1964 Movies — 15 Classic Films Turning 60 and Where to Stream Them!
Sixty years ago, filmgoers were filling theaters and being swept up in some truly wonderful 1964 movies, many of which turned out to be classics that we still enjoy today. Some were musicals (My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins), others were adventures (Goldfinger, A Fistful of Dollars), comedies (A Shot in the Dark, Dr. Strangelove) and the motion picture debut of The Beatles (A Hard Day's Night).
And on top of that, 1964 movies featured all of those stars we still revere. People like Sean Connery, Julie Andrews, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood, Ann-Margret and — did we happen to mention — The Beatles.
What follows is our guide to 15 of the greatest 1964 movies.
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1. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
While the plot focuses on a magical circus that comes to a small midwestern town, and its effects on the local population, the impressive thing here is watching future Odd Couple actor Tony Randall take on seven roles thanks to extensive makeup and special effects.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Available for purchase at Apple TV+
MUST-READ: Tony Randall — Much More Than One Half of The Odd Couple
2. A Hard Day’s Night
A Hard Day's Night was a true standout of 1964 movies as it was released at the height of Beatlemania and immediately established the Fab Four as movie stars (not that they were that interested in pursuing Hollywood). Directed by Richard Lester, it's day-in-the-life approach was highly influential, even inspiring the television series The Monkees.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: MAX
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Read Much More About The Beatles
3. A Fistful of Dollars
Clint Eastwood had been starring in the Western television series Rawhide when he got the opportunity to film his first "Spaghetti Western," and the film that made him a big screen star. Directed by Sergio Leone, it sees Eastwood as the Man with No Name. This would be followed by For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966).
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Max
MUST-READ: Young Clint Eastwood — How the Western Legend Got His Start
4. A Shot in the Dark
Don't get finny with me! Actor Peter Sellers and director Blake Edwards had a big hit with 1963's The Pink Panther, and they wasted no time mounting this sequel. The bumbling French Inspector Jacques Clouseau is back, trying to clear a woman of murder that everyone else is convinced is guilty. Sellers would reprise the role three more times.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Max
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5. Dr. Strangelove
The full title is Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. It, too, stars Peter Sellers and is directed by the brilliant (albeit eccentric) Stanley Kubrick. It's a dark comedy/satire regarding the Cold War and looks at what happens when the wrong person presses "the button" at the wrong time.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: MAX
6. Goldfinger
Bondmania was in full swing by the time this, the third James Bond film, was released. Goldfinger is still widely-considered to be one of the strongest entries in the 64 year old movie franchise. Sean Connery's in great form, and he's surrounded by such colorful characters as Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), Odd Job (Harold Sakata) and Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman).
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: MAX
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7. The Incredible Mr. Limpet
Don Knotts, riding high from the success of The Andy Griffith Show, was pining to become a movie star and this entry in our guide to 1964 movies is devoted to his film The Incredible Mr. Limpet. In a nutshell, it's about a guy named Henry Limpett who finds himself transformed into a fish, which in turns leads to his helping the U.S. Navy locate and destroy Nazi submarines. The film is live action, though Knotts as Limpett is the only animated element.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Available for rent on Apple TV+
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8. Marnie
Already looking to break free of 007 typecasting, Sean Connery co-stars with Tippi Hedren in this Alfred Hitchcock film. Connery's Mark Rutland blackmails Hedren's Marnie Edgar into marrying him, but gradually discovers her deep psychological issues.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Not currently available
MUST-READ: Tippi Hedren Movies — A Look at The Birds Through the Years
9. Mary Poppins
One of Walt Disney's most beloved live action films sees Julie Andrew cast as the title character, who arrives just in time to help the Banks family and take the kids on a musical, magical adventure. Dick Van Dyke stars as well, portraying Bert, a Cockney jack-of-all-trades.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Disney+
10. My Fair Lady
Another classic musical in this list of 1964 movies! It's based on the stage musical and sees phonetics professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) taking on the task of turning Cockney working class woman Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) into someone who could pass for a member of high society.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Paramount+
11. Robin and the 7 Hoods: 1964 Movies
The Rat Pack (consisting of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.) take on the legend of Robin Hood, turning it into a comic-musical that moves things from Sherwood Forest to Prohibition-era Chicago.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Not currently available
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12. The Unsinkable Molly Brown: 1964 Movies
Debbie Reynolds is the title character in this musical comedy Western about Molly's determination to marry a rich man. The real-life Molly Brown was one of the survivors of the Titanic (where she was played by Kathy Bates).
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Not currently available
MUST-READ: 16 Iconic Debbie Reynolds Movies, Ranked
13. Viva Las Vegas: 1964 Movies
On screen (and real life) magic between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. He's race car driver Lucky Jackson (who just so happens to be musically inclined) and she's a swimming instructor named Rusty. Initially he comes to Vegas to win enough money to buy a new motor for his car so he can race in the Grand Prix, but growing feelings for Rusty may be changing his plans. Needless to say, lots of singing, dancing and genuine chemistry between the leads ensue.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Tubi
14. What a Way to Go!: 1964 Movies
Shirley MacLaine is Louisa May Foster, a wealthy widow determined to donate the majority of her fortune to the IRS. After agreeing to see a psychiatrist before doing so, she narrates the story of her life and the numerous men she has been married to who all ended up meeting tragic ends. Actors playing those former beaus include Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly and Dick Van Dyke. Bob Cummings plays the psychiatrist.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Not currently available
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15. Woman of Straw: 1964 Movies
Sean Connery starred in three 1964 movies, and Woman of Straw is the final one. Really trying to prove he was more than just James Bond, the actor plays playboy Tony Richmonds, who is determined to get his elderly uncle's (Ralph. Richardson) fortune. To do so, he manipulates his personal nurse, Maria (Gina Lollobrigida) to marry his uncle and then plots to do away with both of them.
WHERE TO STREAM/WATCH: Amazon Prime
