When it comes to iconic filmmakers, ranks as one of the most influential directors who made his mark with suspenseful mysteries and intense dramas such as , , and . Known as The Master of Suspense, Hitchcock redefined the silver screen thriller with groundbreaking camerawork, impressionable characters, and alluring storytelling that continues to inspire filmmakers today.

While Hitchcock delivered an array of timeless classics, some of his works, like , , and , are considered by many to be among his most crucial films. Out of the legendary director's extensive list of titles, including the 1960 thriller and starring and, these are the ten most important Hitchcock movies, ranked.

The infamous Hitchcock blonde, made her feature film debut in The Birds as a socialite, Melanie Daniels, who, after meeting a young lawyer, Mitch Brenner (), decides to travel to Bodega Bay to personally deliver his sister's birthday present, a pair of lovebirds, to him. Shortly after her arrival, the birds on the island begin viciously attacking the residents for no apparent reason, terrorizing the entire community into a chaotic frenzy.

The Birds is a fascinating thriller that showcases . Hitchcock successfully utilizes a bird's unpredictable and subtle movements to gradually build the suspense in scenes, notably when Hedren's character is sitting outside the school and crows start to slowly emerge onto the playground in the background, leaving audiences in unbearable anticipation.

Known for his heroic, supporting roles, goes against-type in Hitchcock's classic noir as a charming and beloved uncle, Charles Oakley, who travels to Santa Rosa to visit his family. His family is thrilled to see him, notably his niece and namesake, Charlie (), who adores her uncle, but as she begins to spend more time with him, she starts to suspect that he is secretly a serial killer known as the Merry Widow killer.

Hitchcock's choice to cast Cotten as Uncle Charlie was a bold but brilliant move that paid off as Cotten delivers an ideal performance as an unsuspecting madman who conceals his true nature with charisma and pure magnetism. Out of all of Hitchcock's movies, and between the phenomenal performances and the intriguing murder mystery tied into psychological thrills, it's easy to see why.

stars in Hitchcock's signature psychological thriller, Rear Window, as a photographer, Jeff Jefferies, who, after breaking his leg, is bound to a wheelchair and his apartment, keeping him cooped up and bored. In an effort to pass the time, Jefferies begins watching his neighbors and becomes familiar with them and their everyday routine as a source of entertainment. One night, he witnesses a married couple having a heated argument and when the wife suddenly disappears, Jefferies begins to suspect that her husband is responsible.

Rear Window stands to be . The film is also recognized for its detailed courtyard, which is vibrant with rich colors and decorated with individual apartments that each convey their own world in a colony-like setting. Today, Rear Window is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time and is also credited as one of Hitchcock's finest films.

While on board a train, a tennis star, Guy Haines (), strikes up a conversation with another passenger, Bruno Antony () and confides in him about his current problem with his unfaithful wife, who refuses to grant him a divorce. Unbeknownst to Guy, his conversation with Bruno, who is a sophisticated psychopath, leads him to take care of Guy's problem himself, but then demands that the star athlete return the favor by murdering his father.

The old adage of "never talk to strangers" is taken into a literal and deadly sense in Hitchcock's 1951 classic noir thriller, Strangers on a Train, which is celebrated for its innovative close-up shots (notably the glasses and carousel scenes) and eccentric characters who are twisted into a devious murder plot. Aside from Hitchcock's keen eye, Walker delivers a powerhouse performance that inevitably establishes Bruno as one of the best classic film noir villains.

stars as a young, self-conscious woman who is swept off her feet by a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter (), while visiting the French Riviera. When the two decide to get married, they return to Maxim's elaborate manor, Manderley, where she struggles to establish herself in the home that is haunted by the memories of the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca. As the new Mrs. de Winter learns more about Rebecca and her death, she begins to suspect that her new husband may have been involved.

Hitchcock made his American debut with the romantic psychological thriller, Rebecca, which is based on 's 1938 novel by the same name. The stunning cinematography and ghostly, shadow-filled backdrop of Manderley essentially set an ominous tone, elevating the film's suspense as well as the audiences' curiosity, making . Rebecca received eleven Academy Award nominations, including Hitchcock's first nomination for Best Director, and ended up winning for Best Picture and Best Cinematography.

Notorious is an exciting espionage classic starring Cary Grant as a U.S. government agent, T.R. Devlin, who recruits the daughter of a convicted war criminal, Alicia Hubermann (Ingrid Bergman) to go undercover and gain the trust of a Nazi, Alexander Sebastian () who has been hiding out in Brazil. Alicia is successful and gains Alexander's affections, but when their relationship becomes serious, she puts herself and the mission in serious jeopardy that could cost her her life.

According to by , Notorious was . The Master of Suspense delivers a traditional spy thriller with his signature style of suspense but also features a serious love story that adds a sense of maturity to his craft. Notorious earned two Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Rains and Best Original Screenplay, cementing the film as one of Hitchcock's most crucial classics.

The British thriller, Blackmail, follows a young woman, Alice White () who, after a fight with her boyfriend, Scotland Yard officer Frank Webber (), decides to leave with another man and agrees to go back to his home with him. When they arrive, the man tries to force himself on Alice and, in a moment of panic and fear, she ends up killing him. Even though Alice manages to escape the attack, she soon learns that a thief () witnessed the murder and decides to blackmail her.

Blackmail was originally released as a silent film, but British International Pictures decided to release a sound version, making it the first official British "all-talkie" feature. The film was a major hit and not only served as a landmark achievement in British cinema, but was also a major milestone in Hitchcock's career. , notably Calthrop's character, who conceals his true nefarious colors with his politeness and gentle demeanor, which is seen in many of Hitchcock's villains.

Initially a critical and commercial disappointment, Hitchcock's Vertigo would go on to become arguably the director's most artistically respected work. James Stewart stars a haunted man who's tasked with keeping tabs on a beautiful blonde () in San Francisco, which has never looked more cinematic.

Lovable everyman Stewart was cast against type here as a man in the throes of guilt and despair, and Vertigo is such a downer that it's not hard to see why it was initially rejected. However, the singular filmmaking dexterity has been increasingly impossible to deny over the decades, with in their 2012 critics' poll. It was beautifully restored in the '90s, in what frankly might be the reference point for all film restorations.

stars in the 1960 thriller, Psycho, as a secretary, Marion Crane, who, after stealing thousands of dollars from her employer, quickly skips town. When a thunderstorm forces Marion off the road, she checks into a deserted motel, the Bates Motel, where she meets an unusual but shy caretaker, Norman (). After not hearing from Marion, her sister () and her boyfriend () retrace her route back to the motel and soon unravel a chilling mystery that neither of them ever expected.

, which is universally recognized for its iconic shower scene, its jaw-dropping twist, and the unsettling character Norman Bates. Due to its controversial subject matter for its time, Psycho initially earned mixed reviews but was still a box office success that earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Actress. Psycho is deemed to be one of Hitchcock's most famous and influential films and is celebrated as a vital touchstone in cinema history.

Cary Grant reunites with Hitchcock in the action-packed spy thriller, North by Northwest, starring as a New York advertising executive, Roger Thornhill, who becomes the victim of a classic case of mistaken identity and is pursued by a group of men who work for an unknown government agency. As Thornhill journeys across the country to try and sort the misunderstanding out, he's joined by a mysterious blonde () who is more than just a stranger he meets on a train.

North by Northwest is . In 2009, the infamous crop-duster plane scene was ranked as the greatest moment in movie history by Empire magazine. The movie was both a critical and commercial success and received three Oscar nominations, including Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Screenplay.

Hitchcock's 1935 British spy thriller, , stars as a Canadian, Richard Hannay, who is visiting London where he accidentally comes across an underground ring of international spies. Shortly after, he meets an agent, Annabelle Smith (), who he believes can help him, but when she is murdered in her apartment, Richard becomes the prime suspect in the crime. As Richard tries to evade the police, he tries to clear his name and stop secrets from leaving the country with the help of an unwilling accomplice ().

The 39 Steps is a classic proto-noir which has been praised by many, including legendary filmmaker, , who hailed it to be a masterpiece. Carroll's character was also the first to establish the signature Hitchcock blonde of a beautiful but icy blonde, essentially introducing the blueprint for the classic femme fatale. The worldwide success of the film gained American cinema's attention and led to Hitchcock signing a contract with , solidifying

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