The1970s were a great timefor cinema, producing many of the classics beloved by generations today (perAmerican Cinematographer). It was the decade movies likeJawsandCarriegraced movie theaters all across North America and the world, while directors and actors like Martin Scorsese and Bruce Lee had their big break during the decade. The 1970s in film history consists of a time when many movies and people in the public consciousness got their start, paving the way for a new turn of movies, television, and entertainment, globally. But if there was one genre that stands out among all, it happens to be the action movies that came out during this time.
Most notably, blaxploitation and Hong Kongmartial arts moviesrose to prominence in the early-70s, and while they may not be the best-remembered of the era, they certainly made an impact. These movies marked one of the few times in early movie history in the West that films made by BIPOC were openly acknowledged and loved. Outside these genres, action movies continued to thrive and develop many of the beloved characters and storylines that can still be seen in movies today.
Updated on August 15th, 2023, by Timothy Lindsey:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
10Death Wish (1974)
1974’sDeath Wishwas an adaptation of a novel of the same name that stars Charles Bronson. Michael Winner directs a story in which an architect, named Paul, goes rogue after his wife and daughter are attacked inside their home.
His wife tragically dies, leading him to become a vigilante, leaving behind a rather successful career in his industry, and hunting down criminals on the streets of New York City. This was the first in a series of four movies focusing on the character of Paul and his antics in fighting against crime, and the movie was initially controversial when it first came out due to how its main character fights crime with crime.
9The Warriors (1979)
Walter Hill directedThe Warriors, a 1979 film focusing on a New York City gang looking for redemption after a false accusation. Set in a time when New York’s young men, particularly ones from lower socio-economic classes, joined gangs to make sense of the world.
When the midnight summit of gangs leads to the death of the most influential gang’s leader, all hell breaks loose. One group is accused of murder when they are innocent, leading them on a journey to Coney Island from the Bronx in the name of getting justice.
8The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Multiple James Bond films were released in the ’70s, but the one that stands above the rest in terms of action and plot isThe Spy Who Loved Me. The tenth entry to the series, Roger Moore’s James Bond returns to save the world after a submarine disappears.
Now forced to investigate the potential crime, James Bond is sent to find out what happened and meets a KGB agent, Anya, in the process. They join forces, ultimately finding love along the way with a flair for drama. However, this villain is not going to stop in his pursuit of setting off World War III.
7The French Connection (1971)
The French Connectionhas repeatedly been named one of the best American movies ever made, and the year it was released, it took home four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Actor. Adapted from a Robin Moore novel, two NYPD detectives are on the hunt for a notorious heroin smuggler.
Alain Charnier holds the world’s biggest heroin syndicate and has a grand plan to bring large amounts of the drug into the United States, specifically New York City. When the goods arrive, the local police are not going to let this slip by easily, thus beginning a thrilling chase and manhunt across the city. A sequel was released four years later in 1975.
6Enter the Dragon (1973)
Enter the Dragonwas one of Bruce Lee’s final film appearances, as he tragically died before its official release date in the United States. It is now considered one of the greatest martial arts movies to ever have been released.
Bruce Lee is Lee, a Hong Kong martial artist who finds himself tangled up in a British intelligence plot. A crime lord, Han, is being pursued by the British for his drug trafficking and prostitution. After discovering one of Han’s men has a connection to his sister’s death, Lee enters a tournament hosted by him, leading to some epic fights in and out of the ring.
Related:Best Horror Movies of the 70s, Ranked
5Rocky (1976)
Simply put,Rocky(1976) is one of the greatest sports movies ever made. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a lower-level boxer from the working-class city of Philadelphia. At first glance, there isn’t anything special about him. He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He takes on small-time boxing matches in an effort to earn a living, as well as working for a loan shark.
However, World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) chooses Balboa as his opponent for a title bout celebrating America’s 200th birthday. Viewers get the opportunity to witness what separates Rocky from every other fighter. Creed is blown away by his heart, will, and determination, which is exactly what makes him one of the greatest action heroes in cinema.
4Rocky II (1979)
In the fantastic sequel toRocky,Rocky IIshows Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) adjusting to family life after falling in love with his former girlfriend, now-wife Adrian (Talia Shire). With Adrian pregnant as well, Rocky has retired from boxing.
However, when World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is dissatisfied with his victory by a split decision over Balboa, which took place in the first film, he challenges him to another bout. This time, both train and fight even harder. Movie lovers are treated to one of the great scenes in film history as Rocky runs through the city of Philadelphia inspiring people of all ages.
3Dirty Harry (1971)
Released in 1971,Dirty Harrywas only the beginning of a series of five movies and was one of Clint Eastwood’s roles that were not a Western movie. Inspired by the Zodiac Killer, the movie’s villain is a sniper dubbed Scorpio, and he has a penchant for threatening the San Francisco police for money.
Harry Callahan (Eastwood), an inspector for the police department, ends up being assigned the case.Dirty Harryset the standards for police dramas to come and is considered a pivotal change in the genre.
Mel Gibson stars in the iconicMad Maxas Max Rockatansky, a former police officer who chooses a life of crime and becomes a vigilante. Set in a near-dystopia version of Australia, what is left of society is on the brink of collapse as the world faces increasing oil shortages.
Max is a man in doubt, as he begins to question his role on the police force and the criminals he is hunting down. But when his wife and child are killed, so begins his epic journey for vengeance and redemption that spans decades and five films.
1Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
In what is perhaps the greatest original franchise film ever made,A New Hope(1977) tells the story of a great battle taking place in a galaxy far, far away. A young farm boy on a desert planet named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who longs for adventure, is whisked away to help the cause of the Rebellion after he comes into the possession of two droids who served for the Rebels in their fight against the Galactic Empire and the evil Darth Vader.
With the help of old Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), cocky pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca, the group rescues Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) from the Empire’s evil Space station, the Death Star. Then, along with the army of the Rebellion, the group must destroy the station before it blows up any more planets in the galaxy. Although this film is the originalStar Warsfilm, it is the fourth installment of theSkywalker Saga.
