20 Classic 70s Movies Everyone Should See at Least Once
The 1970s were a golden age of American film. From The Godfather and Jaws to Rocky and Star Wars, here are 20 classic 70s movies worth watching again.
In this article
The 1970s transformed Hollywood. A new generation of directors made bold, personal films, and the decade also gave birth to the summer blockbuster. Here are 20 classic 70s movies that still hold up.
The Oscar winners
- The Godfather (1972): Francis Ford Coppola's mob saga won Best Picture and is regularly ranked among the greatest films ever made.
- The Sting (1973): Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Depression-era con men. Best Picture winner.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975): Jack Nicholson's unforgettable performance swept the top five Oscars.
- Rocky (1976): the ultimate underdog story, and a Best Picture winner.
- Annie Hall (1977): Woody Allen and Diane Keaton's romantic comedy took Best Picture.
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979): Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep in a moving divorce drama. Best Picture winner.
Blockbusters
- Jaws (1975): Steven Spielberg's shark thriller is often called the first summer blockbuster.
- Star Wars (1977): George Lucas changed movies, and merchandising, forever.
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Spielberg's awe-filled UFO story.
- Superman (1978): Christopher Reeve made audiences believe a man could fly.
- Grease (1978): John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the beloved musical.
- Saturday Night Fever (1977): disco's defining movie.
Comedies
- Young Frankenstein (1974): Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder's brilliant horror spoof.
- Blazing Saddles (1974): Mel Brooks' outrageous Western satire.
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Burt Reynolds, a Trans Am and a truckload of beer.
- Animal House (1978): the comedy that launched a thousand toga parties.
Thrillers, horror and drama
- The Exorcist (1973): a horror landmark that terrified audiences.
- Taxi Driver (1976): Robert De Niro's haunting performance for Martin Scorsese.
- Alien (1979): Sigourney Weaver's Ripley became an iconic heroine.
- Apocalypse Now (1979): Coppola's epic, harrowing Vietnam War film.
Test your movie knowledge
Take our famous 70s actors quiz and classic movie trivia quiz, or see the best 80s movies.
