5 Great 1970s Action Movies Nobody Talks About

by

The 1980s are famous for action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone dominating big-budget films, while stars like Chuck Norris and Michael Dudikoff found success with smaller productions. Later in the decade, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, and Steven Seagal rose to fame with films like Bloodsport, Die Hard, and Above the Law, all released in 1988. However, the 1970s paved the way for these stars. That decade saw Roger Moore take on the role of James Bond, Clint Eastwood move beyond Westerns, and Bruce Lee become a household name in the U.S., even though his film Enter the Dragon came out shortly after his death. This list focuses on the lesser-known action movies from the 1970s – the ones that deserve a second look.

We focused on films that mixed genres, but excluded hugely popular and well-known movies that people still talk about today. This means we left out iconic titles like the James Bond films from the 1970s, Dirty Harry, The French Connection, Shaft, The Poseidon Adventure, Enter the Dragon, The Towering Inferno, Assault on Precinct 13, Superman, Mad Max, The Warriors, and, of course, Star Wars.

5) Rolling Thunder

Rolling Thunder isn’t a happy movie – far from it. But this story about a returning prisoner of war who loses his family is an incredibly intense and captivating revenge thriller.

William Devane delivers a strong lead performance in Rolling Thunder, supported by an early role from Tommy Lee Jones as a fellow Vietnam War POW. The two actors share a memorable shootout in the film’s climax. Interestingly, Rolling Thunder is a favorite of Quentin Tarantino, and it’s easy to see how it influenced his later work, like Inglourious Basterds, even decades after its initial release.

Stream Rolling Thunder for free with ads on Tubi.

4) The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

While Tony Scott attempted a remake in 2009, the original 1974 film of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three remains the definitive version. Walter Matthau brilliantly portrayed the calm and collected Lieutenant Zachary Garber, and Robert Shaw was equally impressive as Mr. Blue, the cunning hostage-taker who threatens not only Garber but the whole city and, most immediately, the hostages themselves.

This show is a delightful back-and-forth between two characters, all contained in one main setting, and it’s incredibly effective. It’s also fun to see so many actors who later became famous, like Doris Roberts from Everybody Loves Raymond, Jerry Stiller from Seinfeld, and Héctor Elizondo.

Stream The Taking of Pelham One Two Three for free with ads on Tubi.

3) The Omega Man

Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend has proven difficult to adapt into a truly satisfying film, and The Omega Man doesn’t quite achieve that either. However, it’s still a gripping and entertaining post-apocalyptic story.

Okay, let me tell you, if you’re into vampire flicks, especially those from the 70s, this one’s definitely worth a watch. Charlton Heston brings a playful energy to the lead – he’s perfect as the guy taking on a creepy, cult-like group of vampires. And Anthony Zerbe? He’s just a brilliant villain, always. Honestly, the whole movie has this fantastic early 70s vibe, from the sets to the costumes. It’s a really solid entry in the vampire genre for its time.

2) The Getaway

Despite being considered a classic heist film today, The Getaway wasn’t initially well-received by critics. It gained appreciation later, around the 2000s, likely because the widely disliked 1994 remake starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger showed just how much worse the story could have been.

This film is a classic heist story with all the familiar elements – a betrayal, an unpredictable team member who turns violent, and so on – but it came out before these tropes became overused. While it’s not as famous as Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, it’s surprising how often it’s forgotten, especially considering it was a huge box office success in 1972.

1) The Eiger Sanction

Fifty years on, films like Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me, Dirty Harry, High Plains Drifter, Magnum Force, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Enforcer, and Escape from Alcatraz remain popular and influential. The Eiger Sanction, though, hasn’t stood the test of time as well.

It’s surprising that Eiger doesn’t get more love, especially since it’s essentially Clint Eastwood’s take on a James Bond-style action movie. It’s a blend of the 007 vibe and Cliffhanger, and while it’s not a cinematic masterpiece, it’s a really enjoyable, mindless thrill ride.

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/5-great-1980s-action-movies-nobody-talks-about/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-22 02:13