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'Grease' (1978) -

Though it's set in the '50s, this smash hit starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John changed the musical scene forever with its nerdy girl falling for the bad boy plot.

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'Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope' (1977) -

The first movie from the beloved franchise, it follows the journey of Luke Skywalker, who with the help of Han Solo and Obi-Wan Kenobi attempts to rescue Princess Leia from Darth Vader.

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'The Godfather' (1972) -

This Francis Ford Coppola-directed crime drama about the Mafia is considered a cinema classic. It stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.

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'All the President's Men' (1976) -

Covering the drama of Watergate and Richard Nixon's resignation, 'All the President's Men' stands as the best and most important political film of the decade. Starring Hollywood royalty Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, this film is a thrilling classic.

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'Jaws' (1975) -

Director Steven Spielberg helped establish the summer blockbuster tradition with this classic shark film. It rocked him into the A-list of young directors, and made millions of people sharkphobic.

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'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' (1971) -

Starring the beloved Gene Wilder, this family classic tells the story of a poor kid named Charlie who, after finding one of five golden tickets hidden inside a chocolate bar, visits Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory.

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'Alien' (1979) -

Directed by Ridley Scott, this sci-fi thriller starring Sigourney Weaver is a true masterpiece. Featuring a killer alien on a spaceship, it will leave you on the edge of your seat.

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'Taxi Driver' (1976) -

This classic noir thriller follows Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, an isolated and unhinged veteran driving a cab in Manhattan. The film helped shoot De Niro into fame, and solidified director Martin Scorsese's filmmaking style.

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'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975) -

Considered a flop when first released, this comedy-horror musical eventually found a loyal audience at independent theaters.

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'Harold and Maude' (1971) -

'Harold and Maude' is a dark comedy about the relationship between Harold, a young rich man obsessed with the idea of death, who goes to a funeral and meets Maude, a woman in her seventies.

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'Enter the Dragon' (1973) -

Bruce Lee is a '70s icon. In this film, he uses his spot in a martial arts tournament as cover to take down the narcotics dealer responsible for the death of his sister.

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'The Godfather: Part II' (1974) -

The second film in the iconic trilogy is an epic flashback that features Robert De Niro as a young Vito Corleone in the streets of New York.

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'Saturday Night Fever' (1977) -

With a best-selling soundtrack featuring music by the Bee Gees, this movie is a must-watch to understand the popularity of disco in the '70s.

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'Rocky' (1976) -

Written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, this sports drama about a struggling boxer is an absolute classic. You will never look a gray sweatpants the same after watching it!

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'The Exorcist' (1973) -

Starring a girl possessed by a demon, this film is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying and disturbing cinematic experiences ever, which helped launch a new era in the horror genre.

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'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' (1975) -

'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' set a new standard for absurdist sketches and satirical humor. Upon its release in the US, the film broke records for grossing more than any other British film in America to that point.

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'A Clockwork Orange' (1971) -

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film is his adaptation of Anthony Burgess' dystopian novel, which surprised audiences with its violence, sex, and social commentary.

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'A Star Is Born' (1976) -

This film had an emotional remake with Bradly Cooper and Lady Gaga in 2018, but this version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson still stands out as a classic. Of course, it is itself a remake, as two previous versions were released in 1954 (starring Judy Garland) and 1937 (starring Janet Gaynor).

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'Blazing Saddles' (1974) -

A film by Mel Brooks, this cinema classic is a western spoof that stars Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, and Madeline Kahn in hilarious performances.

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'Apocalypse Now' (1979) -

Directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, 'Apocalypse Now' vividly depicts the insanity of the Vietnam War through the eyes of Martin Sheen's character as he searches for the evil Army Special Forces officer.

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'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest' (1975) -

Based on Ken Kesey's 1962 novel of the same name, this film is considered one of the best films ever made. It won several Oscars, including for Best Picture.

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'Network' (1976) -

A satirical comedy-drama starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Peter Finch, this movie is about a fictional television network and its struggles with poor ratings.

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'The French Connection' (1971) -

Starring Gene Hackman, 'The French Connection' is about a New York police detective chasing down drug smugglers. The film won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

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'Chinatown' (1974) -

In a film by Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson stars as a nosy Los Angeles private investigator who snoops around a deal with sinister implications. It also stars the unforgettable Faye Dunaway.

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'The Last Picture Show' (1971) -

Shot in nostalgic black and white, 'The Last Picture Show' depicts a town where the old ways are dying and young adults are trying to figure out what to do with their lives.

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'Serpico' (1973) -

This film stars Al Pacino as Frank Serpico, a real-life New York cop who exposed corruption within the police force. The role earned Pacino an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

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'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972) -

Starring Diana Ross as the iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday, the film follows her life, from when she began singing in nightclubs in Harlem, to selling out Carnegie Hall.

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'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974) -

Directed by Tobe Hooper, this low-budget horror flick became a classic in its genre. And more than 45 years later, the film still gives us nightmares!

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'The Great Gatsby' (1974) -

Before Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow played Gatsby and Daisy in this 1974 adaptation of the famed F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

Sources: (Glamour) (Mental Floss)

See also: Iconic films from the '80s that are worth rewatching 

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