The 1970s gave us cinematic masterpieces like The Godfather and Star Wars, but not every box office champ earned its crown. Sometimes, the public embraced films that left critics—and future viewers—scratching their heads. From misguided sequels to cheesy cash grabs, these 14 #1 movies prove that popularity doesn’t always mean quality.
1. The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
Disney churned out this family-friendly Western comedy about bumbling outlaws, but it’s more sugar than substance. While kids might have enjoyed it, adults likely spent the runtime wishing for something with a bit more grit.
2. The Concorde… Airport ’79 (1979)
By the time the Airport series reached its fourth installment, the franchise had nosedived. This one has a supersonic jet performing physics-defying stunts while dodging missiles. It was meant to thrill, but the campy plot and laughable effects turned it into a punchline. Audiences flocked for the spectacle, but they left shaking their heads.
3. At Long Last Love (1975)
Peter Bogdanovich attempted an all-singing, all-dancing tribute to 1930s musicals. The catch? None of the actors could sing or dance. Critics tore it apart, and the cast looked as uncomfortable as viewers felt. But hey, Burt Reynolds in a musical was bound to pique curiosity!
4. Lost Horizon (1973)
What could go wrong with a remake of a beloved classic? Plenty, if you add inexplicable musical numbers and bland performances. The mystical tale of Shangri-La became an awkward slog, but audiences, perhaps enchanted by the idea, initially turned out in droves.
5. The Towering Inferno (1974)
Yes, it’s iconic, but not for the right reasons. The overblown disaster flick boasted a star-studded cast—Paul Newman! Steve McQueen!—but the plot is as thin as the skyscraper is tall. Audiences loved the pyrotechnics, but rewatching it today feels like a chore.
6. Orca (1977)
Riding the coattails of Jaws, Orca gave us a killer whale with a grudge. The melodrama is off the charts, and the whale’s vendetta against humanity is unintentionally hilarious. Still, it made a splash at the box office, thanks to curious moviegoers hoping for another shark-sized thrill.
7. The Swarm (1978)
Killer bees attack! This Irwin Allen disaster flick buzzed into theaters with an A-list cast but delivered laughable dialogue and unconvincing swarms. Somehow, audiences couldn’t resist the premise, but it’s since become a lesson in how not to handle nature-gone-wrong movies.
8. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
A rock opera featuring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton sounds promising on paper. In reality? A psychedelic mess that even Beatles fans struggled to endure. It’s so bad it’s fascinating, which probably explains its fleeting success.
9. Rollerball (1975)
A dystopian future where roller derby is a violent bloodsport sounds cool, right? The execution, however, was a dull slog filled with philosophical monologues. Still, it was the ‘70s—people were down for weird future visions, even if they didn’t quite work.
10. King Kong (1976)
The 1933 original is a classic, but this remake with Jessica Lange and a giant mechanical ape fell flat. The effects were cheesy even by ‘70s standards, and the pacing dragged. Despite its flaws, the promise of Kong still drew big crowds.
11. The Amityville Horror (1979)
Based on a supposedly true story, this haunted house flick starts strong but fizzles out with unconvincing scares. Audiences loved the spooky premise, but critics were less forgiving. Today, it feels more like a parody of horror than a genuine frightfest.
12. The Billion Dollar Hobo (1977)
Starring Tim Conway as a down-on-his-luck hobo who inherits a fortune, this comedy tried to cash in on Conway’s charm but delivered cringe instead of laughs. Its brief box office success proves nostalgia sometimes overrides good taste.
13. The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978)
The original Bad News Bears was a sharp and funny take on youth sports. By the time they sent the team to Japan in this third installment, the charm had worn thin. Yet audiences couldn’t resist one more outing with the foul-mouthed kids.
14. Zardoz (1974)
Sean Connery in a red diaper-thong outfit is burned into everyone’s memory. This bizarre sci-fi epic is either a misunderstood masterpiece or absolute nonsense, depending on whom you ask. Its initial box office pull remains a mystery, though probably fueled by sheer curiosity.
These films remind us that even when Hollywood misses the mark, it can still attract an audience. Whether you laugh, cringe, or shake your head, these ‘70s duds are a wild ride worth revisiting—for all the wrong reasons.
