More than 455 American feature films were released in 1938.Bahn, Chester (1939) Industry Statistics 1939 Year Book of Motion Pictures The Film Daily p37Feature Releases 1939 Year Book of Motion Pictures The Film Daily p161–273
The comedy You Can't Take It with You won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
A–B Title Director Cast Genre NotesAccidents Will HappenWilliam ClemensRonald Reagan, Gloria Blondell, Dick Purcell Drama Warner Bros.Adventure in SaharaD. Ross LedermanPaul Kelly, Lorna Gray, C. Henry GordonAdventure ColumbiaThe Adventures of Marco PoloArchie MayoGary Cooper, Sigrid Gurie, Basil RathboneHistorical United ArtistsThe Adventures of Robin HoodMichael CurtizErrol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Claude Rains Adventure Warner Bros.The Adventures of Tom SawyerNorman Taurog Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran, Victor JoryAdventure United ArtistsThe Affairs of Annabel Benjamin StoloffLucille Ball, Jack Oakie, Bradley PageComedy RKOAir Devils John Rawlins Dick Purcell, Larry J. Blake, Beryl Wallace Action UniversalAlexander's Ragtime BandHenry KingDon Ameche, Tyrone Power, Ethel MermanMusical comedy 20th Century FoxAlgiersJohn CromwellHedy Lamarr, Charles Boyer, Joseph Calleia Mystery United ArtistsAlways GoodbyeSidney LanfieldBarbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall, Cesar RomeroDrama 20th Century FoxAlways in TroubleJoseph SantleyJane Withers, Nana Bryant, Eddie CollinsComedy 20th Century FoxThe Amazing Dr. ClitterhouseAnatole LitvakEdward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Donald CrispCrime Warner Bros.Angels with Dirty FacesMichael CurtizJames Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey BogartCrime drama Warner Bros.Annabel Takes a TourLew LandersLucille Ball, Jack Oakie, Ruth DonnellyComedy RKOThe Arkansas TravelerAlfred SantellBob Burns, Jean Parker, John BealComedy ParamountArmy GirlGeorge Nicholls Jr.Preston Foster, Madge Evans, James GleasonComedy drama RepublicArrest Bulldog Drummond James P. Hogan John Howard, Heather Angel, Reginald Denny Thriller ParamountArsène Lupin Returns George Fitzmaurice Melvyn Douglas, Virginia Bruce, Warren William Mystery MGMArson Gang BustersJoseph KaneRobert Livingston, Jackie Moran, Rosalind KeithAction RepublicArtists and Models AbroadMitchell LeisenJack Benny, Joan Bennett, Mary BolandComedy, Musical ParamountBar 20 JusticeLesley SelanderWilliam Boyd, Gabby Hayes, Russell HaydenWestern ParamountBarefoot Boy Karl Brown Jackie Moran, Ralph Morgan, Claire Windsor Drama MonogramThe Baroness and the ButlerWalter LangWilliam Powell, Annabella, Henry StephensonComedy 20th Century FoxBattle of BroadwayGeorge MarshallVictor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Gypsy Rose LeeComedy 20th Century FoxThe Beloved BratArthur LubinBonita Granville, Donald Crisp, Dolores CostelloComedy Warner Bros.The Big Broadcast of 1938Mitchell LeisenW. C. Fields, Bob Hope, Dorothy LamourMusical comedy ParamountBilly the Kid Returns Joseph Kane Roy Rogers, Lynne Roberts, Smiley Burnette Western RepublicBlack Bandit George Waggner Bob Baker, Marjorie Reynolds, Jack Rockwell Western UniversalThe Black DollOtis GarrettC. Henry Gordon, Nan Grey, Donald Woods Mystery UniversalBlind Alibi Lew Landers Richard Dix, Whitney Bourne, Eduardo Ciannelli Drama RKOBlockadeWilliam DieterleMadeleine Carroll, Henry Fonda, Leo Carrillo War drama United ArtistsBlock-Heads John G. Blystone Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Patricia Ellis Comedy MGMBlond CheatJoseph SantleyJoan Fontaine, Derrick De Marney, Lilian BondComedy RKOBlondes at WorkFrank McDonaldGlenda Farrell, Barton MacLane, Tom KennedyMystery Warner Bros.BlondieFrank R. StrayerArthur Lake, Penny Singleton, Jonathan HaleComedy ColumbiaBluebeard's Eighth WifeErnst LubitschClaudette Colbert, Gary Cooper, David NivenComedy ParamountBooloo Clyde E. Elliott Colin Tapley, Jayne Regan, Ratna Asmara Adventure ParamountBorder G-Man David Howard George O'Brien, Laraine Day, Rita La Roy Adventure RKOBorder Wolves Joseph H. Lewis Bob Baker, Constance Moore, Fuzzy Knight Western UniversalBorn to be WildJoseph KaneRalph Byrd, Doris Weston, Ward Bond Action RepublicBoy Meets GirlLloyd BaconJames Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Marie WilsonComedy Warner Bros.Boys TownNorman TaurogSpencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Henry HullDrama MGMBreaking the IceEdward F. ClineCharles Ruggles, Dolores Costello, John KingDrama RKOBringing Up BabyHoward HawksKatharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, May RobsonComedy RKOBroadway Musketeers John Farrow Margaret Lindsay, Ann Sheridan, Marie Wilson Musical Warner Bros.Brother RatWilliam KeighleyWayne Morris, Ronald Reagan, Jane WymanComedy Warner Bros.The BuccaneerCecil B. DeMilleFredric March, Hugh Sothern, Margot GrahameAdventure ParamountBulldog Drummond in Africa Louis King John Howard, Heather Angel, H. B. Warner Thriller ParamountBulldog Drummond's PerilJames P. HoganJohn Howard, John Barrymore, Louise CampbellThriller Paramount
C–D Title Director Cast Genre NotesCalifornia Frontier Elmer Clifton Buck Jones, Milburn Stone, Stanley Blystone Western ColumbiaCall of the Rockies Alan James Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis Western ColumbiaCall of the YukonB. Reeves EasonRichard Arlen, Beverly Roberts, Lyle TalbotAdventure RepublicCall the Mesquiteers John English Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan, Lynne Roberts Western RepublicCampus ConfessionsGeorge ArchainbaudBetty Grable, Thurston Hall, William HenryComedy ParamountCarefreeMark SandrichFred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Jack CarsonMusical comedy RKOCassidy of Bar 20 Lesley Selander William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Nora Lane Western ParamountCattle RaidersSam NelsonCharles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick CurtisWestern UniversalChange of Heart James Tinling Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, Lyle Talbot Comedy 20th Century FoxCharlie Chan in Honolulu H. Bruce Humberstone Sidney Toler, Phyllis Brooks, Victor Sen Yung Mystery 20th Century FoxThe ChaserEdwin L. MarinLewis Stone, Nat Pendleton, John QualenDrama MGMChild BrideHarry RevierShirley Mills, Warner Richmond, Angelo Rossitto Exploitation IndependentA Christmas CarolEdwin L. MarinReginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Barry MacKay Fantasy drama MGM Cipher Bureau Charles Lamont Leon Ames, Charlotte Wynters, Joan Woodbury Action Grand NationalCity GirlAlfred L. WerkerPhyllis Brooks, Ricardo Cortez, Robert Wilcox Crime 20th Century FoxCity Streets Albert S. Rogell Leo Carrillo, Edith Fellows, Tommy Bond Drama ColumbiaCocoanut GroveAlfred SantellFred MacMurray, Eve Arden, Rufe DavisMusical comedy Paramount Code of the Rangers Sam Newfield Tim McCoy, Rex Lease, Wheeler Oakman Western MonogramCollege SwingRaoul WalshGeorge Burns, Gracie Allen, Bob HopeComedy Paramount The Colorado Trail Sam Nelson Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Edward LeSaint Western Columbia Come On, Leathernecks! James Cruze Richard Cromwell, Marsha Hunt, Edward Brophy Action RepublicCome On, Rangers Joseph Kane Roy Rogers, Lynne Roberts, Raymond Hatton Western RepublicComet over BroadwayBusby BerkeleyKay Francis, Donald Crisp, Ian HunterDrama Warner Bros.Condemned WomenLew LandersAnne Shirley, Sally Eilers, Lee PatrickDrama RKOConvictedLeon BarshaCharles Quigley, Rita Hayworth, Marc LawrenceAction Columbia Convicts at Large Scott R. Beal Ralph Forbes, Paula Stone, John Kelly Crime IndependentThe Cowboy and the Lady H. C. Potter Gary Cooper, Merle Oberon, Walter Brennan Western comedy United ArtistsCowboy from Brooklyn Lloyd Bacon Pat O'Brien, Dick Powell, Priscilla Lane Musical comedy Warner Bros.Crashing Through Danger Sam Newfield Ray Walker, Sally Blane, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams DramaIndependentCrashing Hollywood Lew Landers Lee Tracy, Joan Woodbury, Lee Patrick Comedy RKOThe Crime of Doctor Hallet S. Sylvan Simon Ralph Bellamy, Josephine Hutchinson, Barbara Read Drama UniversalCrime RingLeslie GoodwinsAllan Lane, Clara Blandick, Bradley PageDrama RKOCrime SchoolLewis SeilerHumphrey Bogart, Gale Page, Billy HalopDrama Warner Bros.Crime Takes a Holiday Lewis D. Collins Jack Holt, Marcia Ralston, Russell Hopton Crime ColumbiaThe Crowd RoarsRichard ThorpeRobert Taylor, Maureen O'Sullivan, Edward Arnold Action MGMDanger on the AirOtis GarrettDonald Woods, Nan Grey, Jed Prouty Mystery UniversalDangerous to KnowRobert FloreyAnna May Wong, Akim Tamiroff, Gail Patrick Crime ParamountDaredevil Drivers B. Reeves Eason Beverly Roberts, Dick Purcell, Gloria Blondell Crime Warner Bros.The Dawn PatrolEdmund GouldingErrol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, David Niven War Warner Bros. Delinquent Parents Nick Grinde Doris Weston, Maurice Murphy, Helen MacKellar Drama IndependentDesert Patrol Sam Newfield Bob Steele, Rex Lease, Ted Adams Western RepublicA Desperate Adventure John H. Auer Ramon Novarro, Marian Marsh, Eric Blore Comedy RepublicThe Devil's PartyRay McCareyVictor McLaglen, Beatrice Roberts, William Gargan Crime UniversalDoctor RhythmFrank TuttleBing Crosby, Mary Carlisle, Andy Devine Musical comedy ParamountDouble Danger Lew Landers Preston Foster, Whitney Bourne, Donald Meek Crime RKODown in 'Arkansaw' Nick Grinde Ralph Byrd, June Storey, Berton Churchill Comedy RepublicDown on the Farm Malcolm St. Clair Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Louise Fazenda Comedy 20th Century FoxDramatic SchoolRobert B. SinclairLuise Rainer, Paulette Goddard, Lana TurnerDrama MGMThe Duke of West PointAlfred E. GreenJoan Fontaine, Tom Brown, Richard CarlsonDrama United ArtistsDurango Valley Raiders Sam Newfield Bob Steele, Louise Stanley, Karl Hackett Western Republic
E–F Title Director Cast Genre NotesEverybody SingEdwin L. MarinJudy Garland, Fanny Brice, Billie Burke Musical comedy MGMEverybody's Doing It Christy CabanneSally Eilers, Preston Foster, Guinn WilliamsRomantic comedy RKOExposed Harold D. Schuster Glenda Farrell, Otto Kruger, Herbert Mundin Drama UniversalExtortion Lambert Hillyer Scott Kolk, Mary Russell, Thurston Hall Mystery ColumbiaFast CompanyEdward BuzzellMelvyn Douglas, Florence Rice, Claire DoddComedy MGMFederal Man-Hunt Nick Grinde Robert Livingston, June Travis, John Gallaudet Crime Republic Female Fugitive William Nigh Evelyn Venable, Craig Reynolds, Reed Hadley Drama MonogramThe Feud Maker Sam Newfield Bob Steele, Karl Hackett, Budd Buster Western RepublicThe First Hundred YearsRichard ThorpeRobert Montgomery, Virginia Bruce, Warren WilliamComedy MGMFive of a Kind Herbert I. Leeds Jean Hersholt, Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero Comedy 20th Century FoxFlight into NowhereLewis D. CollinsJack Holt, Jacqueline Wells, Dick PurcellAdventure ColumbiaFlight to FameCharles C. ColemanCharles Farrell, Hugh Sothern, Julie Bishop Science fiction ColumbiaFlirting with Fate Frank McDonald Joe E. Brown, Beverly Roberts, Wynne Gibson Comedy MGMFools for ScandalMervyn LeRoyCarole Lombard, Ralph Bellamy, Fernand GraveyMusical comedy Warner Bros.Forbidden ValleyWyndham GittensNoah Beery Jr., Robert Barrat, Samuel S. HindsWestern UniversalFour DaughtersMichael CurtizPriscilla Lane, Claude Rains, John GarfieldDrama Warner Bros.Four Men and a PrayerJohn FordLoretta Young, David Niven, George SandersDrama 20th Century FoxFour's a Crowd Michael CurtizErrol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind RussellComedy Warner Bros.Freshman Year Frank McDonald Constance Moore, Dixie Dunbar, William Lundigan Musical Universal Frontier Scout Sam Newfield George Houston, Beth Marion, Al St. John Western Grand National Frontier Town Ray Taylor Tex Ritter, Ann Evers, Karl Hackett Western Grand NationalThe FrontiersmenLesley SelanderWilliam Boyd, Gabby Hayes, Evelyn VenableWesternParamountFugitives for a NightLeslie GoodwinsEleanor Lynn, Allan Lane, Bradley Page Mystery RKO
G–H