Underrated 70s Movies: 30 Hidden Gems You Need to Watch
Beyond the blockbusters and Oscar winners, the 1970s birthed extraordinary films that slipped through history's cracks. From surreal horror and neon noir to experimental Westerns, these underrated 70s movies broke every rule, pioneered new techniques, and influenced generations of filmmakers.
The 1970s revolutionised cinema, giving birth to masterpieces that changed filmmaking forever. While The Godfather and Jaws dominated headlines, a remarkable collection of films flew under the radar. From Gene Hackman's paranoid surveillance expert in The Conversation to the haunting visual poetry of Days of Heaven, these 30 overlooked gems showcase the decade's true creative spirit. They pushed boundaries, broke rules, and influenced generations of filmmakers—yet somehow slipped through the cracks of mainstream recognition.
Key Takeaways
✦ Collection of 30 overlooked 70s films spanning crime, sci-fi, drama, and westerns
✦ Features hidden gems like The Conversation, Days of Heaven, and The Driver
✦ Showcases innovative directors including Robert Altman, Terrence Malick, and Francis Ford Coppola
✦ Films were overshadowed by blockbusters but influenced modern cinema
✦ Many explored themes of paranoia, identity, and social change that still resonate
Let's get into the list, shall we?
1. The Long Goodbye
Director: Robert Altman
Cast: Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden
A radical reimagining of Raymond Chandler's detective, placing Philip Marlowe in 1970s Los Angeles. Gould's laid-back performance and Altman's subversive direction transform the noir genre into a commentary on modern morality. Makes the list for its daring deconstruction of detective film tropes.
2. The Conversation
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield
A surveillance expert becomes obsessed with a recording that might reveal a murder plot. A masterful study of paranoia and technology that's more relevant today than ever. Essential for its groundbreaking sound design and Hackman's career-best performance.
3. Sorcerer
Director: William Friedkin
Cast: Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal
Four desperate men transport unstable dynamite through treacherous South American jungle. A remake of The Wages of Fear that surpasses the original in intensity. Makes the list for its white-knuckle suspense and stunning practical effects.
4. The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Director: Peter Yates
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan
A ageing small-time criminal must choose between loyalty to his friends and self-preservation. Mitchum delivers his most nuanced late-career performance in this gritty, unsentimental crime drama that strips away all gangster movie glamour.
5. Scarecrow
Director: Jerry Schatzberg
Cast: Gene Hackman, Al Pacino
Two drifters form an unlikely friendship while traveling cross-country to start a car wash business. A character study featuring two of the decade's finest actors at their peak. Notable for its raw emotional honesty and naturalistic performances.
6. Fat City
Director: John Huston
Cast: Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges, Susan Tyrrell
A sobering look at small-time boxers struggling in Stockton, California. Huston's late-career masterpiece offers zero Rocky-style inspiration, instead delivering a raw portrait of dreams deferred. Makes the list for its unflinching realism and exceptional performances.
7. Blue Collar
Director: Paul Schrader
Cast: Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto
Three auto workers discover corruption in their union and attempt to blackmail their bosses. Pryor's finest dramatic performance anchors this powerful examination of class struggle and racial tensions in industrial America.
8. Harold and Maude
Director: Hal Ashby
Cast: Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon
A death-obsessed young man forms a romantic relationship with a 79-year-old free spirit. Initially a box office failure, this dark comedy's celebration of life and individuality has influenced countless filmmakers. Essential for its perfect blend of humour and humanity.
9. The Man Who Fell to Earth
Director: Nicolas Roeg
Cast: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark
An alien arrives on Earth seeking water for his dying planet but becomes trapped by human vices. Bowie's otherworldly presence perfectly matches Roeg's fractured narrative style. Notable for its ambitious themes and innovative visual storytelling.
10. Two-Lane Blacktop
Director: Monte Hellman
Cast: James Taylor, Dennis Wilson, Warren Oates
Two car-obsessed drifters challenge a mysterious GTO driver to a cross-country race. A masterpiece of minimalism that turns a simple road movie into an existential meditation. Makes the list for its unique tone and cultural snapshot of early 70s America.
11. Nashville
Director: Robert Altman
Cast: Lily Tomlin, Keith Carradine, Henry Gibson
A sprawling mosaic of 24 characters converging in the country music capital during a political rally. Altman's ambitious exploration of American culture, politics, and entertainment remains startlingly relevant. Notable for its innovative overlapping dialogue and prescient political commentary.
12. The Last Detail
Director: Hal Ashby
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid
Two Navy lifers escort a young sailor to prison, deciding to show him a good time first. Nicholson gives one of his finest performances in this bittersweet tale. Makes the list for its perfect balance of comedy and pathos.
13. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Kris Kristofferson
A widow starts over with her young son, pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. Scorsese's rare female-centered narrative showcases his versatility beyond crime dramas. Essential for Burstyn's Oscar-winning performance and its honest portrayal of single motherhood.
14. Phantasm
Director: Don Coscarelli
Cast: Michael Baldwin, Angus Scrimm
A teenage boy discovers a mysterious undertaker is reanimating the dead. Made on a tiny budget, this surreal horror film creates a unique dreamlike atmosphere. Notable for its imaginative world-building and blend of horror with sci-fi elements.
15. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
Director: Sam Peckinpah
Cast: Warren Oates, Isela Vega
A bartender embarks on a violent quest through Mexico to collect a bounty. Peckinpah's most personal film is a nihilistic masterpiece about obsession and revenge. Makes the list for Oates' career-defining performance and its unflinching examination of violence.
16. Don't Look Now
Director: Nicolas Roeg
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie
A grieving couple in Venice encounters mysterious psychic warnings. Roeg's masterful psychological thriller uses innovative editing to create mounting dread. Essential for its sophisticated exploration of grief and premonition.
17. Badlands
Director: Terrence Malick
Cast: Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek
A young couple goes on a killing spree across South Dakota. Malick's debut feature combines stunning visuals with detached narration to create an unforgettable meditation on violence and innocence. Notable for influencing generations of filmmakers.
18. Five Easy Pieces
Director: Bob Rafelson
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Karen Black
A former piano prodigy working on oil rigs confronts his past. Nicholson's nuanced performance drives this character study of class and identity in America. Makes the list for its complex examination of alienation and family.
19. Days of Heaven
Director: Terrence Malick
Cast: Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard
A love triangle plays out on a Texas farm during harvest season. Shot almost entirely during "magic hour," this visual poem revolutionised cinematography. Essential for its breathtaking imagery and innovative narrative approach.
Please check out our deep dive on this stunning film...
Richard Wells
20. Walkabout
Director: Nicolas Roeg
Cast: Jenny Agutter, David Gulpilil
Two European children lost in the Australian outback are helped by an Aboriginal boy. A haunting exploration of culture clash and coming-of-age. Notable for its stunning landscape photography and cross-cultural themes.
21. McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Director: Robert Altman
Cast: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie
A gambler and a madam build a business in a frontier mining town. Altman deconstructs Western myths with this atmospheric anti-Western. Makes the list for its innovative use of Leonard Cohen's music and naturalistic approach.
22. Solaris
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Cast: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk
A psychologist encounters mysterious phenomena on a space station orbiting an alien world. Tarkovsky's philosophical sci-fi masterpiece explores memory, love, and human consciousness. Essential for its profound themes and hypnotic pacing.
23. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Director: Joseph Sargent
Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw
Hijackers take control of a New York subway car and demand ransom. A taut thriller that captures 1970s New York in all its gritty glory. Notable for its sharp dialogue and excellent ensemble cast.
24. The Last Wave
Director: Peter Weir
Cast: Richard Chamberlain, David Gulpilil
A lawyer defending Aboriginal men experiences apocalyptic visions. Weir's atmospheric mystery blends supernatural elements with cultural commentary. Makes the list for its unique approach to Australian identity and environmental themes.
25. Remember My Name
Director: Alan Rudolph
Cast: Geraldine Chaplin, Anthony Perkins
A woman returns to torment her ex-husband and his new wife. Rudolph's unique narrative about obsession and revenge subverts thriller conventions. Essential for Chaplin's unsettling performance and its noir-influenced style.
26. King of Marvin Gardens
Director: Bob Rafelson
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern
Two brothers pursue a doomed real estate scheme in Atlantic City. A character study of familial bonds and American dreams gone sour. Notable for its understated performances and bleak winter atmosphere.
27. A Woman Under the Influence
Director: John Cassavetes
Cast: Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk
A working-class woman's mental health deteriorates as her family struggles to cope. Cassavetes' raw examination of marriage and mental illness. Makes the list for Rowlands' tour-de-force performance.
28. The Driver
Director: Walter Hill
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern
A professional getaway driver is pursued by a determined detective. Hill's minimalist car chase thriller influenced decades of action films. Essential for its stripped-down style and stunning vehicular choreography.
29. Watership Down
Director: Martin Rosen
Cast: John Hurt, Richard Briers (voices)
A group of rabbits search for a new home while facing countless dangers. This sophisticated animated film tackles adult themes through animal allegory. Notable for its philosophical depth and beautiful animation.
30. Silent Running
Director: Douglas Trumbull
Cast: Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts
A visually groundbreaking ecological sci-fi that follows a botanist trying to preserve Earth's last forests in space. Makes the list for its innovative special effects, environmental themes that were ahead of their time, and Dern's emotional performance.
I have taken the liberty of create a Letterboxd list for your convenience:
Comments ()