Ranker FilmList RulesVote up your favorite love films that were released in the 1970s
This list of '70s romance movies is ranked from best to worst and includes the most romantic movies from one of cinema's most remarkable decades. These 1970s romance movies are all love stories in way or another, but they're also very different; some are heavy dramas while others are light comedies.
Some of the best '70s love movies are breezy entertainments while others, like the Woody Allen films here, are among the most acclaimed films of all time. Annie Hall, Manhattan, and Play It Again, Sam are a few of the great Woody Allen movies that you will see on this 1970s romance movies list.
Naturally, Love Story makes the cut of the top '70s romantic films. This classic 1970s film contains the iconic line, “Love means never having to say you're sorry.” The Great Gatsby is often considered the great American novel and its 1974 film adaptation, starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, centers around the book's love story. Harold & Maude, meanwhile, is a '70s romantic movie that proves that age ain't nothing but a number.
Which romance movie from the 1970s is your favorite? Vote up the best, vote down the worst, add any '70s romances we may have omitted, and if you've seen enough of the films on this list, rerank it!1
8142Grease
John Travolta, Olivia Newton-JohnReleased: 1978
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
Grease is a 1978 American musical romantic comedy-drama film directed by Randal Kleiser and... more2
6533Love Story
Tommy Lee Jones, Ray MillandReleased: 1970
Directed by: Arthur Hiller
Love Story is a 1970 romantic drama film written by Erich Segal, who also authored the... more3
4225The Way We Were
Barbra Streisand, Robert RedfordReleased: 1973
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Watch for Free with Amazon Prime Free TrialThe Way We Were is a 1973 American romantic drama film, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert... more4
3117Harold and Maude
Ruth Gordon, Tom SkerrittReleased: 1971
Directed by: Hal Ashby
Harold and Maude is a 1971 American romantic dark comedy directed by Hal Ashby and released by... more5
3424Saturday Night Fever
John Travolta, Fran DrescherReleased: 1977
Directed by: John Badham
Saturday Night Fever is a 1977 American drama film directed by John Badham. It stars John... more6
3221Rocky
Sylvester Stallone, Joe FrazierReleased: 1976
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. A small-time boxer... more7
2717Heaven Can Wait
Deacon Jones, Warren BeattyReleased: 1978
Directed by: Buck Henry, Warren Beatty
Heaven Can Wait is a 1978 American comedy film co-directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry. It... more8
2312Silver Streak
Richard Pryor, Gene WilderReleased: 1976
Directed by: Arthur Hiller
Silver Streak is a 1976 comedy-thriller film about an event on a Los Angeles-to-Chicago train... more9
2213The Goodbye Girl
Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha MasonReleased: 1977
Directed by: Herbert Ross
The Goodbye Girl is a 1977 American romantic comedy-drama film. Directed by Herbert Ross, the... more10
1912Coming Home
Jane Fonda, Jon VoightReleased: 1978
Directed by: Hal Ashby
Coming Home is a 1978 drama film directed by Hal Ashby and starring Jane Fonda, Jon Voight and... more11
2419The Great Gatsby
Robert Redford, Mia FarrowReleased: 1974
Directed by: Jack Clayton
The Great Gatsby is a 1974 American romantic drama film distributed by Newdon Productions and... more12
1812Every Which Way but Loose
Clint Eastwood, Beverly DAngeloReleased: 1978
Directed by: James Fargo
Every Which Way but Loose is a 1978 American adventure comedy film, released by Warner... more13
1712The Three Musketeers
Raquel Welch, Christopher LeeReleased: 1973
Directed by: Richard Lester
The Three Musketeers is a 1973 film based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, père. It was... more14
2017Play Misty for Me
Clint Eastwood, Donna MillsReleased: 1971
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Play Misty for Me is a 1971 American psychological thriller film, directed by and starring... more15
2220American Graffiti
Harrison Ford, Ron HowardReleased: 1973
Directed by: George Lucas
American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming of age comedy-drama film directed and co-written... more16
1714Time After Time
Corey Feldman, Malcolm McDowellReleased: 1979
Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
Time After Time is a 1979 American science fiction film starring Malcolm McDowell, David... more17
117Melody
Mark Lester, Tracy HydeReleased: 1971
Directed by: Waris Hussein
Melody is a 1971 British film directed by Waris Hussein about puppy love. It was released as S.W.A.L.K. in the United Kingdom (S.W.A.L.K. is a message traditionally written on the envelopes of love letters by British schoolchildren, standing for sealed with a loving kiss).
The film's musical soundtrack included songs by the Bee Gees ("In the Morning", "Melody Fair", "Give Your Best", and the hit singles "To Love Somebody" and "First of May"), and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit "Teach Your Children".
Melody is a 1971 British film directed by Waris Hussein about "puppy love". It was released as... more18
105Friends
Sean Bury, Anicée AlvinaReleased: 1971
Directed by: Lewis Gilbert
Friends is a 1971 teen-romance film directed and produced by Lewis Gilbert and written by Gilbert, Vernon Harris, and Jack Russell. The soundtrack, with music composed by Elton John and Paul Buckmaster, and lyrics written by Bernie Taupin, was released as the Friends album, and John's recording of the title selection charted when released as a single in the United States.
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2424Annie Hall
Woody Allen, Diane KeatonReleased: 1977
Directed by: Woody Allen
Annie Hall is a 1977 American romantic comedy film directed by Woody Allen. Neurotic New York... more20
1412Play It Again, Sam
Woody Allen, Ingrid BergmanReleased: 1972
Directed by: Herbert Ross
Watch for Free with Amazon Prime Free TrialPlay It Again, Sam is a 1972 film written by and starring Woody Allen, based on his 1969... more21
1817Manhattan
Meryl Streep, Woody AllenReleased: 1979
Directed by: Woody Allen
Manhattan is a 1979 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Woody Allen and produced... more22
1412What's Up, Doc?
Barbra Streisand, Randy QuaidReleased: 1972
Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich
What's Up, Doc? is a 1972 screwball comedy film released by Warner Bros., directed by Peter... more23
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141310
Julie Andrews, Bo DerekReleased: 1979
Directed by: Blake Edwards
10 is a 1979 romantic comedy film directed, produced and written by Blake Edwards, and... more25
1312Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Jodie Foster, Kris KristoffersonReleased: 1974
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore is a 1974 American comedy-drama film directed by Martin... more
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