The 1970s were an awesome time for horror. There were some classics put out and, as usual, when there is a trend in popular movies, they crank out more. I am listing some classics that pushed a genre for decades to come and movies that have similar themes you might want to give a look-see.
For those of us who cut our teeth on horror in the 70s, we have never been weaned. But, we also expect plenty of creepy music, suspense and an actual storyline.
Sometimes, I like to just put on a series of movies that have to do with one theme, like I might put on the killer next door series of movies I own. Now, you can find your genre and more movies to fill that entertainment library.
I have bolded the classic movie you might have seen in the 1970s and then beneath it, I have my suggestions in order of how much I think you'd find them an equal match, as well as making them links to read about the description in more detail.
Cujo (animal attacks)
1. Prophecy 1979
2. Day of the Animals 1977
3. Gargoyles 1972
4. The Edge 1997
5. Empire of the Ants 1977
6. Kingdom of the Spiders 1977
7. Frogs 1972
The Exorcist (possession/demons)
The Omen 1976
The Amityville Horror 1979
Something Evil 1972
The Conjuring 2013
Night of the Demon 1957
The Exorcism of Emily Rose 2005
The Evil Dead 1981
The Manitou 1978
The Shining (haunted house)
The Haunting 1963
The Changeling 1980
Legend of Hell House 1973
The Entity 1982
Burnt Offerings 1976
The Sentinel 1977
The Stone Tape 1972
The Watcher in the Woods 1980
Paranormal Activity 2007
Rose Red 2002
Duel (stalking)
Cape Fear 1962
The Hitcher 1986
Joy Ride 2001
When a Stranger Calls 1979
Someone's Watching Me 1978
Are You in the House Alone 1978
Night Drive 1977
A Stranger is Watching 1982
And Soon the Darkness 1970
Schizo 1976
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (psychological thriller)
Midnight Lace 1960
Psycho 1960
Shutter Island 2016
When Michael Calls (aka "Shattered Silence") 1972
Dial M For Murder 1954
Scream Pretty Peggy 1973
A Taste of Evil 1971
How Awful About Allan 1970
The Screaming Woman 1972
The Wicker Man (witches/black magic)
The Craft 1996
The Dunwich Horror 1970
Practical Magic 1998
Race with the Devil 1975
The Covenant 2006
The Dark Secret of Harvest Home 1978
The Blood on Satan's Claw 1971
Crowhaven Farm 1970
The House That Would Not Die 1970
Jaws (water horror)
Piranha 1978
Dead Calm 1989
Creature From the Black Lagoon 1954
Ghost Ship 2002
Orca 1977
Lake Placid 1999
It Came From Beneath the Sea 1955
Anaconda 1997
Alligator 1980
Satan's Triangle 1975
Dagon 2001
Uninhabited 2010
Alien (something inhabiting a body/object)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978
Dead Silence 2007
The Car 1977
The Incubus 1982
Prince of Darkness 1987
The Stepford Wives 1975
Maximum Overdrive 1986
The Beast Within 1982
Carrie (kids with weird powers/agendas)
Firestarter 1984
Audrey Rose 1977
Village of the Damned 1960
Turn of the Screw 2009
The Innocents 1961
Orphan 2009
Children of the Corn 1984
Powder 1995
The Children 2008
The People 1972
Salem's Lot (traditional monsters)
An American Werewolf in London 1981
The Lost Boys 1987
The Howling 1981
The Wolfman 2010
Bram Stoker's Dracula 1993
The Mummy 1999
Godzilla 2014
King Kong 1976
Fright Night 1985
Ginger Snaps 2000
Twilight 2008
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (slasher)
Last House on the Left 1972
The Hills Have Eyes 1977
Bad Ronald (killer next door)
Body Double 1984
Rear Window 1954
Disturbia 2007
Crawlspace 1986
The People Under the Stairs 1981
Pacific Heights 1990
Lakeview Terrace 2008
Funny Games 1997
