The 1970s was a decade of big changes in the world. It was a time when many new things were invented like the VCR and many older things like the 8-track player were phased out. It was also the time when Hollywood movies took a different kind of turn.

This decade is often called “the golden era of Hollywood” because it had some of the best movies ever made, which are still loved by people today. Here are some of our favorite classic movies from the 1970s for you to watch with your family on the next movie night!

Jaws

Jaws is a 1975 thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel of the same name. The story follows a giant man-eating great white shark that terrorizes the fictional seaside resort of Amity Island.

The basic premise of the movie is that a town called Amity Island, where people live in peace and harmony, is suddenly attacked by a huge great white shark which starts to kill people one after another. A marine biologist named Matt Hooper and a professional shark hunter named Quint join forces with local police chief Martin Brody to help save the town from the dangers in the water.

Jaws was filmed on location in Martha’s Vineyard and at Universal Studios Hollywood, California, USA

Carrie

Carrie is a horror novel by Stephen King turned into a classic movie in 1976. In the movie, Carrie a high school girl is tormented by her peers because of her religious beliefs. She has a difficult time making friends and is often subject to ridicule. When she gets an opportunity to attend prom, she is excited until she realizes that they are going to play a prank on her and humiliate her in front of everyone.

Carrie’s peers shove her into the girls’ locker room and lock the door. Carrie starts hearing voices telling her that it’s time for them to come out. As she starts freaking out, the voice tells Carrie that they will not let anyone hurt them again. Suddenly, something happens and all of the girls in there start screaming at once while running out of the locker room with their clothes on fire!

Rocky

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags to riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. Rocky starts out as a small-time club fighter, and later gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist is a 1973 American horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who becomes possessed by a powerful demon and her mother’s attempts to win back her daughter through an exorcism conducted by two priests.

The film was released theatrically in December 1973 and grossed $66 million at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in history. It was met with critical acclaim, as well as some controversy. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two; Best Sound Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay for Blatty.

Superman

Superman the movie was released in 1978 based on the novel written by Mario Puzo. The story revolves around a man with superhuman powers who has been sent to earth from his dying planet as a baby. He is found and raised by two human parents and taught to use his powers for good. When he grows up, he tries to live among humans as an ordinary man but when an evil force threatens humanity, he becomes Superman and takes on the responsibility of saving the world from destruction.

Mash

MASH is a 1970 American satirical black comedy film directed by Robert Altman and written by Ring Lardner Jr. based on Richard Hooker’s 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. The film is set in the early stages of the Korean War, in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit near the front similar to the television show. It deals with some aspects of war, such as the dehumanizing effects on doctors and nurses working in such an environment, and how this affects their personal lives when they are not working.

Alien

Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. The film follows a crew of space explorers who encounter an alien creature that is the sole survivor of its species after its spaceship crashes on Earth.

The film was released in the United States on May 25, 1979, and grossed $104 million worldwide. It received critical acclaim for its atmosphere, suspense, design, acting and score. Alien has been considered one of the greatest films of all time.

The Godfather

Francis Coppola and Mario Puzo collaborated to make the 1972 classic The Godfather, based on the 1969 novel. The story of the godfather is set in New York City revolving around Don Vito Corleone, the aging head of a crime family, and follows his attempts to hold together his empire.

Now that you’ve read about some of the most popular movies from the 1970’s swing over to GamingForSeniors.org, try the 70’s movie word search and see if you can find your favorite films from the decade.