Timeless and endlessly entertaining, Charlie Chaplin is one of the greatest talents cinema has encountered. Born on this day in 1889 in London, to celebrate the occasion, we’ve rounded up ten of the filmmaker’s greatest works, ranging from early silent short films to a handful of feature-length classics towards the tail end of his career.
Emerging at the turn of the 20th century, we’re kicking off with his 1915 film The Tramp, featuring one of the medium’s most iconic characters. As an actor, writer, director, producer, composer, editor and more, one can see how Chaplin’s style and comedy evolve over many decades in the films below. Including Modern Times, City Lights and more, see them all in their entirety, in chronological order, and share how Chaplin has had an influence on you in the comments.
The Tramp (1915)
The Immigrant (1917)
The Circus (1920)
The Kid (1921)
The Gold Rush (1925)
City Lights (1931)
Modern Times (1936)
The Great Dictator (1941)
Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
Limelight (1952)
What is your favorite Charlie Chaplin film?