Spencer Tracy was one of the most iconic and acclaimed actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Over his illustrious 37-year film career from 1930 to 1967, Tracy starred in 75 feature films, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of his generation. He made history as the first actor to win two consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards, and was nominated for a total of nine Oscars throughout his career, tied for the most for any actor.
Tracy is perhaps best known for his frequent on-screen partnership with Katharine Hepburn, with whom he made nine films. But he starred in numerous other classic movies over the decades, effortlessly portraying a wide range of characters with his signature naturalistic acting style. From adventure films and romantic comedies to courtroom dramas and dark thrillers, Tracy could do it all.
Here we count down the 25 best Spencer Tracy movies of all time, showcasing the breadth and depth of one of cinema’s most legendary actors:
25. Fury (1936)
Directed by Fritz Lang, this intense crime drama stars Tracy as an innocent man wrongfully accused of a crime and nearly killed by an angry mob. Consumed with rage, he embarks on a ruthless path of revenge. Tracy’s powerful performance carries this bleak, sobering film.
24. Libeled Lady (1936)
Tracy shows his comedic chops in this delightful screwball comedy. He plays a newspaper editor who cooks up an elaborate scheme to trap an heiress (Myrna Loy) into admitting she falsely accused the paper of libel. The film’s highlight is the hilarious fishing scene with Tracy and Loy.
23. Captains Courageous (1937)
Tracy won his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this heartwarming adventure film. He plays a humble Portuguese fisherman who rescues a spoiled rich boy (Freddie Bartholomew) who fell overboard from an ocean liner. Tracy shines in one of his most heroic and endearing roles.
22. Test Pilot (1938)
Tracy stars opposite Clark Gable and Myrna Loy in this thrilling action drama about the dangerous lives of test pilots. He plays Gable’s daredevil sidekick and best friend. The exciting aerial sequences and strong lead performances make this an entertaining ride.
21. Boys Town (1938)
Tracy won his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar for his moving portrayal of Father Flanagan, the real-life founder of Boys Town, a home for troubled and delinquent boys. His warm, compassionate performance grounds this uplifting and inspirational true story.
20. Stanley and Livingstone (1939)
Tracy plays real-life explorer Henry Morton Stanley in this sweeping adventure film about Stanley’s epic search for missing missionary Dr. David Livingstone in uncharted Africa. Tracy brings his usual quiet strength and determination to the role.
19. Edison, the Man (1940)
In this biopic, Tracy portrays the brilliant inventor Thomas Edison, from his early struggles to his world-changing accomplishments. Tracy captures Edison’s drive, ingenuity and perseverance. The film is an engrossing look at one of history’s great minds.
18. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Tracy takes on the dual role of the kind Dr. Jekyll and his evil alter ego Mr. Hyde in this chilling adaptation of the classic horror tale. It’s a tour-de-force performance, with Tracy unnervingly depicting Hyde’s depravity and Jekyll’s desperate battle against his dark side.
17. Woman of the Year (1942)
The first of Tracy’s nine films with Katharine Hepburn, this sharp romantic comedy stars the duo as rival newspaper reporters who fall in love and get married, only to find their relationship strained by their busy careers. Tracy and Hepburn’s chemistry is apparent from the start.
16. A Guy Named Joe (1943)
This sentimental wartime drama stars Tracy as a daredevil pilot who is killed in action and returns to earth as a guardian angel to help guide a young pilot (Van Johnson) romancing his grieving girlfriend (Irene Dunne). Tracy brings heart and humility to his celestial role.
15. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
Tracy stars as Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, who led a daring bombing raid over Tokyo in the early days of World War II, in this stirring patriotic war film. Tracy captures Doolittle’s courage and leadership as he trains his men for their dangerous mission.
14. Without Love (1945)
Tracy and Hepburn reunite for this charming romantic comedy. She plays a widow who enters into a marriage of convenience with a scientist (Tracy) working on a top-secret military project. Naturally, the two fall in love for real. The stars’ witty banter makes the film a delight.
13. State of the Union (1948)
Directed by Frank Capra, this political satire stars Tracy as a businessman convinced to run for President, facing uncomfortable compromises along the way. Hepburn plays his estranged wife. The film is a smart, cynical look at American politics, with a biting Tracy performance.
12. Edward, My Son (1949)
Tracy earned an Oscar nomination for this dark drama about a man who will stop at nothing to give his son every advantage in life, leading him down an unethical path. It’s a complex, haunting performance from Tracy as a increasingly corrupted father.
11. Father of the Bride (1950)
One of Tracy’s most beloved films, this warm comedy stars Tracy as a father struggling to let go as his daughter (Elizabeth Taylor) gets married. Told from the father’s perspective, the film is a relatable and humorous look at a bittersweet rite of passage. Tracy is wonderful as the flustered but loving dad.
10. Plymouth Adventure (1952)
Tracy plays the captain of the Mayflower in this historical drama about the Pilgrims’ journey to America. His commanding performance anchors the film as he leads his passengers through a perilous voyage to the New World to find religious freedom.
9. The Actress (1953)
Tracy earned a Golden Globe for this sensitive drama about a young woman (Jean Simmons) who dreams of becoming an actress, and her strained relationship with her working-class father (Tracy). Tracy movingly portrays a man struggling to understand and accept his daughter’s ambitions.
8. Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Directed by John Sturges, this taut, Oscar-nominated thriller stars Tracy as a mysterious one-armed stranger who arrives in a small desert town where the residents are hiding a dark secret. Tracy is riveting as the tough, determined hero who seeks justice at any cost.
7. The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
Tracy earned an Oscar nomination for his powerful performance in this adaptation of Ernest Hemingway‘s classic novella. He plays an aging Cuban fisherman battling a giant marlin far out at sea. It’s a showcase for Tracy’s subtle, soulful acting as he portrays the old man’s isolation and resilience.
6. The Last Hurrah (1958)
Directed by John Ford, this poignant drama features Tracy in one of his finest performances as an aging politician running for one final term as mayor, battling fading health and political enemies. Tracy beautifully captures his character’s charm, idealism and vulnerability.
5. Inherit the Wind (1960)
In this gripping courtroom drama, Tracy plays real-life lawyer Clarence Darrow, who defended a teacher arrested for teaching evolution in the famous 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial. Tracy is magnificent as he argues passionately for free speech and intellectual freedom. His final summation is an acting master class.
4. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Tracy earned an Oscar nomination for his brilliant performance as the lead judge in this searing drama about the Nazi war crime trials after World War II. With his typical understatement and intelligence, Tracy provides the film’s moral center as his character grapples with issues of justice and culpability.
3. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Tracy shows his flair for comedy in this epic, star-studded farce about a group of motorists racing to find buried treasure. He plays a police captain trying to keep order amid the chaos. Tracy’s exasperated slow burn is hilarious to watch as the madcap antics escalate.
2. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
Tracy’s final film is also one of his very best. He plays one half of a liberal couple (opposite Hepburn) whose progressive views are challenged when their daughter brings home a Black fiancé (Sidney Poitier). Tracy is magnificent in his last great role, delivering a moving, heartfelt monologue about the power of love that serves as a fitting capstone to his legendary career. He earned a posthumous Oscar nomination.
1. Adam’s Rib (1949)
The pinnacle of the Tracy-Hepburn partnership, this classic romantic comedy stars the duo as married lawyers who end up on opposite sides of a high-profile attempted murder case. Directed by George Cukor, the film is a dazzling battle of the sexes, with Tracy and Hepburn’s chemistry and rapid-fire repartee making it an all-time great comedy. Their evenly matched wits and unparalleled screen rapport have never been better.
From intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, these 25 films demonstrate Spencer Tracy’s incredible range and indelible screen presence. He was the rare actor who could convey so much with just a look or gesture, captivating audiences with his signature naturalism and undeniable charisma. These movies are a testament to Tracy’s enduring legacy as one of classic Hollywood’s most gifted and beloved stars.
