Hundreds of films are released every year, but not all of them will be remembered 50 years from now. Only true classic films are remembered for half a century, and many iconic movies are turning 50 in 2024.
The film industry has changed a lot since the 1970s. The Hays Code, which was a set of guidelines that determined what filmmakers were allowed to include in films, was abandoned by the motion picture industry in 1968.
With the Hays Code no longer in effect, there were more opportunities in the ‘70s for filmmakers to push boundaries. Additionally, film studios started to spend more money on films as blockbusters drew large audiences to the theaters.
One of the first blockbuster films of the 1970s was “The Godfather,” which was released in 1972. The estimated budget for this film was $6 million and it brought in over $250 million at the worldwide box office. “The Godfather Part II” was another success and is one of the many iconic films that turns 50 this year.
From classics like “Young Frankenstein” to horror films like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” there are many films that were released in 1974, and 50 years later, movie buffs are still talking about them.
To create this list of iconic movies that turn 50 in 2024, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sources including IMDb and Netflix. Here are 13 films turning 50 in 2024. (To dive into lesser-known films from the ’70s, check out The Most Underrated Movies of the ’70s.)
“Murder on the Orient Express”
- Directed by Sidney Lumet
“Murder on the Orient Express” was a drama and mystery film starring Albert Finney and Ingrid Bergman. This film tells the story of a detective who is asked to solve a murder when his train becomes stranded. It’s also based on a book by Agatha Christie. Ingrid Bergman won her third Oscar for this film for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
- Directed by Tobe Hooper
If you’re a fan of horror films, you’ve likely seen the 1974 film, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Even though the story is based on the real-life crimes of several serial killers, the film itself is fictional. The estimated budget for “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was only $140,000, but it brought in over $30 million at the box office.
“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”
- Directed by Martin Scorsese
In this film, Alice Hyatt takes her son Tommy and travels across the country after losing her husband in a car accident. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it’s a story of love and second chances. “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” won an Oscar for Ellen Burstyn’s performance as Alice Hyatt.
“The Conversation”
- Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
“The Conversation” follows the story of a surveillance expert who develops paranoia after he takes on a job spying on a young couple. His paranoia develops because he believes the couple will be murdered, but the film also paints a picture of what paranoia was like in the ‘70s, especially with the rise of technology. Although it didn’t win any Oscars, “The Conversation” was nominated for Best Sound, Best Writing, and Best Picture.
“The Sugarland Express”
- Directed by Steven Spielberg
“The Sugarland Express” was significant because of how successful the director, Steven Spielberg, would become. This crime drama was one of Spielberg’s first films, telling the story of a woman who helps her husband escape from prison so he can help her kidnap their son from his foster home. “The Sugarland Express” starred Goldie Hawn, Ben Johnson, and Michael Sacks.
“Chinatown”
- Directed by Roman Polanski
“Chinatown” is a mystery thriller starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. According to IMDb, this film is in the top 200 films of all time. “Chinatown” also won an Oscar for Best Writing as an Original Screenplay. This film tells the story of a private detective who is hired by a woman pretending to be Mrs. Mulwray. J.J. Gittes. The detective, played by Jack Nicholson, ends up getting caught up in the drama and lies involving Mrs. Mulwray.
“The Towering Inferno”
- Directed by John Guillermin
“The Towering Inferno” is a drama thriller film directed by John Guillermin. The film stars such as Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Fred Astaire. This film ended up winning three Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Music. It was one of the highest-grossing films of the year, bringing in $116 million worldwide.
“Blazing Saddles”
- Directed by Mel Brooks
“Blazing Saddles,” a comedy directed and written by Mel Brooks, satirizes Western films. This film tells the story of an attorney general and a corrupt Governor who appoints a black sheriff because they think it will create chaos and destroy the town. Mel Brooks plays the role of Jim, a gunslinger who helps the new sheriff win over the town.
“The Great Gatsby”
- Directed by Jack Clayton
Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this 1974 film tells the story of Jay Gatsby and the woman he loved and waited for after the war. Nick Carraway, his neighbor, develops a fascination with Gatsby and discovers the truth he has hidden for so long. This version of “The Great Gatsby” won two Oscars for Best Music and Best Costume Design.
“The Longest Yard”
- Directed by Robert Aldrich
“The Longest Yard” is about former pro quarterback, Paul Crewe, who is serving time in prison. The warden recruits Paul to coach a team of inmates who will play against a team of prison guards. Although there are currently three remakes of the film, the 1974 original is still a classic.
“The Man with the Golden Gun”
- Directed by Guy Hamilton
“The Man with the Golden Gun” is a James Bond film starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, and Britt Ekland. This film was the ninth James Bond film and the second film that starred Roger Moore as James Bond. There are mixed opinions on how this film compares to the other Bond films, but it still made money at the box office, bringing in over $20 million worldwide.
“Young Frankenstein”
- Directed by Mel Brooks
“Young Frankenstein” is one of the best comedies to come out of the ‘70s. A comedic twist on Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” this film starred Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman. The budget for the film was an estimated $2.8 million, but it ended up making over $86 million worldwide.
“The Godfather Part II”
- Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Perhaps the most iconic film from 1974 was “The Godfather Part II.” This sequel to the first Godfather movie portrays the early life of Vito Corleone, played by Robert De Niro. IMDb rated “The Godfather Part II” as the fourth-best film of all time. It also won six Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Writing. (Next, read out about The Best Movies of the 1970s.)