The best movies and shows of the 1970s, ranked, with where to stream

89 titles from the 1970s in the recognizable third of the CouchRot catalog, ranked by quality and fame. Every page carries scare, gore, violence and emotional-weight tags, plus where to stream in the US.

1. 1The Godfather (1972)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA crime family saga unfolds with measured, gritty suspense, building an epic and melancholy atmosphere.Paramount+ · MGM+
2. 2The Godfather Part II (1974)Graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RA crime family's epic saga unfolds with melancholy, as a son expands the empire his father built.Paramount+ · MGM+
3. 3Star Wars (1977)Mildly scary · brisk · PGVenturesome heroes, wholesome humor, and brisk action create an epic, feel-good adventure across the galaxy.Disney+
4. 4One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally devastating · brisk · RA petty criminal fakes insanity, sparking a gritty, suspenseful battle against a domineering nurse.
5. 5Alien (1979)Terrifying · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA commercial spaceship crew answers a distress signal, unleashing a chilling, gritty, and atmospheric nightmare.Netflix
6. 6A Clockwork Orange (1971)Properly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · NC-17A bleak, satirical crime story unfolds as a young man's violent free will clashes with state control.Max
7. 7Apocalypse Now (1979)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA soldier's intimate, surreal journey upriver reveals the bleak, gritty heart of war.Plex
8. 8Taxi Driver (1976)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA disturbed cabbie navigates a bleak city, his measured descent into violence feeling intensely intimate.Tubi
9. 9Jaws (1975)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · PGA seaside town's police chief, a biologist, and a hunter face a monstrous shark in a gritty, tense adventure.Netflix
10. 10Rocky (1976)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA gritty Philadelphia boxer gets one shot at the big time, finding heartwarming uplift in the measured fight.Paramount+ · AMC+ · MGM+
11. 11The Deer Hunter (1978)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RThree steelworker friends face the brutal realities of war, forever altering their bonds and their souls.Netflix
12. 12The Exorcist (1973)Terrifying · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA mother's desperate fight for her possessed daughter unfolds with bleak, gritty suspense.
13. 13Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)Light gore · brisk · PGA brisk, campy adventure unfolds as knights on an absurd quest encounter whimsical, witty, and satirical challenges.Prime Video · Peacock · Kanopy
14. 14Stalker (1979)No gore · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · NRA mysterious guide leads two men through an otherworldly, restricted zone where desires may be granted.Max · Criterion
15. 15Chinatown (1974)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA private eye navigates sun-drenched 1930s Los Angeles, uncovering a pulpy web of crime and deceit.MGM+
16. 16Barry Lyndon (1975)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · PGAn Irish rogue's cunning rise through 18th-century English society unfolds with atmospheric, melancholy grandeur.
17. 17The Sting (1973)No gore · measured · PGTwo con men plot an elaborate, witty revenge against a mob boss, pulling off the ultimate nostalgic swindle.
18. 18Candy Candy (1976) · seriesNo gore · emotionally heavy · measured · NRAn optimistic orphan with a warm heart navigates melancholy and heartwarming moments at Pony's Home.
19. 19Life of Brian (1979)No gore · measured · RA hapless man's life becomes a darkly comic, absurdist satire of messianic expectations and Roman-era politics.Prime Video · Peacock · Kanopy
20. 20El Chavo del Ocho (1973) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-GAn orphaned boy and his friends navigate whimsical, wholesome mishaps in their heartwarming village.
21. 21Dog Day Afternoon (1975)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally devastating · relentless · RA desperate bank robbery becomes a media spectacle as a man's true motives are slowly revealed.Hoopla · YouTube (free)
22. 22Young Frankenstein (1974)No gore · brisk · PGA brilliant surgeon embraces his mad ancestry, reanimating the dead with brisk, darkly comic absurdity.
23. 23Halloween (1978)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · measured · RA relentless evil stalks a small town, bringing a chilling dread that slowly tightens its grip.AMC+ · Plex
24. 24Fawlty Towers (1975) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-PGA frantic hotel owner, his staff, and demanding guests create darkly comic, absurd situations at a brisk pace.
25. 25Annie Hall (1977)No gore · measured · PGA neurotic comedian and a free-spirited singer navigate the witty, melancholic, and absurd landscape of modern romance.Hoopla · The Roku Channel · Fandango at Home (free)
26. 26Grease (1978)No gore · brisk · PGA wholesome, briskly paced romance unfolds with campy charm and nostalgic, feel-good musical numbers.Paramount+
27. 27Papillon (1973)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · PGA man plots a desperate escape from a brutal island prison, forging an unlikely bond in a bleak world.Kanopy · Plex · Tubi
28. 28Network (1976)Light gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn aging anchorman's on-air meltdown becomes a ratings sensation, exposing the bleak heart of television.
29. 29Columbo (1971) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGA disheveled detective's clever mind and dry wit unravel seemingly perfect crimes with cozy, cerebral charm.Prime Video · Peacock · Fandango at Home (free)
30. 30Manhattan (1979)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA witty writer navigates messy relationships and finds melancholy romance in the city of dreams.Hoopla · The Roku Channel · YouTube (free)
31. 31Solaris (1972)No gore · emotionally heavy · a slow burn · PGA psychologist confronts his own lost memories as a mysterious planet's influence blurs reality.Max · Criterion · YouTube (free)
32. 32The Warriors (1979)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA Coney Island gang fights for survival on a gritty, relentless journey through a hostile city.
33. 33Little House on the Prairie (1974) · seriesNo gore · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-PGPioneering west in the 1870s, a family's farm life unfolds with heartwarming earnestness and measured drama.Prime Video · Peacock
34. 34Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)No gore · measured · GA penniless boy's golden ticket unlocks a whimsical world of chocolate, bringing feel-good fantasy and heartwarming humor.Netflix · Max
35. 35All the President's Men (1976)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGTwo earnest reporters uncover a gritty, suspenseful mystery that changes American history forever.
36. 36Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)Mildly scary · emotionally heavy · measured · PGAn ordinary man follows an undeniable, whimsical pull toward a spectacular, suspenseful encounter in the wilderness.
37. 37Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · PGA father and son navigate the intimate, earnest, and often melancholy landscape of a new family life.
38. 38Escape from Alcatraz (1979)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · PGInmates meticulously plan an impossible escape from a notorious island prison, building relentless suspense.Paramount+ · MGM+ · YouTube (free)
39. 39Suspiria (1977)Properly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · measured · RA ballet academy's sinister secret unfolds with chilling, surreal dread as grisly murders mount.Kanopy · Hoopla · The Roku Channel
40. 40The Aristocats (1970)No gore · measured · GA mother cat and her kittens find heartwarming adventure and friendship after a treacherous kidnapping.Disney+
41. 41Deep Red (1975)Properly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · measured · RA pianist and a reporter hunt a killer, uncovering a shocking web of dementia and violence in Rome.AMC+ · Kanopy · Fandango at Home (free)
42. 42Dirty Harry (1971)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA hard-nosed cop hunts a madman terrorizing San Francisco, delivering gritty, brisk suspense.
43. 43Rocky II (1979)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · PGAn earnest underdog fights to reclaim his dignity, delivering a gritty, uplifting, and unforgettable boxing rematch.Paramount+ · AMC+ · MGM+
44. 44Robin Hood (1973)No gore · measured · GA whimsical animated adventure where animal outlaws fight for justice against a greedy prince.Disney+
45. 45Carrie (1976)Properly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA bullied teenager with a fanatically pious mother discovers telekinetic powers, leading to chilling and violent events.Prime Video · Max · YouTube (free)
46. 46The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)Mildly scary · light gore · measured · RA newly engaged couple stumbles into a surreal mansion of mad science, music, and darkly comic seduction.
47. 47M*A*S*H (1972) · seriesLight gore · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-PGAmidst the Korean War, irreverent surgeons find dark humor and unexpected camaraderie in a gritty mobile hospital.Hulu
48. 48Dawn of the Dead (1978)Properly scary · extreme gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · NRSurvivors navigate a zombie apocalypse in a shopping mall, blending gritty horror with darkly comic social commentary.
49. 49Serpico (1973)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn honest New York cop exposes widespread corruption, facing betrayal from his own department.Kanopy · Hoopla · YouTube (free)
50. 50The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)Terrifying · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA relentless and bleak nightmare unfolds as friends encounter chilling terror in a desolate Texas house.Netflix · Prime Video · Peacock
51. 51The French Connection (1971)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · RA relentless, gritty pursuit of a suave drug dealer unfolds with pulpy, suspenseful atmosphere.Prime Video
52. 52The Conversation (1974)Mildly scary · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · PGA surveillance expert's paranoia deepens into a gritty, melancholy mystery as he anticipates a murder.Prime Video · Kanopy · Hoopla
53. 53The Tom and Jerry Show (1975) · seriesNo gore · briskA cat and mouse chase with brisk, wholesome humor makes for campy, animated fun for the whole family.
54. 54The Omen (1976)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA diplomat's adopted son brings chilling, bleak horror as a measured, suspenseful evil unfolds.
55. 55Superman (1978)No gore · measured · PGAn alien hero embraces humanity, battling evil with uplifting power and epic, crowd-pleasing action.Max
56. 56Harold and Maude (1971)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA morbid young man finds an unconventional zest for life through a free-spirited, much older woman.Kanopy · Hoopla · YouTube (free)
57. 57Enter the Dragon (1973)Light gore · brutal violence · brisk · RA martial artist infiltrates a crime lord's island tournament, bringing down his empire with brisk, gritty action.
58. 58Duel (1971)Mildly scary · strong violence · emotionally heavy · relentless · PGA businessman's desert drive becomes a relentless, gritty game of cat and mouse with a menacing tanker truck.
59. 59Eraserhead (1977)Mildly scary · light gore · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · NRA new father navigates a bleak industrial world and the unsettling cries of his mutant offspring.Max · Criterion · Fandango at Home (free)
60. 60Midnight Express (1978)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RAn American's desperate fight for freedom unfolds in a brutal foreign prison, relentlessly bleak and suspenseful.The Roku Channel
61. 61Jesus of Nazareth (1977) · seriesLight gore · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-GAn earnest, epic drama unfolds the life of Jesus Christ with uplifting, measured reverence.Peacock · Plex · Tubi
62. 62Doraemon (1979) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGA robotic cat from the future brings whimsical gadgets and heartwarming adventures to a young boy's life.
63. 63Deliverance (1972)Properly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RFour city friends discover the terrifying, primal cost of adventure in the unforgiving American back-country.
64. 64The Wicker Man (1973)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA devout sergeant's investigation into a missing girl unravels into a chilling, atmospheric clash of beliefs.Prime Video · Kanopy · Tubi
65. 65Blazing Saddles (1974)Light gore · brisk · RA new sheriff arrives in a town of Johnsons, sparking brisk, absurdist, and broad Western comedy.YouTube (free)
66. 66The Last Waltz (1978)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA legendary band's farewell concert becomes an intimate, melancholy, and atmospheric rock and roll send-off.MGM+ · Kanopy · YouTube (free)
67. 67Mean Streets (1973)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RA small-time hood navigates loyalty, love, and ambition within a gritty, melancholy criminal underworld.Plex · Tubi
68. 68Mad Max (1979)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA relentless, gritty thriller unfolds as a savage motorcycle gang terrorizes a bleak, near-future world.Tubi
69. 69Murder on the Orient Express (1974)No gore · measured · PGA snowbound train becomes a stage for a whimsical, atmospheric murder mystery, unfolding with measured suspense.Kanopy · Hoopla · YouTube (free)
70. 70The Poseidon Adventure (1972)Mildly scary · light gore · emotionally heavy · relentless · PGSurvivors of a capsized ocean liner face relentless, gritty challenges in an epic struggle for escape.
71. 71Animal House (1978)No gore · brisk · RFraternity misfits unleash broad, raunchy chaos with absurdist pranks, driving their college dean utterly mad.AMC+ · MGM+
72. 72American Graffiti (1973)No gore · measured · PGTeenage friends spend one last night cruising, sharing bittersweet goodbyes and wholesome, witty banter before college.YouTube (free)
73. 73The Rescuers (1977)Mildly scary · measured · GTwo brave mice embark on a whimsical adventure to rescue a kidnapped orphan from villainous treasure hunters.Disney+
74. 74The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · PGGlobal powers clash as two rival spies uncover a campy, broad adventure with brisk, suspenseful action.Fandango at Home (free)
75. 75Black Christmas (1974)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · measured · RObscene calls terrorize a sorority house during Christmas, building chilling dread with each passing moment.Prime Video · Peacock · AMC+
76. 76Saturday Night Fever (1977)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA young man’s disco dreams collide with Brooklyn’s harsh realities in a gritty, melancholy drama.MGM+ · YouTube (free)
77. 77The Incredible Hulk (1977) · seriesNo gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-PGA scientist transforms into a green behemoth, constantly searching for a cure while evading a relentless reporter.Tubi
78. 78Westworld (1973)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · measured · PGA futuristic amusement park's androids malfunction, turning a Wild West adventure into a gritty fight for survival.
79. 79A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)No gore · measured · GThe Peanuts gang scrambles to create a Thanksgiving feast, bringing wholesome humor and heartwarming chaos.Apple TV+
80. 80Live and Let Die (1973)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · PGA British agent's murder investigation in New Orleans quickly becomes a pulpy, gritty, and suspenseful adventure.
81. 81The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · PGA cool operative and a broad-humored hitman chase a solar weapon with brisk, campy thrills.
82. 82Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)No gore · measured · GAn unknown alien force approaches Earth, and a refitted Enterprise embarks on an earnest, cerebral journey.Paramount+
83. 83Diamonds Are Forever (1971)Light gore · strong violence · brisk · PGA suave agent uncovers a diamond smuggling ring, leading to a campy, suspenseful showdown with an old foe.
84. 84Saturday Night Live (1975) · seriesNo gore · brisk · TV-14A brisk, campy, and darkly comic variety show satirizes contemporary culture with broad and witty sketches.Prime Video · Peacock
85. 85Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1976)Properly scary · extreme gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastatingFour depraved libertines subject teenagers to 120 days of sadistic torture in a chilling, slow-burn nightmare.
86. 86Salem's Lot (1979) · seriesProperly scary · light gore · measured · TV-PGA writer's homecoming unearths a chilling mystery as a town slowly succumbs to an ancient evil.
87. 87Moonraker (1979)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · relentless · PGA secret agent’s relentless, high-octane investigation of a hijacked shuttle becomes an epic, campy space adventure.
88. 88Jaws 2 (1978)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · PGA monstrous shark returns to Amity, forcing the police chief into another gritty, suspenseful battle for survival.Netflix · Starz · YouTube (free)
89. 89Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · GAn astronaut crash-lands on a world ruled by apes, and a subterranean secret promises a grim discovery.

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