1. The Paper Chase (1973)
The Paper Chase might not ring many bells today, but back in the ‘70s, it was a defining film for college dramas. Following a first-year law student navigating the pressures of Harvard Law School, it was a sharp commentary on academic life and ambition. With an iconic performance by John Houseman, who won an Academy Award for his role as the demanding professor, it became a classic portrayal of student-teacher relationships and the brutal world of higher education. The film’s sharp dialogue and tense atmosphere left a mark on the genre.
Though it never achieved widespread commercial success, The Paper Chase helped shape the genre of academic films. The film’s influence can be felt in later works, but it’s largely fallen into obscurity in comparison to its more famous counterparts. It captured the spirit of intense, intellectual competition, but today, it’s mostly forgotten outside of film school screenings. It’s a shame that such a potent reflection of academia has become relegated to a niche status.
2. The Last Detail (1973)
Starring Jack Nicholson and Randy Quaid, The Last Detail is an unforgettable, sharply written road movie that explores friendship and the consequences of a petty crime. Directed by Hal Ashby, it follows two Navy sailors tasked with escorting a young man to prison for a minor offense. With a raw, unsentimental look at life’s disappointments, The Last Detail resonated deeply with audiences in the ‘70s for its gritty realism and emotional depth. Nicholson’s standout performance made the film a standout of the era.
Despite its acclaim, The Last Detail never became a permanent fixture in popular culture. The unique blend of comedy and drama, combined with its exploration of disillusionment, was ahead of its time. Today, the film is often overlooked when discussing Nicholson’s iconic roles, even though it’s a critical piece of his early career. It remains a forgotten gem of ‘70s cinema that deserves more recognition.
3. Night Moves (1975)
Arthur Penn’s Night Moves is a hauntingly atmospheric neo-noir that starred Gene Hackman as a private investigator on a case that spirals into a personal nightmare. With its moody cinematography and intricate plotting, the film was a standout among detective thrillers. It defied the usual conventions of the genre, focusing less on action and more on the psychological unraveling of its protagonist. Hackman delivered a nuanced, understated performance that was both chilling and compelling.
Despite being hailed as one of the finest films of the ‘70s by critics, Night Moves has largely faded from the public consciousness. It wasn’t the kind of thriller that offered easy answers or fast-paced action, which may have contributed to its gradual disappearance. While it influenced later filmmakers, it remains largely forgotten by most moviegoers. Night Moves is a classic example of a film that defined a genre but didn’t maintain its place in the cultural spotlight.
4. A Boy and His Dog (1975)
A post-apocalyptic dark comedy, A Boy and His Dog was a bizarre, offbeat take on survival in a dystopian future. Starring a young Don Johnson, the film follows a boy and his telepathic dog as they navigate a decaying world. The film’s quirky premise and dry humor set it apart from other dystopian narratives of the time. It was gritty and irreverent, full of cynical humor and a bleak view of humanity’s future.
Despite its cult status, A Boy and His Dog has largely been forgotten in the modern era. The film’s strange combination of science fiction and social commentary was too ahead of its time for mainstream success. Though it inspired some later works, it hasn’t remained a staple in pop culture. Its unique, offbeat style earned it critical acclaim in some circles but left it stranded in obscurity for others.
5. The Missouri Breaks (1976)
Starring Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando, The Missouri Breaks was an odd, almost surreal western that took risks with its genre conventions. Directed by Arthur Penn, the film was about a cattle rustler and the eccentric, unpredictable lawman hunting him down. Brando’s performance, full of quirks and unconventional choices, was both fascinating and confusing to many at the time. Nicholson’s grounded portrayal of a troubled outlaw offered a stark contrast to Brando’s bizarre antics.
Despite the powerhouse cast, The Missouri Breaks never truly found an audience. The film’s strange narrative and offbeat characters were at odds with the traditional expectations of a western. Though it garnered some attention for its daring performances, it didn’t have the staying power of other genre films. It’s a western that challenges expectations but remains largely forgotten today, overshadowed by more iconic works of the same genre.
6. Marathon Man (1976)
Marathon Man, with Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier, is a taut, nerve-wracking thriller about an innocent man caught in an international conspiracy. The film’s iconic “Is it safe?” line from Olivier became a part of pop culture, and Hoffman’s portrayal of a man pushed to the brink of sanity is unforgettable. The film blended suspense, paranoia, and a strong psychological dimension that made it a standout in the thriller genre of the ‘70s.
Yet, despite its lasting influence, Marathon Man is no longer the household name it once was. Its complex plot and dark tone made it a tough sell for mainstream audiences. While it remains a classic for thriller enthusiasts, it’s not the first film people think of when reminiscing about the ‘70s. Marathon Man defined its genre but has faded into obscurity compared to other suspense thrillers of the era.
7. Sorcerer (1977)
Sorcerer, directed by William Friedkin, is a tense, atmospheric thriller about four men driving trucks filled with explosives through a jungle. Though it shared DNA with Friedkin’s previous success, The French Connection, Sorcerer was a much darker, slower film. The movie’s incredible sense of tension and its exploration of human survival in extreme circumstances made it a standout of the genre. Despite being a critical darling, the film struggled at the box office.
Over time, Sorcerer has been largely forgotten, overshadowed by Friedkin’s more popular works. Its slow pace and heavy focus on atmosphere made it a challenging film for many viewers. Although it has garnered a cult following in recent years, it remains underappreciated compared to other thrillers. Sorcerer remains one of the ‘70s most influential films that never achieved the recognition it deserved.
8. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
John Cassavetes’ The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a searing character study about a nightclub owner forced into a deadly situation. With its gritty, naturalistic style and unconventional narrative structure, the film stood out from other crime thrillers. The film’s portrayal of a flawed, desperate man who finds himself in over his head was raw and compelling. Cassavetes, as both writer and director, crafted a work that was both experimental and accessible.
Despite critical praise, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie has become a forgotten gem. Its unconventional style, which blended elements of noir and independent cinema, was ahead of its time. While it was groundbreaking in many ways, it never achieved mainstream success. Today, it’s a cult classic for those who appreciate Cassavetes’ unique voice but largely overlooked by the general public.
9. The Sentinel (1977)
The Sentinel is a supernatural horror film that revolves around a young woman who moves into a gothic Brooklyn apartment, only to discover dark, otherworldly secrets. With its eerie atmosphere and unsettling visuals, the film was ahead of its time in depicting psychological and supernatural horror. Featuring an ensemble cast that included Christina Raines, Ava Gardner, and Burgess Meredith, it played with themes of possession and demonic forces in ways that influenced later horror films.
Yet, despite its chilling premise and the star-studded cast, The Sentinel has fallen into obscurity. The film’s bizarre plot and slow pacing made it a niche offering in the horror genre. Though it had an eerie charm, it didn’t have the staying power of other classic horror films of the era. The Sentinel remains an underappreciated part of 1970s horror cinema.
10. Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)
A disturbing drama about a woman seeking liberation in the ‘70s, Looking for Mr. Goodbar stars Diane Keaton as a schoolteacher leading a double life of sexual liberation. The film is a fascinating exploration of the dangers of living in a world of unchecked desires and the perils of seeking independence in a changing society. It is disturbing, honest, and insightful, with Keaton giving one of her most memorable performances.
Though the film had a strong cultural message, Looking for Mr. Goodbar has become nearly forgotten. Its dark, raw portrayal of sexual freedom was too bold for mainstream audiences at the time, leading to its relegation to a niche status. Despite being a critical success, it’s often overshadowed by other films that explored similar themes more subtly. Today, it’s an overlooked classic of the ‘70s that deserves a second look.
11. The Warriors (1979)
A cult classic in the truest sense, The Warriors is a gritty, surreal film about a gang trying to survive a chaotic, violent night in New York City. With its stylized action, colorful gangs, and energetic soundtrack, it captured the anarchic spirit of the time. Directed by Walter Hill, The Warriors was a groundbreaking take on urban survival and group dynamics, turning street-level violence into a kind of dark mythology.
Though it gained a devoted fanbase, The Warriors was often dismissed by critics at the time. Its outlandish premise and violent scenes made it an easy target for censorship. Despite its lasting influence on pop culture, it’s rarely cited as one of the top films of the era. The Warriors defined the genre in its way, but it’s mostly forgotten in mainstream discussions today.
12. The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)
Robert Redford stars in The Great Waldo Pepper, a film about a former barnstorming pilot in the early years of aviation. The film captured the excitement of early air shows and the pioneering spirit of aviators in the 1920s and ‘30s. Redford’s performance was a highlight, full of charisma and charm, but it wasn’t enough to save the film from being overlooked by audiences.
Despite critical praise and Redford’s star power, The Great Waldo Pepper wasn’t a commercial success. Its depiction of a dying era in aviation, combined with a slow-paced narrative, didn’t appeal to the masses. While it has a certain charm for fans of aviation or Redford’s films, it’s now largely forgotten. The film’s failure to connect with audiences led it into obscurity, even though it deserves a place in the ‘70s cinematic landscape.
13. The Last of Sheila (1973)
A forgotten whodunit, The Last of Sheila stars James Coburn and Raquel Welch in a mystery about a group of friends invited to a yacht for a game that turns deadly. Written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins, the film is a clever, intricately plotted thriller with plenty of twists and turns. It mixed elements of comedy and suspense, making it a standout in the genre.
Despite its intriguing premise and strong cast, The Last of Sheila failed to achieve lasting fame. Its intricate plotting and lack of clear resolutions may have turned off mainstream audiences, and it quickly faded from popular memory. It remains a cult classic for mystery lovers, but outside of that niche, it’s largely forgotten. It’s a prime example of a film that was ahead of its time but lost in the shuffle of more well-known thrillers.
14. Zoot Suit (1978)
Zoot Suit was a musical drama that dealt with the Zoot Suit Riots of the ‘40s, a racially charged event in Los Angeles. Directed by Luis Valdez and starring Edward James Olmos, the film explored the struggles of Mexican-American youth caught in a turbulent social climate. Its bold use of music, dance, and social commentary made it a unique offering in the genre of historical dramas.
While Zoot Suit was praised for its cultural significance, it was overshadowed by other films of the time. The film’s stylized approach to a serious topic made it a challenging watch for many. Today, Zoot Suit is mostly forgotten, despite being one of the few films to address the Zoot Suit Riots. Its legacy is largely confined to academic discussions of race and social history.
15. The Goodbye Girl (1977)
A charming romantic comedy from Neil Simon, The Goodbye Girl stars Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason as two unlikely roommates who fall in love. The film, full of sharp wit and heartfelt moments, was a standout in the genre. Dreyfuss’s performance won him an Academy Award, adding to the film’s accolades. Its humor and heart made it a beloved film of the ‘70s.
Despite its critical acclaim and the success of its lead actors, The Goodbye Girl has slipped into obscurity. The film’s genre, once a staple of ‘70s cinema, has fallen out of favor with modern audiences. Although it remains a nostalgic favorite for some, it’s not widely remembered today. The Goodbye Girl might have defined romantic comedies of its time, but it’s now mostly forgotten.
