๐ŸŽž MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1959 โ€บ North by Northwest

North by Northwest poster

North by Northwest (1959)

โ€œIt's a deadly game of "tag" and Cary Grant is "it"!โ€

8.0/10 ยท 4,632 votes 2h 17m g AdventureThrillerMystery

#3 of 11 films from 1959 #58 of 1617 in adventure

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock ยท Written by Ernest Lehman

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase.

Cast

Cary Grantas Roger Thornhill
Eva Marie Saintas Eve Kendall
James Masonas Phillip Vandamm
Jessie Royce Landisas Clara Thornhill
Leo G. Carrollas Professor
Josephine Hutchinsonas Mrs. Townsend
Philip Oberas Lester Townsend
Martin Landauas Leonard
Adam Williamsas Valerian
Edward Plattas Victor Larrabee
Robert Ellensteinas Licht
Les Tremayneas Auctioneer
Philip Coolidgeas Dr. Cross
Patrick McVeyas Sergeant Flamm

Facts

Release dateAugust 6, 1959
Runtime137 min (2h 17m) โ€” longer as the 1959 average of 120 min
GenresAdventure, Thriller, Mystery
LanguageEN
Budget$4,000,000
Box office$13,275,000 (3.3ร— budget)
IMDbtt0053125

More from Alfred Hitchcock

PsychoPsycho1960 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 1h 49m Rear WindowRear Window1954 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 53m VertigoVertigo1958 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 8m Dial M for MurderDial M for Murder1954 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 1h 45m RopeRope1948 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 1h 21m RebeccaRebecca1940 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 10m NotoriousNotorious1946 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 43m Strangers on a TrainStrangers on a Train1951 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 41m

If you liked North by Northwest

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

High and LowHigh and Low1963 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 2h 22m PsychoPsycho1960 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 1h 49m Rear WindowRear Window1954 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 53m VertigoVertigo1958 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 8m The Wages of FearThe Wages of Fear1953 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 2h 34m DiaboliqueDiabolique1955 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 1h 58m The Great EscapeThe Great Escape1963 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 53m In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night1967 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 49m

Questions

How long is North by Northwest?
North by Northwest runs 137 minutes (2h 17m).
Is North by Northwest worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8/10 across 4,632 votes, which places it #3 of 11 films released in 1959 in this index (top 82%) and #58 among 1617 adventure titles.
Who directed North by Northwest?
North by Northwest was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Psycho (1960), Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958).
Who stars in North by Northwest?
Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill; Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall; James Mason as Phillip Vandamm; Jessie Royce Landis as Clara Thornhill; Leo G. Carroll as Professor; Josephine Hutchinson as Mrs. Townsend.
What is North by Northwest rated?
It carries a g certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for North by Northwest?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/35884.

Browse

Best of 1959Best adventureAdventure of the 1950sBest thrillerThriller of the 1950sBest mysteryMystery of the 1950sAll lists
MTDbยทBest films by year, genre and runtimeยทA century in numbersยทBrowse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.