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List of American films of 1961

A list of American films released in 1961.

Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn.

Top-grossing films (U.S.)

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1961
Rank 		Title Studio Gross
1. The Guns of Navarone* Columbia $28,900,000
2. West Side Story United Artists $19,646,000
3. One Hundred and One Dalmatians Disney $14,000,000
4. El Cid Allied Artists $12,000,000
5. The Absent-Minded Professor* Disney $11,426,000
6. The Parent Trap* Disney $11,322,000
7. La Dolce Vita* Astor/AIP $8,000,000
8. Lover Come Back Universal $7,625,000
9. King of Kings MGM $6,520,000
10. Bayou (film) (Re-released as Poor White Trash)* CDA/United Artists $6,000,000

A–B

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Title Director Cast Genre Note
20,000 Eyes Jack Leewood Gene Nelson, Merry Anders Thriller 20th Century Fox
The Absent-Minded Professor Robert Stevenson Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk, Ed Wynn, Edward Andrews, Leon Ames, Elliott Reid Comedy Disney; remade in 1997; 3 Oscar nominations
Ada Daniel Mann Susan Hayward, Dean Martin Drama MGM; based on novel by Wirt Williams
All in a Night's Work Joseph Anthony Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Cliff Robertson Comedy Paramount
All Hands on Deck Norman Taurog Pat Boone, Barbara Eden, Buddy Hackett Musical 20th Century Fox
Angel Baby Paul Wendkos George Hamilton, Mercedes McCambridge, Joan Blondell Drama Allied Artists; film debut of Burt Reynolds
Atlas Roger Corman Michael Forest, Barboura Morris Adventure American International Pictures
Armored Command Byron Haskin Howard Keel, Tina Louise, Earl Holliman War Allied Artists
Atlantis, the Lost Continent George Pal John Dall, Edward Platt Science fiction MGM
Babes in Toyland Jack Donohue Tommy Sands, Annette Funicello, Ray Bolger, Ed Wynn Musical Disney; based on Victor Herbert operetta
Bachelor in Paradise Jack Arnold Bob Hope, Lana Turner, Paula Prentiss, Janis Paige Comedy MGM
Back Street David Miller Susan Hayward, John Gavin, Vera Miles Drama Universal; from Fannie Hurst novel; remake of 1932 and 1941 films
Battle at Bloody Beach Herbert Coleman Audie Murphy, Dolores Michaels War 20th Century Fox
The Beast of Yucca Flats Coleman Francis Tor Johnson Science fiction
The Big Bankroll Joseph M. Newman David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Diana Dors Crime Allied Artists
The Big Gamble Richard Fleischer Stephen Boyd, Juliette Gréco, David Wayne Adventure 20th Century Fox
The Big Show James B. Clark Esther Williams, Cliff Robertson, Robert Vaughn Drama 20th Century Fox
Blast of Silence Allen Baron Allen Baron, Larry Tucker Thriller Universal
Bloodlust! Ralph Brooke Robert Reed, June Kenney Horror Crown International
Blue Hawaii Norman Taurog Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Roland Winters Musical Paramount
Blueprint for Robbery Jerry Hopper J. Pat O'Malley, Robert Gist Crime Paramount Pictures
Boy Who Caught a Crook Edward L. Cahn Wanda Hendrix, Roger Mobley Adventure United Artists
Breakfast at Tiffany's Blake Edwards Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Buddy Ebsen, Patricia Neal, Martin Balsam, Mickey Rooney Drama Paramount; based on Truman Capote story; won two Oscars
Bridge to the Sun Étienne Périer Carroll Baker, James Shigeta Drama MGM
Buffalo Gun Albert C. Gannaway Webb Pierce, Wayne Morris, Mary Ellen Kay Western Independent
By Love Possessed John Sturges Lana Turner, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Jason Robards Drama United Artists

C–I

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Title Director Cast Genre Note
The Cat Burglar William Witney Jack Hogan, June Kenney Thriller United Artists
The Children's Hour William Wyler Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner Drama United Artists; from Lillian Hellman play; five Oscar nominations
The Choppers Leigh Jason Arch Hall Jr. Crime Fairway International Pictures
Claudelle Inglish Gordon Douglas Diane McBain, Arthur Kennedy, Chad Everett Drama Warner Bros.
The Clown and the Kid Edward L. Cahn John Lupton, Michael McGreevey, Mary Webster Drama United Artists
A Cold Wind in August Alexander Singer Lola Albright, Scott Marlowe Drama United Artists
The Comancheros Michael Curtiz John Wayne, Stuart Whitman, Ina Balin Western 20th Century Fox; Curtiz's final film
Come September Robert Mulligan Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Bobby Darin, Sandra Dee Comedy Universal
The Continental Twist William J. Hole Jr. Louis Prima, June Wilkinson, Gertrude Michael Comedy American International Pictures
Creature from the Haunted Sea Roger Corman Antony Carbone, Betsy Jones-Moreland Science fiction Independent
Cry for Happy George Marshall Glenn Ford, Donald O'Connor, James Shigeta Comedy Columbia
The Deadly Companions Sam Peckinpah Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Chill Wills Western Pathé America; Peckinpah's first film
The Devil at 4 O'Clock Mervyn LeRoy Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, Grégoire Aslan Adventure Columbia
The Devil's Hand William J. Hole Jr. Robert Alda, Linda Christian, Ariadna Welter Horror Crown International Pictures
Diary of a Nudist Doris Wishman Davee Decker, Norman Casserly Comedy
Dondi Albert Zugsmith David Janssen, Patti Page, Walter Winchell Comedy Allied Artists; based on comic strip
El Cid Anthony Mann Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Geneviève Page, Herbert Lom Historical epic Allied Artists; three Oscar nominations
The Errand Boy Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis, Brian Donlevy Comedy Paramount
Everything's Ducky Don Taylor Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Jackie Cooper Comedy Columbia
The Exiles Kent Mackenzie Documentary Contemporary Films
The Explosive Generation Buzz Kulik William Shatner, Patty McCormack Drama United Artists
Fanny Joshua Logan Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer Drama Warner Bros.; five Oscar nominations
Fear No More Bernard Wiesen Mala Powers, Jacques Bergerac, Anna Lee Carroll Thriller Astor Pictures
A Fever in the Blood Vincent Sherman Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Angie Dickinson, Don Ameche Drama Warner Bros.
The Fiercest Heart George Sherman Stuart Whitman, Juliet Prowse, Geraldine Fitzgerald Drama 20th Century Fox
Five Minutes to Live Bill Karn Johnny Cash, Cay Forrester Drama Somera Productions-Flower Film Productions
Flight of the Lost Balloon Nathan Juran Mala Powers, Marshall Thompson Science fiction A.I.P.
The Flight That Disappeared Reginald Le Borg Craig Hill, Paula Raymond Drama United Artists
Flower Drum Song Henry Koster Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Jack Soo, Miyoshi Umeki Musical Universal; based on play; five Oscar nominations
Force of Impulse Saul Swimmer Robert Alda, Jeff Donnell, J. Carrol Naish Drama Astor Pictures
Francis of Assisi Michael Curtiz Bradford Dillman, Dolores Hart, Stuart Whitman Drama Fox
Frontier Uprising Edward L. Cahn Jim Davis, Nestor Paiva Western United Artists
The Gambler Wore a Gun Edward L. Cahn Jim Davis, Merry Anders Western United Artists
The George Raft Story Joseph M. Newman Ray Danton, Jayne Mansfield, Julie London Biography Allied Artists
Gidget Goes Hawaiian Paul Wendkos Deborah Walley, James Darren Comedy Columbia Pictures; sequel to Gidget
Go Naked in the World Ranald MacDougall Gina Lollobrigida, Anthony Franciosa, Ernest Borgnine Drama MGM
Gold of the Seven Saints Gordon Douglas Clint Walker, Roger Moore Adventure Warner Bros.
Goodbye Again Anatole Litvak Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Perkins Drama United Artists; based on Françoise Sagan novel
The Great Impostor Robert Mulligan Tony Curtis, Edmond O'Brien, Karl Malden Biography Universal; based on Robert Crichton book
Greyfriars Bobby Don Chaffey Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith Drama Disney
Gun Fight Edward L. Cahn James Brown, Joan Staley Western United Artists
Gun Street Edward L. Cahn James Brown, Jean Willes, John Clarke Western United Artists
The Happy Thieves George Marshall Rex Harrison, Rita Hayworth Comedy United Artists
Hey, Let's Twist! Greg Garrison Joey Dee, Jo Ann Campbell Musical Paramount
Homicidal William Castle Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Eugenie Leontovich Thriller Columbia
The Honeymoon Machine Richard Thorpe Steve McQueen, Jim Hutton, Paula Prentiss Comedy MGM; based on play by Lorenzo Semple Jr.
The Hoodlum Priest Irvin Kershner Don Murray, Keir Dullea Biography United Artists
The Hustler Robert Rossen Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, Myron McCormick Drama 20th Century Fox; based on novel by Walter Tevis; nine Oscar nominations

J–R

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Title Director Cast Genre Note
Judgment at Nuremberg Stanley Kramer Spencer Tracy, Marlene Dietrich, Richard Widmark, Maximilian Schell, Burt Lancaster Drama United Artists; Academy Awards for Schell, screenplay; eleven nominations
King of Kings Nicholas Ray Jeffrey Hunter, Robert Ryan, Hurd Hatfield, Rip Torn Biblical drama MGM; remake of 1927 film
The Ladies Man Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis, Lillian Briggs, Helen Traubel Comedy Paramount
The Last Sunset Robert Aldrich Rock Hudson, Kirk Douglas, Dorothy Malone Western Universal; based on Howard Rigsby novel
The Last Time I Saw Archie Jack Webb Robert Mitchum, Jack Webb, Martha Hyer Comedy United Artists
The Lawbreakers Joseph M. Newman Jack Warden, Vera Miles Drama MGM
The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come Andrew McLaglen Jimmie Rodgers, Luana Patten Drama 20th Century Fox
The Long Rope William Witney Hugh Marlowe. Alan Hale, Jr. Western 20th Century Fox
Look in Any Window William Alland Paul Anka, Gigi Perreau Drama Allied Artists
Love in a Goldfish Bowl Jack Sher Tommy Sands, Fabian Comedy Paramount
Lover Come Back Delbert Mann Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Tony Randall, Edie Adams Comedy Universal
Mad Dog Coll Burt Balaban John Davis Chandler, Brooke Hayward, Jerry Orbach Drama Columbia Pictures
Madison Avenue H. Bruce Humberstone Dana Andrews, Eleanor Parker, Jeanne Crain Drama 20th Century Fox
A Majority of One Mervyn LeRoy Rosalind Russell, Alec Guinness Comedy Warner Bros.; based on Leonard Spigelgass play
Man-Trap Edmond O'Brien Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Stella Stevens Drama Paramount
Marines, Let's Go Raoul Walsh Tom Tryon, David Hedison War 20th Century Fox
The Marriage-Go-Round Walter Lang Julie Newmar, James Mason, Susan Hayward Comedy Fox; based on Leslie Stevens play
Master of the World William Witney Vincent Price, Charles Bronson Adventure A.I.P.
The Misfits John Huston Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift Drama, Romance, Western United Artists; final film for Gable, Monroe
A Matter of Morals John Cromwell Maj-Britt Nilsson, Mogens Wieth, Eva Dahlbeck Drama United Artists
Misty James B. Clark Arthur O'Connell, Anne Seymour, David Ladd Family 20th Century Fox
Most Dangerous Man Alive Allan Dwan Ron Randell, Debra Paget Science fiction Columbia; Dwan's final film
Mr. Sardonicus William Castle Oskar Homolka, Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton. Guy Rolfe Horror Columbia
Mysterious Island Cy Endfield Gary Merrill, Herbert Lom, Beth Rogan Science fiction Columbia; based on Jules Verne novel
The Naked Edge Michael Anderson Gary Cooper, Deborah Kerr Suspense United Artists; Cooper's final film
Night Tide Curtis Harrington Dennis Hopper, Marjorie Cameron, Linda Lawson Fantasy A.I.P.
Nude on the Moon Doris Wishman Adult
Ole Rex Robert Hinkle Bill Coontz, Billy Hughes Western Universal
On the Double Melville Shavelson Danny Kaye, Dana Wynter Comedy Paramount
One-Eyed Jacks Marlon Brando Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Katy Jurado Western Paramount; only film directed by Brando
One Hundred and One Dalmatians Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wolfgang Reitherman Ben Wright, Betty Lou Gerson, Rod Taylor (voices) Animated Disney; live-action remake in 1996
One, Two, Three Billy Wilder James Cagney, Horst Bucholtz, Pamela Tiffin Comedy United Artists; Cagney's last film until 1981
Operation Bottleneck Edward L. Cahn Ron Foster, Miiko Taka War United Artists
Operation Eichmann R.G. Springsteen Werner Klemperer, Ruta Lee Drama Allied Artists
The Outsider Delbert Mann Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, Bruce Bennett Biography Universal; story of Ira Hayes
The Parent Trap David Swift Hayley Mills, Brian Keith, Maureen O'Hara Comedy Disney; remade in 1998
Paris Blues Martin Ritt Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward Musical Drama United Artists
Parrish Delmer Daves Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden Drama Warner Bros.
The Phantom Planet William Marshall Coleen Gray, Anthony Dexter Science fiction A.I.P.
Pirates of Tortuga Robert D. Webb Ken Scott, Letícia Román Adventure 20th Century Fox
The Pit and the Pendulum Roger Corman Vincent Price, John Kerr Horror A.I.P.; from Edgar Allan Poe story
The Pleasure of His Company George Seaton Fred Astaire, Debbie Reynolds, Lilli Palmer, Tab Hunter Comedy Paramount; Golden Globe for Astaire
Pocketful of Miracles Frank Capra Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, Hope Lange, Arthur O'Connell, Thomas Mitchell, Peter Falk, Ann-Margret Comedy United Artists; Capra's final film; based on a story by Damon Runyon
Police Dog Story Edward L. Cahn James Brown, Merry Anders Crime United Artists
Portrait of a Mobster Joseph Pevney Vic Morrow, Leslie Parrish Crime Warner Bros.
Posse from Hell Herbert Coleman Audie Murphy, Lee Van Cleef, Vic Morrow Western Universal
The Purple Hills Maury Dexter Gene Nelson, Kent Taylor Western 20th Century Fox
Question 7 Stuart Rosenberg Michael Gwynn, Erik Schumann Drama
A Raisin in the Sun Daniel Petrie Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee Drama Columbia; based on Lorraine Hansberry play; remade in 2008
Reptilicus Sidney W. Pink Carl Ottosen Science fiction Saga Studios; Danish-American production
Return to Peyton Place José Ferrer Carol Lynley, Jeff Chandler, Eleanor Parker Drama 20th Century Fox; sequel to Peyton Place
The Right Approach David Butler Frankie Vaughan, Martha Hyer, Juliet Prowse Drama 20th Century Fox
Ring of Fire Andrew L. Stone David Janssen, Joyce Taylor Drama MGM
Romanoff and Juliet Peter Ustinov John Gavin, Sandra Dee Comedy Universal
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone Jose Quintero Vivien Leigh, Warren Beatty Drama Warner Bros.; based on Tennessee Williams play

S–Z

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Title Director Cast Genre Note
Sail a Crooked Ship Irving Brecher Robert Wagner, Dolores Hart, Ernie Kovacs Comedy Columbia
Sanctuary Tony Richardson Lee Remick, Yves Montand Drama 20th Century Fox
The Second Time Around Vincent Sherman Debbie Reynolds, Steve Forrest, Andy Griffith Comedy 20th Century Fox
Secret of Deep Harbor Edward L. Cahn Ron Foster, Merry Anders Thriller United Artists
The Secret Ways Phil Karlson Richard Widmark, Sonja Ziemann Thriller Universal
The Sergeant Was a Lady Bernard Glasser Venetia Stevenson, Bill Williams Comedy Universal
Seven Women from Hell Robert D. Webb Patricia Owens, Denise Darcel, Yvonne Craig Drama 20th Century Fox
The Silent Call John A. Bushelman Gail Russell, David McLean Drama 20th Century Fox
The Sinister Urge Ed Wood Kenne Duncan, Jean Fontaine Drama Headliner Productions
The Sins of Rachel Cade Gordon Douglas Angie Dickinson, Peter Finch, Roger Moore Drama Warner Bros.
Sniper's Ridge John A. Bushelman Jack Ging, Stanley Clements War 20th Century Fox
Snow White and the Three Stooges Walter Lang The Three Stooges, Carol Heiss Comedy 20th Century Fox
Something Wild Jack Garfein Carroll Baker, Ralph Meeker Drama United Artists
Splendor in the Grass Elia Kazan Warren Beatty, Natalie Wood, Barbara Loden Drama Warner Bros.; Oscar for writer William Inge
Square of Violence Leonardo Bercovici Broderick Crawford, Valentina Cortese, Bibi Andersson War MGM
The Steel Claw George Montgomery George Montgomery Action Warner Bros.
Stop! Look! and Laugh! Don Appell, Louis Brandt The Three Stooges, Paul Winchell Comedy Columbia
Summer and Smoke Peter Glenville Laurence Harvey, Geraldine Page, Rita Moreno, Thomas Gomez, Una Merkel Drama Paramount; from play by Tennessee Williams; four Oscar nominations
Susan Slade Delmer Daves Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Dorothy McGuire Drama Warner Bros.
Swingin' Along Charles Barton Peter Marshall, Tommy Noonan, Barbara Eden Comedy 20th Century Fox
Tammy Tell Me True Harry Keller Sandra Dee, John Gavin Romance Universal; second film in Tammy series
Teenage Millionaire Lawrence Doheny Jimmy Clanton, Diane Jergens Comedy United Artists
Three Blondes in His Life Leon Chooluck Jock Mahoney, Greta Thyssen Mystery Golden Film Productions
A Thunder of Drums Joseph M. Newman Richard Boone, George Hamilton, Luana Patten Western MGM
Tomboy and the Champ Francis D. Lyon Candy Moore, Ben Johnson Western Universal
Too Late Blues John Cassavetes Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens Drama Paramount
Town Without Pity Gottfried Reinhardt Kirk Douglas, E. G. Marshall, Robert Blake Drama United Artists
Twenty Plus Two Joseph M. Newman David Janssen, Jeanne Crain, Dina Merrill Drama Allied Artists
Twist Around the Clock Oscar Rudolph Chubby Checker, Dion DiMucci Musical Columbia
The Two Little Bears Randall Hood Eddie Albert, Jane Wyatt Comedy 20th Century Fox
Two Loves Charles Walters Shirley MacLaine, Laurence Harvey Romance MGM
Two Rode Together John Ford James Stewart, Richard Widmark, Shirley Jones Western Columbia
Underworld U.S.A. Samuel Fuller Cliff Robertson, Beatrice Kay Film noir Columbia
Valley of the Dragons Edward Bernds Cesare Danova, Sean McClory, Joan Staley Science fiction Columbia
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Irwin Allen Walter Pidgeon, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden Science fiction 20th Century Fox; became TV series
Walk the Angry Beach John Hayes Rue McClanahan Drama
War Is Hell Burt Topper Audie Murphy, Judy Dan War Allied Artists
West Side Story Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins Richard Beymer, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris, Simon Oakland Musical United Artists; won 10 Oscars; based on stage musical and Romeo and Juliet
When the Clock Strikes Edward L. Cahn James Brown, Merry Anders Crime United Artists
Wild in the Country Philip Dunne Elvis Presley, Tuesday Weld, Hope Lange, Millie Perkins, John Ireland, Gary Lockwood Drama 20th Century Fox
Wings of Chance Eddie Dew James Brown, Frances Rafferty Action Universal
The Wizard of Baghdad George Sherman Dick Shawn, Diane Baker Comedy 20th Century Fox
X-15 Richard Donner Charles Bronson, Kenneth Tobey, David McLean, Mary Tyler Moore Adventure United Artists
You Have to Run Fast Edward L. Cahn Craig Hill, Grant Richards Drama United Artists
The Young Doctors Phil Karlson Ben Gazzara, Fredric March, Dick Clark Drama United Artists
The Young Savages John Frankenheimer Burt Lancaster, Dina Merrill, Shelley Winters Drama United Artists

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1961 films of the United States.