The 1970s was a transformative decade for cinema, marked by a significant elevation in the raw maturity of the medium. This era has been extensively covered and revisited, with recommendations for essential '70s movies that everyone should watch at least once. However, a select few films have earned the highest praise from professional critics, solidifying their place as enduring cinematic classics. These movies, as highlighted by Rotten Tomatoes, showcase the singularly noteworthy nature of the decade's cinematic achievements.
Among the top-rated '70s movies, 'Badlands' stands out as a compelling debut from filmmaker Terence Malick. The film, loosely based on the true story of Charles Starkweather, stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek in a tale of a rebellious couple on the run with a body count in their wake. Malick's accessible storytelling style, combined with Sheen and Spacek's memorable performances, has earned the movie a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a standout in the decade's offerings.
Another standout is 'Halloween' (1978), directed by John Carpenter and Debra Hill. This slasher film brought the horror sub-genre into the mainstream, introducing the iconic masked serial killer, Michael Myers, to the silver screen. With a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie's pacing, performances, and Carpenter's musical score elevate it to the status of a quintessential popcorn horror film. Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a star-making performance as Laurie Strode, the ultimate final girl, while Michael Myers remains a chilling cinematic presence.
'The French Connection' (1971) is another critical success, directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman as the reckless yet effective police detective, Popeye Doyle. The movie's gritty portrayal of the drug trafficking ring and Doyle's high-octane car chase sequence have earned it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Hackman's magnetic performance and the movie's authenticity in handling its subject matter make it a standout in both Friedkin and Hackman's careers.
'Annie Hall' (1977), directed by Woody Allen and starring Diane Keaton, is a critical darling and a personal favorite. The movie's witty screenplay, Academy Award-winning performances, and Allen's on-screen presence have earned it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While Allen is an incredibly problematic figure, the legacy of 'Annie Hall' endures, making it a must-watch for fans of the era's cinema.
'The Godfather' (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a landmark film that brought a heightened mainstream maturity to the medium. The movie's adaptation of Mario Puzo's crime epic, with Al Pacino in the lead role, has earned it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Coppola's highest-rated movie ever on Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Godfather' is a seminal work that continues to receive critical accolades over 50 years later.
'Jaws' (1975), directed by Steven Spielberg, is a sun-soaked horror movie that reshaped the box office forever. The movie's combination of aquatic suspense and slice-of-life domesticity, led by a world-weary Roy Scheider, has earned it a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Spielberg's expert balancing of suspense and domesticity, along with its groundbreaking camera work, has made 'Jaws' a summer blockbuster staple.
'Day for Night' (1973), directed by François Truffaut, is a dramedy that depicts a film-within-a-film narrative. The movie's chaotic production, messy relationships, and self-aware humor have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert declared it the best movie ever made about the movies, praising its observational storytelling with a self-aware twist.
'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' (1974) is a tautly placed crime classic, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Walter Matthau. The movie's heist premise, intense performances, and Matthau's wry comedy have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is considered one of the greatest heist movies ever made, with a contemporary review from The Hollywood Reporter noting Matthau's perfectly weary sense of irony.
'The Conformist' (1970), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, is a visually stunning and complex film that offers no easy answers about its characters' actions. The movie's atmospheric meditation on the motives behind complicity has earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Independent referred to it as a beautifully imagined portrait of moral and political cowardice.
'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' (1971), directed by Luis Buñuel, is a darkly funny takedown of the disaffected rich. The movie's deadpan satire and subversive qualities have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian referred to it as an exotic and brilliant hothouse flower of a film.
'Killer of Sheep' (1978), directed by Charles Burnett, is a haunting experience that gives a voice to the overlooked and downtrodden of Los Angeles. The movie's moody presentation and evocative performances have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert praised its depiction of poverty as the quiet nobility of lives lived with values but without opportunities.
'The Last Picture Show' (1971), directed by Peter Bogdanovich, is a deeply melancholy coming-of-age story set in small-town Texas. The movie's black-and-white cinematography, bittersweet story, and uninhibited emotional complexity have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Newsweek described it as a masterpiece, fueled by the uninhibited emotional complexity of its characters.
'Chinatown' (1974), directed by Roman Polanski, is a neo-noir thriller that combines bleak storytelling with masterfully charismatic performances. The movie's dark twists and understatedly stylish presentation have earned it a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The New Yorker praised its wicked skill, humor, and social alertness.
'Ali: Fear Eats the Soul' (1974), directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, is an intimate melodrama that tells the tale of love in the face of adversity. The movie's emotional honesty and relatable characters have earned it a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Sight & Sound referred to it as a remarkable balance between stylization and realism.
'Stalker' (1979), directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, is a sci-fi masterpiece that transcends genre. The movie's philosophical messaging, dreamy staging, and surreal presentation have earned it a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. A retrospective Los Angeles Times review declared it had a hypnotic pull, drawing the viewer deeper and deeper into its enigmatic adventure.
