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For film, the 1970s were a revolutionary decade. Building on the success of the Hollywood New Wave and the arthouse boom, the 1970s are arguably the most influential decade in terms of classic films. The father of God? Chinatown? Jaws? Have you ever heard of them? The fact that so many of those films aren’t discussed sufficiently makes it nearly hard to enumerate all of the best ones from that era. Although you’ve watched a lot of the classics, this selection will introduce you to some of the lesser-known films.

Mirror (1975)

One would expect that a film that ranks in the top ten greatest films ever made would garner more attention. However, not many people have witnessed Andrei Tarkovsky’s recollections of his early years. That’s unfortunate because it provides a glimpse of what makes movies so unique: a director’s capacity to take us to a different time, place, and mood that no other medium can match, among other things.

Manhattan in 1979

Yes, indeed. Yes, I am aware. Woody Allen is the director of this film. Manhattan is still among the smartest romantic comedies ever created, though, if you can separate the work from the creator. Regretfully, not enough people have seen it.

Existing (1979)

This movie had our attention right up until the very end. You can’t help but make comparisons between the character and real-life societal leaders when an ignorant housekeeper ends up speaking for an entire generation. You find yourself laughing as well.

The Brood (1979)

Similar to all of David Cronenberg’s films, The Brood explores some strange territory. Though his films are still largely obscure, this is the man who popularized body horror. This is a very powerful story about a therapeutic camp where dreams come true.

1971’s Two-Lane Blacktop

When it comes to road flicks, Two-Lane Blacktop really puts the pedal to the metal (sorry, had to!). Two drifters encounter speed obstacles in the form of ’70s ennui when they race a stranger across America. It’s a countercultural classic in the same vein as Vanishing Point and Easy Rider.

The Bandit and Smokey (1977)

It’s not exactly lost, mind you. It’s the film that made Burt Reynolds famous. However, far too many people are still unaware of this hilarious pursuit involving Reynolds, Sally Field, and Reynolds’ mustache.

Sisters (1972)

This horror film, one of Brian de Palma’s best, is about twins who are connected to one other in more ways than one. We solve a riddle in this Hitchcockian thriller that leaves us with more unanswered questions than answered ones.

Hanging Rock picnic (1975)

One another enigma with no definitive solution. How Peter Weir was able to make Picnic at Hanging Rock is the biggest enigma. Really, I mean it. Just as there is no precedent for his film on the battle of Gallipoli, there is none for this one about girls who disappear while on a field trip. It’s a totally singular experience that becomes increasingly mystic over time.

Love Story, released in 1970

Many thanks, Love Story. We now have an annual film about teenagers who are ripped apart by cancer, all thanks to you. If only the young people of today would watch this film instead of the latest YA romance films, they might quit spending money on them.

Look Away Now (1973)

The sex scene in this movie is, let’s face it, more well-known than the film itself. Warren Beatty believed that his girlfriend was cheating on him on video because the scene starring Sutherland and Julie Christie was so lifelike. Even more amazing is the environment Nicolas Roeg creates, in which the grief of losing a child materializes as a foggy nightmare.

The 1972 film Silent Running

If hippies traveled to space, what would happen? Running Silently holds the solution. Some consider this science-fiction movie to be a masterpiece, although many people haven’t seen it yet.

Highway (1971)

Among the most underappreciated directors of all time is Jacques Tati. The majority of people are unaware of him, even though he is a favorite director of many. While Playtime or Mon Oncle are the best places to start, Traffic is nonetheless another enjoyable journey through his wackily imaginative world.

Klute (1971)

Most people are familiar with The Parallax View and All the President’s Men. However, the other paranoid thriller by Alan J. Pakula is equally excellent. As a lady who fears she is being stalked, Jane Fonda gives a portrayal that is genuinely scared, and filmmaker Pakula does a greater job of creating tension than nearly any other.

Josey Wales, The Outlaw (1976)

Clint Eastwood has starred in some of the most well-known Westerns ever, both as a director and in collaboration with Sergio Leone. Though it isn’t as well-known as books like Unforgiven or The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, this one is still among his best. It’s a fun journey across America’s edges during the Civil War.

House (1977)

What in the world am I seeing? It’s a thought that crosses your mind throughout the haunted house film House, which features acid images, vibrant colors, and missing heads. Thanks to some really insane scares, this movie gives you a high even while you’re sober.

Maude and Harold (1971)

They make the most of their time together when a girl preoccupied with life and a boy obsessed with death fall in love. They enjoy every moment together as they playfully run through fields, funerals, gardens, and graves in some of the most heartfelt, funny, and liberating sequences in cinematic history. In film, hippy idealism was embodied by Hal Ashby.

Badlands (1973)

You’ll see that more road movies were made in the 1960s and 1970s than in any other decade. That’s because, among many other things, our nation was attempting to figure out where it fit in the midst of the Vietnam War, the hippie revolution, political unrest, and protests. Individuals didn’t feel comfortable in their own houses. As two lovers flee, Badlands poetically and grandly conveys this experience.

1977’s Pete’s Dragon

There were still some excellent animated films in the 1970s, but it was one of the few genres without a peak. Among them is Pete’s Dragon, a story about a youngster who befriends a dragon.

Point of Vanishing (1971)

One more road movie! In Vanishing Point, a man tries to drive across several states and back in a short period of time while evading copious amounts of law enforcement. This time, there are some really awesome chases along the way on this countercultural road trip.

Amarcord (1973)

The only movie on Federico Fellini’s early years that he could make was Amarcord. It is replete with all of his signature details, asides, personas, hues, wit, surrealistic flourishes, and personal sentiments. I could watch this fantastic event over and over.