1. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
When John Travolta strutted onto the dance floor in his white suit, audiences couldn’t get enough. The film captured the disco craze like no other, and the soundtrack by the Bee Gees became a record-shattering hit that was blasting from every radio. For a while, it seemed like everyone was suddenly obsessed with disco dancing and polyester fashion. The film itself was edgy for its time, with grittier themes beneath all the glitter.
It ended up being one of the decade’s biggest cultural moments and turned Travolta into a star. But while the music has never gone away, the movie itself doesn’t get revisited nearly as much. Younger generations may know the songs and the iconic dance scenes, but few sit down to watch the full story. For something that once defined an era, it has quietly become a background memory.
2. Love Story (1970)
This romantic drama starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal was a phenomenon when it hit theaters. It was the highest-grossing film of 1970 and even earned seven Oscar nominations. The line “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” was quoted everywhere, and couples packed theaters to see the tragic love story unfold. It catapulted O’Neal into stardom and made MacGraw a household name.
Despite its massive success, it hasn’t aged well for many viewers. Its melodrama feels a little heavy-handed compared to the subtler romances that came later. While it’s still referenced in pop culture now and then, most people know it by reputation rather than rewatching it. For such a massive box office juggernaut, its place in history has surprisingly dimmed.
3. The Exorcist (1973)
When it premiered, The Exorcist was unlike anything audiences had ever seen. Reports of people fainting, vomiting, or running out of the theater only added to the movie’s mystique. It became one of the highest-grossing films of the decade, proving that horror could dominate the box office. The performances, particularly by Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn, gave the supernatural story a terrifying realism.
Even today, it’s hailed as one of the scariest films ever made. But despite that reputation, it doesn’t get casual replays the way other ’70s hits do. It’s more often studied or referenced than actually watched on a rainy night. For a movie that once shook the world, it has settled into more of a legend than a regular favorite.
4. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
This action-comedy starring Burt Reynolds was a massive crowd-pleaser. The story of a bootleg beer run across the South, with Reynolds’ Bandit outsmarting sheriff Jackie Gleason, hit a sweet spot of charm and excitement. The Pontiac Trans Am he drove became a cultural icon, and the film ended up being the second-highest-grossing movie of 1977, right behind Star Wars. For a while, it seemed like everyone wanted to be as cool as Reynolds.
Yet for all its success, the movie doesn’t get the same nostalgic treatment today. Unlike Star Wars or Rocky, it hasn’t become a staple of movie marathons. Its sequels diluted the brand, and eventually, the original slipped from the cultural spotlight. Once the ultimate popcorn flick, it now feels more like a hidden relic of its time.
5. The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Written by Neil Simon, this romantic comedy was a surprise box office smash. Richard Dreyfuss won an Academy Award for his role, becoming the youngest Best Actor winner at the time. The chemistry between Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason charmed audiences, and Simon’s sharp script made it one of the must-see films of the year. It proved there was still room for small, heartfelt stories alongside big action spectacles.
But unlike Dreyfuss’ other hits, this one faded fast in the cultural memory. While Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind are still widely watched, The Goodbye Girl has become more of a trivia answer than a remembered classic. It’s a movie that captured the moment but didn’t hold on to it. Today, it’s barely mentioned outside of film history discussions.
6. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
This drama about divorce and custody battles was groundbreaking in its honesty. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep delivered raw, emotional performances that earned both of them Oscars. It struck a chord with audiences and became the highest-grossing film of 1979, showing that serious dramas could thrive at the box office. For a time, it dominated both headlines and awards shows.
Strangely, though, it doesn’t come up often in casual conversations about the era. Its themes were very tied to the moment, and over time it lost some of its universal appeal. Compared to other Oscar winners of the decade, it just isn’t as frequently rewatched. For a movie that once had everyone talking, its quiet disappearance from popular memory is surprising.
7. The French Connection (1971)
This gritty police thriller was a landmark film when it came out. Gene Hackman’s portrayal of Popeye Doyle won him an Oscar, and the film also took home Best Picture. Audiences were captivated by its intensity and the famous car chase scene, which is still considered one of the best in movie history. It was a huge financial success, proving that realistic, hard-edged crime dramas could dominate the mainstream.
But despite its initial impact, it’s not one of the titles people bring up when reminiscing about ’70s movies. Compared to The Godfather or Chinatown, it doesn’t have the same staying power in popular culture. It remains highly respected by critics, but the general audience has mostly forgotten it. For such a major hit, its cultural footprint has oddly shrunk.
8. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Disaster movies were at their peak in the early ’70s, and The Poseidon Adventure was one of the biggest. The story of a luxury cruise ship that flips upside down had audiences on the edge of their seats. With an ensemble cast including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, and Shelley Winters, it became one of the top-grossing films of the decade. Its special effects were impressive for the time and helped make it an event movie.
Yet for all its success, it doesn’t get the same recognition today as other adventure classics. Outside of die-hard fans of the genre, it’s rarely discussed. Unlike Jaws or Star Wars, it didn’t create a lasting legacy. Once a blockbuster spectacle, it’s now more likely to be stumbled upon than sought out.
9. The Sting (1973)
With Robert Redford and Paul Newman teaming up again after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, this stylish con-man story was irresistible. It charmed audiences with its clever plot, jazzy ragtime score, and dazzling chemistry between its leads. The film cleaned up at the Oscars, including Best Picture, and became one of the top-grossing films of the ’70s. It was a movie everyone was buzzing about.
But as time passed, it didn’t hold the same pop culture appeal. People still know Newman and Redford’s earlier collaboration, but The Sting often gets overlooked. It was a giant in its day, but it quietly slipped into the background of their filmographies. For such a massive box office draw, it doesn’t get the love it once did.
10. Rocky II (1979)
The sequel to Rocky had huge shoes to fill, and it managed to pull it off at the box office. Fans couldn’t wait to see Rocky Balboa step back into the ring for a rematch against Apollo Creed. The film delivered the rousing underdog story people wanted, and Sylvester Stallone cemented Rocky as a cinematic icon. It was one of the biggest hits of the year.
Still, when people talk about the franchise, the original Rocky and the later Rocky IV tend to steal the spotlight. Rocky II doesn’t get the same nostalgic recognition even though it was a financial powerhouse. It was a crowd-pleaser in its time, but its legacy feels surprisingly muted today.
11. Grease (1978)
When Grease hit theaters, it was an instant phenomenon. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John had irresistible chemistry, and the songs became part of everyday life. The film was one of the highest-grossing musicals ever made and turned high school love stories into big-screen events. It felt like everyone in 1978 had the soundtrack on vinyl.
Yet oddly, while the songs have remained timeless, the movie itself isn’t rewatched as often. It doesn’t get the same repeat airplay as other classics of the time, and some of its dated elements keep it from connecting with modern audiences. For something that was once everywhere, it has become a little more niche in its afterlife.
12. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Steven Spielberg followed up Jaws with this big, ambitious sci-fi film. Audiences were dazzled by the visuals and the idea of peaceful contact with extraterrestrials. Richard Dreyfuss’ character obsessively building a mountain out of mashed potatoes became one of the most memorable images of the decade. The movie was a huge hit, cementing Spielberg as a master of spectacle.
But in the years since, it hasn’t kept up with his other classics. While Jaws, E.T., and Indiana Jones are regularly revisited, this one is often left behind. For a film that was once such a cultural event, it’s now more admired from a distance than actively rewatched. Its box office success is remembered, but the film itself feels like a forgotten giant.
