11 essential Marilyn Monroe films and why you should watch them, according to an expert

In June 2026, we’ll celebrate the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe, a true Hollywood legend.

Even decades after her untimely death, this iconic star is still instantly recognizable worldwide. She represents classic Hollywood elegance, and her story continues to captivate audiences through ongoing books, documentaries, and films.

Often, the public focuses more on Marilyn Monroe’s image and the rumors about her personal life than on her remarkable skills as an actress. This can unfairly diminish her true talent.

A new season of films, carefully selected by BFI lead programmer and film expert Kim Sheehan, aims to address this issue.

Throughout June and July, a season dedicated to Marilyn Monroe – called ‘Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star’ – will feature a wide selection of her films. This includes popular favorites and lesser-known works, as well as related events, documentaries, and discussions.

In an interview with TopMob, Sheehan described putting the season together as both thrilling and challenging. She soon discovered a key narrative she wanted to share—one that goes beyond the familiar images and commercial aspects of the subject’s public persona.

According to Sheehan, she was dedicated to becoming a better performer. She took acting classes, notably in New York, and consistently sought ways to improve throughout her career.

She wasn’t just a star in front of the camera; she was a pioneer behind it too. She founded a production company, something no woman had done since the days of silent films. Showing incredible courage at the peak of her fame, she even went on strike when the studio, Fox, kept pushing her to star in more musical comedies.

She was unhappy with the roles she was offered and found out she’d be paid only a third of what Frank Sinatra earned. She spoke up about this unfairness, which was quite progressive for the time. I believe that with more opportunities, she would have become a successful writer and innovator in another field.

It was like rediscovering Marilyn – not just the icon, but the incredibly strong and dedicated woman behind the scenes. And revisiting her films reminded everyone just how captivating and powerful she was on screen.

Keeping that in mind, we asked Sheehan to share some of her favorite films from the season – she jokingly called them all her favorites – and highlight Monroe’s outstanding work in them.

Here are 10 must-see Marilyn Monroe movies, with insights from Sheehan on why they’re still worth watching today.

1. The Misfits (1961)

This somber Western, directed by John Huston, was the last movie completed by Marilyn Monroe and also Clark Gable’s final on-screen performance; sadly, Gable passed away before the film was released.

She plays a woman in her thirties who recently got divorced and finds herself drawn to a group of unusual characters. This group includes an aging cowboy played by Gable and a daring rodeo rider portrayed by Montgomery Clift, and they’re all searching for purpose in their lives.

Kim Sheehan believes this is one of the actress’s strongest performances, possibly her best. She feels it demonstrates the actress’s untapped potential and her growing skill in dramatic roles – something she always aspired to. The performance seems deeply personal, with the actress drawing on her own life experiences to create a truly vulnerable portrayal.

Arthur Miller wrote the play for his wife, hoping to give her a substantial role since she wasn’t finding much dramatic work in Hollywood. Ironically, the production became incredibly difficult and stressful, and their marriage actually fell apart during the process, making it a challenging experience for her.

The film really reflects the difficult and tense atmosphere surrounding its production. It’s almost as if the process became part of the movie itself. This is especially meaningful because it features one of the actress’s best performances, achieved during a very challenging period in her personal life.

You know, it’s funny – everyone always remembers her as this really bright, funny, comedic actress, and she was amazing at that! But I think people forget she had serious dramatic chops too. This movie really just hints at how incredible she could have been if she’d had more time – it’s like we only saw a small part of what she was truly capable of.

2. Some Like It Hot (1959)

Marilyn Monroe is unforgettable in this classic comedy, frequently ranked among the greatest films of all time.

She stars as Sugar Kane, a singer in a band of women, and becomes friends with Daphne (Jack Lemmon) and Josephine (Tony Curtis). These two men are actually in disguise as women, trying to hide from dangerous criminals, which causes a lot of hilarious and complicated situations.

Kim Sheehan praises the actress’s performance, highlighting her strong connection with Jack Lemmon on screen. She also notes the overall high quality of Billy Wilder’s films.

She also won a Golden Globe for that role, which is significant because it’s where many people first noticed her talent. It’s funny – we now see her as an icon and a performer who excels at everything, and we love her movies. But when those films originally came out, critics were often very harsh about her acting.

Honestly, it was frustrating to hear people dismiss her as just a bubbly blonde, like her role wasn’t anything substantial. They acted like it wasn’t a real acting challenge! But I think Some Like It Hot actually let her shine. It wasn’t a flat character at all – she got to be genuinely funny, and there was even a real emotional depth to what she did. It wasn’t just surface level; you could feel for her!

She’s really the heart of the movie. While everyone’s acting is quite dramatic, she grounds the story emotionally and keeps it all connected.

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

This delightful musical comedy, directed by the iconic Howard Hawks, showcases a classic performance from Marilyn Monroe alongside Jane Russell. The pair play showgirls who embark on a cruise to Paris, filled with plenty of laughs and entertainment.

According to Kim Sheehan, if you could only see one Marilyn Monroe movie, it should definitely be Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She describes it as a truly fantastic film – hilarious, with memorable songs, and a wonderful performance by Monroe.

I’d suggest starting with this one – it’s a great introduction because it’s widely appealing and easy to follow. The story is lighthearted and enjoyable, featuring a fun character played by Jane Russell, who is fantastic. Both she and Marilyn’s characters are a bit down on their luck when it comes to love, but while Jane Russell is seeking fun, Marilyn is primarily focused on financial security.

It’s a lighthearted and humorous story, really a classic setup for comedic misunderstandings and physical comedy. I think it’s easy to enjoy because the story is simple, it’s genuinely fun, and the songs are fantastic – it leaves you feeling good.

4. Ladies of the Chorus (1948)

Marilyn Monroe starred in her breakout role in this inexpensive musical romance. She played the daughter of a retired burlesque dancer who falls for a wealthy and successful producer after learning about his status.

Kim Sheehan recommends checking out one of Marilyn Monroe’s earliest films, Ladies of the Chorus. It was a low-budget, short movie—less than an hour long—made to be shown alongside a more prominent film. Importantly, it was her first time playing the lead role.

This early role is similar to her famous part in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, as she plays a showgirl who sings and dances. The movie follows both the on-stage performance and the drama happening backstage. While she’s talented, you can also tell she’s still a young performer, a little hesitant and finding her confidence.

It’s incredible to realize this film was made just five years before ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,’ and you can really see how much she grew as a performer. It’s also fascinating to see her so young, with darker hair and a different voice – you witness the very beginnings of her iconic Marilyn Monroe persona taking shape.

5. Niagara (1953)

This dark and suspenseful thriller features Marilyn Monroe as a captivating and dangerous woman. She plays a young wife scheming to kill her husband and escape with her secret lover during a vacation to Niagara Falls.

Kim Sheehan describes the film as a really enjoyable thriller with a classic noir feel. The lead actress plays a captivating and manipulative ‘femme fatale’ – she’s incredibly convincing, beautiful, and expertly controls all the male characters. It’s a lot of fun to watch her perform in a role that perfectly suits her talents.

As a film lover, seeing a classic like Niagara in vibrant Technicolor is just breathtaking – the colors are stunning! But it’s more than just the visuals. Watching iconic scenes, like when the character walks away from that couple – her posture, her control, it’s incredibly alluring. You really feel that power and sensuality in a way you just can’t on a smaller screen; the big screen experience makes all the difference.

6. Don’t Bother to Knock (1952)

Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark star in this suspenseful thriller. Monroe plays a babysitter living at a New York hotel, and her life starts to fall apart as she’s stalked by a pilot who’s a guest there.

I just saw ‘Don’t Bother to Knock,’ and I thought it was really good! The actress playing the babysitter does an amazing job showing how stressed and overwhelmed her character is – it’s a really captivating performance.

People usually remember Marilyn Monroe for her glamorous image, but when you look at her earlier films, you see a different side of her. It’s striking to see the depth of emotion she brings to those roles, the subtle ways she uses her face and body, and how naturally she moves within the scenes.

The story reveals a character coming undone, but others around her only see a composed exterior. The actress does a fantastic job of conveying this internal struggle directly to the audience through her performance, showing us what’s happening beneath the surface.

“And it’s also just a fun, sort of campy thrill of a film.”

7. The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)

This romantic comedy stars Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier as a surprising couple. Olivier plays Charles, a prince from the made-up European country of Carpathia, and Monroe is Elsie Marina, a performer who captures his heart.

Kim Sheehan points out that ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ is a fascinating film. It’s notable because Marilyn Monroe starred alongside Laurence Olivier, and it was the first movie produced by her own production company – a significant achievement in her career.

However, Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Olivier reportedly didn’t have a good working relationship, likely due to their vastly different backgrounds. He was a dedicated, serious stage actor, while she was Hollywood’s biggest star at the time, and they approached acting in very different ways.

I really enjoyed the film – it was both fun and engaging. The actor’s performance felt quite contained and serious, like he was focused on reaching everyone in the audience. Meanwhile, Marilyn Monroe made everything look effortless; she was naturally bubbly and charming.

Watching them together highlighted the contrast between their acting styles, which actually enhanced their characters in the film. He plays a regal prince, and she’s a lively showgirl, so even though the production faced some challenges, that dynamic really comes across and benefits their performances.

8. Clash by Night (1952)

Fritz Lang’s classic film noir stars Barbara Stanwyck as a frustrated woman trying to break free from her unhappy marriage, with a notable performance by Marilyn Monroe in a supporting role.

Kim Sheehan points out that Marilyn Monroe had a significant role in the film, appearing third on the billing after Barbara Stanwyck. It was an important part for her, coming before she developed her famous breathy voice and overall persona. It’s fascinating to see how she was developing as an actress during this time.

This film is directed by Fritz Lang, and I find it fascinating. The actress’s role seems to reflect aspects of her own life. She plays a young woman navigating changing expectations for women in the 1950s. She desires independence, but faces a dilemma: marriage offers security, and as a factory worker, that’s often her only real option for financial stability.

Barbara Stanwyck’s performance in that movie shows a similar personal evolution, and I find the film fascinating. While it definitely shows its age and has some outdated elements, it offers a unique glimpse into the past. I think her choice to play that particular role reflects the challenges she faced in her own life.

This film was made around the time of the nude calendar controversy, and it’s fascinating to see how those real-life events and themes play out in her performance. Plus, she’s really great in it!

9. Marilyn on Marilyn (2001)

As a total film buff, I was captivated by this 2001 documentary. It’s built around the audio from the only two big interviews Marilyn Monroe ever did, and they’ve included amazing, never-before-seen footage of her from before she hit it big. It really offers a unique glimpse into who she was before the fame.

Kim Sheehan is presenting a pairing of documentaries titled ‘Marilyn: In Her Own Words.’ Both films feature Marilyn Monroe speaking directly to the audience, using recordings from the two major interviews she gave during her lifetime. These interviews were originally conducted with Marie Claire France and Life magazine, and were both fully recorded and then transcribed for publication.

Both documentaries feature recordings of Marilyn Monroe. One, called Marilyn on Marilyn, was released in 2001 and included recently discovered footage of her as a teenager. What’s great about these films is that they let us hear Marilyn’s own thoughts and feelings through short clips from her interviews.

Those interviews offered a personal look at her life, covering both her professional journey and her upbringing. Unlike many documentaries about her, which focus on things like her connection to JFK, her marriages, or substance use, these interviews came directly from her own perspective.

These documentaries let us hear her authentic voice, sharing personal reflections like her childhood love of cinema and the difficult experiences that shaped her. It’s as if, after so many documentaries have been made about her, we’re finally rediscovering her true perspective and getting a deeper understanding of what motivated her filmmaking.

10. Bus Stop (1956)

In this film, Marilyn Monroe plays Cherie, a singer who catches the eye of a cowboy passing through. She doesn’t return his feelings, but he insists she join him on his bus to Montana. Luckily, a surprise stop gives her a chance to change things.

Kim Sheehan explained that the movie was made after the actress revised her contract and decided to explore new types of characters. It was also a film where she used a different accent than usual.

The character isn’t presented as glamorous. She’s wearing unflattering makeup to emphasize that she’s a faded performer who never achieved stardom.

11. All About Eve (1950)

This is a truly famous movie, though Marilyn Monroe had a fairly minor role in it, early in her career before she became a major star.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s film centers on Margo, a successful actress played by Bette Davis, and her ambitious new assistant, Eve (Anne Baxter), who is determined to steal her spotlight.

Kim Sheehan points out that while an actress appears in only two scenes in the film, her performance is so memorable that she feels like a much more significant character. It’s the effect she has on the story that makes her stand out.

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Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star runs at the BFI from 1 June – 31 July 2026.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming services. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed films of all kinds.

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2026-05-07 09:45