1. The China Syndrome (1979)
At the time of its release, The China Syndrome felt like a tense but fictional thriller. Then, just twelve days later, the real-life Three Mile Island nuclear accident happened, and suddenly this movie hit way too close to home. Jane Fonda plays a TV reporter who stumbles onto a possible cover-up at a nuclear power plant, and Michael Douglas and Jack Lemmon deliver powerhouse performances alongside her.
Even though it was a critical success, it’s not often mentioned today in conversations about great ’70s cinema. Maybe because it was so timely that people didn’t realize how timeless it would become. It’s gripping, smart, and more relevant now than ever. If you missed this one in your high school film class, go back and fix that.
2. Paper Moon (1973)
Tatum O’Neal became the youngest person to ever win a competitive Oscar for her role in Paper Moon, and somehow we still don’t talk about this movie enough. It’s a Depression-era road movie about a con man (played by real-life dad Ryan O’Neal) and a sharp, no-nonsense little girl who may or may not be his daughter.
The black-and-white cinematography gives it a timeless, nostalgic glow, and the chemistry between the leads is funny, biting, and touching all at once. Director Peter Bogdanovich was on a hot streak at the time, but this one tends to get overshadowed by his other hits. Don’t let it. It’s pure charm with a clever twist of grift.
3. Three Days of the Condor (1975)
If you love political thrillers but haven’t seen Three Days of the Condor, you’re missing a major piece of the puzzle. Robert Redford stars as a CIA analyst who comes back from lunch to find all his coworkers murdered, which launches him into a nerve-wracking game of survival. Faye Dunaway plays the reluctant woman caught up in his escape, and the two bring some serious star power to the screen.
It’s got espionage, paranoia, and just enough romance to keep things interesting. While it did well when it came out, it doesn’t get the same nostalgic love as other ’70s thrillers like The French Connection. But in many ways, it predicted the surveillance state we’re living in now. Slick, suspenseful, and still totally relevant.
4. The Last Picture Show (1971)
This one did earn a few Oscars, but it rarely makes the list of movies people rewatch today, which is a shame because it’s quietly devastating in all the right ways. Set in a dusty Texas town in the 1950s, it follows a group of teens (including Jeff Bridges and Cybill Shepherd) grappling with heartbreak, change, and the slow death of small-town life.
It’s beautifully shot in black and white, which somehow makes the loneliness feel even more pronounced. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, the film captures the bittersweet ache of growing up better than almost anything else from the decade. You don’t forget how it makes you feel. It’s not loud, but it lingers.
5. The Parallax View (1974)
When people talk about ‘70s conspiracy thrillers, The Parallax View often gets overshadowed by bigger titles, but it might just be the most chilling of them all. Warren Beatty plays a journalist investigating the mysterious deaths of witnesses connected to a political assassination. The deeper he digs, the more paranoid and dangerous things get.
The pacing is slow and deliberate, but it builds this creeping dread that never really lets up. It’s one of those movies where the ending stays with you long after the credits roll. If you liked JFK or All the President’s Men, this one belongs in your watchlist. It’s bleak, bold, and brilliant.
6. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Before she became a sitcom waitress on Alice, Ellen Burstyn played the original version of the character in this film by Martin Scorsese—yes, that Scorsese. It’s the story of a widow trying to start over and chase her dream of singing while raising her son on her own. Burstyn is so grounded and believable that it’s impossible not to root for her.
The film is small, intimate, and messy in a way that feels real. It’s easy to forget Scorsese made it, since it doesn’t have gangsters or Rolling Stones songs. But it won Burstyn an Oscar and opened the door for more complex female-led stories in film. A gem that quietly paved the way for so many others.
7. The Silent Partner (1978)
You might not expect a Canadian bank heist movie to be one of the most underrated thrillers of the decade, but here we are. The Silent Partner stars Elliott Gould as a quiet bank teller who outsmarts a violent criminal, played with creepy intensity by Christopher Plummer. The tension is slow-burning but constant, and there are a few twists that are genuinely jaw-dropping.
This one doesn’t come up in conversations about classic ’70s thrillers, but it absolutely should. It’s clever, character-driven, and surprisingly dark. If you’ve ever wanted to see Gould go toe-to-toe with a murderous Santa Claus, this is your moment. Just be ready for a few scenes that get shockingly intense.
