While it’s hard to pin down a singular “golden period” in the history of Hollywood cinema, the 1970s were certainly responsible for many of the classic horror films often cited as being influential today.
The rise of the “New Hollywood” era allowed a younger generation of filmmakers, international auteurs, and maverick independent directors reach a widespread audience of moviegoers thanks to the increased quality of productions and the development of the “midnight movie” scene; all-time favorites released during this era include Jaws, The Crazies, The Exorcist, Alien, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Halloween, The Wicker Man, Eraserhead, The Omen, and Suspiria, just to name a few.
However, these films’ success was largely inspired by a highly influential classic released in the prior decade: Rosemary’s Baby.
The chilling Ira Levin adaptation remains the most haunting Satanic film of all time.
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