10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Hitchcock (2012)

Description: Shadow of a Doubt and Hitchcock (2012) both delve into the darkness lurking beneath seemingly perfect facades. The film's small-town setting and the sinister uncle character reflect Hitchcock's fascination with the duality of human nature, a theme explored in the 2012 film. The movie's tension and psychological depth are classic Hitchcock elements.

Fact: Hitchcock considered this his favorite of his own films. The script was co-written by Thornton Wilder, author of 'Our Town'. The film was shot on location in Santa Rosa, California, to enhance its realism.

Description: Notorious and Hitchcock (2012) both explore themes of espionage, betrayal, and complex relationships. The film's romantic tension and suspenseful plot twists are indicative of Hitchcock's storytelling prowess, which the 2012 film highlights. The movie's famous kissing scene, limited by the Production Code, showcases Hitchcock's creativity under constraints.

Fact: The kissing scene was limited to three seconds to comply with the Production Code. Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant's chemistry was so strong that rumors of an affair circulated. The wine cellar key was a major plot device, symbolizing trust and betrayal.

Description: Strangers on a Train shares with Hitchcock (2012) a focus on the psychological interplay between characters and the theme of swapped crimes. The film's suspenseful narrative and moral ambiguity are hallmarks of Hitchcock's style, which the 2012 film celebrates. The movie's climax on the merry-go-round is one of Hitchcock's most thrilling sequences.

Fact: The merry-go-round scene was achieved by spinning it faster and then reversing the film. Hitchcock wanted to cast William Holden, but the studio insisted on Farley Granger. The film's original ending was deemed too dark and was reshot.

Description: Dial M for Murder, like Hitchcock (2012), revolves around a meticulously planned crime and its unforeseen consequences. The film's stage-play origins and confined setting highlight Hitchcock's ability to create tension in limited spaces, a skill the 2012 film underscores. The movie's twisty plot and suspenseful execution are pure Hitchcock.

Fact: The film was shot in 3D but mostly released in 2D due to the decline of 3D popularity. Grace Kelly's character was originally written as British, but her American accent was kept. Hitchcock used a giant prop key for the murder scene to ensure visibility.

Description: Rear Window, like Hitchcock (2012), examines themes of voyeurism and the blurred lines between observer and participant. The film's confined setting and suspenseful narrative are hallmarks of Hitchcock's storytelling, which the 2012 film highlights as part of his directorial genius. The use of a single apartment set to build tension is a technique that underscores Hitchcock's innovative approach to filmmaking.

Fact: The entire film was shot on a single set built to scale. James Stewart's character is named after Hitchcock's favorite photographer, Robert Capa. Grace Kelly's wardrobe was designed by Edith Head, costing over $4,000, a huge sum at the time.

Description: The Man Who Knew Too Much, similar to Hitchcock (2012), features a ordinary couple thrust into extraordinary circumstances. The film's suspenseful set pieces, like the Albert Hall sequence, exemplify Hitchcock's ability to build tension, a trait celebrated in the 2012 film. The movie's theme of parental protection and international intrigue are classic Hitchcock elements.

Fact: This is the only film Hitchcock made twice, with the first version in 193Doris Day's song 'Que Sera, Sera' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film's climax was inspired by Hitchcock's fear of loud noises.

Description: Vertigo shares with Hitchcock (2012) a deep exploration of obsession and identity, themes central to many of Hitchcock's films. The film's meticulous pacing and visual storytelling techniques, such as the dolly zoom effect, are reflective of Hitchcock's innovative style, which is celebrated in the 2012 biographical film. Vertigo's complex narrative structure and psychological depth make it a quintessential Hitchcockian experience.

Fact: Vertigo was initially a box office failure but is now considered one of the greatest films ever made. The dolly zoom effect, used to simulate vertigo, was invented for this film. Hitchcock wanted Kim Novak to wear gray suits to match the film's melancholic tone.

Description: North by Northwest and Hitchcock (2012) both showcase the director's flair for combining suspense with wit and adventure. The film's mistaken identity plot and iconic set pieces, like the crop duster scene, exemplify Hitchcock's ability to blend tension with entertainment, a trait celebrated in the 2012 film. The movie's stylish visuals and fast-paced narrative are quintessential Hitchcock.

Fact: The crop duster scene was filmed over seven days with no dialogue. Cary Grant's character was originally named Roger Thornhill to reference his 'thorny' predicament. The film's title is a reference to a line in Hamlet, showcasing Hitchcock's love for literary allusions.

Description: Psycho is similar to Hitchcock (2012) as both delve into the psychological thriller genre, showcasing Hitchcock's mastery in suspense and unexpected twists. The film's exploration of duality and madness mirrors the themes often found in Hitchcock's works, including the 2012 film about his life. Psycho's iconic shower scene and Bernard Herrmann's score are pivotal in cinematic history, much like the dramatic tension in Hitchcock (2012).

Fact: Psycho was shot in black and white to make the blood in the shower scene less shocking. Alfred Hitchcock purchased the rights to the novel anonymously to keep the plot twists secret. The film's budget was only $800,000, but it grossed over $50 million worldwide.

Description: The Birds, similar to Hitchcock (2012), explores themes of unexplained phenomena and human vulnerability. The film's suspenseful buildup and lack of a traditional score heighten the tension, a technique Hitchcock is renowned for, as depicted in the 2012 film. The Birds' innovative use of sound effects and special effects for the bird attacks were groundbreaking at the time.

Fact: The bird sounds were created using an electronic instrument called the Mixtur-Trautonium. Tippi Hedren was injured during filming when live birds were thrown at her. Hitchcock wanted the film to end with the Golden Gate Bridge covered in birds, but the effect was too costly.