The 11 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the 1970s

      Here are the 11 most terrifying horror films from the 1970s. It was an incredible decade for horror and cinema overall.

      The Exorcist (1973)

      Credit: Warner Bros.

      Not only is it one of the most frightening horror films of the 1970s, but it may very well be the scariest horror film ever, particularly for those raised with the belief in the devil's existence.

      The Exorcist is a carefully crafted film that generates genuine fear and has left a lasting impact on nearly everyone who has watched it since its release.

      It's deeply unsettling well before Linda Blair’s head begins to rotate; The Exorcist did for revealing ancient demons what Jaws accomplished for fears about water.

      What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)

      Credit: C/O

      This giallo thriller has a simple premise: a private school instructor becomes a suspect in a murder when he has no alibi — because he was with one of his students. The method of death remains shocking to this day.

      What Have You Done to Solange? occasionally reflects outdated views on student-teacher dynamics and relationships in general, which adds to its disturbing atmosphere. It’s a compelling film.

      Last House on the Left (1972)

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      Last House on the Left is a noteworthy horror film from the 1970s that serves as a reflection on the disillusionment of the hopeful 1960s.

      This film marks the directorial debut of Wes Craven, who would go on to create Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street. It tells a harrowing tale of two young women who are terrorized by escaped inmates, leading their parents to seek revenge. However, viewers must first endure a distressing scene in which the convicts treat the women appallingly, resulting in one of them choosing to walk into the water to escape the torment.

      Loosely inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring, it famously features the tagline: “To avoid fainting, keep repeating, ‘It’s only a movie … Only a movie … Only a movie …'”

      The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

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      The mere title sends chills down the spine. The film's ominous atmosphere—consisting of buzzing flies and eerie animal sounds—makes it one of the creepiest films ever made. The chainsaw scenes take it to an extreme. Nevertheless, Tobe Hooper’s astute direction elevates it above the many films that followed in its wake.

      Additionally, the grainy film stock of the '70s amplifies the horror.

      Black Christmas (1974)

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      Long before directing Porky’s and A Christmas Story, two vastly different films, Bob Clark created this early slasher film that blended elements of both. Set in a Canadian sorority house and featuring a talented cast including Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder, it’s a dark and eerie film.

      It will alter your perception of plastic bags and make you thankful for how much easier it is to trace phone calls these days.

      Jaws (1975)

      Credit: Universal Pictures

      This flawless movie skillfully deploys its eerie antagonist, making everyone who has seen it think about sharks whenever they visit the beach for the rest of their lives. Nearly 50 years later, it remains just as terrifying.

      Carrie (1976)

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      Based on Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie continues to provoke anxiety not primarily due to the infamous bucket of blood, but because of the pervasive high school cruelty that resonates with anyone who has lived through it.

      The casual bullying, which was far more tolerated back then, is still distressing to witness today, making it one of the most intensely upsetting horror films for anyone who has attended high school. (It's even scarier for those who watch it before experiencing high school, fearing that their own experience will mirror it.)

      It distinctly reflects its era—when people were slightly less sensitive to others' feelings, with often grim outcomes.

      Dawn of the Dead (1978)

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      George Romero’s sequel to 1968’s Night of the Living Dead follows a zombie outbreak from a beleaguered news station to a shopping mall, where a small group of survivors battles an army of the undead while offering sharp commentary on consumerism.

      It’s a violent, jarring zombie film that serves as a smart satire and a captivating snapshot of the gritty late 1970s.

      One of our top picks for 1970s horror films.

      Halloween (1978)

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      A model of simplicity, this John Carpenter classic sets an ominous tone from the start with a scene from the perspective of young Michael Myers, who matures into one of cinema’s most menacing villains.

      We swiftly shift to Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis, above) viewpoint, who evolves into one of the most cherished