50 Best Film Noir of All Time

An exact definition of what makes a film noir is still debated today, but several key points can be pulled from those films considered to be within the classic era of film noir (1940-1950). The cinematography was seen as unconventional by the then modern standards, such as using unbalanced compositions. Fitting the literal translation of the term - "black film" - all film noirs employ a focus on darker, low-key lighting.

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1

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

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2

Double Indemnity (1944)

Double Indemnity (1944)

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3

The Third Man (1949)

The Third Man (1949)

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4

Touch of Evil (1958)

Touch of Evil (1958)

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5

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

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6

In a Lonely Place (1950)

In a Lonely Place (1950)

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7

Out of the Past (1947)

Out of the Past (1947)

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8

White Heat (1949)

White Heat (1949)

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9

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

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10

The Big Heat (1953)

The Big Heat (1953)

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11

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

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12

Night and the City (1950)

Night and the City (1950)

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13

The Big Sleep (1946)

The Big Sleep (1946)

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14

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

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15

Scarlet Street (1945)

Scarlet Street (1945)

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16

The Killing (1956)

The Killing (1956)

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17

The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

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18

The Set-Up (1949)

The Set-Up (1949)

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19

Laura (1944)

Laura (1944)

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20

Odd Man Out (1947)

Odd Man Out (1947)

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21

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred Pierce (1945)

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22

Gun Crazy (1950)

Gun Crazy (1950)

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23

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

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24

Pickup on South Street (1953)

Pickup on South Street (1953)

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25

Nightmare Alley (1947)

Nightmare Alley (1947)

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26

The Killers (1946)

The Killers (1946)

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27

The Big Combo (1955)

The Big Combo (1955)

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28

The Woman in the Window (1944)

The Woman in the Window (1944)

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29

Key Largo (1948)

Key Largo (1948)

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30

Detour (1945)

Detour (1945)

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31

Gilda (1946)

Gilda (1946)

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32

The Narrow Margin (1952)

The Narrow Margin (1952)

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33

Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)

Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)

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34

On Dangerous Ground (1951)

On Dangerous Ground (1951)

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35

Brute Force (1947)

Brute Force (1947)

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36

Criss Cross (1949)

Criss Cross (1949)

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37

High Sierra (1941)

High Sierra (1941)

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38

Brighton Rock (1947)

Brighton Rock (1947)

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39

This Gun for Hire (1942)

This Gun for Hire (1942)

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40

The Letter (1940)

The Letter (1940)

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