Halloween is just around the corner and what better way to spend it then reliving horror movie history with some of the best cult classics to come out of the 1970s, a decade that is known for defining the increasingly popular genre. Cult classics are particularly fun to watch this time of year as their passionate fanbase, elaborate subculture, and originality really draw you in and immerse you into the terrifying realities they’ve created. Sit back and as I take you through this list, I hope you will consider watching these movies if you haven’t seen them already.
5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the film that started the well-known low budget slasher movie craze of the 1970s. It would spawn countless sequels, knockoffs, and clichés that still dominate the horror genre today. This original masterpiece takes you on a journey alongside a group of friends who unfortunately find themselves at the doorstep of a group of insane murderous outcasts, including the chainsaw-wielding icon known as Leatherface, who don’t take too kindly to strangers. This truly is one of the most disturbing movies out there and knowing the real-life hell the cast and crew had to go through in order to make this film makes it that much more thrilling.
4. Halloween (1978)
Halloween is perhaps the most well-known film on this list and for good reason too. Just like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this phenomenal movie would see nearly a dozen sequels and even more movies trying to capture the slasher movie perfection Halloween was remarkably able to achieve on such a micro-budget. This genre-defying film has Michael Myers, a figure that needs no introduction, going up against his last remaining relative and anyone else who stands in his way on Halloween night. If you haven’t already seen this film, it’s a huge must. The world of horror just wouldn’t be the same without this classic movie making its mark.
3. Suspiria (1977)
Suspiria is one of those obscure gems that deserved so much more attention but unfortunately got lost in the giant heap of garbage that came out of the 1970s. Well, at least it was until its extremely underwhelming remake from last year brought it into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
This is the type of film that would be ruined if I gave any sort of summary, but all you need to know is that it’s full of horror ridden suspense, that classic 70s style, and one of the best and most fitting theme songs that synergizes beautifully with the movie’s incredibly strange story. I couldn’t recommend this movie enough. It’s easily one of the most underappreciated movies from the decade.
2. Eraserhead (1977)
Speaking of the strange, Eraserhead is by far one of the weirdest movies you could ever possibly imagine. However, knowing the director, David Lynch, it should be of no surprise that this movie is known as cinema’s most unsettling nightmare. Eraserhead is a surrealistic take on a man’s fear of parenthood in the midst of a dystopian industrial world full of ghastly imagery and macabre themes. Eraserhead is seriously not for the faint of heart nor is it for someone looking for a conventional scare. It will haunt you for days and leave you completely mystified as to what you just say. There is nothing else quite like Eraserhead out there and for that reason, it is a must-see film if you think you can handle it.
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
No horror movie list would be complete without a zombie film entry and Dawn of the Dead is the perfect film when talking about cult classics. It’s creator, George Romero, literally wrote the book when it comes to zombies with Dawn of the Dead’s predecessor Night of the Living Dead which is oftentimes referred to as the first real zombie flick. Dawn of the Dead does something that’s extremely rare for sequels in that it’s actually really good. While preserving Romero’s commitment to classic horror, this film is bigger, bloodier, and ten times scarier. If you are even the slightest fan of zombie horror, you will love this film.
