7 Sci-fi Movies From the 1970s That Still Feel Fresh Today

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The 1970s were a fantastic decade for movies. Iconic films like *The Godfather*, *Rocky*, *Jaws*, *Halloween*, and *Dirty Harry* started popular series that continue, with varying degrees of success, even now. The decade also saw a boom in science fiction, with new special effects allowing filmmakers to build incredibly realistic alien landscapes and portray believable superheroes.

Some science fiction stories remain compelling years later for several reasons. Their designs often look good even today, and they frequently explore universal themes or present strikingly accurate or original ideas about the future. Plus, a satisfying conclusion always helps.

Here are 7 sci-fi movies from the 1970s, which still feel fresh even today, in 2025.

7) Star Wars: A New Hope

We have to include *Episode IV*, but it’s last on the list because the original 1977 version is hard to find. Unless you have an old Laserdisc, VHS tape, or the 2006 DVD, you’re likely watching the Special Edition, which has updated effects and added scenes.

It’s a shame more people haven’t seen the original theatrical release, because the film’s visuals, special effects, and story are still impressive. The reasons *A New Hope* became a classic when it first came out – its themes of fighting against oppression, doing what’s right, and never giving up – are exactly why it remains enjoyable today. And, of course, lightsabers and X-wings are still awesome.

6) Superman: The Movie

The 1978 film *Superman* definitely feels like a product of its time, but it remains powerfully inspiring. Christopher Reeve perfectly embodies the Man of Steel, sent to Earth by his parents to watch over and help people. Reeve’s performance is genuinely heartfelt and avoids feeling cheesy, making him a convincing Superman.

Superman: The Movie essentially set the standard for how Superman is portrayed in live-action films, and Christopher Reeve’s performance remains a benchmark for many fans. This influence extends to the music as well; John Williams’ famous theme has been revisited and incorporated into scores for later Superman films like Superman Returns, the theatrical cut of Justice League, and James Gunn’s Superman.

5) Silent Running

In the 1970s, the idea of a severely damaged Earth became a common topic as people became more aware of issues like climate change and deforestation. This growing concern influenced many films that explored what could happen if these problems continued.

Silent Running is a thoughtful film centered around Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern), a botanist tasked with safeguarding Earth’s remaining forests on a spaceship. When he receives orders to eliminate the plant life, Lowell takes drastic action, killing his crew and escaping with the trees. He’s joined only by three helper robots, whom he affectionately names Huey, Dewey, and Louie-after Donald Duck’s nephews.

Though it unfolds at a deliberate pace, *Silent Running* remains compelling due to its focused narrative, believable concept, and enduring visual effects.

4) Rollerball

The 1970s showed us the dangers of letting corporations become too powerful, but the 1980s ignored those warnings, prioritizing profit above all else.

The 1975 film *Rollerball* depicts a future where corporations control everything and use a brutal sport of the same name to keep people content. Jonathan E. (played by James Caan), the sport’s biggest star, becomes a threat simply by being too skilled and refusing to disappear. The corporations designed rollerball to discourage individuality and encourage people to focus on buying things, so a standout player like Jonathan disrupts their plan.

The film *Rollerball* remains powerful and thought-provoking, with its exciting action sequences and themes that still resonate today. Similar ideas are explored in projects like *Alien: Earth*, which also depicts a world controlled by a handful of powerful corporations – a concept *Rollerball* touched on years ago.

3) Alien

Even today, the original *Alien* is still a fantastic movie to watch. A big reason for this is its incredibly unique and timeless production design – it simply doesn’t look old-fashioned.

As a huge movie fan, when I think about *Alien*, it’s not just the terrifying creatures like the xenomorph and those awful facehuggers that stick with me. It’s the whole world they created, especially the ship, the *Nostromo*. It *looks* like a spaceship, sure, but it doesn’t feel sterile or futuristic in a boring way. It feels lived-in, almost… messy. And honestly, the fact that they’re still using mechanical keyboards in the future of the film? That’s a detail I always loved – it just adds so much personality!

Alien is effective because of its impressive monster design and clever filming. The creature is rarely fully shown, which makes it remain frightening and believable even today.

2) Soylent Green

Similar to the film *Silent Running*, this story focuses on environmental disaster, but it takes place entirely on Earth. It’s set in a bleak future – the year 2022 – where overpopulation, pollution, and climate change have led to widespread food shortages. Most people survive on tasteless, artificially colored wafers made by the Soylent Corporation – Soylent Red and Soylent Yellow – with a new product, Soylent Green, about to be released.

NYPD detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston) is investigating a murder – the victim is an executive from the Soylent Corporation. While *Soylent Green* is primarily a detective story, it’s set in a deeply imagined and heartbreaking future world.

You probably know its famous twist, but the setting and social commentary still hit.

1) Invasion of the Body Snatchers

The 1978 version of *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* isn’t just a fantastic remake – it’s considered one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made, alongside movies like *The Thing* and *The Fly*. Its enduring power comes from its genuinely frightening story and themes that still resonate today.

The movie *Body Snatchers* is genuinely frightening because it explores the idea of being replaced by emotionless imposters – and the thought of it happening to your family or yourself is terrifying. The remake makes this even scarier by visually showing the process: your original body breaks down as your memories and awareness are transferred into the copy. It’s a disturbing and unsettling image.

The suspense and fear in *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* remain powerful, and the film’s conclusion is still deeply unsettling.

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2025-09-24 18:43