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The Cult Classics from the 1970s We’re Still Talking About Today

The Cult Classics from the 1970s We’re Still Talking About Today

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The Cult Classics from the 1970s We’re Still Talking About Today

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

"The Abominable Dr. Phibes" (1971)

Courtesy of American International Pictures (AIP)

"Harold and Maude" (1971)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

"Enter the Dragon" (1973)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974)

Courtesy of Bryanston Distributing

"The Warriors" (1979)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

"The Holy Mountain" (1973)

Courtesy of ABKCO Films

"Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

"El Topo" (1970)

Courtesy of Douglas Music Films

"Lady Snowblood" (1973)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

"The Tenant" (1976)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

"Phantom of the Paradise" (1974)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

"Eraserhead" (1977)

Courtesy of Libra Films

"The Street Fighter" (1974)

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

"Duck, You Sucker!" (1971)

Courtesy of United Artists

"Sorcerer" (1977)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

"Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41" (1972)

Courtesy of Discotek Media

"Over the Edge" (1979)

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

"Hard Times" (1975)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

"The Beguiled" (1971)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Cult Classics from the 1970s We’re Still Talking About Today
"The Abominable Dr. Phibes" (1971)
"Harold and Maude" (1971)
"Enter the Dragon" (1973)
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974)
"The Warriors" (1979)
"The Holy Mountain" (1973)
"Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971)
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975)
"El Topo" (1970)
"Lady Snowblood" (1973)
"The Tenant" (1976)
"Phantom of the Paradise" (1974)
"Eraserhead" (1977)
"The Street Fighter" (1974)
"Duck, You Sucker!" (1971)
"Sorcerer" (1977)
"Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41" (1972)
"Over the Edge" (1979)
"Hard Times" (1975)
"The Beguiled" (1971)

The Cult Classics from the 1970s We’re Still Talking About Today

The 1970s was a turbulent yet transformative time, marked by political scandal, economic stagnation, and sweeping cultural shifts across the U.S. President Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, inflation soared while wages struggled to keep up, and societal norms continued evolving as radical ideas from the 1960s entered the mainstream.

It was also the decade that gave birth to major pop culture institutions: ESPN launched, and Hollywood began building iconic franchises with the release of Star Wars and The Godfather. American cinema veered away from the safe and polished productions of earlier decades, embracing stories that were bolder, grittier, and more reflective of real-world issues. The result was a wave of films that didn't just entertain. They challenged audiences and reshaped how stories were told on screen.

To compile this list of cult classics from the 1970s, 24/7 Tempo reviewed ratings and metadata from IMDb, one of the leading online databases for film and television history. These films captured the spirit of a decade in flux, each one leaving a lasting imprint on cinema and critical study decades later.

This post was updated on July 5th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

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