10 Forgotten 1970s Horror Movies That Were Excellent

The 1970s were a historic period for horror films. Some of the best and most iconic horror films of all time were released during this decade, including scary favorites like Halloween, The Wicker Manand The Exorcist. Many of these deliciously scary films launched massive franchises, guiding the future of the genre for years to come. From fearsome creatures to crazed killers, the '70s had something to offer for every type of horror lover.

Of course, not every film from that era could be as well-known as Jaws or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Many incredible horror films from the '70s have been largely forgotten, not because of their quality, but simply because they ended up overshadowed by the more iconic films of the decade. While they may not be the most recognizable, these 1970s horror films offer plenty of blood, creative storytelling, and plenty of heart-pounding scares to satisfy any fan of the genre.

10

Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)

Directed by Alfred Sole

Originally titled Communionthe 1976 film, Alice, sweet Alicecombines elements of psychological horror and slasher films to create a thrilling horror extravaganza. Directed by Alfred Sole, this film's chilling events take place in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1961. When nine-year-old Karen is brutally killed during her First Holy Communion, all eyes turn to her twelve-year-old sister, Alice. . When more people start turning up dead, the community must start to wonder what this child could really be capable of.

Made on a budget of just $350,000, Alice, sweet Alice proves that films don't need strange creatures and impressive special effects to be absolutely terrifying. The film employs an unnerving style similar to that of Psychopathas well as the other Alfred Hitchcock films that inspired it. With a cast that includes Linda Miller, Mildred Clinton and Brooke Shields (in her film debut), Alice, sweet Alice promises to horrify its viewers with its disturbing perspective on the true evil that hides within certain people.

9

The Sentinel (1977)

Directed by Michael Winner

What would you do if you discovered that the building you just moved into was actually the gateway to Hell? This frightening question is at the heart of The Sentinela disturbing 1977 horror film directed by Michael Winner. Cristina Raines stars as Alison Parker, a woman who persistently struggles with trauma from her childhood, only to see her existence become far more complex than she ever imagined when she makes some shocking discoveries about her new apartment.

While the story and effects are certainly very captivating, which really helps The Sentinel What shines are the performances. Raines shines as Alison, managing to convey a dazzling range of emotions in the film's relatively brief running time. Many prominent stars also appear in the film in supporting roles, making the film thoroughly enjoyable for all types of movie lovers. Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum and Beverly D'Angelo are among the main stars who had early career appearances in this scary film.

8

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Directed by John Hough

For decades, the idea of ​​the haunted house has been a staple of the horror genre. A classic example of a film that takes full advantage of this trope is The Legend of the House of Hell. Released in 1973, this mysterious film follows a group of investigators who agree to stay in the former home of a mad killer in an attempt to uncover the strange events that have unfolded there. Before long, it becomes clear that something supernatural is at play and that not everyone will make it out of the house alive.

The Legend of the House of Hell is directed by John Hough, whose talent for suspense is certainly put to good use throughout the film. Pamela Franklin and Roddy McDowall are among the stars, although the film features a fairly small cast. This works in the film's favor as it allows the audience to feel a stronger connection to each character, making the danger even scarier. The Legend of the House of Hell It may be one of many haunted house stories, but it's far from forgettable.

7

Martinho (1977)

Directed by George A. Romero

George A. Romero may have distinguished himself with his Night of the Living Dead moviesbut they are definitely not the filmmaker's only exploration of the horror genre. In 1977, Romero changed his focus from zombies to vampires with his twisted film, Martin. Martin stars John Amplas as the titular character, a young man who lives his life under the rigid belief that he is, in reality, a blood-sucking vampire. This strange belief guides Martin to perform horrific and horrible acts, which he sees as an essential function of who he is.

Martin stands out from other '70s horror films thanks to its profoundly unique premise. Romero's riveting direction and writing will not only scare viewers, but also make them think deeply about what they just saw. With an ending that remains shocking no matter how many times it is seen, Martin is a refreshingly unique vampire film that will leave audiences with several chilling questions about what it means to be a monster.

6

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

Directed by John Hancock

Horror films often thrive on making their viewers feel the same sense of fear experienced by the characters. John Hancock's 1971 horror film, however, forces viewers to empathize with a different, disturbing feeling: uncertainty. Let's scare Jessica to death offers an eerie portrait of a psychologically unstable woman who begins to believe she is being tormented by something supernatural and very dangerous. As increasingly strange circumstances begin to arise, it becomes increasingly difficult for Jessica to discern what is real.

Let's scare Jessica to death triumphs in its ability to effectively confuse its audience whenever it wants. When watching a horror film, a sense of certainty can be a great comfort to viewers, even in particularly frightening circumstances. Let's scare Jessica to death it eliminates that certainty, leaving viewers unsure about who they can trust and what is actually real. This constant ambiguity makes the film a haunting story that is sure to linger in viewers' minds long after the credits stop rolling.

5

The Vault of Terror (1973)

Directed by Roy Ward Baker

Horror fans may be familiar with Tales from the Cryptbut few know about its 1973 follow-up feature, The Vault of Terror. Just like its predecessor, The Vault of Terror is an anthology film that offers five self-contained horror stories, each presenting its own horrific message. Because of the way it's structured, viewers don't need to have seen Tales from the Crypt to fully enjoy all the scary scenarios that the film presents. Each story is framed as the personal nightmare of one of five men trapped in a mysterious underground lair.

The Vault of Terror is perfect for fans of short horror stories, similar to those featured in The Twilight Zone. Although the different segments cover a wide range of topics (from vampires to magical paintings), each is as gruesome as the next. The film's unusual structure ensures that there will be something perfect for every type of horror lover, regardless of which subset of the genre is your favorite.

4

Long Weekend (1978)

Directed by Colin Eggleston

Revenge stories are certainly not uncommon when it comes to the horror genre. Numerous films depict people (or supernatural figures) going to deadly lengths to ensure justice is served. However, Colin Eggleston's 1978 film Long weekendput a smart spin on this idea. In a surprising twist, the entity seeking revenge in this disturbing film is nature itself. When a bitter couple ruthlessly abuses their surroundings during a camping retreat, nature has no choice but to rise up and exact its own bloody revenge.

Long weekend it may have been filmed and set in Australia, but its message applies worldwide; Don't mess with nature unless you want nature to mess with you. The film offers a brutal depiction of the violent consequences of environmental abuse that emphasizes the true power of the natural world. Long weekend is unique in the way it actually sides with the supposed “antagonist,” with the main human characters doing very little to gain any real sympathy from the audience, making the film’s brutal second half all the more satisfying.

3

Black Christmas (1974)

Directed by Bob Clark

In recent years, many filmmakers have taken advantage of the unnerving juxtaposition of setting a horror film at Christmastime. The 1974 Canadian horror film, Black Christmashowever, he explored the idea before it became popular. This gory holiday film follows the deadly events that unfold in a sorority house where the girls are celebrating Christmas. Things take a deadly turn for the brotherhood when they start receiving suspicious phone calls and residents start dying. Little do they know that the killer has been inside the entire time, leading to Black Christmas'perfect ending.

While it's about as far from a “joyful Christmas movie” as you can get, Black Christmas delivers a consistently thrilling experience perfect for horror lovers to enjoy once the holiday season arrives. Where the film thrives most is in its use of suspense. By immediately showing that the killer is inside the house, the audience immediately knows that this Christmas party will not have a happy ending. It's only a matter of time before the festive celebration turns deadly.

2

The Creeping Flesh (1973)

Directed by Freddie Francis

Set in the middle of the Victorian Era, The Creeping Flesh is an inventive horror film about an evil that has returned from the dead. Released in 1973, this British horror film features a scientist recounting his discovery of a mysterious ancient skeleton. However, this was not a simple paleontological discovery, as the skeleton would grow and resume its bad habits when exposed to water. A series of misguided experiments and a poorly timed storm quickly transform The Creeping Flesh in a horror story forever.

Thanks to its fascinating premise and Christopher Lee's convincing performance, The Creeping Flesh is a captivating showcase of what '70s horror was all about. The film takes a curiously scientific approach to the evil at its center, remaining determined to offer concrete explanations for the supernatural forces it presents, rather than just trusting audiences to blindly accept them. . Of course, this approach only makes the reanimated creature even more terrifying when it reaches its potential.

1

Tourist Trap (1979)

Directed by David Schmoeller

Part of what made the '70s such an exciting era for horror was the deliciously twisted premises of some of its films. David Schmoeller's 1979 feature film, Tourist Trapperfectly sums up the bizarre nature of the horrible ideas made into films during this decade. This frightening horror film follows a group of young people who become trapped in a dangerous environment when their car breaks down on an isolated road. Things get even more complicated when the group is tormented by a group of mannequins and other objects controlled by a killer with psychokinetic abilities.

Tourist Trap is a deeply unique horror film, but still manages to include virtually all of the genre's iconic elements: a deranged killer, a group of frightened victims, a frightening setting, and more. The film takes all of these beloved elements and infuses them with its own terrifying twist, creating a horrifying experience from start to finish. Tourist Trap It may not be the most well-known horror film of the 70s, but it's pretty hard to forget.