1. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange shocked audiences when it came out, and it’s still unsettling today. With its violent imagery, strange futuristic slang, and unflinching look at free will, it raised questions people weren’t ready to answer. Governments, parents, and critics all worried about its influence, and in the UK it was pulled from circulation for decades. Yet the film’s themes about choice and morality still feel as relevant as ever, especially in an age where technology can shape behavior.
Malcolm McDowell’s chilling performance made Alex unforgettable, and the movie’s surreal style influenced everything from music videos to fashion. Even if you’ve never seen it, you know its imagery, like the bowler hats and false eyelashes. Today, conversations around media, violence, and personal accountability echo the exact debates this movie stirred in the ’70s. That timelessness is what makes it both controversial and enduring.
2. Last Tango in Paris (1972)
Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris is still one of the most polarizing films of the decade. Its raw sexuality and emotional intensity unsettled audiences and critics alike. Marlon Brando’s portrayal of grief through physical intimacy was unlike anything moviegoers had ever seen. The film’s NC-17 rating and taboo-breaking scenes sparked outrage, but it also pushed cinema into uncharted territory.
Over the years, the movie has faced even deeper criticism for how the infamous butter scene was filmed and the ethical questions it raised. That ongoing debate has cemented its place in film history, both as groundbreaking and deeply troubling. Watching it now, the discomfort is impossible to separate from its artistry. It remains a reminder of how films can both expand and challenge our understanding of human relationships.
3. Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver captured the gritty underbelly of New York in the ’70s, and it’s as raw today as it was back then. Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle became the symbol of loneliness, alienation, and paranoia in an urban jungle. Audiences were shocked by its violence, especially in the climactic shootout. The film asked questions about morality, heroism, and vigilantism that didn’t have easy answers.
The movie became even more controversial after John Hinckley Jr. cited it as an influence in his attempt on Ronald Reagan’s life. That connection forever linked the film with real-world violence. Still, it’s hard to deny its artistry, from Scorsese’s directing to De Niro’s haunting “You talkin’ to me?” scene. Even today, it feels like it could be happening in any modern city plagued by isolation and unrest.
4. Midnight Express (1978)
When Midnight Express hit theaters, it sparked international outrage. The film told the story of an American jailed in Turkey for drug smuggling, and its harrowing prison scenes horrified audiences. The brutality, corruption, and hopelessness on display left viewers shaken. For many, it felt like a nightmare come to life.
But the controversy wasn’t just about the violence. The Turkish government denounced the film for its harsh portrayal of the country, saying it was unfair and misleading. Critics debated whether it was a cautionary tale about drugs or simply fear-mongering. Today, its gritty look at justice and punishment still feels urgent, especially in conversations about human rights and international law.
5. Straw Dogs (1971)
Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs pushed boundaries of violence and sexual assault in ways that unsettled audiences. Dustin Hoffman’s character, a quiet intellectual forced into brutality, left people questioning where civility ends and savagery begins. The film’s infamous assault scene sparked outrage that still hasn’t cooled. Even now, it’s one of the most debated moments in film history.
Peckinpah was never shy about showing violence, but here he crossed into territory that felt too real. Some saw it as a critique of masculinity, others as exploitation. Either way, the discomfort it causes hasn’t faded. Watching it today, you can see echoes of its themes in modern thrillers and psychological dramas.
6. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now wasn’t just a movie, it was an experience. Filmed under chaotic conditions, the Vietnam War epic was both mesmerizing and horrifying. Its hallucinatory visuals, intense performances, and moral ambiguity made it unlike anything else in theaters. Audiences wrestled with its surreal style and unflinching look at the horrors of war.
The controversy came not just from its subject matter, but also from its chaotic production and depictions of violence. Marlon Brando’s unsettling presence as Colonel Kurtz only deepened the sense of unease. Decades later, it still feels modern in how it explores the futility and madness of war. The themes it tackles are timeless, even if the setting is specific.
7. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon told the story of a bank robbery gone wrong, but it wasn’t just the heist that shocked people. Al Pacino’s character revealed he was robbing the bank to pay for his partner’s gender-affirming surgery, something audiences had never seen on screen before. That twist made the movie groundbreaking and controversial in equal measure.
It humanized queer characters at a time when Hollywood rarely did, yet it also raised questions about stereotypes and representation. The mix of real-life inspiration and bold storytelling left people debating its message for years. Today, its themes of desperation, identity, and media spectacle feel more relevant than ever. It’s a movie that truly captured the complexity of the human experience.
8. The Exorcist (1973)
When The Exorcist premiered, people fainted in theaters and lined up around the block. Its blend of religious themes and shocking horror imagery terrified audiences in a way no film had before. Linda Blair’s performance as a possessed child was unforgettable, and the movie sparked nationwide debates about faith and morality.
The Catholic Church condemned it, while others praised it as a masterpiece. Parents worried it would traumatize their children, and reports of audience members passing out only fueled its legend. Even today, horror fans see it as one of the scariest movies ever made. Its ability to shock hasn’t dimmed, and its themes still feel frighteningly modern.
9. The Last House on the Left (1972)
Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left was raw, brutal, and deeply unsettling. It told the story of two young women kidnapped and tortured by a group of criminals, and its unflinching violence made audiences recoil. For many, it felt like exploitation rather than entertainment.
But the movie also reflected the chaos of its time, blurring the line between victim and avenger. Its tagline, “To avoid fainting, keep repeating: It’s only a movie,” became part of its lore. While it remains controversial for its graphic nature, it also laid the groundwork for future horror films. Its influence can still be seen in the genre today.
10. Chinatown (1974)
Roman Polanski’s Chinatown turned the classic noir into something much darker. Jack Nicholson’s detective story spiraled into themes of incest, corruption, and the abuse of power. The shocking twist at the end left audiences reeling, questioning the nature of justice itself.
The film’s mix of stunning style and disturbing subject matter made it one of the decade’s most talked-about movies. It pulled no punches in exposing the rot beneath Los Angeles glamour. Decades later, its themes of corruption and systemic failure still resonate. It feels as current now as it did in the ’70s, which is why it’s still studied and debated.
11. Network (1976)
Network was ahead of its time in predicting the rise of sensational media. When Peter Finch’s character declared, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” audiences both cheered and shuddered. The film’s cynical view of television as entertainment disguised as news hit uncomfortably close to home.
At the time, people thought it exaggerated, but today it feels eerily prophetic. Reality TV, viral outrage, and the 24-hour news cycle all seem pulled straight from its script. It was controversial for biting the hand that fed it, exposing the industry it came from. Watching it now, you realize just how accurate its vision really was.
12. Deliverance (1972)
Deliverance became infamous for its shocking portrayal of violence in the wilderness. The story of four men on a canoe trip gone wrong turned into one of the most disturbing survival tales of the decade. Its infamous assault scene horrified audiences and remains one of the most unsettling moments in film history.
But beyond the controversy, the movie asked deeper questions about masculinity, civilization, and nature. Its mix of breathtaking scenery and horrifying violence left viewers shaken. Even now, the “Dueling Banjos” scene lingers in pop culture while its darker moments spark debate. It’s a movie that’s hard to watch, yet impossible to forget.
13. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
When Tobe Hooper released The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, it felt like a nightmare captured on film. With its grainy look and relentless pace, it terrified audiences who weren’t used to that kind of horror. Despite its title, much of the violence was implied, but the atmosphere made it feel unbearably real.
Censors and parents wanted it banned, while fans saw it as a masterpiece of low-budget filmmaking. Its depiction of cannibalism, family dysfunction, and sheer terror still feels modern today. The movie launched Leatherface as a horror icon and influenced decades of films. Even now, it’s one of the most unsettling horror experiences you can have.
14. All the President’s Men (1976)
While not violent or shocking, All the President’s Men was controversial in its own way. The film dove into the Watergate scandal, showing how two journalists uncovered corruption at the highest levels of government. At the time, the wounds of the scandal were still fresh, and the movie made some viewers uneasy.
Yet it also became a landmark for political thrillers, proving that truth could be as gripping as fiction. The film’s impact on how people viewed journalism and democracy was profound. Watching it today, it still feels modern, especially in an era of distrust in institutions. Its themes of persistence and accountability remain as relevant as ever.
15. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
When The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered, audiences didn’t know what to make of it. Part musical, part parody, part celebration of queerness, it was unlike anything else. Critics were baffled, and many theaters pulled it quickly. But it didn’t take long for midnight screenings and devoted fans to turn it into a phenomenon.
Its open embrace of camp, sexuality, and self-expression was groundbreaking for its time. What was once shocking became liberating for audiences who finally saw themselves reflected on screen. The film’s cult status has only grown, and its message of “don’t dream it, be it” still resonates. It’s proof that controversy can sometimes spark community and joy.
16. The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Deer Hunter tackled the Vietnam War in a way that was both emotional and controversial. The harrowing Russian roulette scenes left audiences disturbed, and some accused the film of exaggerating or inventing certain atrocities. Critics debated whether it was anti-war or exploitative.
But its raw look at trauma, survival, and the scars of combat struck a chord with many. The performances by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep made it unforgettable. Watching it today, the themes of war’s aftermath still feel painfully modern. It remains one of the most powerful, if divisive, films of the ’70s.
