A top hat is a very unique item in the world of fashion, as it has a long history dating back to 17th century Europe. Popularized by famous figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and George Washington, these hats became an important part of men’s formal wear for centuries! In this post, we will take a look at ten trailers of popular films that feature top hats prominently.
Titanic: This 1997 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet is one of the most iconic in history. There are many scenes that feature a top hat on Jack, an artist who falls into a deep love with Rose DeWitt Bukater (played by Kate).
Sherlock Holmes: The famous detective wearing his trademark deerstalker hat.
The Shining: Jack Torrance is shown wearing a top hat in the opening scenes of this movie based on Stephen King’s book of the same name.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Indy, played by Harrison Ford, wears his signature fedora for much of this film but there are some moments where he briefly wears a top hat.
The Grand Budapest Hotel: This Wes Anderson film features the title character, played by Ralph Fiennes, who is seen wearing many hats throughout the movie. One of those is the famous top hat that he’s been known to wear in other movies as well.
In Bruges: Brendan Gleeson’s hitman character is seen wearing a top hat for much of the movie.
The Matrix Reloaded: In this film, when Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) takes over the top spot in the matrix his first order of business is to put on a long black coat and a white top hat that matches it perfectly.
Casablanca: Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine is seen wearing a top hat in this classic film.
Picnic at Hanging Rock: Pierre (played by Arthur Dignam) wears the titular white top hat for much of this Australian mystery drama.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian features many top hats throughout the film.
The Adventures of Robin Hood: which has at least three top hat-wearing characters, including Friar Tuck.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s: In this classic movie from 1961, George Peppard (who played Paul Varjak) is seen donning a white top hat as he escorts Audrey Hepburn’s character to her apartment.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: the detective is seen wearing a black top hat in this 1922 movie, which stars Ronald Howard as the famous sleuth.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: In this sixth installment from JK Rowling’s seven-film series, Hogwarts professor Horace Slughorn wears a top hat.
The Wizard of Oz: This 1939 film features Toto, Dorothy’s dog, wearing a black top hat when he and the Cowardly Lion are in the Emerald City being met by an army of marching monkeys. There is also at least one scene where Professor Marvel (played by Frank Morgan), who ends up being the Wizard of Oz, wears a top hat.
You Only Live Twice: In this fifth entry in the James Bond series starring Sean Connery as Agent 00007 and released in 1967, we see that Blofeld (played by Donald Pleasence) wears a black top hat when he is meeting with his henchmen at a volcano.
The Big Sleep: In this 1946 film directed by Howard Hawks, we see that detective Philip Marlowe (played by Humphrey Bogart) wears a top hat while in conversation with General Sternwood’s daughter Vivian Rutledge (played by Lauren Bacall).
Gone With the Wind: This 1939 film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the 1936 novel of the same name is one of Hollywood’s most epic productions. We see that Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable) wears a top hat when he goes to Scarlett O’Hara’s home, Tara plantation, in order to propose marriage to her.
The Great Dictator: Charlie Chaplin stars as a dictator called Adenoid Hynkel in this 1940 film. We see that he wears a top hat when he is speaking to the crowd of people who are shouting “Heil”.
The Maltese Falcon: This 1941 classic directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet is a film noir detective tale. We see that Humphrey Bogart’s character Sam Spade wears the top hat when he enters his office to meet with Brigid O’Shaughnessy (played by Mary Astor).
The Royal Tenenbaums: This 2001 Wes Anderson comedy-drama is about three children, Royal Tenenbaum (played by Luke Wilson), Margot Tenenbaum (played by Gwyneth Paltrow), and Chas Tenenbaum (Ben Stiller). We see that their father wears a top hat when he enters the home of his estranged family.
