The best Frank Capra films
The top 3 according to 1,559 votes from people: It's a Wonderful Life (1946) · It Happened One Night (1934) · Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). (Updated May 13, 2025.)
Three Best Director Oscars and the most famous Christmas film ever made: Capra's best, ordered from Gold Derby, Collider and Flickchart.
Top 13
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1
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
James Stewart sees the world as if he had never been born.
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2
It Happened One Night (1934)
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert; the first film to win all five major Oscars.
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3
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
James Stewart's filibuster in the US Senate.
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4
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Cary Grant and two sweet aunts who poison lonely men.
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5
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Gary Cooper inherits a fortune; Capra's second directing Oscar.
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6
You Can't Take It with You (1938)
An eccentric family; Best Picture and his third directing Oscar.
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7
Lost Horizon (1937)
Ronald Colman finds Shangri-La.
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8
Lady for a Day (1933)
An apple seller passes as a society lady, from Damon Runyon.
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9
A Hole in the Head (1959)
Frank Sinatra as a Miami hotel owner in debt.
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10
The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)
Barbara Stanwyck held by a Chinese warlord.
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11
Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
His last feature, remaking Lady for a Day with Bette Davis.
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12
Meet John Doe (1941)
Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck in a hoax that becomes a movement.
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13
State of the Union (1948)
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in a presidential race.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (4)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington feels more relevant every year.
It's a Wonderful Life every Christmas in our house, no exceptions.
Arsenic and Old Lace is so much fun. Cary Grant's reactions alone are worth it.
It Happened One Night is the one that holds up best for me, it still feels modern.