The 1970s are often considered one of if not the defining era for modern cinema, the period where classical film transitioned into modern film. Between the release of classics such asThe Godfather,Dog Day Afternoon,andStar Wars,there was no shortage of quality filmmaking during this time period.
However, this decade is also notable for essentially forming thedefinition of cult classics, with many appearing during this time and engaging audiences outside the mainstream. Some of these films have gone on to receive their proper level of acclaim and regard, while others are just starting to gain exposure and consideration. These are just a few of the most noteworthy cult movies the ’70s have to offer.
Related:These ‘60s Cult Classics Don’t Get Enough Credit
Updated on August 3rd, 2023, byDanilo Raul:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15Blacula (1973)
Some films of the era stand out for offering unique takes on well-known properties.Blaxploitation was all the rage during the ’70s, so a movie likeBlaculawas almost expected, if not demanded. Over the years, this little masterpiece has earned a cult status for being the first film to portray a black man as a vampire.
William Crain directs the movie with a screenplay written by Joan Torres. In the film, we follow the story of an African prince named Mamuwalde, who travels to Transylvania to seek the help of Count Dracula to crush the slave trade. The count dismisses him and kills his wife while placing the curse of eternal life as a vampire on him. Renaming himself Blacula, the prince awakens in the ’70s after a gay couple buys their coffin just to begin his rampage in the new world.
14The Baby (1973)
The American psychological thriller is a genre that hasn’t been explored quite like in the ’70s.The Babyis a fine example of the type of films this era allowed. The movie is directed by Ted Post and written by Abe Polsky, and it works as an utterly bizarre tale of dependency and the horrors that dwell in the human mind.
InThe Baby, a social worker takes on the case of the Wadsworth family. The familiar group depends on the state care provided for their infantilized son, who is well over 20 years old buthas been in a baby-like state since birth. The social worker is seen as the altruistic surrogate since she clearly sees through the family’s ploy, but not everything is as it seems with this government employee.
13Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grailis a film that is much more famous right now than it ever was when it was released. The movie is written and directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones and stars the whole cast of the Monty Python crew. The story mainly focuses on parodying all the elements of Arthurian legends that are famous in Britain.
The movie is filled to the brim withabsurdist humor, quotable dialogue, and memorable set pieces. The screenplay is irreverent and innovative, showcasing the quest for the Grail as an absurd enterprise filled with laughable moments, such as the confrontation with the Knights Who Say “Ni!,” the unsolicited rescue of Lancelot from the maidens who wish to be punished, and more.
12The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)
Attempting to describe the plot ofThe Kentucky Fried Movieisto do a disservice to such an underrated comedygem from the ’70s. John Landis directs this hilarious movie with a screenplay by the Zucker brothers. It’s an anthology film that plays like a comedy special lasting over 96 minutes, but everything you see on the screen is done to satirize everything you watched on TV in the era.
The fast-paced movie makes fun of the audience from the very start and keeps offbeat jokes in every skit. The film parodies the Blaxploitation genre, extreme medications, Kung Fu films, morning shows, late-night shows, westerns, disaster films, and household products with questionable applications. It has much of the edgy humor of the era, so it’s sure to push some buttons with one too many offensive depictions, but it’s still well worth the watch.
11The Brood (1979)
The master of body horror, David Cronenberg, wrote and directed his sixth feature film in 1979. He delivered another grand masterpiece, albeit very underrated and obscure.The Broodis one of his lesser-known works but has all of Cronenberg’s signatures. In the story, a psychologist investigates a controversial therapy technique to treat hidden trauma by making it surface from the most shielded minds.
A man looking for relief from his wife’s fractured mind leaves her in the psychologist’s care. The woman’s background is filled with abuse and neglect, and her brimming rage is so powerful thatshe manifests her traumasinto deformed living mutants capable of killing to protect their mother. It’s a grotesque story that has gained a cult following over the years, though it looks tame compared to modern horror stories.
Related:These Are the Best Cult Classics of the ’90s
10The Warriors (1979)
Walter Hill’s 1979 classicThe Warriorsstill remains one of the most vibrant, brutal, and delightfully over-the-top films of its decade. Taking place in the gritty Bronx and Coney Island areas of NYC, the film is steeped in atmosphere and Hill truly revels in the seedy and eclectic nightlife the city has to offer. The film also has a wicked sense of dark humor and some truly exhilarating set pieces, resulting in a consistently thrilling and suspenseful experience.
The Warriorswisely avoids any pretense and lets its B-movie energy shine with a dose of artistry and flair. With its mix of inventive action, vivid storytelling, and gritty realism,The Warriorsremains a hard-edged yet undeniably captivating achievement.The Warriorswas initially met with negative reviews but in later years has become well-regarded by critics and evolved into a successful franchise. In terms of relevance,The Warriorscontinues to engage film fans and still packs a punch years later.
9Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Brian De Palma wrote and directedthe scary horror comedyrock musical from 1974,Phantom of the Paradise. It features William Finley as an aspiring musician who is double-crossed by a shady record producer. After a tragic accident leaves the singer disfigured, he takes on the persona of the Phantom to seek revenge against the nefarious producer. The lively film is loosely based on bothThe Picture of Dorian GreyandThe Phantom of the Opera,with the Paul Williams-composed soundtrack earning both an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination.
Critics pannedPhantom of the Paradiseand it was a box-office dud. However, time proved to be quite kind to the De Palma picture and it has since joined the ranks of celebrated ’70s classics. A fan festival was even organized in 2005 called Phantompalooza, with Finley and co-star Gerrit Graham in attendance.Phantom of the Paradiseis an exciting and underrated comedy horror knockout, that"has everything a cult classic needs: eccentric plotting, weird characters (watch out for Gerrit Graham as Beef), bizarre costumes, and a rocking soundtrack."
8The Man Who Fell to Earth (1987)
In sci-fi movies, strangers from other planets are usually invaders or envoys, plunderers or messiahs – but Nicolas Roeg’s allusive, dazzlingly beautiful space trip,The Man Who Fell to Earth(1976), creates something far more strange, thoughtful, and frustrating. The film finds the alien, calling himself Thomas Jerome Newton (played by theglam-rock icon David Bowie), in isolation.
Newton seeks to save his dying planet by finding water on Earth, only to experience a sense of disconnection from the unfamiliar world of late twentieth-century America. Bowie’s on-screen presence is so authentic that it doesn’t even feel like acting, and this may be one of the reasons whyThe Man Who Fell to Earthhas achieved cult status.
7A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Upon its release, Stanley Kubrick’s ultraviolent dystopian crime film,A Clockwork Orange(1971), received polarized reviews and wasbanned in some countriesdue to its graphic violence. However, despite the controversy,A Clockwork Orangelater gained a cult following and received multiple awards and nominations, including nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards. Perhaps it is because the film presents a perfect nightmare, delving into themes of morality, society, and human nature.
A disturbing yet thought-provoking,A Clockwork Orangefocuses on Alex DeLarge (played by Malcolm McDowell), a violent gang leader in dystopian Britain undergoing an experimental program to cure his anti-social tendencies. However, the treatment fails, and Alex’s experiences are far from peaceful.
6Sorcerer (1977)
A remake of the classic French filmThe Wages of Fear, William Friedkin’sSorcereris a taut and tense thriller with an all-star cast that, while dismissed and overshadowed by bigger films upon release, is gaining more of the acclaim that it deserves. The film follows a group of convicts who have been tasked with driving trucks full of explosives back and forth in South America. The plot peers into their inner lives and motivations while also highlighting the fragile and deadly existence they’re facing.
With a cast that includes Roy Scheider in the lead,Sorcereris a tense and powerful experience that manages to be both complex and entertaining while also offering up some big ideas in the process.Sorcereris now noted as one of the finest thrillers of the ’70s, and one ofWilliam Friedkin’s best films. Sadly, it was released right around the same time asStar Warsand was ultimately lost in the shuffle, resulting in a poor box-office performance. 35 years later, it’s now regarded as the exciting, intelligent, and haunting triumph that it is.
