Marilyn Monroe is a shining figure in the world of entertainment. She was an iconic actress during her lifetime and her beauty and talent have been celebrated ever since. As a testament to her influence and skills, some of the films she starred in have become household names. Here’s a list of the top 10 Marilyn Monroe movies:
- The Seven Year Itch (1955)
The Seven Year Itch is considered one of Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic films. In this romantic comedy, Monroe plays a beautiful young woman who comes into the life of an married man and throws a wrench in his seven-year marriage. Her performance in this film was one of the factors that shot her to superstardom.
- Some Like it Hot (1959)
Some Like it Hot is another Marilyn Monroe classic, this time a comedy. In this hit movie, Monroe and Tony Curtis star as two musicians who witness a crime. In order to evade mobsters, they disguise themselves as female musicians and join an all-female band. The film is still lauded today for its comedic genius.
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is another comedy from Marilyn Monroe’s collection. In this movie, Monroe plays a ditzy blonde in search of a rich husband. Along with her friend, she travels to Paris and makes a lot of amusing scenes during her search. This movie is worth a watch just for the iconic performance of Marilyn Monroe in it.
- The Misfits (1961)
The Misfits is a drama starring Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. In this movie, set during the 1940s, Monroe plays an ex-showgirl who moves to Reno and meets a divorced cowboy, played by Gable. The two quickly fall in love, but it is a fragile relationship, being shaped by the difficulties of that era.
- How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
How to Marry a Millionaire stars Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable as three gorgeous women who want to find wealthy husbands. Marilyn Monroe specifically is looking for a million-dollar man and will do whatever it takes to find him. This movie is one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time, thanks in part to the timeless beauty of Marilyn Monroe in it.
- There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954)
There’s No Business Like Show Business is a musical starring Marilyn Monroe alongside Donald O’Connor and Ethel Merman. In this movie, Monroe plays a nightclub singer who falls for a stuntman. Despite the relentless pursuit of Ethel Merman’s character, Monroe discovers that her heart belongs to the stuntman instead.
- Niagara (1953)
Niagara is a movie noir about a troubled couple who travel to Niagara Falls. The movie features Marilyn Monroe in her iconic performance as a femme fatale who lures the husband away from his wife, played by Jean Peters. It is a suspenseful film that was well-received upon its release.
- The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
The Prince and the Showgirl is a romantic comedy starring Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. The movie is set in 1911, following a young showgirl’s encounter with a foreign prince. Monroe and Olivier have great chemistry and this movie is a must-watch if you enjoy light-hearted romantic comedies.
- Bus Stop (1956)
Bus Stop is a classic romantic drama starring Marilyn Monroe and Don Murray. In this movie, Monroe is a small-town girl working at a rural Kaefee and Don Murray stars as a cowboy who takes a fancy to her. This movie captures the beauty and innocence of Marilyn Monroe, and the music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans is timeless.
- Monkey Business (1952)
Monkey Business stars a young Marilyn Monroe alongside Cary Grant as an escaped lion tamer whose life quickly goes out of control. After trying a strange elixir, Monroe’s character returns to her old self, and Grant is happy to take the lion tamer back. It is a slapstick comedy with a happy ending, and worth watching for the comedic performance of Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe was an actress who dedicated her life to entertaining and inspiring the world. Her screen presence and talent gave the world some of its most iconic performances, and these ten movies prove it. Whether you’re a Marilyn Monroe fan or a fan of classic films, these are must-watch movies that withstood the test of time.