1. The Last Picture Show (1971)
Peter Bogdanovich’s coming-of-age drama may not have been filled with blood or horror, but it was controversial in its own quiet way. The film dealt frankly with sexuality, infidelity, and loneliness in a small Texas town. Its raw portrayal of teenage desire and adult disappointment was shocking to some critics at the time. The use of nudity and unflinching dialogue about relationships was enough to stir debate across the country.
Yet, the movie’s black-and-white cinematography and deep sense of nostalgia gave it staying power. Performances from Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges, and Cloris Leachman made the characters feel painfully real. It captured a cultural shift between the old ways of America and a younger generation trying to find itself. More than 50 years later, it’s still a hauntingly beautiful film that resonates.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian vision of ultraviolence shocked audiences when it premiered. Between the unsettling imagery, the stylized brutality, and Malcolm McDowell’s chilling performance as Alex, many thought it crossed a line. In fact, Kubrick himself withdrew the movie from circulation in the U.K. for decades after reports of copycat crimes. Despite that controversy, the film became a touchstone in debates about free will, morality, and the role of media in shaping behavior.
Revisiting it today, it still feels razor-sharp in its satire of authority and societal control. The production design, with its stark futuristic look, remains hauntingly fresh. Kubrick’s use of classical music over disturbing scenes continues to be imitated. While it may never sit comfortably, it’s a film that refuses to be forgotten.
3. Last Tango in Paris (1972)
When Bernardo Bertolucci’s film debuted, it caused a firestorm. Marlon Brando’s raw performance and the movie’s graphic sexual content sparked outrage around the world. Some critics hailed it as groundbreaking, while others condemned it as obscene. It became the subject of censorship battles, with certain countries banning it altogether.
The controversy only grew as more details about the production came to light in later years. Still, the film’s exploration of grief, intimacy, and vulnerability makes it resonate with audiences who can look past its notoriety. Brando’s performance remains one of his most talked about, capturing both despair and anger in an unforgettable way.
4. The Exorcist (1973)
William Friedkin’s adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel was unlike anything moviegoers had ever seen. Audiences fainted, vomited, and fled theaters during its shocking scenes. Religious groups protested, and some theaters had to hire paramedics to stand by during screenings. The Catholic Church was especially vocal in its criticism.
And yet, the film became a phenomenon. Its special effects, chilling atmosphere, and unforgettable performances helped it win Oscars and solidify its legacy. Watching it today, it’s easy to see why it remains one of the most terrifying films ever made. Beyond the scares, it raises questions about faith, evil, and the limits of human endurance.
5. Straw Dogs (1971)
Sam Peckinpah was no stranger to controversy, but Straw Dogs pushed audiences to their limits. Its graphic violence and sexual assault scenes were highly debated, with many critics accusing the film of exploitation. At the same time, others saw it as a powerful critique of masculinity, repression, and the thin line between civility and brutality.
Dustin Hoffman’s performance as the quiet intellectual pushed into violence shocked audiences who associated him with gentler roles. Even decades later, the film can be difficult to watch. But its unflinching look at human nature ensures it still gets studied and discussed in film circles.
6. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Sidney Lumet’s gritty heist film stood out not only for its realism but for its daring subject matter. Based on a true story, it followed Al Pacino’s Sonny as he attempted to rob a bank to pay for his partner’s gender reassignment surgery. In the mid-’70s, this storyline was seen as groundbreaking, and not without controversy.
The movie drew attention to LGBTQ+ issues at a time when few mainstream films did. Pacino’s performance is electric, capturing both desperation and vulnerability. Its blend of social commentary and suspense keeps it just as powerful today. Few films manage to be both so raw and so ahead of their time.
7. Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese’s bleak portrait of alienation and violence in New York shocked critics and audiences alike. Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle, a disturbed Vietnam veteran spiraling into vigilantism, became one of cinema’s most unsettling characters. The film was protested for Jodie Foster’s role as a child sex worker, and its climactic violence left viewers shaken.
Despite the uproar, Taxi Driver remains a landmark in American filmmaking. Its gritty realism captures a New York City that feels both dangerous and alive. De Niro’s “You talkin’ to me?” scene is iconic, and the film continues to influence directors decades later. It’s as disturbing as it is unforgettable.
8. Network (1976)
When Network came out, it was considered outrageous satire. The story of a news anchor exploited for ratings after an on-air breakdown felt too extreme to be real. Yet its sharp critique of television, consumerism, and corporate greed stirred debate. Some called it brilliant, others dismissed it as cynical.
Decades later, the movie feels eerily prophetic. Its famous line, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” still resonates in today’s media landscape. What once seemed exaggerated now feels uncomfortably accurate. That lasting relevance keeps Network among the most important films of the era.
9. Midnight Express (1978)
Alan Parker’s harrowing film told the story of Billy Hayes, an American imprisoned in Turkey for drug smuggling. The violence, degradation, and brutality depicted inside the Turkish prison caused international uproar. The Turkish government protested its portrayal as unfair and damaging. Many audiences, however, were gripped by its unrelenting intensity.
It’s a tough watch, but that’s part of its legacy. The film forced viewers to think about justice, punishment, and survival in impossible conditions. With Oliver Stone’s screenplay and Parker’s uncompromising direction, it remains a powerful cautionary tale. Even today, its impact hasn’t faded.
10. Coming Home (1978)
Hal Ashby’s drama about Vietnam veterans returning to civilian life didn’t shy away from sensitive subjects. It focused on PTSD, disability, and the disillusionment many soldiers faced. The love story between Jane Fonda’s character and Jon Voight’s paralyzed veteran was seen as bold, tender, and controversial in equal measure.
The movie challenged traditional depictions of veterans and war at a time when the wounds of Vietnam were still fresh. Fonda and Voight both won Oscars for their roles, cementing the film’s impact. It pushed audiences to think about love, war, and healing in new ways. Even decades later, its themes feel relevant.
11. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam epic was plagued with production problems, from a ballooning budget to Martin Sheen’s on-set heart attack. But when it was finally released, it stunned the world. Its surreal imagery, graphic violence, and unflinching portrayal of war divided critics and audiences. Some called it a masterpiece, others an indulgent nightmare.
Over time, though, its reputation grew. With unforgettable performances from Sheen, Marlon Brando, and Robert Duvall, it remains one of the greatest war films ever made. Its exploration of madness and moral collapse continues to feel timeless. Watching it now, it still overwhelms with its scope and intensity.
12. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
It might not seem shocking compared to the violent films of the decade, but this family drama caused its own stir. The story of divorce and custody battles hit a nerve in an era when divorce rates were climbing. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep’s performances made the struggles heartbreakingly real. Some found its depiction of gender roles controversial, particularly the way it handled motherhood and career choices.
But that’s also what made it powerful. It reflected the changing dynamics of American families in the late ’70s. Winning multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, it proved that personal, emotional stories could spark as much conversation as grand spectacles. Its honesty still resonates today.
