Best Movies of 1945

The highest-rated films from 1945 according to MovieMagicScore. Rankings based purely on what viewers actually think.

← 1944 All Time 1946 →

By genre:action comedy drama horror sci-fi thriller romance animation

Rome, Open City

1945 · 938 ratings

In WWII-era Rome, underground resistance leader Manfredi attempts to evade the Gestapo by enlisting the help of Pina, the fiancée of a fellow member of the resistance, and Don Pietro, the priest due to oversee her marriage. But it’s not long before the Nazis and the local police find him.

8.0

Children of Paradise

1945 · 436 ratings

In a chaotic 19th-century Paris teeming with aristocrats, thieves, psychics, and courtesans, theater mime Baptiste is in love with the mysterious actress Garance. But Garance, in turn, is loved by three other men: pretentious actor Frederick, conniving thief Lacenaire, and Count Edouard of Montray.

8.1

Brief Encounter

1945 · 670 ratings

Returning home from a shopping trip to a nearby town, bored suburban housewife Laura Jesson is thrown by happenstance into an acquaintance with virtuous doctor Alec Harvey. Their casual friendship soon develops during their weekly visits into something more emotionally fulfilling than either expected, and they must wrestle with the potential havoc their deepening relationship would have on their lives and the lives of those they love.

7.7

The Lost Weekend

1945 · 633 ratings

Don Birnam, a long-time alcoholic, has been sober for ten days and appears to be over the worst... but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother and girlfriend, he begins a four-day bender that just might be his last - one way or another.

7.6

Spellbound

1945 · 931 ratings

When Dr. Anthony Edwardes arrives at a Vermont mental hospital to replace the outgoing hospital director, Dr. Constance Peterson, a psychoanalyst, discovers Edwardes is actually an impostor. The man confesses that the real Dr. Edwardes is dead and fears he may have killed him, but cannot recall anything. Dr. Peterson, however is convinced his impostor is innocent of the man's murder, and joins him on a quest to unravel his amnesia through psychoanalysis.

7.4

Mildred Pierce

1945 · 426 ratings

A hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter.

7.6

Scarlet Street

1945 · 409 ratings

Cashier and part-time starving artist Christopher Cross is absolutely smitten with the beautiful Kitty March. Kitty plays along, but she's really only interested in Johnny, a two-bit crook. When Kitty and Johnny find out that art dealers are interested in Chris's work, they con him into letting Kitty take credit for the paintings. Cross allows it because he is in love with Kitty, but his love will only let her get away with so much.

7.6

To Have and Have Not

1945 · 544 ratings

A Martinique charter boat skipper gets mixed up with the underground French resistance operatives during WWII.

7.5

Leave Her to Heaven

1945 · 263 ratings

A socialite marries a prominent novelist, which spurs a violent, obsessive, and dangerous jealousy in her.

7.4

#10

Detour

1945 · 383 ratings

The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.

7.2

#11

Dead of Night

1945 · 289 ratings

While seeking some architectural work at a country farmhouse, Walter Craig soon finds himself once again stuck in his recurring nightmare. He’s forced to listen to the bizarre tales of each guest while dreading the terrible end he knows is coming.

7.2

#12

And Then There Were None

1945 · 393 ratings

Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island and while they are waiting for the mysterious host to appear, a recording levels serious accusations at each of the guests. Soon they start being murdered, one by one. As the survivors try to keep their wits, they reach a disturbing conclusion: one of them must be the killer.

7.0

#13

The Picture of Dorian Gray

1945 · 284 ratings

A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.

7.1

#14

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

1945 · 101 ratings

In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.

7.5

#15

National Velvet

1945 · 115 ratings

Mi Taylor is a young wanderer and opportunist who finds himself in the quiet English countryside home of the Brown family. The youngest daughter, Velvet, has a passion for horses and when she wins the spirited steed Pie in a town lottery, Mi is encouraged to train the horse.

7.2

#16

The Body Snatcher

1945 · 195 ratings

Edinburgh, 1831. Among those who undertake the illegal trade of grave robbery is Gray, ostensibly a cab driver. Formerly a medical student convicted of grave robbery, Gray holds a grudge against Dr. MacFarlane who had escaped detection and punishment.

7.0

#17

I Know Where I'm Going!

1945 · 158 ratings

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.

7.0

#18

Christmas in Connecticut

1945 · 160 ratings

While recovering in a hospital, war hero Jefferson Jones grows familiar with the "Diary of a Housewife" column written by Elizabeth Lane. Jeff's nurse arranges with Elizabeth's publisher, Alexander Yardley, for Jeff to spend the holiday at Elizabeth's bucolic Connecticut farm with her husband and child. But the column is a sham, so Elizabeth and her editor, Dudley Beecham, in fear of losing their jobs, hasten to set up the single, childless and entirely nondomestic Elizabeth on a country farm.

6.9

#19

Blithe Spirit

1945 · 159 ratings

An English mystery novelist invites a medium to his home, so she may conduct a séance for a small gathering. The writer hopes to gather enough material for the book he's working on, as well as to expose the medium as a charlatan. However, proceedings take an unexpected turn, resulting in a chain of supernatural events being set into motion that wreak havoc on the man's present marriage.

6.9

#20

Anchors Aweigh

1945 · 163 ratings

Two sailors on shore leave head out for four days of partying – only to become involved in the affairs of an aspiring singer and her precocious nephew.

6.8

Page 1 of 2

About 1945 Movies

These are the best-rated movies released in 1945 according to MovieMagicScore. Our ranking system aggregates genuine viewer ratings to give you an honest picture of what audiences actually think about these films.

From blockbusters to indie gems, discover what made 1945 memorable in cinema based on the collective opinion of movie lovers worldwide.

Explore Other Years

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017