1970s in Horror

The 70s were the decade I was born in, so I didn’t see a lot of these until much later. I still haven’t quite warmed up to all the seventies aesthetic. Particularly, I don’t favor the nihilism and pessimism that pervaded the decade. However, here are what I consider to be the best 70s horror films:

10. Halloween (1978) Directed by John Carpenter
Carpenter would go on to do more interesting and thoughtful stuff in the 80s.

9. Dracula (1979) Directed by John Badham
You have to include the classic story. Every decade has at least one retelling, and the way they tell their version says a lot about the culture and the times.

8. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) Directed by Robert Fuest
More of a 60s feel. Weird.

7. The Stepford Wives (1975) Directed by Bryan Forbes
More than even the feminist narrative, the horror here is what a society will do to its people. The horror of the masses is a real fear.

6. The Exorcist (1973) Directed by William Friedkin
Friedkin had a lot to say about faith, religion, and evil. This film influenced society in the way few films do.

5. Suspiria (1977) Directed by Dario Argento
Argento’s Gaillo films are mysteries where the puzzle takes a back seat to the terror.

4. Tales from the Crypt (1972) Directed by Freddie Francis
This anthology sticks with you. Particularly the first entry. Santa and the Elf on the Shelf are scary lies to tell children!

3. Alien (1979) Directed by Ridley Scott
Slower than you’d think based on the hype and the franchise to follow.

2. Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979) Directed by Werner Herzog
A meditative, thoughtful exploration of the themes of Dracula. When this one came out, a news broadcast showed a clip from the 1922 version on TV. That was too much for my 6-year-old mind to deal with!

1. Jaws (1975) Directed by Steven Spielberg
One of those elusive “perfect” movies.