Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the most interesting exploitation films that were released in the 1970s.
The best ‘70s exploitation movies are a dizzying blend of graphic sex, sensational violence, and a dash of kitsch. Nazis, fast cars, zombies, bikers - you name it, they are all featured prominently in this 1970s exploitation film list. These films were made with a lower budget, and aimed to produce pure, high-octane entertainment.
What are the top ‘70s exploitation movies? This list runs the gamut from grindhouse classics, like Death Race 2000, to genre-defining horror flicks like The Hills Have Eyes and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directed by a young Tobe Hooper. Gory slasher movies constitute a number of the top ‘70s exploitation movies. Some films on this list transcended their B-movie status and became cultural touchstones. For example, the movie Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, is actually banned in several countries due to its highly controversial subject matter, and is regarded as one of the most shocking films ever made.
Here, you’ll also find Assault on Precinct 13, originally released in 1976, and remade in 2005 starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne. You won’t find any arthouse flicks here, but you will find some salacious cult classics.Vote up the best '70s exploitation films, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.
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11218The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn BurnsReleased: 1974
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
This movie is a 1974 American slasher film, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, who cowrote... more on Wikipedia2
8813Dawn of the Dead
Tom Savini, Ken ForeeReleased: 1978
Directed by: George A. Romero
This film is a 1978 Italian-American horror drama film written and directed by George A.... more on Wikipedia3
6516Death Race 2000
Sylvester Stallone, David CarradineReleased: 1975
Directed by: Paul Bartel
This film is a 1975 cult action film directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine,... more on Wikipedia4
6216The Last House on the Left
Martin Kove, Steve MinerReleased: 1972
Directed by: Wes Craven
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 American exploitation-horror film written, edited, and... more on Wikipedia5
5816Foxy Brown
Pam Grier, Sid HaigReleased: 1974
Directed by: Jack Hill
Foxy Brown is a 1974 American blaxploitation film written and directed by Jack Hill. It stars... more on Wikipedia6
5717The Hills Have Eyes
Dee Wallace, Michael BerrymanReleased: 1977
Directed by: Wes Craven
The Hills Have Eyes is a 1977 American exploitation-horror film written and directed by Wes... more on Wikipedia7
5920I Spit on Your Grave
Camille Keaton, Richard PaceReleased: 1978
Directed by: Meir Zarchi
Day of the Woman is a controversial 1978 cult classic rape and revenge film. The film received... more on Wikipedia8
4812Assault on Precinct 13
Austin Stoker, Charles CyphersReleased: 1976
Directed by: John Carpenter
Assault on Precinct 13 is a 1976 American action thriller film written, directed, scored and... more on Wikipedia9
4823Pink Flamingos
John Waters, DivineReleased: 1972
Directed by: John Waters
Pink Flamingos is a 1972 American transgressive black comedy exploitation film written,... more on Wikipedia10
4116Shaft
Richard Roundtree, Moses GunnReleased: 1971
Directed by: Gordon Parks
Shaft is a 1971 American blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks, released by... more on Wikipedia11
3613Super Fly
Curtis Mayfield, Julius HarrisReleased: 1972
Directed by: Gordon Parks, Gordon Parks, Jr.
Super Fly is a 1972 blaxploitation, crime drama film directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., starring... more on Wikipedia12
5533Coffy
Pam Grier, Sid HaigReleased: 1973
Directed by: Jack Hill
Coffy is a 1973 blaxploitation film written and directed by American filmmaker Jack Hill. The... more on Wikipedia13
3515Car Wash
Danny DeVito, Richard PryorReleased: 1976
Directed by: Michael Schultz
Car Wash is a 1976 American comedy film released by Universal Pictures. The Art Linson... more on Wikipedia14
4324Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Pam Grier, Charles NapierReleased: 1970
Directed by: Russ Meyer
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a 1970 American satirical musical melodrama film starring... more on Wikipedia15
4023Piranha
Keenan Wynn, John SaylesReleased: 1978
Directed by: Joe Dante
Piranha is a 1978 American B movie about a swarm of killer piranhas. It was directed and... more on Wikipedia16
2613The Street Fighter
Sonny Chiba, Yutaka NakajimaReleased: 1974
Directed by: Shigehiro Ozawa
The Street Fighter, literally Clash, Killer Fist!, is a Japanese martial arts film released in... more on Wikipedia17
3019Master of the Flying Guillotine
Philip Kwok, Lau Kar-wingReleased: 1976
Directed by: Jimmy Wang
Master of the Flying Guillotine is a 1976 Taiwanese wuxia film starring Jimmy Wang Yu, who... more on Wikipedia18
2817Thriller: A Cruel Picture
Christina Lindberg, Per-Axel AroseniusReleased: 1973
Directed by: Bo Arne Vibenius
Thriller – A Cruel Picture is a 1973 Swedish exploitation film in the "rape and revenge" genre... more on Wikipedia19
198Black Caesar
Fred Williamson, Gloria HendryReleased: 1973
Directed by: Larry Cohen
Black Caesar, released theatrically in the UK as Godfather of Harlem, is a 1973 American... more on Wikipedia20
2517Female Trouble
Divine, Mink StoleReleased: 1974
Directed by: John Waters
Female Trouble is a 1974 dark comedy film co-composed, filmed, co-edited, written, produced,... more on Wikipedia21
2315I Drink Your Blood
Bhaskar, Jadine WongReleased: 1970
Directed by: David E. Durston
I Drink Your Blood is a cult horror film originally released in 1970. The film was written and... more on Wikipedia22
2213Wake in Fright
Donald Pleasence, Jack ThompsonReleased: 1971
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Wake in Fright is a 1971 Australian-American thriller film directed by Ted Kotcheff and... more on Wikipedia23
2316Eyes Without a Face
Alida Valli, Pierre BrasseurReleased: 1960
Directed by: Georges Franju
Eyes Without a Face is a 1960 French-Italian horror film adaptation of Jean Redon's novel,... more on Wikipedia24
3429Blacula
Vonetta McGee, Elisha CookReleased: 1972
Directed by: William Crain
Watch for Free with Amazon Prime Free TrialBlacula is a 1972 American blaxploitation horror film produced for American International... more on Wikipedia25
167Lady Snowblood
Meiko Kaji, Kō NishimuraReleased: 1973
Directed by: Toshiya Fujita
Lady Snowblood is a 1973 Japanese film directed by Toshiya Fujita and starring Meiko Kaji. It... more on Wikipedia
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