Timeless Quests: Unforgettable Adventure Films Of The 1970s

By WatchListHQSeptember 3, 2025
The 1970s was a decade that embodied the spirit of adventure, with filmmakers pushing the boundaries of storytelling and special effects. This was an era when iconic heroes and villains were born, and the art of filmmaking was elevated to new heights. From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space, adventure films of the 1970s took audiences on unforgettable journeys that continue to inspire and captivate us today.

One of the defining characteristics of 1970s adventure films is their ability to transport us to new and unexplored worlds. Whether it's the magical realm of King Arthur, the mysterious planet of the apes, or the futuristic landscapes of science fiction, these films invited us to escape the mundane and embark on thrilling quests. With their swashbuckling action sequences, memorable characters, and epic storylines, it's no wonder that many of these films have become beloved classics.

The 1970s also saw the emergence of groundbreaking special effects, which played a crucial role in bringing these adventure films to life. From the terrifying great white shark in Jaws to the iconic lightsaber duels in Star Wars, the innovative use of special effects helped to create immersive and believable worlds that drew audiences in and refused to let go. As we look back on this remarkable decade, it's clear that the adventure films of the 1970s have had a lasting impact on the world of cinema.

In this collection of unforgettable adventure films, we've curated a selection of movies that showcase the best of the 1970s. With their unique blend of action, suspense, and fantasy, these films are sure to transport you to a bygone era of cinematic magic. So sit back, relax, and get ready to embark on some of the most epic adventures of all time.

From the rugged landscapes of Mad Max to the mystical realms of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, our selection of adventure films from the 1970s is a testament to the power of cinema to inspire, to thrill, and to captivate. With their timeless themes, memorable characters, and unforgettable storylines, these films continue to enchant audiences to this day, and their influence can still be felt in the adventure films of today.
Jaws
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Jaws

#1

When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town's chief of police, a young marine biologist, and a grizzled hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.

1975124 min
HorrorThrillerAdventure
7.7
10973 votes
Star Wars
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Star Wars

#2

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

1977
8.2
21421 votes
Superman
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Superman

#3

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

1978144 min
Science FictionActionAdventure
7.2
4050 votes
Mad Max
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Mad Max

#4

In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them.

197991 min
AdventureActionThriller
6.7
4682 votes
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail

#5

King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot and Sir Galahad the Pure. On the way, Arthur battles the Black Knight who, despite having had all his limbs chopped off, insists he can still fight. They reach Camelot, but Arthur decides not to enter, as "it is a silly place".

197591 min
AdventureComedyFantasy
7.8
6068 votes
Moonraker
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Moonraker

#6

After Drax Industries' Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company's owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax's nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon...and even outer space.

1979126 min
ActionAdventureThriller
6.2
2069 votes
Robin Hood
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Robin Hood

#7

With King Richard off to the Crusades, Prince John and his slithering minion, Sir Hiss, set about taxing Nottingham's citizens with support from the corrupt sheriff - and staunch opposition by the wily Robin Hood and his band of merry men.

197383 min
AnimationFamilyAdventure
7.3
4483 votes
Warlords of Atlantis
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Warlords of Atlantis

#8

Searching for the lost world of Atlantis, Prof. Aitken, his son Charles and Greg Collinson are betrayed by the crew of their expedition's ship, attracted by the fabulous treasures of Atlantis. The diving bell disabled, a deep sea monster attacks the boat. They are all dragged to the bottom of the sea where they meet the inhabitants of the lost continent, an advanced alien race that makes sailors their slaves.

197896 min
AdventureFantasyScience Fiction
5.8
90 votes
King Kong
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King Kong

#9

An oil company expedition disturbs the peace of a giant ape and brings him back to New York to exploit him.

1976134 min
AdventureFantasyHorror
6.3
876 votes
The Man with the Golden Gun
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The Man with the Golden Gun

#10

Cool government operative James Bond searches for a stolen invention that can turn the sun's heat into a destructive weapon. He soon crosses paths with the menacing Francisco Scaramanga, a hitman so skilled he has a seven-figure working fee. Bond then joins forces with the swimsuit-clad Mary Goodnight, and together they track Scaramanga to a Thai tropical isle hideout where the killer-for-hire lures the slick spy into a deadly maze for a final duel.

1974125 min
AdventureActionThriller
6.5
2143 votes
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
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Star Trek: The Motion Picture

#11

When an unidentified alien destroys three powerful Klingon cruisers, Captain James T. Kirk returns to the newly transformed U.S.S. Enterprise to take command.

1979131 min
Science FictionAdventureMystery
6.5
1813 votes
The Inglorious Bastards
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The Inglorious Bastards

#12

Set in Europe during WWII, a group of American soldiers on their way to military prison are beset upon by a German artillery attack, escaping with Switzerland in their sights. Before making it any farther, they volunteer to steal a V2 warhead for the French Underground - taking them deep into the heart of German territory.

197899 min
ActionWarAdventure
6.3
243 votes
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
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Beneath the Planet of the Apes

#13

The sole survivor of an interplanetary rescue mission lands on the planet of the apes, and uncovers a horrible secret beneath the surface.

197095 min
AdventureScience FictionMystery
6.1
1390 votes
The Mighty Peking Man
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The Mighty Peking Man

#14

Word of a monster ape ten stories tall living in the Himalayas reaches fortune hunters in Hong Kong. They travel to India to capture it, but wild animals and quicksand dissuade all but Johnny, an adventurer with a broken heart. He finds the monster and discovers it's been raising a scantily-clad woman, Samantha, since she survived a plane crash years before that killed her parents. In the idyllic jungle, Johnny and Samantha fall in love. Then Johnny asks her to convince "Utam" to go to Hong Kong

197790 min
ActionFantasyAdventure
5.2
61 votes
Breakout
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Breakout

#15

A bush pilot is hired for $50,000 to go to Mexico to free an innocent prisoner.

197596 min
ActionAdventureThriller
6.3
102 votes
Westworld
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Westworld

#16

Delos is a futuristic amusement park that features themed worlds populated by human-like androids. After two patrons have a run-in with a menacing gunslinger in West World, the androids at Delos all begin to malfunction, causing havoc throughout the park.

1973
6.8
1354 votes
The Spy Who Loved Me
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The Spy Who Loved Me

#17

Russian and British submarines with nuclear missiles on board both vanish from sight without a trace. England and Russia both blame each other as James Bond tries to solve the riddle of the disappearing ships. But the KGB also has an agent on the case.

1977125 min
AdventureActionThriller
6.8
2088 votes
The Super Inframan
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The Super Inframan

#18

The surface of the Earth is under attack, thousands of people are killed in this unprovoked attacked. The cause, Princess Dragonmon and her army of monsters have decided to invade. Princess Dragonmon is an alien whose race has been hiding under us for centuries waiting to attack at the time is right. A doctor has been preparing for something like this and turns his assistant Rayma into the cyborg hero known as Inframan. Now only Inframan stands between the Earth and Princess Dragonmon but when a

197590 min
ActionAdventureScience Fiction
6.0
67 votes