Every Year’s Best Film of the 1970s

Every Year’s Best Film of the 1970s

The 1970s transformed Hollywood forever, giving us some of the most unforgettable movies ever made. From space adventures to intense dramas, this decade pushed boundaries and changed what films could achieve. Each year brought something special to theaters, capturing the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. Let’s explore the standout film from every single year of this incredible decade.

1. 1970 – Patton

General George S. Patton comes alive through George C. Scott’s powerhouse performance in this sweeping biographical war epic. Director Franklin J. Schaffner crafted a film that doesn’t just tell a story—it commands your attention from the iconic opening scene.

Scott’s portrayal earned him an Oscar, though he famously refused to accept it. The film balances massive battle sequences with intimate character moments, showing Patton as both brilliant strategist and deeply flawed human being.

What makes this war film stand apart is its refusal to glorify or condemn its subject. Instead, it presents a complex portrait of leadership, ego, and military genius that still resonates today.

2. 1971 – A Clockwork Orange

Stanley Kubrick shocked the world with this dystopian vision that nobody saw coming. Visually stunning and deeply disturbing, the film sparked debates about violence, free will, and society that continue decades later.

Malcolm McDowell’s unforgettable performance as Alex DeLarge became instantly iconic. The film’s bold visual style—from the Korova Milk Bar to the controversial treatment scenes—created imagery burned into cinema history.

Banned in some countries and protested in others, Kubrick’s masterpiece refused to provide easy answers. Its social commentary remains relevant, questioning whether controlling violent behavior justifies removing human choice entirely.

3. 1972 – The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola transformed Mario Puzo’s novel into pure cinematic gold. This mafia saga redefined what American movies could be, blending family drama with crime thriller in ways nobody had attempted before.

Marlon Brando’s raspy-voiced Don Vito Corleone became instantly legendary. Al Pacino’s transformation from reluctant son to ruthless leader forms the film’s emotional core, supported by incredible performances throughout.

Every frame feels carefully crafted, from Gordon Willis’s shadowy cinematography to Nino Rota’s haunting score. The film proved blockbusters could also be art, earning both massive box office success and universal critical acclaim as one of cinema’s greatest achievements.

4. 1973 – The Exorcist

William Friedkin’s terrifying masterpiece made audiences scream, faint, and run from theaters. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, this film about demonic possession became a cultural phenomenon that changed horror cinema forever.

Linda Blair’s performance as possessed Regan MacNeil remains deeply unsettling. The practical effects—still shocking today—combined with brilliant sound design to create genuine terror that CGI has never quite matched.

Beyond the scares, the film explores faith, doubt, and evil with surprising depth. Its influence on horror cannot be overstated, setting the standard for supernatural thrillers and proving scary movies deserved serious critical attention and awards recognition.

5. 1974 – The Godfather Part II

Coppola achieved the impossible—creating a sequel that matches or surpasses the original. This richly layered epic weaves two timelines together, showing Michael Corleone’s descent into darkness while revealing his father’s rise to power.

Robert De Niro won an Oscar playing young Vito, speaking mostly Italian throughout his scenes. The parallel stories create powerful contrasts, showing how different choices led father and son down similar yet distinct paths.

Al Pacino delivers a haunting performance as Michael becomes everything he once rejected. The film’s final shot—Michael alone, having lost everything that mattered—remains one of cinema’s most devastating endings.

6. 1975 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Jack Nicholson’s Randle McMurphy swaggers into a mental institution and changes everything. Milos Forman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel swept the major Oscars, capturing the decade’s rebellious spirit perfectly.

McMurphy’s battle against Nurse Ratched’s oppressive control system resonated deeply with 1970s audiences. Louise Fletcher’s chilling performance as Ratched created one of cinema’s most memorable villains without ever raising her voice.

The film works as both entertainment and powerful commentary on institutional control versus individual freedom. Its tragic ending hits hard, but McMurphy’s spirit of defiance inspired viewers to question authority and fight for personal dignity.

7. 1976 – Rocky

Sylvester Stallone wrote this underdog story in three days and insisted on playing the lead role. His gamble paid off spectacularly, creating one of cinema’s most beloved characters and winning Best Picture against all odds.

Rocky Balboa isn’t really about boxing—it’s about dignity, love, and proving you’re not just another bum from the neighborhood. The relationship between Rocky and shy Adrian provides the film’s emotional heart.

Shot on a tiny budget with handheld cameras, the film’s gritty authenticity resonated with audiences everywhere. That triumphant run up the Philadelphia Museum steps became iconic, symbolizing determination and the American dream itself.

8. 1977 – Star Wars

George Lucas changed everything with this space opera that nobody expected to succeed. Combining samurai films, westerns, and classic mythology, he created a universe that captured imaginations worldwide and revolutionized filmmaking forever.

The special effects were unlike anything audiences had seen before. Lightsabers, Death Star battles, and the Millennium Falcon made science fiction feel real and exciting rather than cheesy.

Beyond the groundbreaking visuals, the simple story of good versus evil resonated universally. Luke Skywalker’s hero journey, Han Solo’s roguish charm, and Princess Leia’s fierce leadership created characters that became cultural icons overnight.

9. 1978 – The Deer Hunter

Michael Cimino’s powerful epic examines how the Vietnam War shattered lives and friendships. Following three steelworkers from their Pennsylvania hometown to the war and back, the film creates an unforgettable portrait of trauma and survival.

The infamous Russian roulette scenes remain intensely disturbing and controversial. Whether historically accurate or not, they capture the randomness of wartime death and psychological destruction with brutal effectiveness.

Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep deliver career-best performances. The film’s three-hour runtime allows deep character development, making their suffering and struggles feel genuinely real and heartbreaking.

10. 1979 – Apocalypse Now

Coppola’s surreal journey into madness nearly destroyed him during production, but created absolute cinema magic. This Vietnam War epic transcends typical war movies, becoming a hallucinatory exploration of darkness, power, and human nature itself.

Martin Sheen’s Captain Willard travels upriver to find the rogue Colonel Kurtz, played magnificently by Marlon Brando. Each stop along the journey reveals deeper layers of insanity and moral collapse.

Vittorio Storaro’s breathtaking cinematography and the unforgettable “Ride of the Valkyries” helicopter attack sequence create visceral experiences. The film’s haunting question—”The horror… the horror”—lingers long after the credits roll.