The 70s were a golden era for cinema—when directors pushed boundaries, stories got grittier, and everything felt fresh and bold. But let’s be honest: not every hit back then was as brilliant as we remember. Some movies rode a wave of hype that they didn’t quite live up to, while others have been glorified in hindsight far beyond what they deserve. Nostalgia’s a powerful thing, but it doesn’t mean we can’t admit that a few “classics” were maybe a bit… overrated. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit 14 movies from the 70s that might not have been as good as the buzz claimed.
1. Rocky (1976)
Okay, hear me out—Rocky is inspiring, but it’s also formulaic. The underdog boxer story has been told a million times since, and maybe it was fresher in the 70s, but did it really deserve all those Oscars? Sylvester Stallone deserves credit for writing it, but compared to some of the other films of the decade, it feels pretty lightweight.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick was a genius, no doubt, but A Clockwork Orange often feels like style over substance. Its shocking violence and dystopian themes made it a favorite among film buffs, but for the average moviegoer, it’s more disturbing than entertaining. Its reputation has grown to mythical proportions, but it’s not exactly an enjoyable watch.
3. Love Story (1970)
Ah, the tearjerker that taught us “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Except… it kind of doesn’t. This film was everywhere, and yes, Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw had chemistry, but the story is as predictable as they come. It’s emotional manipulation 101, and while it cleaned up at the box office, watching it today feels overly sappy and dated.
4. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Sure, John Travolta’s strut to “Stayin’ Alive” is iconic, and the soundtrack is pure gold. But the movie itself? It’s darker and grittier than people remember, and the story doesn’t quite live up to the disco fever it inspired. The music outshines the movie in a big way, which might explain why it’s still on the charts, but the film isn’t.
5. The Towering Inferno (1974)
Disaster movies were huge in the 70s, and The Towering Inferno was one of the biggest. But strip away the star power of Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, and what you’re left with is a bloated, overly long spectacle with a thin plot. It was the height of Hollywood excess, and while it was fun to watch a skyscraper go up in flames, it’s not exactly deep filmmaking.
6. Tommy (1975)
The Who’s rock opera was a trippy, star-studded spectacle, with Elton John in platform boots and Ann-Margret smashing a TV in a sea of baked beans. While it’s undeniably bold, the movie is also a chaotic, sensory overload that doesn’t quite stick the landing. It’s revered by music fans, but as a film? It’s more style than substance, and the narrative often gets lost in the noise. Great for the era’s vibe, but overrated as a coherent movie.
7. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Let’s start with the big one. Don’t get me wrong, Star Wars was groundbreaking—lightsabers, spaceships, and the whole galaxy far, far away. But if we’re being honest, the acting was wooden in spots, and the dialogue (“I was going to Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!”) was cringy at times. The hype was colossal, and while the franchise became a cultural juggernaut, the original movie on its own? Maybe not as earth-shattering as we all like to remember.
8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Spielberg’s alien epic had amazing special effects for the time, and the mothership scene is breathtaking. But let’s be real—the story drags, and Richard Dreyfuss’s character is more frustrating than compelling. It’s good, but does it deserve to be put on the same pedestal as Jaws or E.T.? Probably not.
9. The Exorcist (1973)
Yes, it scared the pants off everyone in the 70s. But watch it today, and some parts feel unintentionally funny (that head spin!) or overly melodramatic. It’s still a horror classic, but it doesn’t quite live up to the legend of being the scariest movie ever made.
10. Grease (1978)
The songs are undeniably catchy, and Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are magnetic. But have you ever really thought about the story? Sandy has to completely change herself to get the guy, and the high schoolers are all in their 30s. It’s fun, but maybe not quite as flawless as our nostalgia makes it out to be.
11. Serpico (1973)
Al Pacino delivers a great performance, but the film itself feels overly long and self-important. It’s one of those movies that critics loved, but audiences found more of a slog than a thriller. Its message is important, but as entertainment? A bit overrated.
12. The French Connection (1971)
Gene Hackman is great, and the car chase is legendary, but the rest of the film is slow-moving and not as compelling as its reputation suggests. It’s often hailed as one of the best crime films ever, but does anyone really rewatch it as much as, say, The Godfather?
13. Hair (1979)
The hippie musical brought the counterculture to the big screen, but by the time it hit theaters in ’79, the vibe already felt dated. The songs are great, but the story is scattered and lacks the impact it seems to think it has. It’s a snapshot of the era, but it hasn’t aged as well as other musicals from the time.
Movies in the 70s had a unique energy, full of experimentation and bold ideas. But as much as we love looking back, it’s okay to admit that not every hit deserved its hype. These films may still hold a special place in our memories, but they remind us that even in a golden age, some things were just a little too shiny.
