The 1970s were a treasure trove of cinema, brimming with bold storytelling and groundbreaking films. However, the decade also saw its fair share of “cheesy” movies—those that leaned into over-the-top plots, campy dialogue, or bizarre scenarios that have become cult classics.Each of these films is a delightful dive into the over-the-top trends and experimental risks of the ’70s. While some are unintentionally bad, others lean into their cheesiness, creating a nostalgic charm for modern viewers.
Here’s a ranked list of 20 of the cheesiest ’70s movies, along with their plots and why they’re delightfully cheesy:
The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
Plot: Three orphans inherit a fortune in gold, and a pair of bumbling outlaws tries to steal it.
Why It’s Cheesy: Slapstick humor and over-the-top characters make this Disney comedy a nostalgic ride into absurdity.
themovierat
Frogs (1972)
Plot: A wealthy man’s family is terrorized by an uprising of nature, particularly frogs.
Why It’s Cheesy: The idea of frogs being a legitimate threat—and the dead-serious tone—makes it unintentionally hilarious.
moviejawn
At Long Last Love (1975)
Plot: A musical comedy about the romantic misadventures of a wealthy socialite and a singer.
Why It’s Cheesy: Bad singing, forced comedy, and a notoriously poor reception cemented its camp legacy.
IMDb
The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1978)
Plot: A retelling of the Lone Ranger’s origin story, complete with melodrama.
Why It’s Cheesy: Cheesy acting and stilted dialogue overshadow the nostalgic charm.
Wrather Productions, Universal Pictures, ITC Entertainment, and Eaves Movie Ranch
Laserblast (1978)
Plot: A young man finds an alien laser gun, turning him into a destructive antihero.
Why It’s Cheesy: Laughable special effects and wooden acting make it a cult classic for bad-movie aficionados.
rottentomatoes
Disco Godfather (1979)
Plot: A retired cop-turned-disco owner fights against PCP drug dealers.
Why It’s Cheesy: Campy performances and heavy-handed anti-drug messages scream 1970s.
IMDb
Zardoz (1974)
Plot: A post-apocalyptic world ruled by an AI, featuring Sean Connery in a red loincloth.
Why It’s Cheesy: Outlandish costumes, bizarre plot points, and philosophical overreach.
IMDb
Empire of the Ants (1977)
Plot: Mutant ants controlled by radiation attack humans.
Why It’s Cheesy: The “special effects” are unintentionally laughable, with ants superimposed over live action.
IMDb
The Swarm (1978)
Plot: Killer bees wreak havoc on Texas in this disaster movie.
Why It’s Cheesy: Over-the-top melodrama and questionable science.
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The Concorde… Airport ’79 (1979)
Plot: The Concorde jetliner faces sabotage and disaster in this franchise entry.
Why It’s Cheesy: Ludicrous scenarios and melodramatic performances dominate.
Youtube
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)
Plot: Mutant tomatoes terrorize a city, and a team is assembled to stop them.
Why It’s Cheesy: Purposefully ridiculous, with over-the-top humor and musical numbers.
IMDb
Logan’s Run (1976)
Plot: A dystopian future where life ends at 30, and one man dares to escape.
Why It’s Cheesy: Dated effects and melodramatic acting don’t overshadow the charm of its camp.
Everett Collection
Food of the Gods (1976)
Plot: People fight off giant animals after ingesting a mysterious growth substance.
Why It’s Cheesy: The practical effects are laughably bad.
rottentomatoes
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)
Plot: A shipwreck survivor discovers a mad scientist experimenting on animals.
Why It’s Cheesy: Hammy acting and goofy makeup effects are unforgettable.
IMDb
The Last Dinosaur (1977)
Plot: A wealthy man hunts dinosaurs in a hidden prehistoric world.
Why It’s Cheesy: Rubber suit dinosaurs and stilted dialogue create unintentional hilarity.
IMDb
The Car (1977)
Plot: A possessed car terrorizes a small town.
Why It’s Cheesy: The concept is silly, and the serious tone amplifies the absurdity.
Starcrash (1978)
Plot: A blatant Star Wars ripoff with space battles and a half-baked plot.
Why It’s Cheesy: Awful special effects and nonsensical storytelling.
Youtube
Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (1972)
Plot: Santa Claus teams up with children to save his sleigh, with bizarre musical numbers.
Why It’s Cheesy: Utterly baffling plot and amateur production values.
Youtube
Beyond the Door (1974)
Plot: A woman experiences a demonic pregnancy in this Exorcist ripoff.
Why It’s Cheesy: Over-the-top scares and unintentionally funny moments.
IMDb
Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959/70s Re-releases)
Plot: Aliens use resurrected corpses to conquer Earth.
Why It’s Cheesy: Infamously bad acting, writing, and effects make it the ultimate cheesy movie.
tcm
