12 Forgotten ’70s Movies That Are Way Better Than You Remember

12 Forgotten ’70s Movies That Are Way Better Than You Remember

The 1970s gave us Star Wars, The Godfather, and Jaws—but hidden behind these cinematic giants are gems that never got the recognition they deserved. Some were too weird for their time, others too quiet, and a few were just unlucky to debut alongside blockbuster juggernauts.

1. The Last Detail (1973)

Few films capture the contradictions of military life and masculinity as sharply as The Last Detail. Jack Nicholson and Randy Quaid play sailors on a road trip to escort a young man to prison—but what unfolds is equal parts rebellion, tragedy, and friendship.

It’s not about action or heroics; it’s about two men realizing the system they serve doesn’t always serve them back. Nicholson delivers one of his most underrated performances—brash, funny, and heartbreakingly human.

By the end, you’ll be left questioning who the real prisoners are. This is one of those films that stays with you long after the credits roll.

2. Paper Moon (1973)

A con artist and a sharp-tongued little girl hustling their way through Depression-era America shouldn’t make for a heartwarming story—but Paper Moon proves otherwise. Ryan and Tatum O’Neal’s father-daughter chemistry gives this film its magic.

The black-and-white cinematography adds a nostalgic glow, making it feel both old-fashioned and timeless. Beneath its humor and charm, there’s a real commentary on survival, trust, and family—especially the kind you create on the road.

Tatum O’Neal became the youngest person ever to win an Oscar for her role, and watching her steal every scene, it’s easy to see why.

3. The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)

This Boston-set crime drama doesn’t glamorize mobsters or shootouts—it dives into the weary, lonely lives of small-time criminals. Robert Mitchum plays Eddie Coyle, a man too low on the food chain to ever catch a break.

The film is quiet, methodical, and brutally real. There’s no soundtrack of glory or redemption here—just the grim inevitability of people trapped in their choices.

In a world obsessed with flashy crime stories, The Friends of Eddie Coyle stands out for its honesty. It’s the anti-Goodfellas, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

4. Sorcerer (1977)

Talk about bad timing—William Friedkin’s Sorcerer opened the same summer as Star Wars and was completely overshadowed. But if you love tension, this is one of the most gripping movies ever made.

Four desperate men transport unstable explosives through the jungle on rickety trucks. Every minute feels like a test of fate, courage, and sanity.

The atmosphere is suffocating, the cinematography breathtaking, and the synth score haunting. Today, Sorcerer is finally getting the recognition it deserves—a masterpiece of suspense decades ahead of its time.

5. Badlands (1973)

Terrence Malick’s debut feels more like a poem than a movie. Inspired by real-life killers on the run, it transforms violence into something strangely beautiful and deeply unsettling.

Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen deliver haunting performances as two lost souls searching for meaning in chaos. Their calm detachment makes the brutality even more chilling.

It’s not just a crime story—it’s an exploration of youth, loneliness, and the American dream gone wrong. Badlands is one of those films that lingers in your mind like a half-remembered dream.

6. The Parallax View (1974)

If paranoia had a poster child, it would be The Parallax View. Warren Beatty plays a journalist investigating a conspiracy that may go deeper than anyone can imagine.

Released during an era of political mistrust, the film captured a nation’s collective unease. Its slow burn and eerie silences make you constantly question who’s pulling the strings.

Decades later, it still feels relevant. In a world of misinformation and shadowy power, The Parallax View might just be more chilling now than it was in 1974.

7. Five Easy Pieces (1970)

A restless man who can’t fit in anywhere—that’s the heart of Five Easy Pieces. Jack Nicholson plays Bobby Dupea, a once-promising pianist who now works on oil rigs, running from his past and himself.

It’s a quiet, introspective film that perfectly captures that “is this all there is?” feeling so many people have. There’s humor, frustration, and a surprising amount of tenderness tucked between the silences.

The famous diner scene alone is worth watching—it’s Nicholson at his rebellious best, symbolizing the spirit of an entire disillusioned generation.

8. A New Leaf (1971)

Elaine May didn’t just direct A New Leaf—she wrote it and starred in it too. The result? One of the most delightfully dark comedies of the ’70s.

It follows a broke playboy who decides to marry a wealthy woman (played by May) and kill her for her money. But things don’t go as planned—because she’s too adorably awkward to hate.

Clever, charming, and surprisingly romantic, it’s a satire that makes you root for terrible people and question your own morals along the way.

9. The Long Goodbye (1973)

Robert Altman takes the classic Raymond Chandler detective and drops him into 1970s Los Angeles. The result is stylish, cynical, and unexpectedly funny.

Elliott Gould’s Philip Marlowe isn’t the tough guy from old noir—he’s a laid-back, mumbling guy who just can’t seem to keep up with the times. That’s exactly what makes him so endearing.

Altman turns a simple mystery into a commentary on changing morals and fading ideals. It’s noir with a wink—and it deserves far more love than it gets.

10. The Conversation (1974)

Long before privacy fears and surveillance scandals made headlines, The Conversation was already warning us. Gene Hackman plays a professional eavesdropper whose latest job sends him spiraling into paranoia.

Francis Ford Coppola made this between The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, yet it’s more intimate and psychologically devastating than either.

Quiet and unsettling, it’s a film about guilt, morality, and the terrifying cost of listening too closely. Today, it feels eerily prophetic.

11. Harold and Maude (1971)

Few movies dare to mix dark humor, love, and existential philosophy as gracefully as Harold and Maude. It tells the story of a death-obsessed young man who falls for a free-spirited 79-year-old woman.

On paper, it sounds absurd—but in practice, it’s life-affirming. Their connection teaches viewers about joy, individuality, and the beauty of nonconformity.

Decades later, it still feels like a rebellion against every cinematic cliché about love and life. Harold and Maude is weird in the best way possible.

12. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Adventure films don’t get much grander than this. John Huston’s The Man Who Would Be King stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine as two British soldiers trying to rule a remote kingdom—and paying the price for their ambition.

It’s witty, thrilling, and filled with moral complexity. Beyond its swashbuckling surface lies a powerful message about greed and hubris.

The chemistry between Connery and Caine makes it unforgettable. If epic storytelling and rich character work are your thing, this one’s a forgotten crown jewel.