The Decade That Quietly Produced Some Incredible Films
The 1970s are often called one of Hollywood's greatest decades, and for good reason. While blockbusters like Jaws and Star Wars still get plenty of attention, dozens of fantastic movies have quietly slipped through the cracks. If you're part of the earlier generations, these films might bring back a few wonderful memories—and if you haven't seen them in years, they may be worth another look.
Warner Bros., The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
#25. The Late Show (1977)
Art Carney and Lily Tomlin teamed up for this charming detective comedy that deserved a much bigger audience. Mixing old-school private-eye mysteries with dry humor, it became a favorite among critics but slowly disappeared from everyday movie conversations.
Screenshot from The Late Show, Warner Bros. Pictures (1977), Modified
#24. The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976)
What happens when Sherlock Holmes meets Sigmund Freud? This clever mystery starring Nicol Williamson, Robert Duvall, and Alan Arkin delivered an unforgettable twist on the legendary detective while earning two Academy Award nominations.
Screenshot from The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Universal Pictures (1976), Modified
#23. The Silent Partner (1978)
Elliott Gould stars as a quiet bank teller who outsmarts a ruthless robber played by Christopher Plummer. Just when you think you know where it's headed, the story takes another surprising turn. It's one of Canada's finest thrillers—and many people have never even heard of it.
Screenshot from The Silent Partner, Carolco Pictures (1978)
#22. Straight Time (1978)
Dustin Hoffman gives one of his most underrated performances as an ex-con trying to build an honest life after prison. Unfortunately, staying out of trouble turns out to be much harder than expected. It's gritty, realistic, and criminally overlooked.
Screenshot from Straight Time, Warner Bros. (1978)
#21. The Great Santini (1979)
Robert Duvall shines as a demanding Marine pilot whose strict parenting creates constant tension at home. The emotional performances helped earn Academy Award nominations, yet the film rarely gets mentioned alongside the decade's biggest dramas.
Screenshot from The Great Santini, Warner Bros. Pictures (1979)
#20. The Last Wave (1977)
Before Dead Poets Society, director Peter Weir crafted this haunting Australian mystery starring Richard Chamberlain. Blending supernatural elements with Aboriginal culture, it creates an eerie atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Screenshot from The Last Wave, United Artists (1977)
#19. The China Syndrome (1979)
Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas delivered one of the decade's smartest thrillers about nuclear safety. Released just days before the Three Mile Island accident, its timing made headlines—but the movie deserves to be remembered on its own merits.
Screenshot from The China Syndrome, Columbia Pictures (1979)
#18. Breaking Away (1979)
This heartfelt coming-of-age comedy follows four Indiana friends trying to figure out adulthood through bicycle racing, friendship, and plenty of humor. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and remains endlessly charming.
Screenshot from Breaking Away, 20th Century Fox (1979)
#17. The Driver (1978)
Ryan O'Neal barely speaks throughout this stylish crime thriller, letting the breathtaking car chases do most of the talking. Modern filmmakers—including Nicolas Winding Refn—have cited it as a major influence.
Screenshot from The Driver, 20th Century Fox (1978)
#16. The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
Robert Mitchum delivers a wonderfully understated performance as a weary Boston gunrunner trapped between criminals and police. There's very little glamour here—just excellent storytelling that deserves far more attention today.
Screenshot from The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Paramount Pictures (1973)
#15. Smile (1975)
Michael Ritchie turned a small-town beauty pageant into one of the funniest satires of the decade. Beneath the laughs lies a surprisingly sharp look at ambition, family, and small-town America.
Screenshot from Smile, United Artists (1975)
#14. The Laughing Policeman (1973)
Walter Matthau stars as a detective investigating the shocking murder of several bus passengers. Based on the acclaimed Swedish novel, it helped influence many police procedurals that followed.
Screenshot from The Laughing Policeman, 20th Century Fox (1973)
#13. Fat City (1972)
Directed by John Huston, this quiet boxing drama stars Stacy Keach and a young Jeff Bridges. Instead of celebrating champions, it explores the struggles of fighters whose dreams are slowly slipping away.
Screenshot from Fat City, Columbia Pictures (1972)
#12. The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
Charles Grodin gives a wonderfully awkward performance in this Neil Simon comedy directed by Elaine May. If you've ever made a terrible vacation decision, you'll probably relate more than you'd like.
Screenshot from The Heartbreak Kid, 20th Century Fox (1972)
#11. Scarecrow (1973)
Gene Hackman and Al Pacino star as two drifters crossing America in search of a better future. Their unlikely friendship turns this road movie into one of the decade's most overlooked gems.
Screenshot from Scarecrow, Warner Bros. (1973)
#10. Sorcerer (1977)
Director William Friedkin followed The Exorcist with this nerve-racking thriller about desperate men transporting unstable explosives through the jungle. Unfortunately, opening opposite Star Wars buried one of the decade's greatest suspense films.
Screenshot from Sorcerer, Universal Pictures (1977)
#9. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Walter Matthau faces off against subway hijackers in one of the smartest crime thrillers ever made. The dialogue is razor-sharp, and New York City practically becomes another character.
Screenshot from The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, United Artists (1974)
#8. Being There (1979)
Peter Sellers gives one of his finest performances as a gentle gardener whose simple observations are mistaken for profound wisdom. It's funny, thoughtful, and surprisingly relevant decades later.
Screenshot from Being There, United Artists (1979)
#7. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this unforgettable western about revenge, redemption, and survival after the Civil War. Many fans consider it his greatest western, yet it often gets overshadowed by his later work.
Screenshot from The Outlaw Josey Wales, Warner Bros. (1976)
#6. Marathon Man (1976)
Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier create one of cinema's most unforgettable thrillers. Even people who haven't seen the movie have probably heard someone nervously ask, 'Is it safe?'
Screenshot from Marathon Man, Paramount Pictures (1976)
#5. Paper Moon (1973)
Ryan O'Neal and his daughter Tatum O'Neal charm audiences as unlikely traveling partners during the Great Depression. Tatum became the youngest competitive Academy Award winner in history for her remarkable performance.
Screenshot from Paper Moon, Paramount Pictures (1973)
#4. Network (1976)
Peter Finch's unforgettable television meltdown remains one of cinema's greatest moments. The film's satire of media, ratings, and sensationalism feels even more relevant today than it did nearly fifty years ago.
Screenshot from Network, United Artists (1976)
#3. Days of Heaven (1978)
Terrence Malick created one of the most visually stunning films ever made. Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, and Sam Shepard star in this beautifully photographed drama that looks more like moving artwork than a traditional movie.
Screenshot from Days of Heaven, Paramount Pictures (1978)
#2. The Deer Hunter (1978)
Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep delivered one of the defining films about the Vietnam War. Although highly acclaimed, it doesn't get discussed nearly as often as many other Best Picture winners from the era.
Screenshot from The Deer Hunter, Universal Pictures (1978), Modified
#1. All That Jazz (1979)
Bob Fosse's dazzling musical drama combines unforgettable dance numbers with an honest look at fame, creativity, and mortality. It won four Academy Awards and shared the Cannes Film Festival's top prize, yet many younger movie fans have never experienced its brilliance.
Screenshot from All That Jazz, 20th Century Fox (1979)
Final Thoughts
The 1970s produced far more than just the movies that dominate every 'greatest films' list. These overlooked classics proved that incredible performances, memorable stories, and unforgettable characters don't always stay in the spotlight. If you're looking for something different on movie night, this list is a great place to start.
Screenshot from The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Paramount Pictures (1973)
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