List of American films of 1940

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A list of American films released in 1940.
Rebecca won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

A-Z

Title Director Cast Genre
20 Mule Team Richard Thorpe Wallace Beery, Leo Carrillo, Marjorie Rambeau Western
Abe Lincoln in Illinois John Cromwell Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon Drama, Biography Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Adventure in Diamonds George Fitzmaurice George Brent, Isa Miranda, John Loder Drama
Alias the Deacon Christy Cabanne Bob Burns, Mischa Auer, Peggy Moran Comedy Remake of Alias the Deacon (1928 silent film)
All This, and Heaven Too Anatole Litvak Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Jeffrey Lynn Drama Nominated for 3 Academy Awards
Always a Bride Noel M. Smith Rosemary Lane, George Reeves, John Eldredge Comedy
And One Was Beautiful Robert B. Sinclair Robert Cummings, Laraine Day, Jean Muir Drama
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante George B. Seitz Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker Comedy
Angel from Texas, An Ray Enright Eddie Albert, Rosemary Lane, Wayne Morris Comedy
Angels Over Broadway Ben Hecht, Lee Garmes Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell Drama Nominated for Academy Award
Anne of Windy Poplars Jack Hively Anne Shirley, James Ellison, Henry Travers Drama
Argentine Nights Albert S. Rogell The Ritz Brothers, The Andrews Sisters, Constance Moore Comedy, Musical
Arise, My Love Mitchell Leisen Claudette Colbert, Ray Milland, Dennis O'Keefe Romantic comedy Won Academy Award; another 3 nominations
Arizona Wesley Ruggles Jean Arthur, William Holden, Warren William Western Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Bank Dick, The Edward F. Cline W. C. Fields, Cora Witherspoon, Una Merkel Comedy
Before I Hang Nick Grinde Boris Karloff, Evelyn Keyes, Bruce Bennett Crime, Science fiction
Behind the News Joseph Santley Lloyd Nolan, Doris Davenport, Frank Albertson Drama Nominated for Academy Award
Beyond Tomorrow A. Edward Sutherland Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Winninger Fantasy Romance
Bill of Divorcement, A John Farrow Maureen O'Hara, Adolphe Menjou, Fay Bainter Drama Remake of A Bill of Divorcement (1932 film)
Biscuit Eater, The Stuart Heisler Billy Lee, Cordell Hickman, Richard Lane Drama
Bitter Sweet W. S. Van Dyke Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, George Sanders Musical Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Black Friday Arthur Lubin Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Stanley Ridges Science fiction
Blue Bird, The Walter Lang Shirley Temple, Spring Byington, Nigel Bruce Fantasy Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Boom Town Jack Conway Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert Adventure Drama Nominated for 2 Academy Awards. #4 in Top Grossing Films.
Boys of the City Joseph H. Lewis Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Hal E. Chester Comedy Thriller
Boys from Syracuse, The A. Edward Sutherland Allan Jones, Irene Hervey, Martha Raye Musical Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Broadway Melody of 1940 Norman Taurog Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy Musical Final film of series
Brother Orchid Lloyd Bacon Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sothern Crime Comedy
Captain Caution Richard Wallace Victor Mature, Louise Platt, Leo Carrillo Action Adventure Nominated for Academy Award
Castle on the Hudson Anatole Litvak John Garfield, Ann Sheridan, Pat O'Brien Drama
Charlie Chan in Panama Norman Foster Sidney Toler, Jean Rogers, Lionel Atwill Mystery
Chump at Oxford, A Alfred J. Goulding Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Forrester Harvey Comedy
City for Conquest Anatole Litvak, Jean Negulesco James Cagney, Ann Sheridan, Frank Craven Drama
Comrade X King Vidor Clark Gable, Hedy Lamarr, Oskar Homolka Comedy Spy Nominated for Academy Award
Dark Command Raoul Walsh Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Walter Pidgeon Western Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Dispatch from Reuter's, A William Dieterle Edward G. Robinson, Edna Best, Eddie Albert Drama, Biography
Doomed to Die William Nigh Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Grant Withers Horror-Mystery
Down Argentine Way Irving Cummings Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda Musical Nominated for 3 Academy Awards. #9 in Top Grossing Films.
Dr. Cyclops Ernest B. Schoedsack Albert Dekker, Thomas Coley, Janice Logan Science Fiction Horror Nominated for Academy Award
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet William Dieterle Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Gordon, Otto Kruger Biography Nominated for Academy Award
East Side Kids Robert F. Hill Leon Ames, Dennis Moore, Joyce Bryant Comedy First film of series
Edison, the Man Clarence Brown Spencer Tracy, Rita Johnson, Lynne Overman Biographical Nominated for Academy Award
Elmer's Candid Camera Chuck Jones Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. Bryan Animated
Escape Mervyn LeRoy Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor, Conrad Veidt Drama
Eyes of the Navy Charles B. Middleton, Frank Whitbeck Short Documentary Nominated for Academy Award
Fantasia James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, and 9 more Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor Animated Won 2 Honorary Academy Awards. Footage preserved in US National Registry. #1 in Top Grossing Films*.
Fatal Hour, The William Nigh Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Grant Withers Thriller
Fight for Life, The Pare Lorentz Myron McCormick, Storrs Haynes, Will Geer Drama Nominated for Academy Award
Fighting 69th, The William Keighley James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, George Brent War
Flame of Barbary Coast Joseph Kane John Wayne, Ann Dvorak, Joseph Schildkraut Western
Flight Command Frank Borzage Robert Taylor, Ruth Hussey, Walter Pidgeon Drama War Nominated for Academy Award
Foreign Correspondent Alfred Hitchcock Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall Spy Thriller Nominated for 6 Academy Awards. #15 in Top Grossing Films.
Four Sons Archie Mayo Don Ameche, Eugenie Leontovich, Mary Beth Hughes Drama War Remake of Four Sons (1928 silent film)
From Nurse to Worse Jules White The Three Stooges Comedy Short
Ghost Breakers, The George Marshall Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson Horror Comedy
Give Us Wings Charles Lamont Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell Adventure
Go West Edward Buzzell Marx Brothers, John Carroll, Diana Lewis Comedy
Grapes of Wrath, The John Ford Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine Drama Won 2 Academy Awards, one for Best Director; another 5 nominations. Footage preserved in US National Registry. #12 in Top Grossing Films.
Great Dictator, The Charles Chaplin Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie Comedy Nominated for 5 Academy Awards. Footage preserved in US National Registry. Satirical criticization of Adolf Hitler
Great McGinty, The Preston Sturges Brian Donlevy, Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff Comedy Won Academy Award
Green Hell James Whale Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Joan Bennett, John Howard Adventure
Green Hornet, The Ford Beebe, Ray Taylor Gordon Jones, Wade Boteler, Anne Nagel Adventure Serial
He Married His Wife Roy Del Ruth Joel McCrea, Nancy Kelly, Roland Young Comedy
Hired! Henry Jamison Handy (producer) Short
His Girl Friday Howard Hawks Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy Screwball comedy Remake of The Front Page (1931 film). #16 in Top Grossing Films.
Hit Parade of 1941 John H. Auer Kenny Baker, Frances Langford, Hugh Herbert Musical Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
House Across the Bay, The Archie Mayo George Raft, Joan Bennett, Lloyd Nolan Crime Drama
House of the Seven Gables, The Joe May George Sanders, Margaret Lindsay, Vincent Price Thriller Drama Nominated for Academy Award
How High Is Up? Del Lord The Three Stooges Comedy Short
Howards of Virginia, The Frank Lloyd Cary Grant, Martha Scott, Cedric Hardwicke Period Drama Nominated for 2 Academy Awards. Set in the American Revolution
Hullabaloo Edwin L. Marin Frank Morgan, Virginia Grey, Dan Dailey Musical Comedy
I Love You Again W.S. Van Dyke William Powell, Myrna Loy Romantic comedy
I Take This Woman W. S. Van Dyke Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, Laraine Day Drama
Invisible Man Returns, The Joe May Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price, Nan Grey Science fiction Nominated for Academy Award
Invisible Woman, The A. Edward Sutherland Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, John Howard Science fiction Comedy Nominated for Academy Award
Irene Herbert Wilcox Anna Neagle, Ray Milland, Roland Young Musical Nominated for Academy Award
Island of Doomed Men Charles Barton Peter Lorre Thriller
Junior G-Men Lewis D. Collins, Ray Taylor Action Adventure Serial
King of the Royal Mounted William Witney, John English Action Adventure Serial
Kitty Foyle Sam Wood Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig Drama Won Academy Award for Best Actress; another 4 nominations. #10 in Top Grossing Films.
Knock Knock Walter Lantz (producer) Animated Short
Knute Rockne, All American Lloyd Bacon Pat O'Brien, Ronald Reagan Biographical Story of football coach Knute Rockne
Lady with Red Hair Curtis Bernhardt Miriam Hopkins, Claude Rains, Richard Ainley Drama
Letter, The William Wyler Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson Film noir Nominated for 7 Academy Awards
Light That Failed, The William Wellman Ronald Colman, Walter Huston, Ida Lupino Drama
Lillian Russell Irving Cummings Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Henry Fonda Biographical Nominated for Academy Award
Little Bit of Heaven, A Andrew Marton Gloria Jean, Hugh Herbert, Robert Stack Musical
Little Nellie Kelly Norman Taurog Judy Garland Musical Comedy
Long Voyage Home, The John Ford John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell, Ian Hunter War Drama Nominated for 6 Academy Awards
Man from Dakota, The Leslie Fenton Wallace Beery, Dolores del Río Historical Drama
Marines Fly High, The Benjamin Stoloff, George Nichols Jr. Richard Dix, Chester Morris Lucille Ball Adventure Drama
Mark of Zorro, The Rouben Mamoulian Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone Adventure Nominated for Academy Award. Footage preserved in US National Registry
Melody Ranch Joseph Santley Gene Autry Western
Mexican Spitfire Leslie Goodwins Lupe Vélez, Leon Errol Comedy
Milky Way, The Rudolf Ising Bernice Hansen Animated Short Won Academy Award
Mortal Storm, The Frank Borzage James Stewart, Robert Young Propaganda
Mr. Duck Steps Out Jack King Animated Short
Mummy's Hand, The Christy Cabanne Dick Foran Horror
Music in My Heart Joseph Santley Tony Martin, Rita Hayworth, Edith Fellows Musical Nominated for Academy Award
My Favorite Wife Garson Kanin Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Randolph Scott Screwball comedy Nominated for 3 Academy Awards. #18 in Top Grossing Films.
My Little Chickadee Edward F. Cline W. C. Fields Comedy
My Son, My Son! Charles Vidor Madeleine Carroll, Brian Aherne, Louis Hayward Drama Nominated for Academy Award
Mysterious Doctor Satan William Witney, John English Action Adventure
New Moon Jack Conway Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy Musical Drama
Night at Earl Carroll's, A Kurt Neumann Earl Carroll, J. Carrol Naish, Rose Hobart Musical
No Census, No Feeling Del Lord The Three Stooges Comedy Short
North West Mounted Police Cecil B. DeMille Gary Cooper, Madeleine Carroll, Paulette Goddard Western Won Academy Award; another 4 nominations
Northwest Passage King Vidor, Jack Conway, W.S. Van Dyke Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan Adventure Drama Nominated for Academy Award. #19 in Top Grossing Films.
Nutty But Nice Jules White The Three Stooges Comedy Short
Of Fox and Hounds Tex Avery Willoughby the Dog Animated Short
One Million B.C. Hal Roach, Jr., Hal Roach Victor Mature, Carole Landis, Lon Chaney, Jr. Fantasy Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
One Night in the Tropics A. Edward Sutherland Abbott and Costello Comedy
Our Town Sam Wood William Holden, Martha Scott, Fay Bainter Drama Nominated for 6 Academy Awards
Patient Porky Bob Clampett Porky the Pig Animated Short
Philadelphia Story, The George Cukor Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart Screwball comedy Won 2 Academy Awards, one for Best Actor; another 4 nominations. Footage preserved in US National Registry. #6 in Top Grossing Films.
Pinocchio T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney Animated Won 2 Academy Awards. Footage preserved in US National Registry. #2 in Top Grossing Films*.
Pride and Prejudice Robert Z. Leonard Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Edward Ashley Drama Won Academy Award. #20 in Top Grossing Films.
Primrose Path Gregory La Cava Ginger Rogers, Joel McCrea, Marjorie Rambeau Drama Nominated for Academy Award
Private Affairs Albert S. Rogell Nancy Kelly Comedy
Puss Gets the Boot Hanna Barbera, William Hanna, Rudolf Ising Lillian Randolph Animated Short Nominated for Academy Award
Queen of the Yukon Phil Rosen Charles Bickford, Irene Rich, June Carlson Adventure Western
Quicker'n a Wink George Sidney Clarence Curtis, Harold E. Edgerton, Tex Harris Short Documentary Won Academy Award
Rebecca Alfred Hitchcock Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine Psychological thriller Won 2 Academy Awards, one for Best Picture; another 9 nominations. #3 in Top Grossing Films.
Remember the Night Mitchell Leisen Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray Romantic Drama
Return of Frank James, The Fritz Lang Henry Fonda Western
Rhythm on the River Victor Schertzinger Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone Musical Comedy Nominated for Academy Award
Road to Singapore Victor Schertzinger Bob Hope, Bing Crosby Musical comedy
Rockin' Thru the Rockies Jules White The Three Stooges Comedy Short
Sailor's Lady Allan Dwan Nancy Kelly, Jon Hall Comedy
Saint Takes Over, The Jack Hively George Sanders Crime
Saint's Double Trouble, The Jack Hively George Sanders Crime
Santa Fe Trail Michael Curtiz Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland Western #5 in Top Grossing Films.
Saps at Sea Gordon Douglas Laurel and Hardy Comedy
The Sea Hawk Michael Curtiz Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains Adventure Nominated for 4 Academy Awards. #11 in Top Grossing Films.
Second Chorus H. C. Potter Fred Astaire, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw Musical Comedy Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
Service with the Colors B. Reeves Eason Robert Armstrong, William Lundigan, Henry O'Neill Drama Short Nominated for Academy Award
Shop Around the Corner, The H. C. Potter James Stewart, Carole Lombard Romantic comedy
Siege Julien Bryan Julien Bryan Documentary Short Nominated for Academy Award. Footage preserved in US National Registry
Son of Monte Cristo, The Rowland V. Lee Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett, George Sanders Adventure Nominated for Academy Award
Spring Parade Henry Koster Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings, Mischa Auer Comedy, Musical Nominated for 4 Academy Awards
Strange Cargo Frank Borzage Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Ian Hunter Drama Romance #7 in Top Grossing Films.
Stranger on the Third Floor Boris Ingster Peter Lorre Film noir
Strike Up the Band Busby Berkeley Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra Comedy, Musical Won Academy Award; another 2 nominations
Susan and God George Cukor Joan Crawford, Fredric March Dramatic comedy
Swiss Family Robinson Edward Ludwig Thomas Mitchell, Edna Best, Freddie Bartholomew Adventure Nominated for Academy Award
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse (Galloping Gertie) Barney Elliott Newsreel Footage preserved in US National Registry
Teddy the Rough Rider Ray Enright Sidney Blackmer, Pierre Watkin, Arthur Loft Short Drama Won Academy Award
That Gang of Mine Joseph H. Lewis Leo Gorcey Comedy
They Drive by Night Raoul Walsh George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Ann Sheridan Drama
They Knew What They Wanted Garson Kanin Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton, William Gargan Drama Nominated for Academy Award
'Til We Meet Again Edmund Goulding Merle Oberon, Pat O'Brien, Geraldine Fitzgerald Drama
Tin Pan Alley Walter Lang Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie Musical Won Academy Award. #13 in Top Grossing Films.
Too Many Husbands Wesley Ruggles Jean Arthur, Fred MacMurray, Melvyn Douglas Romantic comedy Nominated for Academy Award
Torrid Zone William Keighley James Cagney, Ann Sheridan, Pat O'Brien Adventure
Tugboat Annie Sails Again Lewis Seiler Comedy
Typhoon Louis King Dorothy Lamour, Robert Preston, Lynne Overman Adventure Nominated for Academy Award
Vigil in the Night George Stevens Carole Lombard, Brian Aherne Romantic Drama
Virginia City Michael Curtiz Errol Flynn, Randolph Scott Western #8 in Top Grossing Films.
Waterloo Bridge Mervyn LeRoy Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson Drama War Nominated for 2 Academy Awards. #14 in Top Grossing Films.
Way of All Flesh, The Akim Tamiroff, Gladys George Remake of The Way of All Flesh (1927 silent film)
Westerner, The William Wyler Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Doris Davenport Western Won Academy Award; another 2 nominations. #17 in Top Grossing Films.
Wild Hare, A Tex Avery Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. Bryan Animated Short Nominated for Academy Award
Winners of the West Ford Beebe, Ray Taylor Dick Foran, Anne Nagel Western Serial
Women in War John H. Auer Elsie Janis, Wendy Barrie, Patric Knowles Drama War Nominated for Academy Award
Wyoming Richard Thorpe Wallace Beery Western
You Ought to Be in Pictures I. Freleng Looney Tunes Animated Short
You'll Find Out David Butler Kay Kyser, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff Comedy Nominated for Academy Award
Young People Allan Dwan Shirley Temple, Jack Oakie, Charlotte Greenwood Drama
You're Not So Tough Joe May Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan Drama

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