9 of the Most Iconic Movie Scenes From The 1970s

Movies were amazing in the 1970s. There were brave stories, characters who people will remember, and situations that will always be part of pop culture. Directors took risks, actors gave it their all, and audiences saw movie magic that still inspires filmmakers today.

These are nine of the most unforgettable movie sequences from the 1970s that made a generation of movie aficionados.

1. Rocky’s Great Run – Rocky (1976)

One of the most exciting and motivating scenes in any movie is when Rocky Balboa runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The picture of Sylvester Stallone pumping his fists in victory became a sign of hope and strength for everyone.

Rocky was more than just a movie about boxing. It was the best story of an underdog, both in real life and in movies. Stallone wrote the plot himself and wouldn’t sell it unless he could be in it. At the time, he was having a rough time as an actor. The producers took a chance on him since he continued trying. What went wrong? A film that would win three Oscars, inspire generations, and give the world a character who showed that passion and tenacity could get through anything. Rocky’s climb up those steps isn’t just a trick in the movie; it’s a sign of every dreamer who won’t give up.

2. The Offer from Don Corleone – The Godfather (1972)

When Marlon Brando played Don Vito Corleone, the quiet but strong head of the Corleone crime family, they knew right once that they were watching something great. The first scene of The Godfather, in which he patiently listens to a desperate dad cry out for justice on the day of his daughter’s wedding, set the tone for everything that came after.

The world that filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and author Mario Puzo built was full of weird links between loyalty, family, and betrayal. Brando’s calm strength, Al Pacino’s steady transition into Michael Corleone, and the movie’s gorgeous cinematography all helped to revolutionize the gangster genre. Brando petting a cat and talking in his trademark raspy voice at the start is still one of the best openings in movie history.

3. The Scary Arrival – The Exorcist (1973)

The 1970s were also the decade when horror got serious, and The Exorcist was the first movie to do so. It’s scary that Father Merrin, played by Max von Sydow, stands under a streetlight as he gets to the MacNeil house. The fog and silence make it a scary sight even before anyone says anything.

The movie was a cultural event because of William Friedkin’s direction and how real it looked. It wasn’t just a scary movie; it was a big deal. People fainted in theaters, critics fought over its morality, and even the Catholic Church spoke out against it. But even though everyone talked about it, that one scene of Merrin’s entrance became one of the most iconic movie scenes ever.

4. You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat – Jaws (1975)

When police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) sees the huge shark for the first time, he is frightened and exclaims, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was one of the first summer blockbusters. It taught people that sometimes what you don’t see is scarier than what you do see. The music, the tension, and the fear of the unknown kept everyone on the edge of their seats. That one sentence, which was made up at the moment, perfectly sums up the mix of fear and disbelief that made Jaws such a great ride.

5. The Battle Between Good and Evil – Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

Star Wars was the first movie like it. The lightsaber fight between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader is one of the most memorable parts of the original movie.

It wasn’t particularly glamorous by today’s standards, but it meant a lot to me. James Earl Jones’s voice as Vader provided the perfect contrast to Alec Guinness’s calm knowledge as Obi-Wan. The scene sparked one of the largest rivalries in movie history and helped many people understand the conflict between good and evil. That blinding clash of red and blue lightsabers became an instant legend, and fans still get chills when they watch it.

6. Twin Suns Over Tatooine – Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) stands outside his house on the desert planet Tatooine and watches two suns set. This is another famous scene from Star Wars.

The scene displays a strong desire to have more from life but not knowing how to attain it yet. The music by John Williams plays in the background. It’s easy to understand, quiet, and quite moving. Luke is like every dreamer who looks out at the horizon and wishes for something exciting to happen. That picture became one of the most renowned pictures in science fiction and a sign of hope.

7. The “Birth” Scene – Alien (1979)

Few moments in film history shocked audiences quite like the “chestburster” scene in Alien. A calm meal turns into chaos when John Hurt’s character suddenly convulses, and an alien creature violently bursts from his chest. The cast — Sigourney Weaver, Ian Holm, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, and Yaphet Kotto — had no idea what was about to happen, so their horrified reactions were completely real.

Directed by Ridley Scott, this horrifying yet groundbreaking sequence redefined sci-fi horror. The mix of realism, claustrophobia, and raw terror made Alien both a critical and cultural phenomenon. That shocking “birth” became one of the most talked-about scenes of the decade — proof that the unexpected can be unforgettable.

8. The Last Escape – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Jack Nicholson’s role as Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is one of his most famous. Will Sampson plays Chief Bromden, who is also a key part at the end of the movie.

After McMurphy dies, Chief escapes out of the mental hospital by literally breaking down the walls. The moment is powerful, sad, and inspiring all at once, which is a terrific way to highlight the movie’s themes of being different and standing up to unfair institutions. Because of Milos Forman’s direction and the actors’ performances, the movie is still a work of art decades later.

9. “I’m so angry!” – Network (1976)

Peter Finch plays Howard Beale, a TV news anchor who is sick of how crazy the world is in Network. He says over the radio, “I’m so angry that I can’t take it anymore!”

People all throughout the world who were upset used that yell as a rallying cry, and it still feels very relevant. Sidney Lumet directed the movie, which was both a sharp satire of television and a warning about getting too into the media long before social media was around. Beale’s breakdown is still one of the most powerful and emotional things ever caught on tape.

The Legacy of the 1970s

The 1970s were a time of brave new ideas and stories that many people will always remember. Things like Rocky’s huge win and the two suns in Star Wars still affect how movies are made and remembered.

These scenes show people that movies aren’t only for fun; they can also make you feel things, inspire you, and show you what it’s like to be a person. These old movies may still make people laugh, cry, and believe in the magic of movies after all these years.