Collider has published a ranked list of the most enjoyable film noir movies, arguing that the genre's blend of cynicism, sharp dialogue and doomed characters makes for entertainment as much as bleakness. The list highlights titles where atmosphere, wit and star power carry the film as much as plot, from wisecracking detectives to scheming femme fatales.

Featured entries include lesser-known and classic noirs alike, praised for distinct qualities such as rapid-fire humour, inventive plotting or standout chemistry between leads.

– Cry Danger (1951) — Dick Powell stars as a wrongly-jailed man clearing his name, praised for its cynical one-liners and scrappy charm
– The Woman in the Window (1944) — Fritz Lang's tale of a professor's fatal encounter, noted for its escalating tension and twist ending
– The Blue Dahlia (1946) — Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake lead a murder-mystery manhunt, with a screenplay by Raymond Chandler
– Other genre staples mentioned include The Big Sleep and Laura, cited for star power and iconic set pieces