Every passing decade has modified the face of the film industry, but the 1970s tremendously changed it. Therefore, you can say that the 1970s were the “Golden Age of Cinema.”
Do you know the most popular horror movies of this golden era? If your answer is no, worry not. Today, we will discuss the ten must-see horror movies of the 1970s that you will love to watch. So, let’s get into the article without any further delay!
The Exorcist (1973)
It is one of the most profitable movies ever made and needs no introduction. In The Exorcist, a young girl behaves strangely – to say the least!
Her mother gets worried and takes her to the doctor to seek medical assistance. Meanwhile, priests request to perform an exorcism. Therefore, the audience sees head-spinning, vomiting, swearing, and many other unspeakable things in the movie. Not everyone can watch this film. Will you dare to watch The Exorcist?
The film was released on December 29, 1973, and became a huge box office hit. To date, it has earned more than $400 million at the worldwide box office, and more than 13 million copies of the novel have been sold. Therefore, it is considered the greatest horror movie of the 70s!
- Director: William Friedkin
- Cast: Max Von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, and Lee J. Cobb
- Writer: William Peter Blatty
- Producer: William Peter Blatty
Black Christmas (1974)
The story of the movie revolves around a mysterious killer known as Billy. Billy used to stalk and murder the members of a sorority house. First, the killer started calling the members of the sorority house, and then, started killing the members of the sorority one by one. The more terrifying part of the movie is that the killer’s face is not revealed. Does it not sound scary?
The fun fact about Black Christmas is that its writer (Roy Moore) was inspired to write the story by a series of murders in Montreal on Christmas. The film was released in the USA on December 20, 1974, grossing $4,053,000.
- Director: Bob Clark
- Cast: Keir Dullea, Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon
- Writer: Roy Moore
- Producer: Bob Clark
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The film revolves around the chainsaw murderer (Leatherface). The story of this movie is inspired by the crimes and lives of two serial killers (ED Gein and Elmer Wayne Henley). The brutal actions shown in this film impacted horror cinema significantly. The violence, weapons, and iconic killer shown in the film make it a classic piece.
It was released in October 1974. Its average budget was $110k, but it has earned about $30 million, making it one of the most successful horror movies. Though fans have watched this movie multiple times, they would still love to rewatch it, making it a real hit!
- Director: Tobe Hooper
- Cast Allen Danziger, Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Teri McMinn, William Vail, and Edwin Neal
- Writer: Hooper and Kim Henkel
- Producers: Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel
Jaws (1975)
Jaws is considered the most iconic and the first-ever summer blockbuster, and there is no doubt about that. The film follows the story of Amity Island and it’s reckoning with a massive, hungry great white shark.
It was released on June 20, 1975. It was a perfect blend of horror, action, and excitement. It has earned more than $470 million worldwide. You can watch this film multiple times without getting bored.
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Cast: Roy Robert Shaw, Scheider, Lorraine Gary, and Richard Dreyfuss
- Writer: Peter Benchley
- Producers: Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown
The Omen (1976)
It is one of the top horror movies of the 70s. The movie follows the story of young Damien, who was replaced by his father (at birth). You can see several mysterious events and violent deaths throughout the film, making it a classic horror film.
The Omen was premiered on June 25, 1976, and earned $4,273,886. The movie has two sequels, which follow Damien’s life through school and his time as a US Ambassador.
- Director: John Moore
- Cast: Carlo Sabatini, Predrag Bjelac , Bohumil Svarc,and Liev Schreiber
- Writer: David Seltzer
- Producer: Mace Neufeld and Harvey Bernhard
Carrie (1976)
The movie follows the tragic life of a teenager, Carrie. She was burdened by her arrogant, religious mother and bullied in her social life. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the director shot the movie using soft-focused stylized effects and a split screen.
The phenomenal performance of Sissy Spacek makes it a masterpiece. Carrie was a commercially successful movie that earned over $33.8 million, but its budget was just $1.8 million.
- Director: Brian De Palma
- Cast: Piper Laurie and Sissy Spacek
- Writer: Lawrence D. Cohen
- Producer: Paul Monash
Empire of Passion (1978)
Empire of Passion was an incredible example of classic Japanese horror, standing out among the crowd for its unique approach to the genre. The combination of psychological horror with romantic tragedy and folklore makes it a must-watch.
Due to its supernatural elements, the movie can easily get on your nerves, and you may not be able to sleep peacefully for several nights. Above that, you will surely remember its tragic horror love story for decades!
- Director: Nagisa Ōshima
- Cast: Tatsuya Fuji, Takahiro Tamura, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, and Takuzô Kawatani
- Writer: Itoko Nakamura and Nagisa Ôshima
- Producers: Anatole Dauman and Nagisa Ōshima
Halloween (1978)
The movie follows the story of an unstoppable murderer (Michael Myers) who kills his sister on Halloween night and escapes from the mental institution fifteen years after her murder. It is an intense movie that can make anyone feel unsafe in their neighborhood.
The film was recorded in Southern California (May 1978) and premiered in October. It has earned $70 million and become one of the most profitable independent films of its time.
- Director: Bob Clark
- Cast: Keir Dullea, Olivia Hussey, John Saxon, and Margot Kidder
- Writer: Debra Hill
- Producer: John Carpenter and Debra Hill
Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
In Dawn Of The Dead, the protagonists are trapped in the shopping mall. Meanwhile, the number of zombies increases exponentially. The film shows the survival of four people during the attack of these zombies while the world around them falls apart. It’s largely regarded as a social commentary on crass consumerism.
The movie was released on May 24, 1979, and was a massive success at the Box Office, grossing over $66 million (worldwide) while its budget was around $640,000.
- Director: George A. Romero
- Cast: Ken Foree, David Emge, Scott H. Reiniger, and Gaylen Ross
- Writer: George A. Romero
- Producer: Richard P. Rubinstein
Alien (1979)
The movie keeps the audience engaged until its last scene with its suspense-filled horror atmosphere. It tells the story of a group of commercial astronauts who encounter an alien nightmare. The astronauts try to kill the alien nightmare, with mixed results.
Alien premiered on June 22, 1979, at the global Box Office, generating more than $104 million. Isn’t that impressive? The cost of this movie was only eleven million USD.
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt, and Veronica Cartwright
- Writers: O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett
- Producer: David Giler, Walter Hill, Ronald Shusett, and Gordon Carroll
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