Best 70s Horror Movies

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon. The film follows the crew of a commercial towing spaceship, Nostromo, as they are awoken from stasis when their ship receives an unidentified distress call. After investigating, they discover a derelict alien spacecraft filled with a nest of eggs. One of the eggs hatches and an alien creature known as a xenomorph stalks and attacks the crew, killing them one by one. Eventually, the sole survivor, Ellen Ripley, engages in a final confrontation with the creature and eventually defeats it by jettisoning it into space. Alien is recognized as one of the greatest and most influential science-fiction films ever made, as well as one of the most iconic horror films.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin, based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The film follows the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl, Regan MacNeil, and her mother’s desperate attempts to win back her daughter through an exorcism conducted by two priests. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, and Jack MacGowran. The film begins when Regan begins to exhibit strange behavior and is diagnosed with a psychological disorder. After a failed attempt to cure her daughter with psychiatric help, her mother turns to two priests who are experienced in exorcisms in the hopes of saving her daughter from demonic possession. After a series of intense and frightening events, the priests battle the demon for Regan's soul and ultimately free her.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is an American classic horror-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film follows Chief Brody (Roy Scheider), a police chief in a small New England beach town, as he attempts to hunt down a great white shark that is terrorizing the town's beaches. With the help of marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled old fisherman named Quint (Robert Shaw), Brody must find a way to stop the shark before it attacks again. In the process, he learns the importance of courage, trust and teamwork. With its iconic theme music and enthralling action sequences, Jaws is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From George A. Romero, starring David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Rated Unrated

Dawn of the Dead is a 1978 horror film directed by George A. Romero. The film follows a group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse, as they barricade themselves in a shopping mall in an attempt to remain safe from the undead. As the film progresses, the characters must not only deal with the dangers of the outside world, but also with their own tensions and conflicts as they attempt to make a new life in the mall. In the end, they are forced to flee the mall and face the realities of the zombie-infested world. The film is critically acclaimed, and has been praised for its themes of consumerism, social satire, and its darkly humorous take on the zombie apocalypse.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a classic horror film directed by John Carpenter and released in 1978. Set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, the movie follows a group of teenage friends as they are terrorized by an escaped mental patient, Michael Myers. On Halloween night, Michael returns to his hometown after 15 years of institutionalization and begins to stalk and murder the teenagers. The leader of the group, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), must fight for her life as Michael relentlessly pursues her. In the end, Laurie is able to defeat him by using her wits and some help from the local sheriff. The movie is widely considered to be a classic of the horror genre and is credited with popularizing slasher films.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man (1973) is a horror-mystery film directed by Robin Hardy. The story follows the story of Sergeant Howie, a devoutly religious policeman from the Scottish mainland, who is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a young girl on the isolated island of Summerisle. On the island, Howie discovers a society of pagans who practice ancient traditions and rituals, which he is horrified to discover includes a human sacrifice at the conclusion of their harvest festival. The people of Summerisle do not cooperate with Howie's investigation and he is soon ensnared in their strange customs. Howie must ultimately decide whether to sacrifice himself in order to save the missing girl, or if he should try to escape the island and expose the pagan practices.

From Richard Donner, starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner
Rated R

The Omen is a 1976 horror film directed by Richard Donner. It follows the story of Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck), an American diplomat in Rome who discovers that his adopted son, Damien (Harvey Stephens), is actually the antichrist. As Damien's true identity is revealed, Robert and his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick), must do whatever they can to protect themselves and their son from the forces of evil. The movie follows their attempts to ward off the dark powers that threaten them and the world. It culminates in a terrifying climax where Robert must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his family and the world.

From Dario Argento, starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Méril
Rated R

Deep Red is a 1975 Italian giallo horror film directed by Dario Argento. The film follows a jazz pianist as he investigates the savage murder of a psychic and unravels a web of mystery, violence, and paranoia. The killer is revealed to be a mysterious figure, which leads to a terrifying finale as the pianist is forced to confront the killer in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film features Argento’s signature use of lurid colors, bizarre camera angles, and intense suspense. The film remains one of Argento’s most influential works and is widely considered to be a classic of the horror genre.

From Tobe Hooper, starring Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R

From Werner Herzog, starring Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor
Rated PG

From Philip Kaufman, starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
Rated PG

From Dario Argento, starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham
Rated PG

From Nicolas Roeg, starring Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland, Hilary Mason, Clelia Matania
Rated R

From Douglas Hickox, starring Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews
Rated R

From Bob Clark, starring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon
Rated R

From George A. Romero, starring John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest, Elyane Nadeau
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, Art Hindle, Henry Beckman
Rated R

From John Hough, starring Roddy McDowall, Gayle Hunnicutt, Pamela Franklin, Clive Revill
Rated PG

From Don Coscarelli, starring A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Reggie Bannister, Kathy Lester
Rated R

From Harry Kümel, starring Delphine Seyrig, John Karlen, Danielle Ouimet, Andrea Rau
Rated R

From Roy Ward Baker, starring Barbara Parkins, Richard Todd, Sylvia Syms, Peter Cushing
Rated PG

From Eugenio Martín, starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Alberto de Mendoza, Silvia Tortosa
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Paul Hampton, Joe Silver, Lynn Lowry, Allan Kolman
Rated R