The art of filmmaking may have been a new form during the Old Hollywood era, but it still garnered some of the best movies of all time. Most every cinephile can agree that early filmmakers and stars of the silver screen created a wealth of films long before technicolor became the norm. It was the heyday of film noir, screwball comedy, early, inventive horror, and romantic dramas. The period was also primarily defined by the Hays Code, from 1934 to 1968, which was incredibly restrictive around depictions of sex and violence—meaning, filmmakers had to come up with innovative ways to tell stories and some of the most classic films of all time were made in this period.
Whether you grew up with movies of this era and want to revisit them or have yet to watch some of the greats, we've rounded up some essential, black-and-white essentials. Below, find the best Old Hollywood movies you should rewatch or watch for the first time.
