The 70 Best ’70s Movies to Stream Right Now

It’s safe to say that the ’70s was one of the greatest decades in cinema history. Apart from introducing the notorious Michael Corleone from The Godfather, the film industry ushered in a new era of fantasy storytelling, thanks to iconic titles like Star Wars and Superman. Plus, I loved seeing refreshing new takes on gender norms, thanks to movies like Kramer vs. Kramer, and a new wave of Black-led films, like Coffy and Shaft, that pioneered diversity on the big screen.

So, to celebrate the historic decade, I've rounded up 70 of the best ’70s movies you can stream on Netflix, Prime Video and more, from comedy flicks to crime dramas.

• Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden
• Rating: PG

Inspired by the true story of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who reported on one of America’s biggest political scandals, the film follows two rival journalists as they investigate a burglary at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate Complex. Both Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman deliver stellar performances.

• Cast: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning
• Rating: R

Al Pacino stars as Sonny, a criminal who teams up with his dim-witted sidekick, Sal, to rob a Brooklyn bank on a hot summer day. But when their plan goes horribly wrong, a hostage situation ensues, leading to a media circus that involves the FBI. The film scored an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and earned Pacino the British Academy Film Award for Best Actor.

• Cast: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Charles Cioffi
• Rating: R

Not only did it highlight Black representation in cinema, but it also gave us Richard Roundtree, the ultimate cool and suave Black detective. Roundtree stars as the street-smart private eye John Shaft, who gets hired by a notorious Harlem mobster to find his kidnapped daughter. I dare you to get through the entire movie without humming along to Isaac Hayes’ iconic "Theme from Shaft."

• Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
• Rating: PG

It’s the summer blockbuster that turned Steven Spielberg into a household name and made people think twice before swimming in the ocean. Jaws follows a police chief and his team as they attempt to hunt down a man-eating shark that has targeted beach goers. It won three Academy Awards and grossed a record $21 million within just ten days of its release.

• Cast: Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer
• Rating: G

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s novella of the same name, The Man Who Would Be King follows two former military officers, played by Michael Caine and Sean Connery, as they embark on a new adventure. The two men travel to the remote land of Kafiristan, where everyone treats them like royalty and, eventually, believes that one of them is a god. What could go wrong?

• Cast: Hsu Feng, Shih Chun, Bai Ying
• Rating: PG-13

When Ku Shen Chai, an artist living with his mother, discovers a beautiful woman named Yang Hui-ching in an abandoned fort, he learns that she’s on the run from a group of corrupt government officials. But with the help of skilled monks, both Ku and Yang fight multiple battles to keep her alive. Although the film was pretty progressive, it only ran for a single week and flopped at the box office because of its feminist themes.

• Cast: Carrie Fisher, David Prowse, Mark Hamill, Alec Guinness
• Rating: PG

When Princess Leia gets captured by Imperial Forces, all thanks to the evil Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue her, with the help of Obi-Wan and a smuggler named Han Solo. The groundbreaking sci-fi flick introduced a whole new world and has since grown into a pop culture phenomenon.

• Cast: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, David Proval
• Rating: R

Think The Godfather, but with a little less flashy glamour and a lot more grit. Mean Streets takes viewers on an intense journey as Charlie, an Italian-American gangster, attempts to help his friend and reckless gambler, Johnny Boy, get out of trouble with multiple loan sharks.

• Cast: Pam Grier, Booker Bradshaw
• Rating: R

The fabulous Pam Grier is Coffy, a nurse-turned-vigilante who targets drug dealers when she learns that her sister has become a heroin addict. But as she goes on her killing spree under the guise of a drug-addicted prostitute, she uncovers a very dark secret that involves her politician boyfriend.

• Cast: Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur, Delphine Seyrig
• Rating: PG

Clue meets The Exterminating Angel in Luis Buñuel’s surreal fantasy, where a group of six well-off friends repeatedly try (and fail) to gather for a special dinner. Considered Buñuel’s most successful work, the film earned two Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Foreign Language Film.

• Cast: Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino
• Rating: R

You can thank this franchise for paving the way for countless other police films. This first installment follows Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan as he pursues a psychopathic killer named Scorpio and attempts to save a kidnapped girl. FYI, did you know that Dirty Harry drew inspiration from the real-life Zodiac Killer?

• Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
• Rating: R

Arguably the greatest gangster film ever made, The Godfather offers an in-depth look at the mafia and Italian-American culture. It follows the transformation of Michael Corleone, the youngest son of crime boss Vito Corleone, as he joins the Mafia and follows in his father’s footsteps. Not surprisingly, the film broke several box office records and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

• Cast: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
• Rating: R

In this equally compelling follow-up, Michael continues his troubled journey as he tries to grow his family’s empire—only this time, it’s paralleled with his father’s intriguing backstory. The Godfather: Part II wound up with six Academy Award wins, making history as the first sequel to win an Oscar for Best Picture.

• Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt
• Rating: R

Not only did it launch Sigourney Weaver's acting career, but it also blossomed into a massive franchise that would include sequels, crossovers, video games and more. Set in outer space, the film follows the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo, who are terrified to discover that a deadly extraterrestrial is roaming free on their ship. Can they survive the journey home?

• Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
• Rating: PG

Equal parts brilliant and bizarre, Monty Python and the Holy Grail parodies the famous legend of King Arthur’s search for the Holy Grail. As King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table embark on their journey, however, they’re forced to deal with several challenges, from a killer rabbit to a three-headed giant. (Fun fact: Elvis Presley was a huge Monty Python fan, and according to cast member Eric Idle, the rock ‘n roll singer saw this particular installment four times in theaters.)

• Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
• Rating: PG

Revisit the inspiring story of the Italian Stallion, who goes from being a small-time fighter and debt collector to a well-known heavyweight boxer. The movie spawned a whopping eight sequels and, to this day, it’s impossible to hear Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” without thinking of Rocky Balboa.

• Cast: Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Jeff East
• Rating: PG

It’s a bird! It's a plane! It’s...Superman! Christopher Reeves embodies the beloved DC Comics character in this classic superhero film, which chronicles Clark Kent’s upbringing in Smallville and his journey to becoming the fearless Man of Steel. No disrespect to Dean Cain or Henry Cavill, but Reeves is (and will always be) the ultimate Superman.

• Cast: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne
• Rating: R

Set during the Vietnam War, Captain Benjamin Willard sets out to complete one of his toughest missions yet: assassinate an Army Special Forces officer who has apparently gone rogue. The war film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and scored two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

• Cast: Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster
• Rating: R

Taxi Driver follows the life of Travis Bickle, an unstable cab driver and veteran who works night shifts in New York City. As he crosses paths with a campaign volunteer and a child prostitute, he feels compelled to save them—except his attempts only seem to make things worse.

• Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri
• Rating: R

It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but its stellar cast and fascinating premise are bound to reel you in. Malcolm McDowell stars as the reckless delinquent, Alex, who leads a gang of criminals and commits unspeakable crimes. But his life takes a rather interesting turn when he gets captured and undergoes aversion therapy.

• Cast: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, Hilary Mason
• Rating: R

When John and Laura Baxter head to Italy following the death of their daughter, they meet two mysterious sisters who claim they can contact the couple’s deceased child. John dismisses their claims, but he starts to have second thoughts when he catches a glimpse of what appears to be his little girl.

• Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep
• Rating: PG

Ted Kramer, a successful advertising executive, is stunned to learn that his wife, Joanna, is leaving him to raise their son on his own. The landmark film was one of the first to explore the impact of divorce on children and challenge gender norms, proving that fathers can also be single parents.

• Cast: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Ahna Capri
• Rating: R

On a mission to avenge the death of his sister, a skilled martial arts fighter enters a kung fu competition in hopes of catching the drug dealer who’s responsible. The action film, which grossed over 400 times its budget, led to a huge increase in the popularity of the genre, inspiring TV shows, fighting games and more.

• Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Ronny Howard, Paul Le Mat
• Rating: PG

Told through a series of vignettes, the Oscar-nominated coming-of-age film follows a group of teenagers as they spend their final night together after high school graduation in 1962.

• Cast: Nick Castle, Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles
• Rating: R

Need more spooky options for movie night during Halloween season? Look no further. This classic slasher film follows Michael Myers, a mental patient who was found guilty of murdering his teenage sister on Halloween night. When he escapes the sanitarium more than a decade later, he sets his eyes on a new target.

• Cast: Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Lady Rowlands
• Rating: R

After noticing his wife’s increasingly erratic behavior, a construction worker decides to commit her to an institution, leaving him to care for their three children on his own. Yes, it’s more than two hours long, but don’t let the lengthy run-time deter you. A Woman Under the Influence is quite touching and incredibly insightful.

• Cast: Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre
• Rating: PG-13

While covering a story in northern Africa, journalist David Locke comes across the dead body of someone who appears to be his lookalike. He decides to assume this person’s identity, but when he learns about the mystery man’s dark past, he realizes it may not have been the wisest idea.

• Cast: Diane Keaton, Woody Allen
• Rating: PG

Woody Allen plays Boris Grushenko, a cowardly scholar who has no choice but to enlist in the Russian army during the Napoleonic Wars. He inadvertently becomes a war hero and returns home to marry his distant cousin, Sonja. But when Napoleon invades the Russian Empire, Sonja devises a plan to assassinate the military leader.

• Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw
• Rating: PG

Set during the Great Depression, a drifter named Johnny Hooker joins forces with a seasoned con artist to avenge the murder of a mutual friend. However, executing their elaborate scheme proves to be more difficult than they thought.

• Cast: Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly
• Rating: R

Three Black men—a record producer, a businessman and a martial artist—work together to stop white supremacists, who intend to poison the U.S. water supply with a toxin that’s only lethal to the Black community. Fred Williamson, Jim Brown and Jim Kelly star in the drama.

• Cast: Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid
• Rating: R

Two Navy men are commissioned to escort a young criminal from Virginia to a military prison in Maine. But it’s no ordinary journey, especially since the sailors decide to show him a great time during his last moments of freedom.

• Cast: Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates
• Rating: PG

Meet Bonnie & Clyde's evil twin, Badlands. The film follows 15-year-old Holly, who falls hard for a greaser in his 20s and joins him on a killing spree in hopes of getting her happy ending.

• Cast: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey
• Rating: R

After a night at the club, two suspicious NYPD detectives decide to keep a close eye on a candy store after spotting some strange activity. In the process, they learn about a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, leading them to search for the French heroin smuggler, Alain Charnier.

• Cast: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield
• Rating: R

Jack Nicholson is simply brilliant as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who decides to plead insanity to avoid a harsher punishment. But when he joins the mental institution, he’s dismayed to find that all the patients are overseen by the oppressive and cold-hearted Nurse Ratched. The iconic film made history as the second to ever win Academy Awards in all five major categories, including Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director and Screenplay.

• Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Carol Kane, Christine Jones, Christopher Walken
• Rating: PG

Dynamic duo Woody Allen and Diane Keaton play comedian Alvy Singer and nightclub artist Annie Hall, who have a troubled relationship. Throughout the film, Alvy reflects on the ups and downs of their romance, giving viewers a glimpse of his life before he met Annie. The satirical rom-com made nearly ten times its overall budget and is considered one of the greatest comedy films of all time.

• Cast: John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon
• Rating: R

After failing to get into a prestigious fraternity, freshman students Larry and Kent settle for the wildest frat house: Delta Tau Chi. The only problem? The school’s dean is determined to shut down the fraternity and expel its members.

• Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
• Rating: R

Chloë Grace Moretz did a decent job in the 2013 remake. But trust us when we say that it doesn’t hold a candle to this bone-chilling adaptation. Sissy Spacek stars as the outcast student, Carrie White, who suspects that she has supernatural abilities when strange occurrences happen around her.

• Cast: Barbara McNair, Sidney Poitier
• Rating: PG-13

Sidney Poitier plays police detective Virgil Tibbs, who’s tasked with investigating the murder of a night watchman. When his superiors discover that he has ties to a group of suspects, he gets suspended. But that doesn’t stop him from getting to the bottom of the truth.

• Cast: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe
• Rating: R

Pacino strikes again with this intense biographical crime drama, which is based on the true story of former detective Frank Serpico. The film depicts his experience with corruption within the New York City Police Department, as well as his decision to go public and the investigation that followed.

• Cast: Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins
• Rating: R

Billy Hayes, an American student, is put behind bars after getting caught smuggling drugs by Turkish police. But after serving his four years, he learns that another 30 years has been added to his sentence, leaving him no choice but to plan his escape.

• Cast: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Peter Bogdanovich
• Rating: R

The touching coming-of-age tale focuses on Sonny and Duane as they struggle to make it out of their tiny Texas town. Cast members include Ellen Burstyn, Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman.

• Cast: Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster
• Rating: R

Set in London, the movie follows Richard Blaney, a widowed man who is suspected of being the Necktie Murderer, a serial killer who has been assaulting and strangling women. Can he prove his innocence?

• Cast: Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson
• Rating: R

When her husband and criminal mastermind Carter “Doc” McCoy is denied parole, Carol turns to a corrupt businessman for help. He agrees on one condition: the couple help him rob a bank. When they get double-crossed, Carol and Doc are forced to go on the run.

• Cast: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain
• Rating: R

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is genuinely horrifying, and it certainly set a new standard for every other thriller movie that followed. The plot revolves around a group of friends who get terrorized by Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding cannibal who intends to kill them one by one.

• Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider
• Rating: R

Based on William Goldman's 1974 novel of the same name, Marathon Man follows a grad student and runner who gets entangled in a plot by a Nazi war criminal to steal his dead brother's valuable gems. Expect plenty of suspense and one of the most terrifying torture scenes you'll ever see.

• Cast: George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young
• Rating: PG

Want to brush up on your American history? Consider Patton. The biographical war drama takes a deeper look at the life of U.S. General George S. Patton, who's best known for his success as a commander during World War II. It won an impressive seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

• Cast: Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee
• Rating: R

Following the Civil War, a Black trail guide named Buck gains an unlikely ally as he tries to help former slaves avoid getting captured by bounty hunters. Poitier steals every scene—per usual.

• Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Fernando Rey
• Rating: TV-14

Following the death of her mother, Tristana finds refuge with an old-fashioned, middle-aged aristocrat named Don Lope, but it's not all sunshine and roses. He takes advantage of his reputation by seducing her, but things start to change when she meets and falls in love with a young artist.

• Cast: Billy Dee Williams, D'Urville Martin, Billy Durkin
• Rating: R

The iconic Billy Dee Williams stars in this underrated gem, which, through a series of flashbacks, explores racial tensions and police violence in America.

• Cast: Bruce Lee
• Rating: R

After moving to Thailand, Chen Zhen tries his best to honor a special promise to his mother: to avoid all violence. But unfortunately, keeping this oath turns out to be his most difficult challenge—thanks to his corrupt boss.

• Cast: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis
• Rating: PG

Eastwood is Philo Beddoe, a trucker and bare-knuckle boxer who falls hard for an attractive country singer named Lynn. When she slips away, he embarks on a mission to find her, with the help of his brother, Orville, and his pet orangutan, Clyde.

• Cast: John Travolta, Karen Gorney
• Rating: R

The iconic film follows Tony Manero, a 19-year-old Italian-American who spends his weekends dancing and drinking at a local discothèque to escape his challenging day-to-day life. It boasts one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, thanks to The Bee Gees, and it's credited for making disco culture more mainstream.

• Cast: Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert
• Rating: R

While serving time in prison, Paul 'Wrecking' Crewe, a pro-quarterback who has fallen from grace, reluctantly agrees to put together a team of inmates and play against the prison guards. The sports comedy led to three remakes, including the 2005 version starring Adam Sandler as Paul and Reynolds as Coach Nate.

• Cast: Glynn Turman, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Garrett Morris, Cynthia Davis
• Rating: PG

A Different World star Glynn Turman is Preach, a high school kid who navigates the ups and downs of everyday life with his best friend, Cochise, in 1960s Chicago. Unfortunately, their lives take a turn for the worse when they get involved with a pair of career criminals.

• Cast: Richard O'Brien, Tim Curry, Patricia Quinn
• Rating: R

This famous musical horror follows a stranded couple who visits the castle of a wacky, off-beat scientist named Dr. Frank N. Furter. When he tries to seduce them, they discover that there's more to him than meets the eye.

• Cast: Vincent Van Patten, P.J. Soles, Clint Howard
• Rating: PG

Welcome to Vince Lombardi High School, where rock 'n' roll reigns supreme and education takes second place. After a string of overwhelmed principals leave the school, the students meet their match when the strict, rock-music-hating Principal Evelyn Togar takes over and promises to put an end to their music obsession.

• Cast: Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Ned Beatty
• Rating: NR

When Nicky, a small-time mobster, gets in trouble with his mob boss for stealing money, he turns to his childhood friend, Mikey, as he always does. As Mikey plans their escape, however, Nicky makes several changes that increase their chances of getting caught. And it doesn't help that a hitman is on their trail.

• Cast: Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin, Audra Lindley
• Rating: PG

Based on Bruce Jay Friedman's short story, "A Change of Plan," The Heartbreak Kid revolves around Lenny who, three days into his honeymoon, falls for a tall blonde named Kelly. Convinced that he made a mistake, he tries to pursue Kelly instead—but her father isn't too fond of him.

• Cast: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens
• Rating: R

The satirical comedy tells the story of Bart, a Black convict who's offered freedom on the condition that he serves as the new sheriff of a Western town called Rock Ridge. Little does he know that he's a pawn in someone else's plan to destroy the community.

• Cast: Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard
• Rating: PG

Set in Texas during World War I, a young woman finds herself in an intense love triangle between a wealthy landowner and a humble farmer. The gripping period drama earned an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

• Cast: Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Madeline Kahn
• Rating: G

Inspired by Herman Raucher's 1971 novel, A Glimpse of Tiger, the comedy follows Howard, a music researcher who travels to San Francisco to compete for a special grant. However, his trip takes a bizarre turn and chaos ensues after an accidental luggage mix-up.

• Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
• Rating: PG

Grease follows Danny Zuko, a bad-boy greaser who falls in love with a transfer student named Sandy over summer break. From the catchy tunes (like "You're the One That I Want") to the stellar romantic chemistry between Danny and Sandy, it comes as no surprise that it scored an Academy Award nomination.

• Cast: Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, Vic Morrow
• Rating: PG

Directed by Michael Ritchie, this feel-good sports comedy revolves around a former baseball pitcher who starts to coach a youth baseball team called the Bears. The movies led to two sequels, The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan, as well as a short-lived CBS television series.

• Cast: Jack Nicholson, John Huston, Darrell Zwerling
• Rating: R

Nicholson stars as private eye Jake Gittes, who's tasked with investigating the suspicious activities of an unfaithful husband. Jake initially believes that it's a routine infidelity case, but he realizes that it's more complicated after learning that an imposter hired him.

• Cast: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden
• Rating: PG

When his employer suddenly dies, a sheltered man named Chance is forced to move out with little to no knowledge of how to make it on his own. Fortunately, a chance encounter causes him to become close friends with a powerful business mogul.

• Cast: Barbara Loden, Michael Higgins
• Rating: PG

Wanda is a lonely housewife who has abandoned her family in Pennsylvania. She spends her nights picking up different men and crashes on her sister's couch. That is, until she crosses paths with a criminal who takes her under his wing.

• Cast: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Jeanne Bates
• Rating: NR

In this creepy psychological horror, a young factory worker named Henry Spencer learns that his girlfriend has given birth to an extremely deformed baby who doesn't look human. He reluctantly moves in to support her and the child, but the baby drives them both up the wall with its incessant crying.

• Cast: Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Jackie Mason
• Rating: R

A dim-witted country boy named Navin grows up as the adopted son of a Black family in Mississippi. However, he leaves on his 18th birthday to explore St. Louis. Although people take advantage of his naïveté, he eventually finds love and learns to navigate life on his own.

• Cast: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark
• Rating: R

Bowie shines in his first starring role as Thomas Jerome Newton, a humanoid alien who travels to Earth to get water for his planet, which is going through a severe drought. When he arrives, Thomas launches a high-tech company to build a spaceship that can get him back home.

• Cast: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne
• Rating: R

Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, where violent gangs rule the highways, police officer Max Rockatansky decides to get revenge when his partner, Jim, gets killed. The classic spawned three sequels, including Mad Max 2, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road.