Monster movies from the 1970s don’t necessarily fall into thehorrorgenre, but they often involve some scares and thrilling elements to keep the audience engaged.Every decade has a different spin on what kind of creatures are most terrifyingto audiences, as 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 was becoming more advanced, meaning audiences were shocked at how realistic some of these creatures looked when these films first premiered.
Creature features make up some of thebest horror movies of the 1970s, and these films have come to define the 1970s as a decade. In the past, monster movies likeKing KongorCreature From the Black Lagoonwere considered pulpy B-movies. While plenty of genre films still fall into this category, contemporary monster movies have also transcended this idea and become blockbusters. However, one of the most endearing parts of films that use creatures as their main antagonist is thatthey’re often self-aware and lean into their campy elements for satirical moments.
Though the 1976 film almost shares a name with the iconicCreature From the Black Lagoon,Creature From Black Lakeis closer to a bigfoot story rather than a swamp monster tale.Following the story of a pair of college students, the film sees the young men travel to the American South from Chicago. They investigate a town that has been plagued by attacks from a sasquatch-like creature, soon getting caught up in the danger themselves. As they grow closer to the residents of the town and investigate further, the terror grows all the more real.
The visuals are one of the most memorable, even though the film has an ultra-low budget.
The visuals are one of the most memorable, even though the film has an ultra-low budget. The stylistic choices behind the camera work andcohesive aesthetic elevate it from other B-movies.InCreature From Black Lake, the creature doesn’t make too many appearances, and the causality rate of the story is relatively low. While the film isn’t the most terrifying monster movie, it’s a fun and more approachable part of the genre that revels in its own niche of horror.
32%
Joan Crawford stars inTrog, amovie that perfectly blends sci-fi and horror, even if the results are slightly 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 man still living in a cave and brings him to her labto study him and teach him about civilization. It doesn’t take long for the residents of the town nearby to grow suspicious of the creature and provoke him.
Trogtakes on some aspects of social commentary,as Brockton’s position as a female head of a lab in the 1970s is met with attempts to undermine her authority by the men in the film. A modern spin on theFrankensteintale,Troghas been largely forgotten about within Crawford’s filmography, but she’s easily the best part of the project. The moral ofTrogis not that the troglodyte man was inherently dangerous but that society pushed him to be that way.
13%
23%
King Kong
Cast
King Kong (1976) is a remake of the classic monster film, directed by John Guillermin. The movie follows an ambitious filmmaker and his crew as they discover a giant ape on a remote island. Starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, and Charles Grodin, this adaptation explores the themes of beauty and the beast while showcasing groundbreaking special effects for its time. The film features the iconic scene atop the World Trade Center.
The 1976King Kongis part of the far-reachingKingKongfranchise that began in 1933 with the original movie. While the 1976 iteration hasn’t been as influential within 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 for Kong’s island. Once they arrive there, the story unfolds similarly to the original work, with Dwan being captured by and taming Kong.
King Kongfalls more in line with action-adventure movies than a horror film when it comes to the plot and the way Kong is characterized.
There are aspects ofKing Kongthat are undeniably dated, butthe visual effects aren’t bad for 1976, and Bridges and Lange have a strong onscreen chemistrythat is an anchor for the more outlandish moments in the story.King Kongfalls more in line with action-adventure movies than a horror film when it comes to the plot and the way Kong is characterized. ThoughKing Kongdoesn’t push boundaries, it’s a fun watch that doesn’t attempt to be anything it’s not.
55%
31%
12 Classic Monsters Godzilla & Kong Can Fight In The Next Monsterverse Movie
Godzilla and Kong have put down some major threats in the Monsterverse, but there are still plenty of possible threats for them to take on together.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, released in 1974, introduces a dual threat to Earth with the emergence of Godzilla and a mechanical doppelgänger. As Godzilla’s destructive rampage begins, it becomes evident that this mechanical version, Mechagodzilla, poses a significant challenge, following an ancient prophecy of Earth’s potential destruction.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzillais one of thebestGodzillamoves for beginnersand marks the first onscreen appearance of Mechagodzilla within 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’s discovered that Mechagodzilla is made of space metal and is an alien technologythat’s being used to conquer Earth. The designs of Mechagodzilla and Godzilla in this project are memorable and have inspired contemporary characters and effects.
ThoughGodzilla vs. Mechagodzillaisn’t the best-received of theGodzillauniverse,it was an important step because of Mechagodzilla’s introductionand the act of Godzilla teaming up with others to defeat his foe. Additionally, bringing in the alien element opened the door for further innovation in later installments. The culminating fight between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla is as exciting as any other action sequence in the early films. Looking back on it today,Godzilla vs. Mechagodzillais a campy and influential part of theGodzillalegacy.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
86%
63%
Surprisingly emotionally resonant,It’s Aliveis as much a tragedy as it is a horror film, as the monster in the movie is a newborn infant,hunted and brutalized because of the greed of others. After a mother gives birth to her second child, it’s born with terrifying features and immediately goes on a killing spree throughout the town. Most of the people involved immediately attempt to trap and kill the child, while its family tries to keep it safe and treat it as a scared creature in need of help.
There’s a long legacy surrounding horror movies that address anxiety about childbirth and parents not recognizing their children.
There’s a long legacy surrounding horror movies that address anxiety about childbirth and parents not recognizing their children. Movies likeRosemary’s Babyand others like it are early examples of the growing prevalence of contraception and the disinterest in the nuclear family in the U.S. being discussed in cinema. InIt’s Alive, the birth control pills that the mother takes are what leads to the mutation of the infant, andthis can be seen as a comment on the cultural opinion on corporate greed.
67%
40%
After the success ofJawsin 1975, it’s not surprising that many copycats emerged, including the 1978 B-moviePiranha. As the title suggests,Piranhawasn’t about sharks but the omnivorous fish piranhas,which aren’t typically as deadly as the movie suggests. However, the protagonist, Maggie (Heather Menzies), encounters a breed of piranha that has been mutated thanks to experimentation and is set loose in a small town, making its way to the ocean. It’s up to Maggie and her reluctant companion, Paul (Bradford Dillman), to stop them.
As time has progressed,Piranhahas become a cult classic within the horror genre, as the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. Well aware of its limitations as a low-budget ripoff,Piranhaleans into the campy elements and more outlandish moments in its script.The tongue-in-cheek tone of the narrative led to a 1982 sequel and several remakes that have cemented thePiranhafranchise as one of the more successful B-horror movies of the period.
72%
52%
Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein is a comedic homage to classic horror films, directed by Mel Brooks. Released in 1974, it stars Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who inherits his infamous grandfather’s castle. Initially dismissive of his ancestor’s work, he later becomes intrigued by his experiments after discovering a hidden journal.
One of Mel Brooks’s masterpieces,Young Frankenstein, stars Gene Wilderas Frederick Frankenstein, a descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein, who follows in his footsteps and creates life. Like all of Brooks' films,Young Frankensteinis a satirical take on a classic genre, and the film takes on the legacy and influence of horror and monster movies throughout cinema history. As there had already been many incarnations of theFrankensteinnarrative, it was doubly impressive thatYoung Frankensteinwas so unforgettable.
Like any great pastiche,Young Frankensteinhas the utmost respect and love for the original work and pokes fun at it without disrupting the integrity of the story.
Like any great pastiche,Young Frankensteinhas the utmost respect and love for the original work and pokes fun at it without disrupting the integrity of the story. Shot in black-and-white and in the style of traditional 1930s horror movies,Young Frankensteintook a risk by using these visual techniques, but it paid off enormously.Young Frankensteinremains one of Brooks’s most beloved filmsand has aged well, making it worth rewatching today. It’s always refreshing when horror and comedy are brought together onscreen because they often go hand-in-hand.
95%
92%
Directed by George A. Romero
Dawn of the Dead
George A. Romero’s horror classic Dawn of the Dead follows on from Night of the Living Dead. Expanding upon Romero’s zombies, Dawn of the Dead redefined the horror genre for a generation. It follows a group of survivors as they make camp in a shopping mall, clearing the zombies in order to scavenge supplies and fortify their position in an increasingly hostile world.
As far as zombie movies go, theNight of the Living Dead Seriesis one of the most iconic, andDawn of the Deadsuccessfully expands upon the first film in the series.George A. Romero’s first movie,Night of the Living Dead, came out ten years earlier in 1968, but the follow-up feels just as fresh and urgent as if it was made only a few days later. A large part of what makesDawn of the Deadstand 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 Deadtakes on the consumerist mindset that had taken hold in the U.S.during this time and looks critically at racial and class dynamics. The gore and violence ofDawn of the Deadare different from the original tone ofNight of the Living Dead, which relies more on suspense, but the shift in theme works for the franchise. Though the zombies are made to look different and more sinister than the humans, they’re still recognizable as people, making their actions even worse.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
91%
90%
Alien
Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.
Though theAlienfranchise 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 its first moment onscreen, it’s clear that the xenomorph is stronger and more capable than anything else in the film.
WithoutAlien, one of the best movie monsters in science fiction wouldn’t exist.
The director, Ridley Scott, didn’t return to theAlienfranchise until 2012,when he directed the prequel,Prometheus, but that didn’t stop theAlienuniverse from continuing to expand.Alien: Romulus, the latest installment, follows a similar formula as the other movies and owes a lot to the first film in the series. WithoutAlien, one of the best movie monsters in science fiction wouldn’t exist. While the xenomorphs aren’t as supernatural as other horror creatures, they’re just as terrifying.
93%
94%
Every Final Girl In The Alien Franchise, Ranked By Survival Skills
There are many female characters which embody the “final girl” trope in the Alien franchise, though some are better at surviving than others.
Jaws
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the residents of Amity Island as they face terror from a menacing great white shark. The town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter join forces to track and kill the predator threatening their coastal community. Released in 1975.
Though not typically thought of as ahorrormovie,Jawsis still scary to watch today, even if the visual effects aren’t as updated as other monster movies of today.The enormous shark inJawsis different from the typical Hollywood movie monster,as it’s a real part of nature, even if the scale of the shark is beyond what’s reasonably possible. One of the best parts ofJawsis how well the scoring 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 has discussed how he regrets the vitriol sharks faced after the movie became popular (viaThe Hollywood Reporter). However, the way people responded toJawsand felt real terror at sharks in the ocean demonstrates the legacy and impact of cinema on a new level.Spielberg has been credited with inventing and solidifying many hallmarks of filmmakingthat are well-known today, like the summer blockbuster.Jawsis often credited as being the first summer blockbuster and changing the monster movie forever.
97%
