Catherine Hepburn was a confident woman who was repeatedly assertive and lived in a non-traditional way at the time, often not caring what society expected of her, which was not always well received. Plus, her career wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows she faced several career flops and was even labeled “Box Office Poison” by the Independent Theater Owners Association in 1938..
Despite this, she stayed true to herself and became the most Oscar-winning actress of all time. These are her best movies according to IMDb.
12 The lion in winter
The Lion Winter is based on the play of the same name by James Goldman. Set in 1883, King Henry II has his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine imprisoned. Meanwhile, all his three sons want to inherit the throne, but the king has his son Prince John in mind. When he lets his wife out of prison for a Christmas visit, she devises a strategy to try and force him to change his mind.
Tension arises when visitors gather during the holidays and each influence the king, further complicating his decision. The drama, in turn, is captivating as it explores themes of greed, jealousy and betrayal. The film earned three Oscars, with Katharine Hepburn winning one for Best Actress for her role in the film.
11 The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story follows the story of an aristocratic lady, Tracy Lord, whose world is turned upside down when her ex-husband and a reporter from a tabloid spy magazine, three days before she remarries a nouveau-riche man who thinks she is perfect, finds herself in her mansion appear. However, when Tracy connects with the three men on different levels, her feelings begin to confuse her as it becomes unclear who she truly loves and who she wants to be with.
The film deals with topics such as divorce, love, adultery and frustration about one’s identity. The film won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for Donald Stewart and Best Actor for James Stewart.
10 Raising baby
Raising baby follows the story of a paleontologist desperate to secure a $1 million donation for his museum. He spent four years collecting the skeleton of a Brontosaurus and is only missing one bone. At the same time, he is about to get married.
However, all his plans begin to get disrupted when he bumps into an absent-minded woman who is heiress to a leopard named Baby. Her presence only creates obstacles for him and makes it difficult for him to achieve his goal and this only gets worse when she falls in love with him and tries to stop his marriage. Raising baby is a comedy full of heart.
9 Guess who’s at dinner
This two-time Oscar-winning film delves into the life of a woman who, along with his parents, brings her African-American fiancé home to her parents. However, both families are uncomfortable with the pairing. Guess who’s at dinner highlights racism, interracial marriage, and a brave film made at the time that touched on a very important subject that is still very much alive today. Katharine Hepburn won an Oscar for her role in the film as the free-thinking Joanna Drayton.
8 Holidays
Holidays follows the story of a young man who is engaged to a woman who comes from a wealthy family. He also wants to spend the early years of his life on vacation, which is met with skepticism from everyone in his fiancee’s family, except for two people: her sister and her boyfriend. It shows different characters’ approaches to life through an entertaining and thoughtful plot.
Holidays also points out how difficult it is to challenge the status quo in a society that worships making money above all else. Meanwhile, it also offers a nice build-up of romance that subtly unfolds throughout the film. With several ideas in the film, it is a stimulating watch.
7 The African Queen
The Oscar-winning film is an adaptation of CS Forester’s novel of the same name. Rose Sayer and Samuel Sayer were missionaries in East Africa in 1914 under German control. They get their supplies via a small steamer called the African Queen which is run by Canadian sailor Charlie Allnut.
When war breaks out between Germany and Britain, Allnut warns them, but they choose to stay in Kungdu village. When she and her brother witness the repression and violence of the colonial troops, her brother objects. He is confronted with violence by an officer, falls ill and dies soon after. Enraged by what has happened, Rose tries to convince the sailor to use the African Queen to sing the Queen Luise, a gunboat that has made it difficult for the British to attack the Germans. The African Queen has romance, adventure and a fresh depiction of Africa at the time.
6 Stage door
The four-time Oscar nominee Stage door follows the lives of several aspiring actresses living under the same roof as they all join a theatrical boarding house. Each with their own story, they all share in the disappointments of their careers and personal lives. Yet their different personalities make their lives together interesting and make room for intimate connection and self-fulfillment. Stage door has a fine cast that will make you relate to the characters and root for them in this heartwarming and captivating ensemble.
5 On Golden Pond
Norman, a cantankerous and old retired professor, has a dry relationship with his daughter Chelsea. Despite their flawed relationship, Chelsea decided that she and her fiancé and his son would visit her father for his birthday. Norman, on the other hand, spends his summer in a cottage near a pond called the Golden Pond. After spending her birthday with her father, she leaves her partner’s son with her parents who surprisingly agree and take good care of him which begins to untie the knots in her relationship with her father as she is a more fluid and compassionate side of him. .
On Golden Pond is a human drama about facing one’s mortality and trying to make amends with the time left. The film won three Oscars, including Katharine Hepburn for Best Actress.
4 Suddenly, last summer
Suddenly, last summer was based on the one-act play written by Tennessee Williams. Catherine, a young woman, is devastated by the death of her cousin that she witnessed while on vacation in Europe. Her aunt Violet idolizes her son and wants to bribe a surgeon to lobotomize her niece so she won’t further unravel the mystery behind her son’s death. The film explores difficult subjects such as pedophilia, cannibalism and sexual identity. Katharine Hepburn was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film.
3 Adam’s Rib
Inspired by the true story of William Dwight and Dorothy Whitney, Adam’s Rib is an Oscar-nominated comedy about married lawyers who handle the same case while working for opposing parties, causing tension in the relationship. When a woman, Judy, tries to kill her husband, Tom, Adam Bonner gets the case and sides with the man. His wife, Amanda, sides with Judy in a heated contest that only causes chaos.
Adam’s Rib is a battle of the sexes, feminism and stubbornness. The film is bursting with great acting and on-screen chemistry that makes you feel the tension the film portrays.
2 Long day’s journey into night
Long day’s journey into night was based on the play by Eugene O’Neill. The film revolves around the tragic reality of a family. At the end of a long summer day, members of a retired actor’s family gather for what turns out to be one of the most painful and longest nights of their lives. Morphine addiction, illness and alcoholism make the family realize how bleak their situation is. The film depicts a realistic portrayal of flawed characters and dysfunctional families struggling in their lives. Katharine Hepburn was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress.
1 Little women
Little women is based on the novel written by May Alcott. It zooms in on the lives of four sisters Jo (Katharine Hepburn), Meg (Francis Dee), Amy (Joan Bennett) and Beth (Jean Parker), whose father serves as Secretary of the Troops during the Civil War. Struggling with their father’s absence, the young women must make ends meet and find a place for themselves in the world.
It’s a story about growing up, making choices and family. It explores concepts such as poverty, fear, love, hidden potential and strength. The film won an Oscar for Best Editing. Katharine Hepburn was praised for her powerful presence in it, which was a big part of the film’s success.
It’s safe to say that Katharine Hepburn is one of the greatest actresses of all time with movies that never fail to impress and change the narrative. She was outspoken and encouraged women through her films to take on more courageous roles in society. Her career spanned more than six decades, leaving a timeless legacy.