10 Best Monster Movies of the 1970s

Monster movies from the 1970s don't necessarily fall into these Horror genre, but they often involve some scares and thrilling elements to keep the audience engaged. Each decade has a different spin on what kind of creatures are most terrifying to audiences, because horror and monster movies typically reflect the cultural and social anxieties of the time. As technology and visual effects were evolving, the way monsters could be created for the screen became more advanced, meaning audiences were shocked at how realistic some of the creatures looked when the films first premiered.

Creature features make up some of the best horror movies of the 1970s, and these films have come to define the 1970s as a decade. In the past, monster movies like King Kong Or Game Creature from the Black Lagoon were considered popular b-files. While many genre films still fall into this category, contemporary monster movies have also transcended this notion and become blockbusters. However, one of the most endearing parts of films that use creatures as their main antagonist is that They are often self-aware and lean into their campy elements for satirical moments.

10

Creature from the Black Lake (1976)

Directed by Joy N. Houck Jr.

Although the 1976 film almost shares a name with the iconic Game Creature from the Black Lagoon, Game Creature from Black Lake is closer to a Bigfoot story rather than a swamp monster tale. Following the story of a couple of college students, the film sees the young people travel to the American South from Chicago. They investigate a city that has been plagued by attacks from a sasquatch-like creature, soon to find themselves in danger themselves. As they grow closer to the inhabitants of the town and investigate further, the terror becomes more and more real.

The visuals are one of the most memorable, even though the film has an ultra-low budget. The stylistic choices behind the camera work and Cohesive aesthetic elevates it from other B-movies. in Game Creature from Black LakeThe creature does not make too many appearances, and the causality rate of the story is relatively low. Although the film is not the most terrifying monster movie, it is a fun and more approachable part of the genre that revels in its own niche of horror.

9

False (1970)

Directed by Freddie Francis

Joan Crawford stars TrogA movie that perfectly blends sci-fi and horror, even if the results are a little cheesy. The film takes its name from the term troglodyte, which is a prehistoric humanoid that the characters encounter in the movie. Crawford's character, Dr. Brockton finds a troglodyte still alive in a cave and brings him to her lab. To teach him and teach him about civilization. It doesn't take long until the residents of the nearby town become suspicious of the creature and chase him out.

Trog takes on several aspects of social commentary, How Brockton's position as a female head of a laboratory in the 1970s is met with attempts to undermine her authority by the men in the film. A modern spin on the Frankenstein act, Trog is largely forgotten in Crawford's filmography, but she is easily the best part of the project. The morality of Trog It is not that the troglodyte man is inherently dangerous but that society pushes him to be so.

8

King Kong (1976)

Directed by John Guillermin

The 1976 King Kong is part of the far-reaching King Cong Franchise that started in 1933 with the original movie. Although the 1976 iteration was not as influential in the monster genre, it still holds a significant place in the universe, especially because of its star-studded cast. Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges star in the film as Dwan and Jack Prescott, An actress and paleontologist who find themselves aboard the ship heading to Kong's Island. Once they arrive there, the story unfolds similarly to the original work, with Dwan being captured by and taming Kong.

There are aspects of King Kong Which are undeniably dated, however The visual effects aren't bad for 1976, and Bridges and Lang have strong on-screen chemistry. It is an anchor for the more extraordinary moments in history. King Kong falls more in line with action-adventure movies than a horror film when it comes to the plot and the way Kong is characterized. Although King Kong Doesn't push boundaries, it's a fun watch that doesn't try to be something it's not.

7

Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

Directed by June Fukuda

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is one of the best Godzilla moves for starters and marks Mechagodzilla's first onscreen appearance in the franchise. In the movie, Mechagodzilla goes on a terrorizing rampage and must be stopped by the real Godzilla, who faces him in battle. It is discovered that Mechagodzilla is made of space metal and is an alien technology which is used to conquer earth. The designs of Mechagodzilla and Godzilla in this project are memorable and have inspired contemporary characters and effects.

Although Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla Is not the best-received of these Godzilla universe, This was an important step because of the introduction of Mechagodzilla And Godzilla's act together with others to defeat his enemy. Additionally, bringing in the alien element opened the door for further innovation in later installments. The climactic fight between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla is as exciting as any other fight sequence in the early films. Looking at today, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is a campy and influential part of the Godzilla Legacy.

6

It's Alive (1974)

Directed by Larry Cohen

surprisingly emotionally resonant, It's alive is as much a tragedy as it is a horror film, as the monster in the movie is a newborn baby, Hunted and brutalized because of the greed of others. After a mother gives birth to her second child, it is born with terrifying features and immediately goes on a killing spree across the city. Most of the people involved immediately attempt to trap and kill the child, while his family tries to keep him safe and treat him as a frightened creature in need of help.

There's a long legacy surrounding horror movies that address anxieties about childbirth and parents who don't recognize their children. Movies like Rosemary's baby And others like it are early examples of the growing prevalence of contraception and the disinterest in the nuclear family in the US. it. is discussed in cinema. in It's aliveThe birth control pills that the mother takes are what lead to the mutation of the baby, and This can be seen as a comment on the cultural view of corporate greed.

5

Piranha (1978)

Directed by Joe Dante

After the success of Jaws In 1975, it is not surprising that many copycats emerged, including the 1978 B-movie Piranha. As the title says, Piranha It was not about sharks but the omnivorous fish piranhas, Which are not typically as deadly as the movie suggests. However, the protagonist, Maggie (Heather Menzies), encounters a breed of piranha that has mutated thanks to experimentation and is free in a small town, which is a road to the ocean. It's up to Maggie and her reluctant companion, Paul (Bradford Dillman), to stop them.

As time progressed, Piranha Has become a cult classic in the horror genre, because the film does not take itself too seriously. Well aware of its limitations as a low-budget ripoff, Piranha Leans towards the campy elements and more exotic moments in her writing. The tongue-in-cheek tone of the story led to a 1982 sequel and several remakes that cemented the Piranha franchise as one of the more successful B-horror movies of the time.

4

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Directed by Mel Brooks

One of Mel Brooks' masterpieces, Young FrankensteinStarring Gene Wilder Like Frederick Frankenstein, a descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein, who follows in his footsteps and creates life. Like all Brooks films, Young Frankenstein A satirical take on a classic genre, the film takes on the legacy and influence of horror and monster movies throughout cinema history. As there have been many incarnations of these Frankenstein Storytelling, it was doubly impressive that Young Frankenstein was so unforgettable.

Like any great pastiche, Young Frankenstein Has the utmost respect and love for the original work and pokes fun with it without disrupting the integrity of the story. Shot in black-and-white and in the style of traditional 1930s horror movies, Young Frankenstein Took a risk by using the visual techniques, but it paid off enormously. Young Frankenstein remains one of Brooks' most beloved films And is well aged, making it worth rewatching today. It's always refreshing when horror and comedy are brought together on screen because they often go hand-in-hand.

3

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Directed by George A. Romero

As far as zombie movies go, the Night of the Living Dead series is one of the most iconic and Dawn of the Dead Success expands on the first film in the series. George A. Romero's first movie, Night of the Living DeadIt came out ten years earlier in 1968, but the sequel feels just as fresh and urgent as it did just a few days later. A large part of that makes Dawn of the Dead Stand apart is that it is in conversation with the relevant social issues and unrest of the late 70s.

Set in a suburban mall, Dawn of the Dead Takes on the consumerist mindset that has taken hold in the US During this time and looks critically at racial and class dynamics. The extreme and violence of Dawn of the Dead are different from the original tone of Night of the Living DeadWhich relies more on suspense, but the shift in theme works for the franchise. Although the zombies are made to look different and more evil than the humans, they are still recognizable as humans, which makes their actions even worse.

2

alien (1979)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Although these Alien Franchise has exploded into a multi-film and crossover hit, the series owes everything to the first movie, Alien. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the film catapulted Weaver to fame, As she is the anchor of the film and the most important character in the fight against the xenomorph. As far as character designs go, the Xenomorph is well-crafted and is as visually intimidating as it is deadly. From his first moment on screen, it's clear that the Xenomorph is stronger and more capable than anything else in the film.

The director, Ridley Scott, did not return to these Alien franchise until 2012, When he directed the prequel, PrometheusBut that didn't stop them Alien Universe of continues to expand. Alien: RomulusThe latest installment follows a similar formula as the other movies and owes a lot to the first film in the series. Without AlienOne of the best movie monsters in science fiction would not exist. Although the xenomorphs are not as supernatural as other horror creatures, they are just as terrifying.

1

Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Although not typically thought of as a Horror movie, Jaws Is still scary to watch today, even if the visual effects are not as up to date as other monster movies of today. The huge shark in Jaws is different from the typical Hollywood movie monster, As it is a real part of nature, even if the weight of the shark is beyond what is reasonably possible. One of the best parts of Jaws How well the score changes the mood and atmosphere of a scene by introducing the shark's theme, which is one of the most iconic pieces of movie scoring in history.

Spielberg discussed how he regrets the vitriol Sharks faced after the movie became popular (via The Hollywood Reporter). However, the way people respond to Jaws And felt real terror by sharks in the ocean demonstrates the legacy and impact of cinema on a new level. Spielberg is credited with inventing and reinforcing many hallmarks of filmmaking which are known today as the summer blockbuster. Jaws is often credited as the first summer blockbuster and changing the monster movie forever.