Entertainment
7 Forgotten ‘70s Movies That Deserve To Be Rediscovered on Netflix
The 1970s were a major decade in the history of American cinema, a period that saw the dawn of new filmmaking techniques and the breakthroughs of now-legendary filmmakers. But not every great movie that hit theaters in those days made it big, and far too many have been all but forgotten in the years since. Thankfully, with streaming services like Netflix, audiences now enjoy unprecedented access to these underrated films, so you can revisit the style, flavor, and music of the decade with fresh eyes and ears, and maybe even discover a long-forgotten cinematic masterpiece.
The ’70s produced several groundbreaking classics and blockbuster franchises, iconic crime sagas and beloved comedies, all of which continue to have a significant influence on cinema today, and even the lesser-known films of the decade still resonate with the right audiences. Netflix’s particular selection of ’70s movies may be a little limited, but it does include some must-watch classics that have played an important role in the development of popular culture. So, without further ado, here’s our handpicked selection of some of the best 1970s movies you can watch on Netflix that may be mostly forgotten but are just waiting to be rediscovered by a brand-new audience.
1
‘The Sting’ (1973)
Directed by George Roy Hill, The Sting is a 1973 caper film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, reuniting the trio after their work on 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Inspired by the real-life cons of brothers Fred and Charley Gondorff, as documented in David Maurer’s 1940 book The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man, the movie follows two conmen who hatch a complicated scheme targeting a mob boss (Robert Shaw). Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, John Heffernan, and more star in supporting roles.
The Sting was a major success of the 1970s, earning critical acclaim and box office success. A stylish and entertaining conman movie, the film features some great performances, a well-crafted production, and an excellent ragtime soundtrack adapted from the works of Scott Joplin. The film earned several awards, including seven Oscars, and is credited with reviving Newman’s career after an extended period of box office bombs. A sequel followed in 1983, and in 2005, The Sting was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
2
‘Rooster Cogburn’ (1975)
Directed by Stuart Millar, Rooster Cogburn is a Western starring John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn that serves as a sequel to 1969’s True Grit. The film continues the adventures of Wayne’s titular character, an aging lawman with one eye who is suspended for his violent behavior, following his attempts to redeem himself by bringing in a group of outlaws who have stolen a shipment of nitroglycerine with the help of a spinster (Hepburn) whose father was murdered by the criminals. The movie also features Richard Jordan, Anthony Zerbe, John McIntire, Paul Koslo, Richard Romancito, Tommy Lee, and Strother Martin in supporting roles.
Unlike its predecessor, Rooster Cogburn was neither a critical success nor a box office hit, underperforming on both counts despite its star power. Part of the problem is that the story is more or less a recycled version of True Grit. On the other hand, the film does feature a pair of solid performances by its two legendary stars. John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn’s chemistry is the film’s saving grace, and it makes the movie a worthwhile revisit for modern-day viewers who want to see more of their classic work.
3
‘The Great Waldo Pepper’ (1975)
Directed, produced, and co-written by George Roy Hill, The Great Waldo Pepper sees the filmmaker reunite with Robert Redford once again, this time in an aviation drama set between 1926 and 1931. The movie chronicles various episodes in the life of the titular pilot, a World War I veteran who works as a stunt flier and laments the fact that he never got to fly in combat. Besides Redford, the film also features Margot Kidder, Bo Svenson, Edward Herrmann, and Susan Sarandon in key roles.
Inspired by the real 1920s culture of barnstorming and associated accidents that led to stricter aviation regulations, The Great Waldo Pepper may have had mixed reviews in its day, but it’s a highly detailed historical film that provides real insights into its time period. The film was also very popular at the box office, largely thanks to its spectacular aerial stunts, which were performed using real aircraft, making it an evergreen favorite among aviation enthusiasts. Pair that with a quintessentially charming performance by Robert Redford, and you get a real classic with timeless appeal.
4
‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)
The sixth James Bond movie, and the first and only one starring George Lazenby, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service technically premiered at the tail end of 1969, but its theatrical run continued through early 1970. Inspired by the Ian Fleming novel and directed by Peter R. Hunt, the film sees Bond go up against his archenemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), while falling in love with and eventually marrying the daughter of a crime boss, Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). Bernard Lee, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat, and more feature in supporting roles.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is an outlier among the classic James Bond movies, with a greater degree of tragedy, romance, and drama to its story than other entries. The film was fairly successful at the box office when it premiered, but its critical reception was quite mixed, though it has since been reevaluated as one of the most compelling Bond movies of all time. Though it’s still a relatively underrated film in the massive franchise, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a truly unique Bond film that’s a must-watch for any fan of the iconic spy character.
5
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ (1978)
Directed by Michael Schultz and written by Henry Edwards, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is a jukebox musical comedy starring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees. Inspired by the album by the Beatles, and featuring new versions of the iconic band’s songs, the movie follows a loose story about a band struggling with the realities of the music industry and evil forces that want to steal their instruments and corrupt their hometown. The film’s ensemble cast also features Donald Pleasence, Steve Martin, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Preston, George Burns, and more.
Before the movie’s release in 1978, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was expected to be a massive success, an era-defining blockbuster, and a new cultural landmark. In reality, it was none of those things, receiving middling box office success and terrible reviews. But though it was widely reviled in its time, the film has evolved into a campy cult movie enjoyed by fans of classic rock, and it has earned some praise for Steve Martin’s performance and the musical numbers by Aerosmith and Earth, Wind & Fire.
6
‘Same Time, Next Year’ (1978)
Directed by Robert Mulligan, Same Time, Next Year is a romantic comedy-drama starring Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn. Written by Bernard Slade and based on his 1975 play, the film explores the relationship between Doris (Burstyn) and George (Alda), who are both married to other people but meet up every year at the same hotel for an annual tryst, chronicling the slow evolution of their connection. In the process, their lives also become a mirror to the social and political history of their time.
Unlike the play it’s based on, Same Time, Next Year was not very well-received by critics or audiences, and the film has been largely forgotten in the decades since its release. However, the movie does present a sober, clear-eyed perspective on life, love, and the human condition, elevated by the powerhouse performance of its lead stars. And though it may not have been a critical darling, the film did go on to receive several accolades in its day, including four Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for Ellen Burstyn.
7
‘Save the Children’ (1973)
A landmark concert film, Save the Children is a documentary movie directed by Stan Lathan that documents the five-day PUSH Expo held in Chicago in 1972, organized by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s social justice organization Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). The film features performances by many of the top musicians of its time, across genres, including icons like Bill Withers, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr., Cuba Gooding Sr., Roberta Flack, and more.
Essentially a cultural showcase of Black talent in the 1970s, Save the Children is a historically significant documentary film, but it was fairly unknown for a long time. The film was digitally restored and re-released by Netflix in 2023, bringing new attention to the movie fifty years after its release. Though it’s still not as widely watched as it ought to be, this film is a must-see for anyone who wishes to revisit the culture, spirit, and especially music of the 1970s.
- Release Date
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May 13, 1973
- Runtime
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123 minutes
- Director
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Stan Lathan
- Producers
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Clarence Avant
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