1. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
There’s no denying that Saturday Night Fever helped define disco culture, but let’s be honest—if you take away the soundtrack, what’s left? The story follows a self-absorbed young man with little to offer besides his dance moves, and while the film tries to add depth with family struggles and romance, it often feels shallow. John Travolta delivers a memorable performance, but the character of Tony Manero isn’t exactly likable. Many scenes haven’t aged well, and the film’s darker moments feel jarring next to the glitzy club sequences shares the Hollywood Reporter.
The music, of course, is fantastic, and the Bee Gees deserve all the credit for making the movie feel bigger than it really is. But as a film, it drags, and much of the dialogue feels forced or cringeworthy today. It’s often remembered as a fun disco romp, but it’s actually pretty bleak—and not in a thought-provoking way. For all its influence, Saturday Night Fever is more of a time capsule than a timeless classic.
2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Steven Spielberg is a legendary filmmaker, but Close Encounters of the Third Kind tends to get a free pass just because of his name. The movie has a strong start, building up an eerie mystery around alien contact, but it quickly becomes frustrating to watch. Richard Dreyfuss’ character is selfish and erratic, abandoning his family in pursuit of his obsession. The film drags in the middle, with scenes that feel repetitive and bloated says Film Forum.
The grand finale at Devil’s Tower is visually stunning, but the payoff is underwhelming. After so much build-up, the aliens’ arrival feels more like a spectacle than an emotionally satisfying conclusion. The slow pacing and lack of real character development make it hard to stay invested. It’s an interesting concept but doesn’t hold up as well as Spielberg’s later sci-fi masterpieces.
3. The Towering Inferno (1974)
Disaster movies were all the rage in the ’70s, and The Towering Inferno was one of the biggest. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most overrated. While the premise—people trapped in a burning skyscraper—sounds thrilling, the movie stretches it out for an exhausting three hours. The ensemble cast is impressive, but most of the characters are thinly written shares Forbes.
The special effects were groundbreaking for their time, but the pacing is painfully slow. There are too many unnecessary subplots, and by the time the action picks up, you’re already checking your watch. The movie takes itself very seriously, which makes some of the melodramatic moments unintentionally funny. Compared to modern disaster films, The Towering Inferno feels more like a flickering flame than a roaring blaze adds GoldDerby.
4. A Star Is Born (1976)
Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson had plenty of star power, but even they couldn’t save this sluggish remake. The chemistry between them feels forced, and the story drags through predictable beats. While the film tries to be a grand Hollywood love story, it mostly comes off as an overlong, self-indulgent showcase for Streisand. Kristofferson’s character lacks depth, making it hard to care about his downfall.
The ’70s setting strips away the classic glamour that made earlier versions of A Star Is Born so compelling. Instead of timeless romance, we get a bloated rock-and-roll drama that feels stuck in its era. The music has its moments, but the movie itself is more of a chore than a classic. With better versions of this story out there, this one is easily skippable says Variety.
5. Superman: The Movie (1978)
Christopher Reeve was a fantastic Superman, but the movie itself doesn’t quite live up to its reputation. It takes nearly an hour just to get to the part where Clark Kent becomes the Man of Steel, and even then, the pacing remains uneven. The special effects were impressive at the time, but many feel outdated now. Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor is played more for laughs than as a true villain, which undercuts the stakes.
The film leans heavily into camp, which can be fun, but it also makes it hard to take seriously. The romance between Superman and Lois Lane is rushed, and the infamous “turning back time” ending feels like a lazy cop-out. It may have been groundbreaking in 1978, but it’s not quite the masterpiece some fans make it out to be. Other superhero movies have aged far better.
6. Grease (1978)
Grease is one of the most beloved musicals of all time, but when you really think about it, the story is pretty flawed. Sandy changes everything about herself to win over Danny, sending a questionable message. The film also tries to capture 1950s high school life but feels more like a fantasy version, complete with actors who were way too old for their roles.
The music is undeniably catchy, but the plot is paper-thin. Most of the characters are one-dimensional, and many of the jokes haven’t aged well. Nostalgia keeps Grease alive, but if you look past the musical numbers, there’s not much substance. It’s fun, but it’s far from flawless.
7. The Exorcist (1973)
Widely hailed as the scariest movie of all time, The Exorcist is more shocking than actually frightening. The buildup is slow, and much of the film feels like a medical drama rather than a horror classic. When the possession scenes finally arrive, they rely on gross-out moments more than psychological terror.
While Linda Blair’s performance is impressive, the film’s impact fades once you know what’s coming. The special effects were groundbreaking, but some now look more silly than terrifying. The Exorcist was controversial for its time, but today, it feels like a movie that relies too much on its reputation.
8. Rocky (1976)
Rocky is an underdog story, but the movie itself drags in places. The training montages are iconic, but there’s a lot of filler in between. The love story between Rocky and Adrian feels underdeveloped, and some scenes linger longer than they should. The final fight is exciting, but the journey there is a slow burn.
Sylvester Stallone deserves credit for his performance, but the film has been outshined by its sequels. While the original Rocky set up a great franchise, it’s not as rewatchable as people remember. The later films refined the formula, making the first one feel a little dull by comparison. It’s a classic, but it’s not perfect.
9. Jaws 2 (1978)
The original Jaws was a masterpiece of tension and storytelling, but Jaws 2 feels like a needless cash grab. The first film thrived on suspense, making audiences fear what they couldn’t see, but the sequel throws subtlety out the window. The shark attacks are frequent but lack the impact of the original, making them feel repetitive rather than terrifying. Without the masterful direction of Steven Spielberg, the film struggles to recapture the magic.
Roy Scheider returns as Chief Brody, but his character isn’t given much depth this time around. The town’s refusal to believe him about another shark feels forced, as if the writers were desperate to recreate the same conflict from the first film. Instead of an intense thriller, Jaws 2 plays more like a slasher film with a shark, picking off teenagers one by one. It’s not an awful movie, but it pales in comparison to the original and doesn’t add anything new to the story. Without the suspense and smart pacing of its predecessor, it’s just another forgettable sequel.
10. The Deer Hunter (1978)
There’s no denying that The Deer Hunter has some powerful moments, but at over three hours long, it tests the patience of even the most devoted cinephile. The film follows a group of friends before, during, and after their time in the Vietnam War, but the pacing is painfully slow. The much-talked-about Russian roulette scenes are certainly gripping, but they’re surrounded by lengthy, drawn-out sequences that don’t always justify their runtime. The film spends nearly an hour on a wedding scene alone, which, while well-acted, drags on for what feels like forever.
The performances, especially from Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken, are undeniably strong, but the film’s structure makes it feel like a chore to get through. The second half focuses heavily on trauma and the war’s lasting effects, but it feels disjointed. While the film wants to be a deep meditation on war and its psychological toll, it often sacrifices storytelling momentum in favor of indulgent, drawn-out scenes. It’s the kind of movie that critics praise, but many viewers struggle to revisit. There are plenty of great Vietnam War films, but The Deer Hunter is one that’s often more respected than actually enjoyed.
11. Airport (1970)
Disaster movies were big in the ’70s, and Airport is often credited with kickstarting the trend. However, while it was a massive box office hit, it doesn’t really hold up as the thrilling spectacle it was once considered. Instead of delivering nonstop excitement, the film spends most of its time juggling melodramatic subplots that have nothing to do with the actual disaster. It often feels more like a soap opera than a tense action movie, with excessive focus on love affairs and workplace drama.
When the action finally does kick in, it’s underwhelming. The tension isn’t nearly as gripping as in later disaster films, and the special effects, while impressive for their time, look dated. The film takes itself very seriously, but it’s hard not to chuckle at some of the overly dramatic performances and dialogue. While it may have set the stage for films like The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon Adventure, Airport itself is a slog. It’s not so much a gripping thriller as it is an overlong soap opera set on an airplane.
12. Serpico (1973)
Al Pacino is one of the greatest actors of his generation, and his performance in Serpico is excellent. However, the film itself is slow and meandering, making it tough to sit through. The story of a real-life cop exposing corruption within the NYPD is compelling, but the execution feels repetitive. It often circles around the same conflicts without much progression, making the two-hour runtime feel much longer. The gritty realism is admirable, but at times, it sucks the energy out of the movie instead of adding depth.
The pacing is another major issue. While it wants to be an intense crime drama, the film moves at a crawl, with long stretches that feel more like filler than meaningful storytelling. Some scenes are engaging, but too many drag on without adding much. It’s the kind of movie that critics and film buffs praise, but for the average viewer, it’s easy to lose interest. Pacino’s performance is worth watching, but the film as a whole isn’t as riveting as its reputation suggests.
13. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
There’s no denying that Smokey and the Bandit is fun, but fun doesn’t necessarily mean legendary. The film is little more than a series of car chases strung together by a loose plot about bootlegging Coors beer across state lines. Burt Reynolds’ charm carries the movie, but the humor is hit-or-miss, and the jokes don’t always land as well today. The film leans heavily on its ’70s style and humor, which makes it feel dated rather than timeless.
While the stunt driving is impressive, there’s not much substance beyond that. The characters are paper-thin, and the story is barely there, making it more of a lighthearted romp than a truly great film. It may have a nostalgic appeal for some, but outside of its fast cars and Reynolds’ swagger, there’s not much to it. If you’re looking for mindless entertainment, it gets the job done, but calling it a legendary classic might be a stretch. It’s fun, but it’s hardly groundbreaking.