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The Scariest 1970s Horror Movies

Updated October 2, 2019 8.9k votes 712 voters 16.7k views61 items

List RulesVote up the 1970s horror movies that freaked you out and gave you nightmares for weeks, months, or even every decade since.

The 1970s were an influential decade during which major historical events occurred – not to mention the many awesome horror movies that were released during this era! This is a list of horror movies of the 1970s, from The Exorcist to Jaws, ranked by how utterly terrifying they were to audiences then and now. With groundbreaking special effects and creative minds behind the pen and camera, the '70s produced some of movie history’s all-time greatest and scariest horror movies.

Whether you’re looking for a realistic flick based on true (or supposedly true) events or a completely fictional movie, there’s sure to be a great fitting movie on this list for you! The movies featured on this list are some of the scariest ones of all time – who doesn’t shiver at the thought of a little girl’s head turning 360 degrees because she’s been demon possessed, or get a little nervous at the idea of swimming in shark-infested waters, trying to escape as quickly as possible?

This list features the scariest horror movies from the 70s, including: Jaws, Alien, The Hills Have Eyes, When a Stranger Calls, and The Last House on the Left. Vote up your favorite horror movie from the 70s or add one you love that isn't already on the list.

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The Exorcist
Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn
Released: 1973
Directed by: William Friedkin
The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted... more on Wikipedia
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Halloween
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle Richards
Released: 1978
Directed by: John Carpenter
Halloween is a 1978 American independent slasher horror film directed and scored by John... more on Wikipedia
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Alien
Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt
Released: 1979
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott. The crew of the... more on Wikipedia
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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns
Released: 1974
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
This movie is a 1974 American slasher film, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, who cowrote... more on Wikipedia
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Carrie
John Travolta, Sissy Spacek
Released: 1976
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Carrie is a 1976 American supernatural horror film based on Stephen King's first major 1974... more on Wikipedia
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240
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Jaws
Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss
Released: 1975
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter... more on Wikipedia
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Dawn of the Dead
Tom Savini, Ken Foree
Released: 1978
Directed by: George A. Romero
This film is a 1978 Italian-American horror drama film written and directed by George A.... more on Wikipedia
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205
68
The Omen
Gregory Peck, Lee Remick
Released: 1976
Directed by: Richard Donner
The Omen is a 1976 British/American supernatural horror film directed by Richard Donner. The... more on Wikipedia
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Black Christmas
Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin
Released: 1974
Directed by: Bob Clark
Black Christmas is a 1974 Canadian independent horror film directed by Bob Clark and written... more on Wikipedia
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125
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Robert Duvall, Jeff Goldblum
Released: 1978
Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1978 science fiction thriller directed by Philip Kaufman,... more on Wikipedia
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103
72
Phantasm
Angus Scrimm, A. Michael Baldwin
Released: 1979
Directed by: Don Coscarelli
Phantasm is a 1979 American horror film directed, written, photographed, co-produced, and... more on Wikipedia
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118
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Suspiria
Joan Bennett, Alida Valli
Released: 1977
Directed by: Dario Argento
Suspiria is a 1977 Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento, co-written by Argento and... more on Wikipedia
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The Hills Have Eyes
Dee Wallace, Michael Berryman
Released: 1977
Directed by: Wes Craven
The Hills Have Eyes is a 1977 American exploitation-horror film written and directed by Wes... more on Wikipedia
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The Amityville Horror
James Brolin, Margot Kidder
Released: 1979
Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg
The Amityville Horror is a 1979 American supernatural horror film, directed by Stuart... more on Wikipedia
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Alice, Sweet Alice
Brooke Shields, Lillian Roth
Released: 1976
Directed by: Alfred Sole
Alice, Sweet Alice is a 1976 American slasher film co-written and directed by Alfred Sole, and... more on Wikipedia
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43
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Duel
Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott
Released: 1971
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Duel is a 1971 television thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Richard... more on Wikipedia
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152
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The Last House on the Left
Martin Kove, Steve Miner
Released: 1972
Directed by: Wes Craven
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 American exploitation-horror film written, edited, and... more on Wikipedia
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Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Jim Hutton, Kim Darby
Released: 1973
Directed by: John Newland
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is an American made-for-television dark fantasy film directed by... more on Wikipedia
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The Wicker Man
Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland
Released: 1973
Directed by: Robin Hardy
The Wicker Man is a 1973 British mystery horror film directed by Robin Hardy and written by... more on Wikipedia
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Sisters
Margot Kidder, Charles Durning
Released: 1973
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Sisters is a 1973 American horror film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Margot Kidder,... more on Wikipedia
21
64
45
The Legend of Hell House
Roddy McDowall, Michael Gough
Released: 1973
Directed by: John Hough
The Legend of Hell House is a 1973 British horror film directed by John Hough and based on the... more on Wikipedia
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51
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The Devils
Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed
Released: 1971
Directed by: Ken Russell
The Devils is a 1971 British historical drama horror film directed by Ken Russell and starring... more on Wikipedia
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Tombs of the Blind Dead
Rufino Ingles, Lone Fleming
Released: 1972
Directed by: Amando de Ossorio
Tombs of the Blind Dead is a 1971 Spanish horror film written and directed by Amando de... more on Wikipedia
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Audrey Rose
Anthony Hopkins, Marsha Mason
Released: 1977
Directed by: Robert Wise
Audrey Rose is a 1977 psychological horror and drama film directed by Robert Wise, and... more on Wikipedia
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The Fury
Kirk Douglas, Daryl Hannah
Released: 1978
Directed by: Brian De Palma, Frank Yablans
The Fury is a 1978 supernatural thriller film directed by Brian De Palma. The film was written... more on Wikipedia