liking.  

Rising light-weight boxer Tommy McCoy decides to quit when his opponent dies in the ring. However, Tommy’s father has wasted Tommy’s money and has collected large debt to Jim Caighn. So Tommy has to continue boxing for Caighn’s rigged matches. When Tommy falls for Caighn’s daughter, Sheila, Caighn’s rivals kidnap her and order Tommy to take a dive in his big fight.

Treasury Agent George Morton approaches Johnny Evans, whom he had sent to Alcatraz, to persuade him to help apprehend a mob-boss and destroy the drug-ring, in exchange for early parole. Together they trace the drug-mafia first to Vancouver and then to a guest ranch in Tucson, Arizona. They get an inside help when the drug-lord’s girlfriend, Terry, decides to start life anew. 

New Orleans is a romantic drama musical film which revolves around Miralee Smith, an opera singer from an influential family, who falls for Nick, a casino owner. However, problems arise because Miralee’s parents don’t approve of their relationship.

Known for throwing lavish parties in his home in Long Island, Jay Gatsby asks his neighbor Nick Carson to introduce him to his cousin Vicky, whom he loved before going off to war and now wants her back. Although Vicky is now married she is unhappy because her husband is having an extramarital affair. Will their love come to a happy ending? 

Time of Indifference is a drama film which tells the story of a penniless countess who falls for a young man. However, she is unaware of the fact that he is also involved with her beautiful young daughter.

Based on Christopher Isherwood's 1945 book, The Berlin Stories, the film focuses on an unusual friendship between an aspiring English novelist and a flamboyant cabaret entertainer in pre-Nazi era Berlin. Released in July 1955, it went on to become one of the greatest box office hits in Great Britain. 

Flapping Eagle, a spirited Indian with drinking problem, follows advice from his friend, Wounded Bear Mr. Smith, a self-proclaimed expert on old Indian treaties, and decides to get justice for his tribesmen. He disrupts a highway project, tethers a helicopter, and steals a train, again on Smith’s advice. Turning an activist, he rebels against the government, claiming the city for his tribe. 

Take One False Step is a mystery thriller drama film which tells the story of a married college professor who meets an old girlfriend, and reluctantly agrees to have a drink with her. However, the next day, he finds out that she has been murdered and he is the top suspect.

Orphaned girl Frenchie Fontaine becomes successful owner of New Orleans casino. She returns to hometown to find her father Frank Dawson’s killers, and buys a casino with the help of sheriff Tom Banning. Soon she falls for Tom, turning his ex-girlfriend Diane jealous. The maneuverings of Diane and Frank’s killers land Tom in jail, making him wonder whether Frenchie will desert him now.

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a historical drama film which revolves around the life and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, presented in two parts.  

Divorced after being caught with his secretary, a Californian divorce lawyer travels to Vienna, where he and his ex-wife had spent their honeymoon, all the while continuing to love and yearn for her. Meanwhile his wife now has a new boyfriend, an unemployed musician ten years her junior, and to make matters worse he finds that he actually likes the younger man. 

Shubunka is a racketeer who controls the Neptune Beach waterfront in New York. When a regular customer named Karty, asks Shubunka for help, as he has acquired lots of gambling debts, Shubunka refuses. Meanwhile, he is unaware that Cornell, his rival, has been trying to come up with a scheme to cause his downfall.

Danny Wilson, and his partner, Mike, are two small-time singers. One night, they meet an entertainer named Joy Carroll, who gets them a job at a nightclub which is owned by Nick Driscoll. However, Nick wants half of Danny’s future income. Danny agrees and soon his career reaches new heights.

An author is convinced that his agent is in love with him after selling the movie rights of his book. Their relationship makes headlines as the literary agent finds herself torn between living a lie and losing her client.

This 1955 crime film revolves around bank robber Roy Earle. After escaping from prison, he plans one final heist before retiring and giving up his life or crime.  

Ace Connors is a con-man who is about to go to prison for the theft of half-a-million dollar worth of bonds. He arranges a deal to reduce his sentence by testifying against his former partner in crime. Shortly after, he feels that a con-woman, a cop, and his former crime-partner are after his hidden bonds. 

Heavy is a drama film which focuses on the life of an overweight cook Victor, whose life is changed after a kind-hearted and beautiful college drop-out named Callie begins working as a waitress in the tavern owned by him and his mother. Impressed by Victor’s cooking skills, Callie suggests him to attend the Culinary Institute of America. Victor soon gets enamored with Callie, and starts trying to gain her attention, even though she is already dating someone else.

Titled Saskatchewan in the USA, the film focuses on North-West Mounted Police Sub-Inspector O'Rourke. While returning from Canada with his adopted brother, Cajou, a Cree, he notices a burned train with a lady as the sole survivor. His inept commander, believing that it is the work of Cree, disarms them. O’Rourke is now forced to revolt against him to save the Mounties from Indian attackers. 

Tonight and Every Night is a musical film which tells the story of a photographer working for Life magazine, who comes to London in order to do a story on a local theater troupe which never missed a performance even during the First World War.

Enter Laughing is a comedy film, which tells the story of an aspiring actor David, who joins a theater company. However, he lacks talent and continues to make effort to make his acting debut.  

This horror drama film tells the story of a mother who is quite possessive of her son, due to the fact that she had lost all twelve of her previous children. When her son starts dating an attractive teacher, she tries her best to stop this from happening.

There’s Something About a Soldier is a war drama film which tells the story of Wally and Frank, two friends who enroll for service in the military. Things get complicated and their friendship is tested when both men fall for Carol, a woman working in their base.

Felix is a successful filmmaker who spends $30 million on a musical, but the project flops unexpectedly. Therefore, in order to revive his career, he decides to create an erotic film. Although Felix believes that it has the potential to become the most popular film till date, the only problem is that his lead actress Sally wants to maintain her good girl screen image.

Based on a Peter Mass book, the movie adaptation narrates the story of modern-day New York gypsy Dave Stepanowicz. When Dave’s grandfather, the gypsy king Zharko Stepanowicz, names him heir instead of his own son Groffo, violence erupts leading to a major confrontation between Dave and Groffo. 

Leo marries Margaud after a brief romance before he is sent to fight in a war. When he returns, he is surprised to see that not only is his bride different from what she led him to believe, but she also wants a divorce fast.   

A House is not a Home is a drama film which revolves around the journey of a poor immigrant girl, who eventually becomes the madam of a bordello. Later, she develops feelings for a musician named Casey Booth, but doesn’t reveal what she does for a living.

Aladdin is a poor singer who falls for Armina, the Sultan’s daughter, after being enamored by her beauty. He soon comes across a magic lamp, which summons Babs the genie. With the help of the genie, he manages to look like a prince, and decides to ask for the princess’s hand. However, he soon learns that the sultan’s wicked twin brother has usurped the throne. Meanwhile, someone else is also seeking the lamp for their own needs.  

Adapted from a play of the same name, this Oscar-nominated film revolves around the Madame of a brothel who is asked to impersonate the missing queen during a country-wide revolution. Instead she offers three of her customers to play the General, the Bishop and the Chief Justice, all of whom are dead. 

Bill Austin, a struggling writer, lives with his wife and daughter in a cheap apartment. One day he receives the news that his agent has sold his book to a publisher including the rights to make it into a play. However, soon his wife starts suspecting that he and his agent might be more than just business partners.

Giovanna Masetti is a young and poor Venetian woman who is working as an assistant in a shop, and struggling with her difficult life. Things take a turn when a young count sees her in the shop where she works.  

South Sea Sinner is an adventure drama film which tells the story of Jake Davis, a crewman who is wanted for wartime collaboration with the Japanese. Although he wishes to get his name cleared, things get complicated when he is blackmailed by a local hoodlum, who knows his secret.

Eilene Carr is a veteran nurse who experiences disturbing nightmares and wakes up screaming in a hotel in San Francisco. She soon realizes that the man she saw in her dreams, Barry, is at her hotel. Believing that his life may be in danger, she decides to accompany him to a meeting. However, she is unaware that he is involved in an espionage mission.    

Based on a 1881 novel of the same name, The Portrait of a Lady is a drama film which tells the story of Isabel Archer, a woman who is known for being extremely beautiful. After her uncle passes away, Isabel receives a huge fortune. In order to explore herself, she decides to travel to Europe, where she gets entangled in several misfortunate events.

Willy is a fight promoter who meets an illiterate but very religious and gifted boxer named Danny. Over time, Willy manages to turn Danny into a champion. However, when Willy falls into financially tough times, he asks Danny to throw a fight and lose intentionally.

Dr. Chapman and his assistant Paul Radford are conducting a nationwide anonymous sex survey on American women, who they believe have too little knowledge about this crucial accept of their life. Adapted from Irving Wallace’s eponymous novel, the film follows the sexual life of four suburban women, focusing on Radford’s involvement with one of them. 

Yasha Mazur is a magician in Poland, who has an ambition to figure out how to fly. He eventually claims that he has achieved it, and says he will demonstrate his ability, if given the chance to perform in the most prestigious theater in Warsaw.

The Fighting Guardsman is an action adventure drama film which takes us to a time just before the French Revolution. It tells the story of a French baron who leads a band of rebels, and begins an uprising against the aristocracy. They also rob from the wealthy class to give to the poor.  

The Treasure of Pancho Villa is a Western film which tells the story of Tom Bryan, an American adventurer, who competes with a famed Mexican bandit to recover a lost gold shipment.  

Something to Hide is a British crime drama thriller film which tells the story of a man who is harassed by his bad-tempered wife. After his wife disappears, he picks up a pretty hitchhiker who is pregnant. Before he knows it, he finds himself involved in violence and murder.

Howard is an American engineer living in Istanbul, who is targeted for assassination, as he has made contributions to the Turkish Navy. Eventually he manages to escape with the help of police Colonel Haki, and decides to board a ship to safety from his hotel. On board, one of the passengers seem suspicious.

After taking a wrong turn on her road trip, a jazz singer’s car breaks down near an isolated lodge. The lodge is owned by a psychopathic young man who takes her prisoner after sexually assaulting her. 

The Delta Force is an action film which takes us to 1985 when Lebanese terrorists hijack an American Flight, which was flying from Cairo to New York City. After all the 144 passengers and crew are taken hostage, the terrorists start making demands from the US government. Soon the Delta Force is sent in to resolve the crisis.

Michael Scott, a cynical European arms dealer, attends the NATO War Games meeting at Brussels for a top secret deal with the organization. But Julia Richardson, an inquisitive feminist journalist, who is writing about the NATO meeting, discovers about the deal. Though their clashing views make the sparks fly, both can’t deny underlying allure and soon fall in love with each other. 

How Do I Love Thee? is a comedy drama film which tells the story of Tom Waltz, a college teacher who finds out that his ailing father Stanley, a furniture mover, is in Lourdes, Frances. He catches a flight there, despite the objections of his wife. Meanwhile, Stanley, who had been tempted by a woman named Lena, despite being married, receives a poem as a parting gift from her. He enters the poem into a contest, which gives him a monetary award of $ 10,000. However problems occur when it seems that the poem is not in fact original.  

This comedy thriller film is a parody of the psychological thriller films ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Pyscho’. The film revolves around Jo Dee Foster, a rookie FBI agent, who is on his first case, looking for a serial killer who is wanted for over 120 murders. In order to find the killer, Fostar enlists the help of a convicted murderer named Animal Cannibal Pizza.

A resentful ex-employee floods the city sewers with petrochemicals by opening valves of an oil refinery which was built at the center of the town with a corrupt mayor’s consent. After a major explosion at refinery the fire spreads rapidly throughout the city. Dr. Whitman and Nurse Harper at the city hospital and fire-chief, Risley, fight valiantly to save the disaster victims. 

Jury Duty is a comedy film which tells the story of an unemployed good-for-nothing man named Tommy, who manages to get enrolled as a juror in a serial killer trial. In order to exploit the remuneration that is paid to jury members, including free lodging and fooding, he tries to prolong the trial for as long as possible.

Pete’s Dragon is an adventure fantasy comedy film which tells the story of a magical dragon who helps an orphan boy to escape from his abusive foster parents.