Welcome to the decade that changed alien cinema forever! The 1970s saw sci-fi evolve from B-movie fare to blockbuster territory, redefining our expectations of extraterrestrial encounters on screen. Let’s take a thrilling journey through this pivotal era in alien movie history.
Alien Movies (1970-1979)
| Year | Alien / SciFi Movie Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Colossus: The Forbin Project | Joseph Sargent |
| 1971 | The Andromeda Strain | Robert Wise |
| 1971 | The Omega Man | Boris Sagal |
| 1972 | Slaughter | Jack Starrett |
| 1973 | Invasion of the Bee Girls | Denis Sanders |
| 1973 | Godzilla vs. Megalon | Jun Fukuda |
| 1974 | Dark Star | John Carpenter |
| 1974 | Phase IV | Saul Bass |
| 1974 | Zardoz | John Boorman |
| 1975 | The UFO Incident | Richard A. Colla |
| 1975 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Jim Sharman |
| 1975 | The Stepford Wives | Bryan Forbes |
| 1976 | The Man Who Fell to Earth | Nicolas Roeg |
| 1976 | God Told Me To | Larry Cohen |
| 1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Steven Spielberg |
| 1977 | End of the World | John Hayes |
| 1977 | The Incredible Melting Man | William Sachs |
| 1977 | Starship Invasions | Ed Hunt |
| 1977 | Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope | George Lucas |
| 1977 | Demon Seed | Donald Cammell |
| 1978 | Alien Prey | Norman J. Warren |
| 1978 | Invasion of the Body Snatchers | Philip Kaufman |
| 1978 | Laserblast | Michael Rae |
| 1978 | Superman | Richard Donner |
| 1978 | Warlords of Atlantis | Kevin Connor |
| 1978 | The Fury | Brian De Palma |
| 1979 | Alien | Ridley Scott |
| 1979 | The Alien Factor | Don Dohler |
| 1979 | The Brood | David Cronenberg |
| 1979 | The Shape of Things to Come | George McCowan |
| 1979 | Star Trek: The Motion Picture | Robert Wise |
| 1979 | Spaced Out | Norman J. Warren |
Early 70s: Setting the Stage
The decade kicked off with cerebral sci-fi like Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) and The Andromeda Strain (1971), hinting at the more sophisticated alien narratives to come. But don’t worry, there was still room for campy fun with films like Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)!
Mid-70s: Aliens Get Weird
The mid-70s saw filmmakers pushing boundaries. The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) starring David Bowie blended alien encounters with art house sensibilities. Meanwhile, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) turned aliens into musical icons!
Late 70s: The Sci-Fi Revolution
The latter half of the decade brought us some of the most iconic alien films ever made:
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Spielberg’s optimistic take on first contact.
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): The space opera that changed cinema forever.
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): A paranoid remake for a paranoid era.
- Alien (1979): Ridley Scott’s masterpiece that proved space is terrifying.
Impact and Legacy
The 70s revolutionized alien cinema. We saw the birth of the modern blockbuster, groundbreaking special effects, and stories that ranged from hopeful to horrifying. These films didn’t just entertain; they asked profound questions about humanity’s place in the universe.
Fun Facts
- The alien language in “Close Encounters” was partially based on the Kodály method of music education.
- H.R. Giger’s designs for “Alien” were so disturbing that crew members felt uncomfortable on set.
- The “Star Wars” cantina scene features alien masks made from grocery store buys, including a papier-mâché head made from a face cast of a dead person!
Must-Watch 70s Alien Films
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- Alien (1979)
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
- The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
The 1970s truly were a golden age for alien cinema, setting the stage for decades of sci-fi to come. Whether you prefer your aliens friendly or frightening, profound or pulpy, the 70s had something for every taste. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for close encounters of the cinematic kind!