The 1970s was a decade of immense change in the movie industry. Hollywood was starting to move away from the studio system of filmmaking and started allowing young, bold filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma to tell riskier stories. This resulted in some of the best movies of all time.
While Taxi Driver and All the President's Men were important and acclaimed movies of the time, they were not the kinds of movies you want to watch over and over. The decade did manage to produce fun, epic, and engrossing movies that audiences still return to again and again all these years later.
The Sting (1973)
Part of what makes a movie rewatchable is the energy the movie puts out. If there is a fun rhythm to the movie then it's a joy to watch even if you already know how the story turns out. The Sting is a movie about con artists trying to swindle a gangster and it is filled with twists and turns. But just because you know the final twist doesn't mean the journey to get there isn't a treat.
Part of it is due to the chemistry between stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Part of it is the bouncing sense of humor. Part of it is the toe-tapping score. But it all comes together to make a movie that leaves a smile on your face.
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
There are countless iconic comedies to come out of the '70s, but Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one that most effectively keeps the laughs coming decades later. The legendary comic troupe retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in this hilariously low-budget adventure.
The lack of a real narrative story actually benefits the movie in its rewatchability. There are a variety of short skit-like scenes that deliver huge laughs no matter how many times you've heard the jokes.
Grease (1978)
Musicals seem to have a higher rewatchability factor than most other genres and Grease is one of the best to revisit. The story of a couple who share a summer fling and attempt to rekindle their romance once school begins is secondary to the unforgettable songs.
Grease is a relentlessly fun and energetic soundtrack with more great songs than most sequels could dream of. And it is all surrounding a charming romance plot led by a fun cast, especially John Travolta in his star-making performance.
Alien (1979)
Horror movies are not always fun to rewatch. Some people don't enjoy getting spooked as much as others while other people might get bored with a horror movie once they know where all the scares are coming from.
However, the horror sci-fi classic Alien is so much more than just a few jump-scares. The atmospheric and claustrophobic feel of the movie immediately puts you in the right mindset while the growing tension that builds never gets old. It also doesn't hurt that it features one of the best creature designs in movie history.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Based on the story from Roald Dahl, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a wonderful and fantastical family film. Gene Wilder stars as the eccentric title character, a mysterious candy maker who invites a select group of children into his wondrous chocolate factory.
As soon as we enter the chocolate factory, the movie takes on a vibrant and colorful look that feels almost like The Wizard of Oz. Along with that, Wilder is hilarious as Wonka while the story, though creepy at times, makes for an endlessly fun ride.
The Godfather (1972)
It's hard for a three-hour movie to be rewatchable but somehow The Godfather pulls it off. That could have something to do with the fact that it is considered by many to be the greatest movie of all time.
Francis Ford Coppola tells an expansive and epic story of a mafia family as they contend with various enemies. The movie is filled with amazing performances from some of the best actors of all time. There are so many unforgettable sequences and the story, and its characters are so engrossing that the three hours fly by in no time.
Rocky (1976)
Everyone loves an underdog story and few movies have told that story as effectively as Rocky. Sylvester Stallone became a star after writing and starring in this wonderful sports drama about low-level boxer Rocky Balboa who gets a shot at the heavyweight champion of the world.
The blue-collar charm of the movie goes a long way and Stallone is oddly charming as this sadsack hero. Though the boxing scenes are not the best ever filmed, the journey of Rocky and how he proves himself to the world can bring a tear to your eye every time.
Superman (1978)
Nowadays, seeing a superhero on the big screen is a cliché. But back in 1978, as the advertising promised, Superman made audiences believe a man could fly. Christopher Reeves brought one of the most iconic pop culture characters to life and many fans still regard him as the one and only Superman.
While it is interesting to see some of the darker stories that can be told with superhero movies these days, it is also nice to be able to return to a more wholesome and inspiring story of a man who could save the world.
Star Wars (1977)
Many people consider the entire original trilogy to be very rewatchable. Back in the '70s, Star Wars blew the minds of audiences everywhere and showed a new level of adventure storytelling that was possible.
While some fans prefer other movies in the series to A New Hope, it is so exciting to revisit the moment this massive franchise began and relive the feeling of being introduced to it all.
Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg is a master at making movies you watch to watch again and again. Think of the iconic opening scene from Jaws and how exciting and effective it is even if you've seen it a hundred times already.
Spielberg turned what could have been an average monster movie into one of the best movies of all time. The choice to show as little of the shark as possible is a well-documented brilliant piece of filmmaking, but the movie's endless appeal goes beyond the shark. The characters are rich, the humor is used perfectly, and there is a sense of adventure mixed with the lurking threat. It might make you scared to go in the water, but it also makes you want to watch it at least once a year.