Platform shoes click a steady rhythm against the disco floor. A light flickers, casting a distorted image of a spaceship streaking across the mirrored ball. This wasn’t just a dance party; it was a revolution brewing on the silver screen. The 1970s wasn’t just about fashion trends – it was a decade that redefined cinema.
Blockbusters shattered genre expectations, independent voices rose to challenge the status quo, and Hollywood dared to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche. But how much do you truly remember about this era’s cinematic landscape?
We all know about the enduring classics that continue to dominate award shows, but what about the hidden gems, the iconic films that have faded from the forefront of our memories? Get ready to revisit a decade that left an indelible mark on film history with ten unforgettable movies you might have forgotten were made in the groovy 1970s.
10. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Milos Forman’s 1975 film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is a powerful psychological drama based on Ken Kesey’s acclaimed novel.
Jack Nicholson delivers a memorable performance as a rebellious new patient in a mental institution, clashing with the iron fist of Nurse Ratched, played by Louise Fletcher. The film’s supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Will Sampson, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Lloyd in his film debut.
9. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing yet iconic 1971 film, A Clockwork Orange, is a dystopian crime thriller based on Anthony Burgess’s 1962 novel. Set in a nightmarish near-future Britain, the film follows Alex (Malcolm McDowell), a charismatic yet violent youth who leads his gang of “droogs” on ultra-violent rampages.
A Clockwork Orange utilizes shocking imagery to explore complex themes of free will, morality, and the nature of good and evil in a society grappling with violence and rehabilitation.
8. Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece, Alien, burst onto screens in 1979. This terrifying horror film follows the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo as they encounter a deadly alien lifeform on a seemingly abandoned planetoid.
Sigourney Weaver delivers a breakout performance as Ripley, the resourceful crew member who becomes humanity’s last hope for survival against the horrifying xenomorph. Alien’s blend of claustrophobic tension, groundbreaking special effects, and now-iconic creature design cemented its place as a genre classic.
7. The Exorcist (1973)
William Friedkin’s 1973 film, The Exorcist, is a landmark horror film that continues to terrify audiences to this day. Based on William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel, the film follows a single mother (Ellen Burstyn) who seeks help for her increasingly troubled daughter (Linda Blair).
As the girl’s behavior becomes more and more disturbing, it becomes clear she is possessed by a demonic entity. Desperate to save her child, the mother turns to two priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) to perform an exorcism, leading to a harrowing battle between good and evil.
6. Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese’s gritty 1976 neo-noir masterpiece, Taxi Driver, plunges us into the heart of a grimy New York City following the Vietnam War. Robert De Niro delivers an unforgettable performance as Travis Bickle, a troubled ex-marine who drives a taxi all night, becoming increasingly unhinged by the city’s seedy underbelly.
As Travis’ mental state spirals, he becomes fixated on cleaning up the streets and rescuing a young prostitute (Jodie Foster) from a life of exploitation. Taxi Driver is a haunting exploration of urban alienation, vigilante justice, and the psychological scars of war.
5. The Godfather Part II (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather sequel isn’t just a follow-up, it’s a cinematic masterpiece in its own right. Released in 1974, the film weaves a captivating dual narrative. We see Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone grapple with the burdens of power as he tries to expand the Corleone family’s criminal empire.
In a brilliant parallel story, Robert De Niro portrays a young Vito Corleone, the patriarch, immigrating to America and navigating the brutal world that will shape his future and the Corleone legacy. This innovative structure and powerhouse performances solidify The Godfather Part II as one of the greatest sequels ever made.
4. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola’s epic 1979 war film, Apocalypse Now, is a descent into the madness of the Vietnam War. Inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, the film follows Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) on a dangerous mission up a Cambodian river.
His objective: to eliminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a charismatic but rogue Special Forces officer who has gone AWOL and is rumored to be leading his own personal army. Apocalypse Now is a visually stunning and hauntingly poetic exploration of the war’s psychological toll, blurring the lines between sanity and savagery.
3. Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster, Jaws, took moviegoers on a thrilling ride full of suspense and terror. Adapted from Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, the film pits a small beach town against a monstrous great white shark.
Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) must overcome his own fear of water to team up with a marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a seasoned shark hunter (Robert Shaw) to stop the shark’s deadly rampage and save the town’s summer season. Jaws revolutionized filmmaking with its groundbreaking special effects and iconic score, solidifying its place as a cinematic classic.
2. Star Wars (1977)
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…in 1977, George Lucas’s space opera, Star Wars, revolutionized cinema. This sci-fi epic launched a cultural phenomenon and changed the way we think about blockbuster films.
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guinness brought Lucas’s imaginative universe to life, following a group of rebels fighting against the tyranny of the Galactic Empire. Star Wars’ groundbreaking special effects, now iconic characters, and timeless story of good versus evil continue to capture the imaginations of audiences of all ages.
1. The Godfather (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece, The Godfather, is an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel of the same name. The film boasts an all-star cast including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan.
This first installment of The Godfather trilogy tells the story of the Corleone family, led by patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando), from 1945 to 1955. At its heart, the film follows the transformation of Michael Corleone (Pacino), the youngest son, from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless mafia boss.