Top 10 Doris Day Movies

Who is considered one of the most peppy, fun-loving, and cheerful female actresses of all time? If you said Doris Day, you’re probably right.

Doris Day entranced audiences with her girl-next door persona in musicals, comedies, and dramas from 1948-1968.

Since Doris Day appeared in 39 films, it’s difficult to compile a list of the top 10 favorite Doris Day films. There are many films not mentioned below that are also fan favorites. Keep watching the blog for more information about Day’s other films. Also, for full reviews on the films listed below, keep checking the Movie Review tab.

10. It Happened to Jane (1959)

Starring Doris Day, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs, It Happened to Jane is an overlooked Doris Day film. (Jack Lemmon attributed the movie’s lack of appeal to the title.) However, this film has a fun, lighthearted feel for viewers searching for a small town Rom-Com. Jane (Doris Day) operates her own lobster farm, but when the railroad makes a mistake with Jane’s lobster shipment, she decides to sue the railroad. With her attorney friend (Jack Lemmon), Jane is not prepared for the laughs and love that soon overwhelm her seemingly normal life– causing a town to turn against her as she battles the railroad.  

9. Move Over Darling (1963)

Starring Doris Day, James Garner, and Thelma Ritter, Move Over Darling is the 1963 remake of My Favorite Wife. Nicholas Arden (James Garner) is the abandoned husband whose wife (Doris Day) was lost in a shipwreck and thought to be dead. After five years of searching for his beloved wife, Arden has given up hope, so he decides to take a new wife (Polly Bergen). Complications arise when wife number one (Day) shows up very much alive. Comedy ensues, and it might take a little help from Don Knotts and Chuck Connors to bring Garner and Day back to together in this hilarious Romantic-Comedy.

8. My Dream is Yours (1949)

Starring Doris Day, Jack Carson, Eve Arden, and S. Z. Sakall, My Dream is Yours is a heartwarming film about love, loss, dreams, and friendship. Martha Gibson (Doris Day) is a widow who has a dream of performing music professionally. When Martha’s uncle, spots talent agent Doug Blake (Jack Carson), the problems begin as Blake takes Martha to Hollywood. Martha must learn what it takes to be a star.

Along the way, she discovers that a dream isn’t as wonderful as it could be, unless, a person has someone to share that dream with. The only problem is who can she trust in Hollywood? Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird make a special appearance for the “Freddie Get Ready” musical number. While filled with warmth, this film also has many comical moments, especially with Eve Arden and S. Z. Sakall trying to remain sane with all the upheaval Carson causes trying to make Day famous.

7. Tea for Two (1950)

Starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, S. Z. Sakall, Eve Arden, and Billy De Wolfe, Tea for Two has an all-star cast. Laughs are imminent as Nanette Carter (Doris Day) agrees to a bet with her uncle (S.Z. Sakall) to say no for 24 hours. If Nanette can make it, she’ll win $100,000 and be able to fund her ex-boyfriend’s stage production. Problems turn hilarious when Nanette’s ex-boyfriend and his theater group stay at her house to rehearse for the upcoming show. Questions are sure to come up, and if Nanette wants to win the $100,000, she better say no to all questions asked. However, what’s a girl to do when she falls in love with one of the show’s charming, singer/songwriter’s (Gordon MacRae), but is duty bound to say no to everything!

6. Romance on the High Seas (1948)

Starring Doris Day, Jack Carson, Don Defore, and Janis Paige, Romance on the High Seas is a good example of what happens when a recently married couple have no trust in their respective spouse. Elvira Kent (Paige) decides to trap her husband (Defore) by sending Georgia Garrett (a young Doris Day) on a cruise as Mrs. Elvira Kent. The complications increase when Mr. Kent decides to send a detective (Carson) to follow Mrs. Kent, who’s really Georgia Garrett, on the cruise. Mistaken identity is a problem, and no one knows better than Doris and Jack in this hilarious musical.

5. Midnight Lace (1960)

Starring Doris Day, Rex Harrison, and Myrna Loy, Midnight Lace is not your typical Doris Day film. Suspense, intrigue, lies, and deception lace this Mystery/Thriller. Kit Preston (Day) loves her husband Anthony Preston (Harrison). Everything about this couple’s life seems ideal. Until, the phone rings. Kit’s life is threatened, and no one believes her story—not even her aunt (Loy). The question is, who is threatening her and why? Will Kit and Anthony find out before it’s too late?

4. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Starring Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart, The Man Who Knew Too Much is a Hitchcock classic. This film is a remake of Hitchcock’s 1934 film of the same title (but don’t expect a similar plot).

When an American doctor (Stewart) and his wife (Day) vacation in Morocco with their son, they never imagined such a delightful trip could turn into a life-threatening nightmare. After meeting a kind but suspicious man (Daniel Gélin) on a bus, things quickly take a twist when the man is murdered. Dr. Benjamin McKenna hears the man’s final words but fears taking the information to the police. Problems escalate when the McKenna’s son is kidnapped. These average parents are suddenly tossed into extraordinary circumstances as they must decide how they can save their son and stop the murderers from causing an international crisis.

3. On Moonlight Bay (1951)

Starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Leon Ames, Mary Wickes, and Rosemary DeCamp, this is the first film in the On Moonlight Bay series. The year is 1917, and George Winfield (Ames) moves his adoring family across town into a larger home. Little did he realize, the chaos that would come from his decision. His wife is heartbroken, his daughter is still traipsing around like a baseball player, and his son is as ornery as ever. When the daughter follows her father’s advice and turns to boys instead of baseball, George Winfield’s troubles have just begun.

2. By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)

Starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Leon Ames, Mary Wickes, and Rosemary DeCamp, this is the second film in the On Moonlight Bay series. Some time has passed since 1917. World War I is over now, and it’s time for Marjorie (Day) and Bill (MacRae) to tie the knot. There’s only one problem. Bill isn’t ready to marry. He wants to establish a career first. Marjorie agrees only if she can work as a mechanic to contribute to the nest egg. One thing leads to another, and soon the Winfield’s are once again entrapped in a plot of twisted complications.

1. Pillow Talk (1959)

Starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Thelma Ritter, and Tony Randall, Pillow Talk has become known as one of Doris Day’s number one films.

Jan Morrow (Day) shares a party line with Brad Allen (Hudson), but his Casanova tricks are driving her crazy. Fate sees these two enemies meet at a restaurant, and while Jan figures out how to dump her current date, Brad comes to the rescue. The only problem is Jan doesn’t know that this handsome hunk is Brad Allen. Likewise, stunned Brad can’t believe he’s meeting stern Jan in person, but he’s even more shocked at Jan’s figure. Who would have thought such an attractive woman was at the end of his party line? Brad decides to become a sweet, charming, morally upright guy to win the heart of Jan. As Brad falls in love with Jan, he wonders if she’ll love him once she finds out who he really is.