The 1970s were an incredible time for filmmaking, so much so that there are plenty of amazing releases that have fallen through the cracks. While movies like Jaws, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Godfather have remained touchstones of popular culture, the same cannot be said for the litany of other highly creative and ambitious underrated releases.

While everyone knows major names of the 1970s like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, even these all-time great directors have movies that aren’t as well-known by casual viewers. For those seeking out something they might not have seen before, all of these movies have what it takes to be classics, but they’ve just been totally slept on.

Thunderbolt And Lightfoot (1974)

Prior to Michael Cimino’s Best Picture-winning success with The Deer Hunter, he made the fantastic comedy Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. With Clint Eastwood as the star, although this actor doesn’t have a great track record with funny films, this stood out as his greatest comedy, as it depicted a disguised preacher rescued from an ᴀssᴀssin by a car thief.

Eastwood had great chemistry with his co-star Jeff Bridges as the two were embroiled in a wild story of heists, shootouts, and robberies. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot perfectly balanced action and comedy, and it’s a real shame that this excellent film doesn’t get the same kind of recognition as other similar films from this era, like Smokey and the Bandit.

Time After Time (1979)

When people think of 1970s sci-fi, most will imagine Star Wars, and great movies like Time After Time get left by the wayside. With a story involving the real writer H. G. Wells embroiled in a fictional time travel adventure, this era-spanning romance co-starred Mary Steenburgen, who later played a strikingly similar role in Back to the Future Part III.

As a fun-filled sci-fi story that saw Wells (Malcolm McDowell) pursuing the serial killer Jack the Ripper in the 20th century, the juxtaposition between Victorian London and contemporary America made for enjoyable viewing. With a blend of historical fiction, romance, and sci-fi, there’s a lot to love about Time After Time.

Tommy (1975)

The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera Tommy got the big screen treatment in 1975. With Roger Daltrey taking the lead as the deaf, dumb, and blind тιтle character who sure plays a mean pinball, he was joined by a real who’s who of the biggest stars of the era, including Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner, and Elton John.

This strange and surreal story addressed everything from media sensationalism to religious fanaticism in a movie that captured the psychedelic feeling of its era. Watching Tommy was like an LSD trip condensed into a feature film, as viewers were swept away by a movie musical that wasn’t afraid to be weird.

Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)

Martin Scorsese became a household name during the 1970s for male-centric crime stories with Robert De Niro, like Mean Streets and Taxi Driver. However, hidden among his filmography is the excellent Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which tells the story of a struggling single mother and her heartbreaking search for a better life.

Tackling important feminist themes centered around women’s struggles in society, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore featured an Oscar-winning performance from Ellen Burstyn. Although Scorsese is often criticized for the lack of female representation in his work, this was proof that he could handle female characters with sensitivity, depth, and in a powerful way.

Phantom Of The Paradise (1974)

Brian De Palma made classic movies like Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission: Impossible, but one 1970s release of his that doesn’t get nearly enough attention is Phantom of the Paradise. This wild rock opera was influenced by works like The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Phantom of the Opera, as it told the story of a haunted music hall.

While Phantom of the Paradise was a box office failure at the time, it steadily built up a reputation as a cult classic for its clever parodying of everything from Faustian bargains to rock ‘n’ roll. Often overshadowed by similar movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, those with a love for odd rock operas will love it.

The Sugarland Express (1974)

Steven Spielberg changed cinema forever with Jaws in 1975, a groundbreaking release that ushered in the era of the summer blockbuster. However, this was not Spielberg’s first movie, and The Sugarland Express from the year before is equally deserving of audience’s attention but rarely gets mentioned among the best of the 1970s.

Telling the story of a woman (Goldie Hawn) and her husband (William Atherton) abducting a police officer and fleeing across Texas to get their child out of foster care, The Sugarland Express was a wild road movie with incredibly high stakes. As an early indication of Spielberg’s incredible talent, The Sugarland Express was as suspenseful as anything he’s made.

The Tenant (1976)

Roman Polanski made one of the defining horror movies of the 1960s with Rosemary’s Baby, but the equally unnerving The Tenant from the following decade rarely gets the same level of attention. As the final installment in the director’s Apartment Trilogy, Polanski starred as the quiet and unᴀssuming tenant Trelkovsky, who rents an apartment in Paris.

With a claustrophobic and foreboding feeling, The Tenant delves into themes of paranoia and idenтιтy loss as Trelkovsky sinks down a rabbit hole of fear and alienation. With slowly escalating terror, The Tenant created a tense atmosphere that was Kafkaesque in its utter absurdity.

3 Women (1977)

Robert Altman’s dreamlike psychological drama 3 Women might just be a little too strange for mainstream popularity, but it deserves recognition as one of the director’s most interesting films. With a story that originated directly from a dream, Altman’s exploration of the bizarre relationship dynamics between three women addressed themes of idenтιтy, desire, and loneliness.

With fantastic performances from Sissy Spacek and Shelley Duvall, it’s hard to pin down just what makes 3 Women so effective, as it tackled the complexities of womanhood in the late 1970s. 3 Women felt very European in its execution, as Altman challenged the psychoanalytical style of filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman and his film Persona.

Badlands (1973)

As the director behind classic films like The Thin Red Line and The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick is one of the most visionary and influential directors of his generation. However, his feature debut, Badlands, rarely gets the credit it deserves as one of the best crime movies of the 1970s.

As a movie that’s often overshadowed by later Malick works, Badlands starred Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek in a neo-noir story about a 15-year-old and her older partner going on a killer spree. There’s a poetic artistry to Badlands that lays the groundwork for Malick’s future, less narrative-centric works, and it stands as a true hidden gem of the 1970s.

Paper Moon (1973)

Paper Moon was a darkly funny road movie that starred the father-daughter duo Ryan and Tatum O’Neal as Mozie and Addie, a con man and a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, forging an unlikely partnership during the Great Depression. With its black-and-white cinematography, this unique film possessed a timeless, nostalgic quality.

As a film categorized by humor and heart, Paper Moon should be remembered as a classic, but it never seems to get much attention from those who aren’t already very well-versed in 1970s cinema. With exceptional performances, ten-year-old Tatum earned an Academy Award for her role, becoming the youngest compeтιтive Oscar winner ever.