Throughout movie history, there have been notable filmmakers and stars such as , and , and and , who have a well-known reputation for working on an abundance of films together. There is one particular pair, of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Wilder is widely known for his influential work in a variety of different film genres, ranging from romantic comedies to film noir, which correlated perfectly with Lemmon, who, although generally recognized for his comedic chops, was also a versatile talent who took on a variation of roles. Even though the duo only worked together on seven films, each of them holds a significant placeholder in both their careers and classic cinema. From the crime comedy, , to the iconic rom-com, , this is every Wilder and Lemmon movie, ranked.

Wilder's criminal dark comedy, Buddy Buddy, stars as a soon-to-be-retired hitman, Trabucco, who must take out a witness who is scheduled to testify against the mob. When Trabucco checks in to a hotel across from the courthouse, the room next to his is soon occupied by an emotionally distraught husband, Victor (Lemmon), who tries to die by suicide. Trabucco manages to save Victor but decides not to involve the police to avoid blowing his cover and instead takes it upon himself to help Victor save his marriage.

Buddy Buddy was met with mixed to negative reviews, many criticizing the outlandish premise and underwhelming quality, which was a vast difference compared to Wilder's collection of iconic classics. The film did earn points for its simple setting and effective performances, notably Lemmon and Matthau, who were frequent co-stars whose served as the saving grace of the film. Even though it may not be a Wilder and Lemmon masterpiece, that makes it quite irresistible.

is an American Italian comedy based on 's short-lived 1968 Broadway play and centers around the son of a millionaire, Wendell Armbruster Jr. (Lemmon), who must travel to Italy to claim his father's body who was killed in a car accident during an annual trip to the country. Once Wendell arrives, he learns more about the details surrounding his father's demise as well as well-kept secrets thanks to a British woman () who Wendell soon finds himself falling for.

Avanti! is a charming comedy with lighthearted humor and romance which a "pleasant, civilized comedy." The film's love story is full of Wilder's signature satire, which is well-executed by Lemmon and Mills, who both deliver winning performances. The movie received six Golden Globe nominations, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, and ended up winning for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Lemmon. , but also a testament to the duo's willingness to blend dark humor into the traditional romantic comedy.

Lemmon stars as a cameraman, Henry Hinkle, who, during a football game, is injured after colliding with the Cleveland Browns' star player, Luther "Boom Boom" Johnson (). When Hinkle's scheming attorney and ex-brother-in-law, Willie Gringrich (Walter Matthau) learns about Hinkle's recent incident, he rushes to the hospital where he tries to convince Henry to fake paralysis in an effort to collect from the insurance company.

, who proved to be an exceptionally hilarious pair, especially , who was a master of the comedy genre. The movie was a major success and was praised by critics for its gag-filled, over-the-top plot, romantic humor, and outstanding performances by the entire cast. The Fortune Cookie went on to receive four Oscar nominations, including Best Story and Best Art Direction, going on to win Matthau the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Set in Chicago during the 1920s, Lemmon plays a star reporter, Hildy Johnson, who has to quit his job to get married and start a new career just as a convicted murderer, Earl Williams (), is set to be executed. In an effort to keep his prized reporter, the newspaper's editor, Walter Burns (Walter Matthau), convinces Hildy to cover Earl's execution, hoping the hype of the story will persuade him to stay on.

is based on the 1928 play by and by the same name, which has inspired several films, notably ' 1940 screwball comedy,, starring Cary Grant and . The story is by far in Wilder's wheelhouse and capitalizes on the director's knack for delivering lovable frauds and witty con artists who are humorously entangled in an elaborate farce. Lemmon conveys his character with just enough flair and flamboyance to match the tone of the film while still remaining true to his natural comedic personality, ultimately delivering a convincingly funny performance. and a top-notch Lemmon and Wilder comedy that hits all the right notes.

Lemmon stars as a police officer, Nestor Patou, who, after raiding a hotel known for prostitution, is falsely accused of bribery and thrown off the force. Disgraced and depressed, Nestor visits a local tavern where he meets Irma la Douce (), a popular call-girl who he ends up saving from her abusive handler and has her move in with him to keep her safe. Soon, Nestor finds himself becoming Irma's new boss, but as he begins to fall in love with her, he comes up with a plan to keep Irma from working and both of them out of jail.

is based on the 1956 French stage production by and . Aside from a few mixed reviews, . Lemmon and MacLaine are full of bold spontaneity and delightful humor, ultimately captivating audiences with their natural banter and convincing chemistry that manifests throughout the film. Irma la Douce earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for MacLaine, and ended up winning for Best Original Score.

stars Lemmon as a lonely officer worker, C.C. 'Bud' Baxter, who rents his apartment out to several of his company managers to carry out their extramarital affairs. When his boss, Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) hints at a potential promotion, Bud is elated, but his joy is crushed after he learns that Sheldrake's new mistress is one of the company's elevator girls, Fran (Shirley MacLaine), who Bud has been secretly smitten over for some time.

Wilder's Oscar-winning movie is regarded as one of the best romantic comedies of all time as well as one of Lemmon and Wilder's best collaborations. The movie was commended for Wilder's innovative direction and noted for incorporating his usual cynical perspective, which is essentially softened by sentimental romance and an ideal balance of comedy and drama. Lemmon effectively executes his role as the underdog turned hero, giving a well-rounded performance that many consider to be one of the actor's best. The Apartment earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Lemmon, and ended up winning five of its nominations, notably for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay, all for Wilder.

Lemmon teams up with Tony Curtis in Wilder's iconic romantic comedy, Some Like It Hot, as band players, Jerry and Joe, who, after accidentally witnessing a mob hit, quickly skip town by disguising themselves as women and joining an all-girls band headed for Florida. When Joe becomes infatuated with a fellow band member, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), he jeopardizes their well-laid plan by pretending to be a wealthy bachelor, but Joe and Jerry's problems only worsen after the mobsters they've been running from end up checking into the same hotel as them.

Some Like It Hot is an innovative romantic comedy and is credited by many as one of the best movies of all time as well as one of Marilyn Monroe's best performances. While Curtis and Monroe are spectacular, Lemmon ultimately runs away with the picture, stealing almost every scene with his quick-witted antics and animated performance that is a non-stop laugh fest. Wilder finds the sweet spot of conveying just enough of an alluring love story without overshadowing the side story of humor and eccentric characters, making Some Like It Hot a rich rom-com that never drags. Some Like It Hot received universal acclaim and earned several Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Actor for Lemmon, only winning for Best Costume Design. Although Lemmon and Wilder gave audiences an eclectic collection of movies, there's no doubt that Some Like It Hot reigns by far as their greatest cinematic achievement.

NEXT: Every Billy Wilder Movie, Ranked