15 Best Movies of the 1970s: Popular ‘70s Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, & Crime Films

By Rupali Jeganathan

It’s the summer of 1973. Badlands, the movie you’ve been saving up for, has just been released. You borrow your parent’s car, pile all your friends into it, and head out to the drive-in theatre to have one of the best cinema experiences of your life. Sound familiar?

Or maybe you remember scouring through the TV guide and impatiently waiting till your favorite movie aired on TV. No matter how you watched them, though, you have to admit: movies in the 1970s just gave you a whole different experience. 

Relive some of your best childhood memories with this list of 15 best movies from the golden decade for Hollywood cinema, the 1970s. 

The Best and Most Iconic Movies from the ‘70s

‘70s Horror

The 1970s redefined the horror genre, giving birth to slasher movies and psychological thrillers. And the way their pacing gave space for the tension and suspense to build? Chef’s kiss. You probably remember coming out of the theatre feeling particularly uneasy and creeped out.

Pick your favorite 1970s horror movie from this list. Just don’t forget to switch your nightlamp on before you go to sleep. 

1. “The Exorcist,” 1973

The story depicts a mother who seeks to rid her young girl of the demonic spirit that seems to have possessed her daughter. This ‘70s horror movie is one for the ages, thanks to its special effects, realistic portrayals of the horror and hopelessness that the characters feel, and great storyline, combined with the amazing sound effects. It’s said that the visceral depictions even had people running out of the theatre in tears!

2. “Jaws,” 1975

Terror strikes the heart of the citizens when a deadly shark kills a woman in a beach town. It falls upon the local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old sailor to hunt the shark. But they’re not shark experts; they’re regular people like you and me who have to get on an old boat and face a killer beast that’s lurking just out of sight. 

That’s what makes this 1970s horror movie so good: you can practically see the tension and dread radiating off of the screen. Remember the eeriness you felt right before the first attack? You may be physically glued to your seat, but, emotionally, you’ll be right there with that trio!

3. “Suspiria,” 1977

If you want a ‘70s horror film that makes everything seem surreal, like you’re trapped in a nightmare that you can’t get out of, then this is the movie for you. It shows an American ballet student who goes to a German school to learn, only to uncover sinister goings-on at the place. 

The visual effects, the soundtrack, and the cinematography all come together to give you a wonderful (and eerie) experience. 

4. “The Wicker Man,” 1973

A policeman heads to a Scottish island village to investigate the disappearance of a girl, but the Pagan locals claim that she never existed in the first place. The entire town is in on a secret, that much is clear. The whole movie makes you feel that something is just off, which adds to the sinister-ness of it. 

You end up with a low hum of anxiety throughout, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, which is what makes this one of the greatest horror movies of the decade! And who could forget the look on Woodward’s face as he realizes what’s about to happen to him?

1970s Sci-fi

The 1970s were a period when people were questioning the future of humanity and yearning for an escape from reality. Enter: ‘70s sci-fi movies that played on people’s paranoia about the future.

Step into a different reality with your past self where anything is possible, from body-snatching aliens to time travel. Beyond Star Wars (1977) and A Clockwork Orange (1971), here are some ‘70s sci-fi movies we love.

5. “Alien,” 1979

Nobody is likely to forget the scene where the alien bursts out of Kane’s chest and proceeds to horrify the crewmates. The most unsettling part is that the crew is in space, trapped in a ship that feels like a maze, far, far away from any help. This ‘70s sci-fi movie has all the ingredients that make the perfect sci-fi recipe: aliens, suspense, and horror.

6. “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” 1977

A chance encounter with a UFO sends a man into an obsessive journey of finding the unknown, alienating his family (pun intended) in the process. 

Whether you loved the movie for the way it portrayed aliens as something to be met with wonder rather than fear, or the way it studies human’s obsession for answers, you can’t deny that it’s a classic 1970s horror movie. 

7. ‘Solaris,” 1972 

If you’ve watched this movie, you might remember the feeling of frustration as you realized that you would never truly understand every part of the Universe, or even yourself. Or, maybe you remember the haunting feeling of questioning everything you ever knew to be true. 

Whether you watch it in Russian with English subtitles, or find a dubbed version, this is a classic 1970s sci-fi movie that will make you think about it for days after. 

Hilarious ‘70s Comedy

Comedy movies in the 1970s offered up a blend of humor, including parody, satire, and slapstick, along with dark and absurd comedy. Many of these films probably wouldn’t match with today’s politically correct culture, but that’s okay, because you can always rewatch a comedy movie from the ‘70s for some off-color humor.

8. “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” 1975

Follow King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest to find the Holy Grail. They keep finding obstacles, such as killer rabbits, deadly knights, and lonely nuns, that try to lure them away from their goal. 

There’s mayhem, silliness, and absurd discussions (“Are you trying to say that coconuts migrate?”) that will have you chuckling throughout.

9.  “Blazing Saddles,” 1974

This daring comedy provides a satirical take on the tropes of old Westerns and supplies you with a steady stream of laughter. It has so many elements that make it a great rewatch: dead-pan jokes, gags, and the ridicule it throws at racism. And remember, it’s Hedley Lamarr, not Hedy Lamarr.

10.  “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” 1978

This film is set in a college and is about a dean who’s hell-bent on expelling the troublemaking Delta Tau Chi fraternity. But these mayhem-causing misfits have other plans. This movie is full of hi-jinks and laugh-out-loud comedy, and will have you clutching your stomach and reliving your own college life!

1970s Drama Films

‘70s drama films just hit differently because filmmakers got more bold and daring and began exploring more realistic, grittier themes. The drama movies of this decade highlighted morally-gray protagonists, realistic portrayals of the complex lives we lead, and emotional stories. 

11.  “Five Easy Pieces,” 1970 

Bobby Dupea, an upper-class guy who never fit in, leaves his life behind to find work on an oil rig. But, he doesn’t fit in there, either. He is restless, forever yearning for something that doesn’t exist. If you’re a complex human being (as we all are) you’ll relate to this character study. Bobby could even have been you, under different circumstances. Nicholson has portrayed this deeply flawed character perfectly, making this movie one of the greats. 

12. “Days of Heaven,” 1978 

This follows the story of a farm laborer and his lover who pose as brother and sister to find work at a farm. Upon knowing that the farmer, who’s in love with Gere’s girlfriend, only has a year left to live, Gere convinces her to marry him to get the fortune. This movie is told through haunting music and breathtaking visuals and is a true exploration of jealousy and desire. If you thought the cinematography was great back then, wait till you watch it again in 4K!

1970s Crime & Thriller Movies

In the ‘70s, people were disillusioned and began mistrusting structures of power. Cue: crime, thriller, and mafia movies that scratched a specific itch of seeing people go rogue. Here are the best ‘70s crime movies to get your blood pumping. 

13.  “The Godfather,” 1972

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest movies ever made. It shaped people’s perception of the mafia and even made us feel sympathetic for the people who run a crime organization. 

The movie’s theme of loyalty is perfectly encapsulated in the dialogue, “Don’t ever take sides against the family.” And everyone knows the most iconic line that has made it into pop culture: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

14. “Dog Day Afternoon,” 1975

This film tells the story of a bank heist planned by three amateur robbers that goes horribly wrong, turning into an unintended hostage situation. You probably remember this 1970s crime movie for the same reason everyone does: the incredible performance by Al Pacino, the way it captures the climate of the ‘70s so well, and the complex characters it portrays.

15. “Chinatown,” 1974

This movie follows a private investigator who gets hired to catch an adulterer, but instead, finds himself duped and in the midst of something more sinister. The excellent screenplay, the amazing atmosphere, and the wonderful performances and depths of the characters are only a few things in a long list of what makes this movie so great.

If you’re looking to revisit the layers of human darkness, this neo-noir film is the perfect candidate. 

Why Were the 1970s Considered the Best Years for Movies?

Pretty much everyone who lived through the ‘70s would agree: it was Hollywood in its heyday. For starters, it was a decade of cultural, political, and social change, especially with the wars looming over people’s heads. This, naturally, made it into films, giving way to stories that challenged the status quo. 

Rise of Legendary Directors

The decade also marked the emergence of the “movie brats,” i.e. directors who had freshly graduated from film school and were ready to give Hollywood their all. They pushed the boundaries of cinema and portrayed real, complex characters. 

Technological Advancements in Film

It was also around this time that film-making technology, such as CGI, began advancing, letting movie makers do more than ever before. All of this, combined with the relaxed censorship and the sheer talent of the cast, made the 1970s one of the greatest decades for cinema with so many consistent hits. 

What Were the Biggest Blockbusters of the ‘70s?

With lines running around the block for a ticket and fellow theatre-goers screaming and gasping at the screen in unison, watching a movie in the 1970s was a community experience. And who could forget waiting with bated breath for the curtain to open and pull you into a magical cinematic experience? Especially when it came to these top 5 blockbusters:

• Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) grossed $775 M
• Jaws (1975) grossed $490 M
• The Exorcist (1973) grossed $441 M
• Enter the Dragon (1973) grossed $400 M
• Grease (1978) grossed $397 M

Who Were the Biggest Hollywood Actors in the ‘70s?

The top actors of the 1970s looked more like real people than actual stars, which added to their charm, making their characters more believable. 

They could pull you into their performances with their Oscar-worthy acting, so much so that you forgot you were watching a movie in the first place.

• Al Pacino
• Jack Nicholson
• Marlon Brando
• Richard Dreyfuss
• Robert de Niro
• Gene Hackman
• Clint Eastwood
• Dustin Hoffman

The best actresses of the 1970s were iconic for performing characters that questioned social norms and broke the gender molds. 

With their bold performances, they paved the way for a new kind of heroine. And then, there were stars like Jane Fonda who showed you that actresses could be activists, too.

• Jane Fonda
• Meryl Streep
• Faye Dunaway
• Diane Keaton
• Barbara Sterisand
• Glenda Jackson
• Maggie Smith
• Jill Clayburgh

Step Further Into Nostalgia with Old High School Yearbook Photos

Since you’re probably already feeling all kinds of nostalgia, why not take it up a notch by going through some old high school yearbooks? You could even catch up with a friend or two and reminisce about all the movie-related memories you shared. 

The Classmates® archive has over 480,000 elementary, middle, and high school yearbooks, going back decades. Search for your own yearbooks or sneak a peek at old photos of your favorite celebrities.

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Image Sources:

The Exorcist (1973) — Movie poster © 1973 Warner Bros. Pictures.

Jaws (1975) — Movie poster © 1975 Universal Pictures.

Suspiria (1977) — Movie poster © 1977 Produzioni Atlas Consorziate / International Classics.

The Wicker Man (1973) — Movie poster © 1973 British Lion Films.

Alien (1979) — Movie poster © 1979 20th Century Fox.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) — Movie poster © 1977 Columbia Pictures.

Solaris (1972) — Movie poster © 1972 Mosfilm.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) — Movie poster © 1975 EMI Films.

Blazing Saddles (1974) — Movie poster © 1974 Warner Bros. Pictures.

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) — Movie poster © 1978 Universal Pictures.

Five Easy Pieces (1970) — Movie poster © 1970 Columbia Pictures.

Days of Heaven (1978) — Movie poster © 1978 Paramount Pictures.

The Godfather (1972) — Movie poster © 1972 Paramount Pictures.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — Movie poster © 1975 Warner Bros. Pictures.

Chinatown (1974) — Movie poster © 1974 Paramount Pictures.