Sometimes, it’s nice to take a pleasant little trip and experience the cinematic wonder of the 1970s. It shaped our modern pop culture for the better, ushering in an age of bold, creative filmmaking where the limits of what can and can’t be achieved on camera were pushed to new limits. Genres like crime and horror flourished, iconic filmmakers rose to become legendary, and blockbuster franchises were forming to become the most popular of all time. In short, this was one of the most transformative decades in the history of entertainment.
The 1970s were one of the most enjoyable decades for cinema. It was a time bustling with so much entertainment, where viewers could enjoy classic blockbusters, epic Best Picture-winners, and chilling horror masterpieces. It’s so exciting to look back on this decade and appreciate how great it was with cinematic spectacles. In honor of this thrilling decade, here are the most nostalgic movies of every year from the 1970s from beginning to end. These represent the best of their time and continue to have a lasting impact on cinema and pop culture. Sit back and enjoy the magic. The ’70s were full of it.
10
‘Patton’ (1970)
Starting the decade off strong, Franklin J. Schaffner‘s breathtaking historical biopic Patton is one of the most revered and classic war movies of the 20th century. Winner of seven major Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, it features the late George C. Scott in a commanding performance as the controversial U.S. General George S. Patton during his aggressive military campaign during World War II.
Patton is a bold and compelling take on one of the most unorthodox but effective military commanders in American history. It’s a complex story with a thought-provoking look at war and international conflictscoming out during a time when the country was still in the midst of war in Vietnam. The writing is top-notch and deep, the direction and cinematography are simply spectacular, and the performances are flawless. Overall, Patton endures today for its storytelling and acting excellence, making it one of the most recognizable films of the decade.
9
‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
There’s no film that shows the imagination and wonderful charm of the ’70s more than Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factorythe family musical classic that continues to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s a touchy, heartwarming tale that’s stuck with generations, showing the late but never forgotten Gene Wilder in a career-defining performance as an eccentric candy company owner who takes a lucky few children and their guardians on a strange and delightful tour through his magical chocolate factory.
With awe-inspiring sets, charming performances, and iconic songs, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a ’70s masterpiece that all ages and generations can enjoy. It’s become unforgettable thanks to its memorable story and Wilder’s legendary performance as the delightfully bizarre Willy Wonka. The movie is a timeless classic that continues to have an enduring legacy in the musical genre.
8
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Right up there with Orson Welles‘ Citizen Kane, The Godfather is widely considered to be one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of all time. Giving one of the most acclaimed performances ever, the late Marlon Brando plays Don Vito Corleone, the head of a powerful New York crime syndicate, who struggles to ensure his family’s safety and the future of his young son, Michael (To the Pacino), after a near-fatal assassination attempt.
A flawless crime epic with Oscar-winning writing, direction, and acting, it’s a classic that came to define the 1970sand its influence on cinema is almost unmatched. It’s one every film buff and casual viewer needs to experience at least once because of how powerful and captivating its story is. It’s timeless and just as influential today as it was back in the ’70s, and will likely be for many more decades.
7
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
We can’t talk about the ’70s movies without addressing the fact that it was a fantastic and groundbreaking decade for the horror genre. It was a time of epic chills and thrills, featuring the releases of some of the most celebrated horror classics of all time. And truly, the horror of the ’70s wouldn’t have been the same without The Exorcistthe terrifying masterpiece from director William Friedkin. Starring Ellen Burstyn and Max von Sydowit follows two priests as they battle a formidable demon that’s taken over the body of a young girl (Linda Blair).
It’s epically terrifying and powerfully intense, truly making The Exorcist one of the scariest horror movies of all time. Its ability to unsettle hasn’t diminished in the years since it was released in 1973, and it’s just as shocking and nightmare-inducing as ever before. It’s a necessary watch for horror fans and represents some of the best that the horror genre has to offer in the decade.
6
‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
The epic continuation to Francis Ford Coppola‘s The Godfather, The Godfather: Part IIis an incredible achievement that most films fail to achieve: being just as brilliant and acclaimed as the first one. It’s a sequel that many critics and fans today argue trumps its predecessor, bringing with it a more heartbreaking and compelling story that follows Don Michael Corleone as he slips further into his role as a remorseless crime lord, while a flashback B-plot follows his father, Vito’s (ROBERT DE NIRO), rise to power.
It’s one of the most perfectly acted films of all timeand even today is endlessly praised by film buffs as an absolute masterpiece that shall never be forgotten. Like its predecessor, it’s an essential piece of ’70s cinema that showed the creative art of this glorious time. It’s a must-watch for enthusiasts and average film-goers, and can still blow them away with its epic story.
5
‘Jaws’ (1975)
There’s hardly any ’70s film that screams more fun than Jawsthe Steven Spielberg horror adventure masterpiece that’s hailed today as one of the most entertaining movies of all time. It’s a blast of entertainment that continues to be thrilling, featuring an iconic story about three men who set out on a high-seas hunt for a killer great white shark that’s been terrorizing the shores of Amity Island.
Jaws is a delight that never loses its ability to entertain and terrify. It’s one of the highest-grossing movies of the 1970s, and its success ultimately gave rise to the idea of the summer blockbuster. Its performances are legendary, Spielberg’s creative direction is flawless, and John Williams‘s epic score for the shark remains a staple of pop culture that will never be forgotten.
4
‘Rocky’ (1976)
The Best Picture winner, the 1976 classic Rockyis a true icon of cinema that remains one of the most inspiring and legendary sports dramas of all time. It’s a captivating film that can inspire the hearts of countless viewers, following the story of a struggling small-time Philadelphia boxer, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), as he fights against his personal demons to gain the confidence needed to go up against a heavyweight champion in a match for his one and only chance at greatness.
Rocky is an ultimate underdog story that feels timeless and just as touching as ever. It was a massive critical and commercial success, and the titular character and his story remain legendary in pop culture. It’s a ’70s masterpiece that can be seen again and again and still produces the same emotional effect.
3
‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ (1977)
We can’t talk about the ’70s without discussing how it gave birth to one of the most popular franchises ever, Star Wars. In 1977, the one that started it all, Episode IV – A New Hope (originally titled Star Wars), was the cinematic event of the decade, launching this epic sci-fi franchise into the spotlight where it’s still talked about today. This thrilling beginning to the original saga sees an epic journey where a desert farm boy joins a band of heroes to save a princess from the evil clutches of the Galactic Empire.
A New Hope is one of the most rewatchable and celebrated blockbuster films of all time. It’s a cinematic achievement that was a critical and box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of the 1970s, and still one of its most recognizable films today. Thrilling, adventurous, and unforgettable, A New Hope is a film that truly screams nostalgia.
2
‘Grease’ (1978)
A charming love story that’s become one of the most recognizable musicals of the ’70s, Grease is a beloved classic that’s remained timeless thanks to its incredible songs and wonderful characters. It’s about a bond between two lovers of different backgrounds as they struggle to rekindle their affection for each other in high school during the 1950s.
It’s a feel-good romance that can warm your heart and keep you constantly humming its catchy, fun songs. From the iconic cast and characters to the epic singing duo of John Travolta and the late dame Olivia Newton-John, Grease is a musical blast that feels timeless and endlessly enjoyable. Its story has been constantly retold through stage plays, spinoff musicals, and made-for-TV adaptations, and remains a celebrated piece of ’70s cinema.
1
‘Alien’ (1979)
Ending the decade with one last horror horrah, Sir Ridley Scott‘s Alien is a truly timeless sci-fi horror classic. It’s a captivating and visually marvelous chiller that continues to amaze and scare audiences throughout the years. Starring Sigourney Weaver and Tom Skerrittit follows the crew of a deep-space commercial towing vessel as they encounter a deadly alien stowaway.
It’s visually flawless, eerily suspenseful, and full of intense scares. Alien is an absolute cinematic masterpiece with an A-list cast and a fascinating story that remains iconic. It’s a film that looks like it could be made today, and it can still send shivers down your spine, thanks to its tone and Oscar-winning creature design effects, courtesy of the late artist H. R. Giger. Overall, Alien helped send the ’70s off with a bang thanks to its terrifying brilliance.
Alien
- Release Date
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June 22, 1979
- Runtime
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117 Minutes