Exclusive Insights Into Marilyn Monroe’s Final Movie Choices—The Secret She Took to the Grave!

Marilyn Monroe, the enduring Hollywood icon known for her beauty, charisma, and tragic end, continues to captivate the public’s imagination long after her death in 1962. Her filmography remains legendary, with iconic roles in Some Like It Hot (1959), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and The Seven Year Itch (1955). However, much about her personal life, including her movie preferences, remains shrouded in mystery. As fans and biographers try to piece together the last moments of Monroe’s life, the question arises: What were her favorite movies, particularly those she may have watched before her untimely death?

Monroe’s Career and Life in the Spotlight

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, Marilyn Monroe rose to stardom in the late 1940s and 1950s, becoming the quintessential “blonde bombshell” of Hollywood. Despite being typecast in roles that capitalized on her sex appeal, Monroe sought to break free from this mold. She earned critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Bus Stop (1956), showcasing her range beyond the glamorous characters she was often cast as. By the time of her death on August 5, 1962, Monroe had left an indelible mark on the film industry, with her final film project, Something’s Got to Give, left unfinished due to her passing.

The Search for Monroe’s Favorite Films

The quest to uncover Monroe’s favorite movies has proven challenging. Biographies and interviews often focus on her professional career, her relationships, and the personal struggles that plagued her life, leaving little room for insights into her private movie-watching habits. In an effort to better understand her cinematic tastes, I began searching through various archives, including well-known sources like Vulture and GoldDerby, which rank her best works but fail to pinpoint which films she enjoyed watching personally.

The closest lead comes from The Misfits (1961), Monroe’s last completed film. Given the timing of its production—during a tumultuous period in her life—it’s possible this film held some personal significance for her. However, no definitive evidence confirms that it was one of her favorite films. Further research into her final days yielded no concrete answers either. The Life magazine interview with Richard Meryman, conducted shortly before her death, discusses her career and personal challenges but does not mention her favorite movies.

The Mystery of Monroe’s Last Days

In her final days, Monroe was actively involved in Something’s Got to Give, a comedy she was filming at the time of her passing. This film, a remake of the 1940 classic My Favorite Wife, could have inspired her to watch related comedies. Yet, even in the available documentaries like Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days and The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, there’s no mention of Monroe watching specific films. In fact, accounts focus more on her personal struggles and professional commitments rather than on leisure activities like movie watching.

What Can Be Speculated?

While there is no direct evidence regarding her favorite films, it’s reasonable to assume that Monroe may have enjoyed watching her own works, particularly the films that helped solidify her status as a cinematic legend. Given their commercial success and critical acclaim, movies like Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes might have been among the films she appreciated. As her career progressed, Monroe seemed to want more complex roles, as demonstrated in Bus Stop, and it’s possible she took pride in the films where her talent shone through.

Moreover, with her involvement in Something’s Got to Give, a film loosely inspired by the 1940 film My Favorite Wife, it’s possible she watched or had some interest in the original. Still, these are mere speculations, as no definitive documentation supports these ideas.

A Silent Gap in Monroe’s Personal Life

Ultimately, the lack of direct quotes or documented evidence of Monroe’s favorite films points to the private nature of her life outside the spotlight. As someone whose personal life often overshadowed her professional achievements, Monroe’s interests in leisure activities such as watching movies likely went underreported. The film industry and public’s focus on her image, career, and personal struggles left little room for insight into her tastes in entertainment.

While fans may forever be curious about the films that captivated Monroe in her final years, the truth may remain elusive. The icon who defined Hollywood glamour might have had a more ordinary relationship with movies than one might imagine—enjoying the same classics and comedies that millions of others watched in their downtime. In the end, it’s her immense contributions to cinema that will continue to be remembered, rather than the films she chose to watch in private moments of reflection.