10 the Best James Cagney Movies

James Cagney, in full James Francis Cagney, Jr., (born July 17, 1899, New York, New York, U.S.—died March 30, 1986, Stanfordville, New York), American actor who was noted for his versatility in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. He was one of the top movie stars from the 1930s through the ’50s, known for his jaunty manner and explosive energy. Cagney excelled at playing tough guys but was equally adept at comedy and as a song-and-dance MAN.

List of the best James Cagney movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. James Cagney’s highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world.

10.The Roaring Twenties

Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney

Released: 1939

Directed by: Raoul Walsh

The Roaring Twenties is a 1939 crime thriller starring James Cagney, Priscilla Lane, Humphrey Bogart and Gladys George. The epic movie, spanning the periods between 1919 and 1933, was directed by..

9.White Heat

James Cagney, Edmond O’Brien

Released: 1949

Directed by: Raoul Walsh

White Heat is a 1949 film noir starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo and Edmond O’Brien and featuring Margaret Wycherly and Steve Cochran. Directed by Raoul Walsh from the Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts..

8.The Public Enemy

Jean Harlow, James Cagney

Released: 1931

Directed by: William A. Wellman

The Public Enemy is a 1931 American all-talking pre-code crime film produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. The film was directed by William A. Wellman and stars James Cagney, Jean Harlow,.

7.Yankee Doodle Dandy

James Cagney, Joan Leslie

Released: 1942

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Yankee Doodle Dandy is a 1942 American biographical musical film about George M. Cohan, known as “The Man Who Owned Broadway”. It stars James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, and Richard Whorf,.

6.Angels with Dirty Faces

Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney

Released: 1938

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Angels with Dirty Faces is a 1938 American gangster film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring James Cagney, the Dead End Kids and Humphrey Bogart, along with Ann Sheridan and George Bancroft. The..

5.The Crowd Roars

James Cagney, Joan Blondell

Released: 1932

Directed by: Howard Hawks

The Crowd Roars is a 1932 film directed by Howard Hawks starring James Cagney and featuring Joan Blondell, Ann Dvorak, Eric Linden, Guy Kibbee, and Frank McHugh. The driver in the film’s auto racing..

4.Mister Roberts

Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon

Released: 1955

Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy, John Ford, Joshua Logan

Mister Roberts is a 1955 American Warnercolor in CinemaScope comedy-drama film directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy and features an all-star cast including Henry Fonda as Mister Roberts, James..

3.Something to Sing About

James Cagney, William Frawley

Released: 1937

Directed by: Victor Schertzinger

Something to Sing About, re-released in 1947 as Battling Hoofer, is the second and final film James Cagney made for Grand National Pictures – the first being Great Guy – before mending relations with..

2.The Time of Your Life

James Cagney, Ward Bond

Released: 1948

Directed by: H. C. Potter

The Time of Your Life is a 1948 film starring James Cagney adapted from the 1939 William Saroyan play of the same title. A Cagney Production, The Time of Your Life was produced by Cagney’s brother..