The 1970s were a wild time for Hollywood, with filmmakers taking bold risks and studios greenlighting projects that might seem unimaginable by today’s standards. It was a decade of experimentation, counterculture, and boundary-pushing ideas that gave us some of the most outrageous and unforgettable films in cinematic history. But let’s face it, many of these movies—whether for their shocking content, controversial themes, or sheer audacity—would never get past a studio executive in today’s environment. Here’s a look at 12 insane ’70s movies that could only have been made during that wild and unapologetic decade.
1. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian masterpiece is as visually stunning as it is disturbing. Following Alex DeLarge, a sociopathic gang leader with a penchant for violence and Beethoven, the film explores themes of free will, morality, and societal control. Its graphic depictions of brutal violence and psychological manipulation sparked outrage upon release and led to the film being banned in several countries. Kubrick himself pulled the film from circulation in the UK after threats of violence against him and his family.
Though critically acclaimed, it’s hard to imagine a studio today taking on such an unflinching portrayal of human depravity and state-sponsored brainwashing. The film’s unapologetic content, coupled with its refusal to deliver a morally satisfying resolution, would likely face enormous backlash in today’s more cautious and commercially driven movie industry.
2. Deliverance (1972)
Deliverance pushed boundaries in every way, from its visceral portrayal of survival in the wilderness to its most iconic and disturbing scene. The story of four city men who encounter unimaginable horrors during a canoe trip in rural Georgia was as much a psychological thriller as it was a commentary on class divides and the brutality of nature. It terrified audiences and brought rural horror into mainstream cinema.
Today, film’s most famous—and infamous—scene alone would likely prevent the film from being made, as studios tend to shy away from content that risks alienating viewers. Despite its critical acclaim and box office success, Deliverance represents a kind of raw, unfiltered storytelling that feels almost untouchable in modern Hollywood.
3. Pink Flamingos (1972)
John Waters’s infamous underground film is as outrageous as it gets. Starring the legendary Divine, the movie follows a group of misfits competing for the title of “filthiest person alive.” Its shocking scenes, including unsimulated acts of animal cruelty and human grotesqueries, made it a midnight movie sensation and a symbol of countercultural defiance.
No major studio would dare touch Pink Flamingos today, with its unapologetically crass nature and no-holds-barred depiction of taboo subjects. While it’s celebrated in cult film circles for its boldness, it remains a prime example of the kind of chaotic, boundary-shattering art that the ’70s embraced but modern audiences might find too extreme.
4. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s low-budget horror classic shocked audiences with its visceral intensity and unrelenting dread. While it wasn’t as explicitly gory as its reputation suggests, the film’s grim atmosphere and psychological horror left a lasting impact. The story of a group of friends terrorized by a cannibalistic family tapped into deep societal fears, becoming a landmark in the horror genre.
Today, the brutal realism and implied violence would likely face heavy scrutiny, not to mention the film’s DIY aesthetic, which doesn’t align with modern studio production values. Its chaotic, almost documentary-like feel was part of its genius, but in today’s polished industry, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre would struggle to find a home outside of indie horror festivals.
5. Straw Dogs (1971)
Sam Peckinpah’s controversial thriller about a mild-mannered man forced to confront his own capacity for violence is as polarizing now as it was in 1971. Starring Dustin Hoffman, the film delves into issues of masculinity, power, and vengeance. Its explicit scenes of sexual violence and moral ambiguity caused an uproar, leading to bans in multiple countries.
Modern studios would be hard-pressed to greenlight a film that examines such dark and uncomfortable themes in such an unflinching manner. Peckinpah’s willingness to explore the ugliest aspects of human nature made Straw Dogs a lightning rod for controversy, and its legacy remains divisive to this day.
6. The Last House on the Left (1972)
Wes Craven’s debut feature is a harrowing tale of revenge that shocked audiences with its raw brutality. The story of two girls kidnapped and murdered by a group of criminals, and the subsequent revenge taken by their parents, is almost unbearable to watch. Craven used a documentary-style approach to amplify the terror, creating a film that felt disturbingly real.
While it became a cult classic and influenced countless horror films, its graphic violence and unrelenting tone would make it almost unthinkable for a major studio to produce today. The film’s tagline, “It’s only a movie,” became a mantra for audiences trying to cope with its intensity, but even that reassurance might not be enough for modern viewers.
7. The Holy Mountain (1973)
Alejandro Jodorowsky’s surreal epic is a visual and spiritual journey unlike anything else. Packed with bizarre imagery, religious symbolism, and philosophical musings, the film defies categorization. From its unsettling opening sequence to its jaw-dropping finale, The Holy Mountain challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of reality and spirituality.
Its unorthodox storytelling and provocative content would be a tough sell in today’s risk-averse industry. While it’s celebrated as a masterpiece of avant-garde cinema, The Holy Mountain would likely remain confined to the art-house circuit if it were made today—if it even got made at all.
8. Fritz the Cat (1972)
Ralph Bakshi’s animated satire was the first X-rated cartoon, and it didn’t hold back. Based on Robert Crumb’s comic strip, Fritz the Cat follows its titular character through a series of raunchy, politically charged misadventures. It skewers social norms, racial stereotypes, and the counterculture movement itself, making it as controversial as it was groundbreaking.
While it broke box office records for an animated film, its explicit content and biting commentary would make it nearly impossible to produce today. Studios might shy away from its fearless approach to taboo topics, even though its irreverent spirit paved the way for adult animation.
9. The Devils (1971)
Ken Russell’s historical drama about religious hysteria and corruption in 17th-century France is one of the most controversial films ever made. Starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, the film features explicit depictions of sexual repression, religious hypocrisy, and state violence. Its most infamous scene, involving nuns and a statue of Christ, remains shocking even by today’s standards.
Despite its artistic merits, The Devils faced heavy censorship and remains difficult to find in its uncut form. Modern studios would balk at its unflinching critique of religion and authority, let alone its graphic imagery. It’s a film that could only have been made in the rebellious, boundary-pushing atmosphere of the ’70s.
10. Sorcerer (1977)
William Friedkin’s thriller about a group of men transporting unstable explosives through a treacherous jungle is a masterclass in tension. Though not as shocking in content as some other entries on this list, its sheer intensity and bleak worldview make it a product of its time. The film’s grueling production and refusal to provide easy answers would likely scare off modern studios.
While it’s now considered a classic, Sorcerer was a box office failure upon release, overshadowed by Star Wars and criticized for its relentless tone. Its uncompromising vision and focus on existential dread make it a standout of ’70s cinema, but it’s doubtful a major studio would embrace such a risky project today.
11. Mandingo (1975)
This exploitation film about slavery in the antebellum South shocked audiences with its graphic depictions of violence and sexual abuse. Starring James Mason and Perry King, Mandingo tackled taboo topics with a lurid, sensationalist approach that made it both controversial and unforgettable.
While it offered a brutal critique of racism and the horrors of slavery, its exploitative style makes it a deeply uncomfortable watch. Studios today would avoid such a polarizing project, especially given its mix of serious themes and sensationalist storytelling. It remains a lightning rod for debate about the intersection of art and exploitation.
12. Caligula (1979)
A film as infamous as it is extravagant, Caligula combined historical drama with explicit content more suited to an adult film. Produced by Penthouse magazine founder Bob Guccione, the movie starred big names like Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, and Peter O’Toole, but its graphic depictions of sex and violence overshadowed everything else.
Critics panned the film for its gratuitous content, and it remains a cautionary tale about excess in filmmaking. No studio would greenlight a project like Caligula today, not only because of its content but also because of the chaos behind the scenes. It’s a film that could only exist in the anything-goes world of ’70s cinema.
The 1970s were a time when filmmakers dared to shock, provoke, and push boundaries in ways that feel almost impossible now. These movies remind us of a time when art took risks, often to the point of discomfort, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable—and often unrepeatable—cinema.
