The 1970s was a pivotal decade for cinema, marked by a significant elevation in the raw maturity of the medium. This era has been extensively covered and revisited, with recommendations for '70s movies that everyone should watch at least once. However, a handful of films stand out as the top-rated by professional critics on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing the decade's enduring cinematic classics. These films range from foreign and arthouse projects to major Hollywood blockbusters that redefined what was possible from a big studio movie.
Here's a list of the 15 best movies of the '70s, according to Rotten Tomatoes, with a focus on the highest professional critic scores and the number of favorable ratings:
Stalker (1979) - Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, this Soviet sci-fi masterpiece carries a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% based on 47 reviews. It's a philosophical journey through a forbidden zone, blending surrealism with existential themes.
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) - A West German film by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, this intimate melodrama explores love in the face of adversity, earning a perfect 100% score from 42 reviews. It's a tale of resilience and emotional honesty.
Chinatown (1974) - Roman Polanski's neo-noir thriller, starring Jack Nicholson, holds a 98% score based on 143 reviews. It's a dark and stylish exploration of corruption in 1930s Los Angeles.
The Last Picture Show (1971) - An adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel, this coming-of-age story set in small-town Texas has a 98% score from 115 reviews. It's a deeply melancholy tale of youth and community decline.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1970) - Directed by Luis Buñuel, this French film satirizes the disaffected rich, earning a 98% score from 59 reviews. It's a darkly funny take on societal norms.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) - A taut heist thriller, this film stars Walter Matthau and has a 98% score from 45 reviews. It's a classic of the genre, known for its intense performances and clever plot.
The Conformist (1970) - Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci's atmospheric meditation on complicity, this film holds a 98% score from 59 reviews. It's a visually stunning exploration of moral and political cowardice.
Day for Night (1973) - Directed by François Truffaut, this French dramedy has a 98% score from 40 reviews. It's a romantic and self-aware look at the film industry, with a unique narrative structure.
Jaws (1975) - Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking thriller, this film reshaped the box office and holds a 97% score from 178 reviews. It's a masterful blend of horror and suspense, with groundbreaking camera work.
The Godfather (1972) - Francis Ford Coppola's crime epic, starring Al Pacino, has a 97% score from 155 reviews. It's a landmark film that defined the genre and continues to receive critical acclaim.
Halloween (1978) - John Carpenter's slasher masterpiece, this film introduced Michael Myers to the silver screen and holds a 97% score from 92 reviews. It's a quintessential horror film, elevated by its pacing and performances.
The French Connection (1971) - A gritty crime thriller, this film stars Gene Hackman and has a 97% score from 93 reviews. It's a critical success, known for its authenticity and Hackman's magnetic performance.
Annie Hall (1977) - Woody Allen's romantic comedy, starring Diane Keaton, holds a 97% score from 130 reviews. It's a critically acclaimed and autobiographical look at a relationship's end.
Badlands (1973) - Terence Malick's debut feature, starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, has a 97% score from 61 reviews. It's a dark and accessible tale of a killing spree, with a unique storytelling style.
Killer of Sheep (1978) - Charles Burnett's haunting portrayal of poverty in Los Angeles, this film has a 98% score from 85 reviews. It's a powerful and evocative experience, giving a voice to the overlooked and downtrodden.
These films represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement in the 1970s, each offering a unique perspective on human experience and storytelling.
