10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Vertigo (1958)

Description: Like 'Vertigo', this film explores paranoia and the uncertainty of trusting one's perceptions. Both feature female protagonists who suspect their lovers may be dangerous, with Hitchcock building tension through subtle visual cues.

Fact: Joan Fontaine won an Oscar for her performance. The original ending was much darker but changed by the studio. The famous 'glass of milk' scene used a light bulb inside to make it glow.

Description: This early Hitchcock work shares with 'Vertigo' themes of hidden identities and the darkness lurking beneath seemingly perfect surfaces. Both films explore the idea of doppelgängers and feature protagonists who become obsessed with uncovering the truth.

Fact: Hitchcock often cited this as his personal favorite of his films. The screenplay was co-written by Thornton Wilder. The film was shot almost entirely on location in Santa Rosa, California.

Description: This romantic thriller shares with 'Vertigo' themes of obsession, betrayal, and dangerous love. Both films feature morally complex relationships and showcase Hitchcock's mastery of suspenseful storytelling.

Fact: The famous extended kiss was a workaround of the Hays Code's 3-second rule. Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant had great chemistry despite initial tension. The wine cellar key was a major plot device.

Description: Like 'Vertigo', this film deals with obsession and the blurring of moral boundaries. Both feature protagonists drawn into dangerous situations by forces beyond their control, with Hitchcock's signature suspense building throughout.

Fact: The famous merry-go-round climax was achieved by speeding up the film. Raymond Chandler worked on the screenplay but disliked Hitchcock. The tennis match scene was filmed at actual tournament matches.

Description: Like 'Vertigo', this film involves a meticulously planned crime that doesn't unfold as expected, with themes of betrayal and manipulation. Both films showcase Hitchcock's ability to create tension within confined spaces and feature morally ambiguous characters.

Fact: Originally filmed in 3D, though most releases are in 2D. Ray Milland's character was based on a real-life murderer. Grace Kelly's character was nearly played by another actress who turned it down.

Description: Like 'Vertigo', 'Rear Window' is a Hitchcock masterpiece that delves into themes of voyeurism, obsession, and psychological tension. Both films feature protagonists who become entangled in mysteries that challenge their perceptions of reality. The use of confined spaces and meticulous framing in 'Rear Window' mirrors the visual claustrophobia seen in 'Vertigo'.

Fact: The entire film was shot on a single set built to resemble a Greenwich Village courtyard. James Stewart and Grace Kelly starred together for the first time in this film. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Description: This film shares with 'Vertigo' the theme of mistaken identity and a protagonist caught in a web of intrigue beyond his control. Both films showcase Hitchcock's signature suspense-building techniques and feature iconic sequences that have become benchmarks in cinema. The psychological depth and visual storytelling are hallmarks of both works.

Fact: The famous crop-duster scene was filmed in a remote area with no actual crops. Cary Grant's character was originally named 'Roger Thornhill' as a joke, referencing his 'thorny' situation. The film's climax takes place on Mount Rushmore, though the actors never actually set foot on the monument.

Description: Like 'Vertigo', 'Psycho' explores themes of duality, obsession, and psychological breakdown. Both films feature shocking twists that redefine the narrative and employ innovative cinematography to heighten tension. Hitchcock's manipulation of audience expectations is masterful in both cases.

Fact: The shower scene took seven days to film and consists of 78 camera setups. Hitchcock bought as many copies of the novel as possible to keep the ending secret. It was the first American film to show a toilet flushing on screen.

Description: Similar to 'Vertigo', 'The Birds' creates an atmosphere of creeping dread and features a protagonist (Tippi Hedren) who becomes increasingly traumatized by inexplicable events. Both films use their settings (San Francisco and Bodega Bay) as integral elements of the story's tension.

Fact: Real birds were used throughout filming, with mechanical ones only for dangerous scenes. The famous schoolhouse attack scene took a week to film. It was Hitchcock's first film with an entirely electronic soundtrack.

Description: This psychological thriller shares with 'Vertigo' themes of obsession, manipulation, and a troubled female protagonist with a mysterious past. Both films examine the psychological effects of trauma and feature complex relationships between the main characters.

Fact: Sean Connery took the role to break away from his James Bond image. The film was controversial for its depiction of marital rape. Hitchcock originally wanted Grace Kelly to come out of retirement to play Marnie.