10 Biggest Blockbusters of the 1930s, Ranked



The 1930s were a tumultuous period in world history marked by the Great Depression. However, the decade is also remembered as the Golden Age of Hollywood, during which Hollywood rose to giant status and emerged as a dominant force in the entertainment industry. This period saw the creation of new genres, the birth of new stars and the production of some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. One of the most successful films of the 1930s Gone with the windreleased in 1939 and still the highest-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation.




The 1930s also saw the rise of stars like Clark Gable, who became a household name thanks to his roles in the iconic film It happened one night (1934). Overall, the 1930s left an indelible mark on the movie industry, spawning some of the most beloved and enduring movies ever. Here are the ten biggest blockbusters of the 1930s.






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10 It Happened One Night (1934)



It happened one night
Columbia Photos



It happened one night is a romantic comedy about a wealthy heiress who runs away from her family to avoid an arranged marriage and a cynical journalist who helps her on her journey. Along the way, the two fall in love and face a series of comedic obstacles. The scintillating dialogues, the memorable characters and the charming performances of the protagonists make the film a must-see for fans of classic cinema.


Upon release, the film was a critical success and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. At the 7th Academy Awards, It happened one night was nominated for five Oscars and won them all, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Screenplay. It was the first film to win all five major Oscars and is a classic example of romantic comedy. The film was also a hit at the box office, grossing over US$2 million worldwide.



9 Modern Times (1936)



Charlie Chaplin as a cog in the wheel of modern times
United artists



Modern Time is a classic silent comedy directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film is a commentary on the industrialization and modernization of society during the Great Depression. Chaplin portrays a factory worker struggling to find his place in the rapidly changing world of technology and automation. The film's themes of technology and alienation continue to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless classic in film history. On his release, Modern times was a huge success.


The film received critical acclaim with many critics praising the social commentary and Charlie Chaplin's performance. Audiences also flocked to see the film, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The film's success helped cement Chaplin's reputation as one of the greatest filmmakers of his time, and it remains one of his most celebrated works.




8 top hat (1935)



Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance in Top Hat
RKO



Top Hat is a classic musical comedy film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, one of the most iconic on-screen duos of the era. The story revolves around mistaken identities and romantic misunderstandings as Jerry (Fred Astaire) falls in love with Dale (Ginger Rogers) and tries to win her over as he overcomes various obstacles. The film is known for its stunning dance sequences, including the iconic "Cheek to Cheek" number, which showcases Astaire and Rogers' effortless grace and chemistry. The film is also memorable for its witty dialogues, playful humor and glamorous costumes that add to its charm.


Tall hat was a critical and commercial success and helped boost the music genre's popularity. It was the fourth most popular film at the British box office from 1935 to 1936, grossing over $3 million, and remains a beloved classic of Hollywood's golden age.



7 Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)



mutiny-on-the-premium1
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer



With Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, Mutiny on the Bounty is a classic adventure based on a true story. The film, directed by Frank Lloyd, tells the story of the HMS Bounty, a British ship that sets sail for Tahiti to collect breadfruit plants. The ship's crew, led by Captain Bligh (Charles Laughton), faces harsh conditions and mistreatment, leading to a mutiny led by First Mate Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable). The film's breathtaking photography helps to transport audiences to the exotic locations of the South Pacific. Laughton and Gable's performances are particularly noteworthy, with Gable exuding charisma and fire as the rebellious Christian and Laughton lending his role a sense of merciless authority. On release, Mutiny on the Bounty was a critical and commercial success. The film grossed $4.5 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1935. In addition, the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 1936 Oscar Awards.



6 San Francisco (1936)



San Francisco (1936)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer



San Francisco is an American drama classic set in San Francisco in the early 1900s that tells the story of Blackie Norton (Clark Gable), a saloon owner, who falls in love with Mary Blake (MacDonald), a talented singer. The two navigate the devastation caused by the great earthquake and subsequent fire that hit San Francisco in 1906. The film is known for its impressive special effects and is considered one of the most realistic depictions of a natural disaster in early Hollywood cinema. San Francisco was a huge commercial success upon its release, grossing over $5 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1936. The film also received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Director.



5 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)



Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs
RKO radio images



Walt Disney Productions' first full-length animated film, Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs was a groundbreaking achievement in animation with unforgettable characters and songs. Based on the classic fairy tale, the film tells the story of Snow White, a beautiful princess who is forced to flee from her evil stepmother and finds shelter with seven lovely dwarfs. Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length animated film to be produced in color and with synchronized sound, and it set a new standard for the animation industry. During its initial release, the film became a huge commercial success grossing over $8 million, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1938 and the highest-grossing animated film of all time when adjusted for inflation. The film is also widely acclaimed and adored by the audience; its popularity led to the film's theatrical release several times until the 1990s when home video was released.



4 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)



Mr. Smith is going to Washington
Distributed by Columbia Pictures



Mr. Smith is going to Washington is a classic political drama film that tells the story of Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), a naive and idealistic young man appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate. Smith soon finds himself out of his depth in the corrupt world of Washington politics, but he refuses to compromise his principles and fights back against the system. Mr. Smith is going to Washington is an exciting tribute to democracy and the power of individual courage, as Smith's determination inspires others to stand up for what's right. The film has been critically acclaimed, with an approval rating of 8.1/10 on IMDb and 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also very successful at the box office, earning theater rentals of $3.5 million in the United States and $9 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1939. It was also nominated for eleven Oscars and won one.



3 The Wizard of Oz (1939)



Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz
MGM



The Wizard of Oz is a beloved musical fantasy film released in 1939 that has captivated audiences for generations. The film tells the story of a young girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland), who is swept away from her Kansas ranch by a tornado and transported to the magical Land of Oz. On her journey to find her way home, Dorothy meets a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion who become her companions. Together they go on an adventure to meet the mighty wizard of Oz and ask for his help. The Wizard of Oz is loved for its memorable characters, colorful sets, catchy tunes and lasting message about the importance of home and family. Upon its release, the film was a critical success and was nominated for six Academy Awards, eventually winning two for Best Original Song and Best Original Score. The film grossed over $34 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1939.




2 Frankenstein (1931)



Boris Karloff Frankenstein
Universal



Directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff, Frankenstein is a horror movie that tells the story of Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), a young scientist who creates a living being from the body parts of the dead. The plot revolves around the consequences of Frankenstein's reckless pursuit of knowledge and the destruction the monster wreaks on the local village. The film is known for its groundbreaking use of makeup and special effects and haunting musical score. On his release, Frankenstein was a huge critical and commercial success, becoming one of the most influential films of all time. The film grossed over $12 million at the box office on a budget of $260,000, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. In addition to its initial success, the film continues to be celebrated as a milestone in the horror genre.



1 Gone with the Wind (1939)



Gone with the Wind movie download
Loews Inc.



Gone with the wind is an epic historical romance set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Margaret Mitchell, it tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), a southern belle determined to win back the love of Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) during the American civil war. The film boasts a great cast and features stunning cinematography, with memorable scenes such as the Atlanta fire. Upon its release, the film was acclaimed by audiences and critics, with some stating that it was the most ambitious film produced to that point. At the 12th Academy Awards, it received thirteen nominations, winning ten, including Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also a huge commercial success grossing an astounding $198.7 million domestically and over $390 million worldwide at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film to that point and still the highest-grossing film of all time, corrected. for inflation.


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