The Golden Age of Hollywood was considered to have reached its end by the mid-1960s. In an era dominated by films going from black-and-white to color and from silent to sound, this period in American cinema defined much of what the cinematic medium could be, equating filmmaking with glamour, escapism, style, and allure. However, an increasingly cynical society on the verge of a radical revolution craved for a more intense and realistic cinematic medium. Thus, in the late ‘60s, a new movement brewed known as “New Hollywood."
This period saw the rise of a new generation of filmmakers likeWilliam Friedkin,Sidney Lumet, andMartin Scorsese, who challenged the old ways of storytelling by telling new kinds of stories. Several films during this period were more artistic and balked at studio interference. Many of them were thrillers, and they continued to thrill audiences even after the New Hollywood era ended.These are the best New Hollywood thrillers, ranked by their overall quality, impact, and how much they contributed to the movement’s distinctive qualities.
10’Blow Out' (1981)
Directed by Brian De Palma
Without a doubt, one of the biggest names to come out of the New Hollywood era wasJohn Travolta, making his debut inCarrieand starring inSaturday Night FeverandGrease. Travolta continued earning praise and even worked withCarriedirectorBrian De Palmaa second time on the mystery thrillerBlow Out, released in 1981. Despite not being a financial hit, the film received positive responses and has continued to do so over the years.
InBlow Out, Travolta plays Jack Terri, a sound effects artist who, while working on a horror film, accidentally records a car crash that turns out to be a murder and starts fearing for his life. Also starring Travolta’sCarrieco-starNancy Allenas well asJohn Lithgow,Blow Outhas become one of De Palma’s more underrated films that continues to get reappraisal whilealso considered to be one of Travolta’s best. It’s anexciting thriller about the magic of moviesand the dangers that can lie ahead.
9’The Towering Inferno' (1974)
Directed by John Guillermin
The ‘90s saw several disaster films dominating the box office due to new technology to create the necessary visual effects. But in the ‘70s, a wave of unique disaster filmslikeThe Towering Infernobecame major hits, along withAirport,The Poseidon Adventure, andEarthquake. Not only did it receive eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, but it also holds the distinction of being thesecond highest-grossing film of 1974.
When a fire breaks out in a high-rise San Francisco building during a party, the attendees must cooperate with the fire department and each other to survive. WithPaul Newman,Steve McQueen,Faye Dunaway,and Fred Astaire, the film was an inferno of star power.The Towering Infernois still considereda classic suspenseful ‘70s thriller, and while its star-casting might be too shameless, the tight plot is enough to keep viewers hooked to the screen.
The Towering Inferno
8’First Blood' (1982)
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
Sylvester Stallonebecame one of the biggest Hollywood names thanks to the success of theRockyfranchise, but Rocky Balboa isn’t his only iconic character. Based on the novel byDavid Morrell,First Bloodwas released in 1982 and introduced audiences to a new action icon known as John Rambo. Originally receiving mixed critical reviews at the time, the film eventuallygarnered reappraisal over the years as a staple of ‘80s action flicks.
With a script co-written by Stallone and directed byTed Kotcheff, it tells the story of Vietnam War veteran John Rambo, who drifts into a Washington town searching for his friend but ends up launching a one-man war due to hostility from the local police.First Bloodwas the first installment in theRambofilm series and is best remembered for its performances, action, and even drama. It’s a thrilling story, withStallone giving a fierce and even heartfelt performanceof a man who just wanted peace.
First Blood
7’The Omen' (1976)
Directed by Richard Donner
BeforeRichard Donnerbrought usSuperman, the story of a good man who could fly, he directedThe Omen, the story of an evil boy who was the son of Satan. The first film centers around American diplomat Robert (Gregory Peck) and his wife Katherine (Lee Remick), who adopt a boy they call Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens). But after horrifying deaths occur around them, they suspect Damien of being the Antichrist.
Although not well-received by contemporary critics,The Omenwas a hit with audiences, who loved it enough that it eventually spawned a franchise. It was also one of many films centering around Satanism and occultism derived from the popularity ofRosemary’s Babyyears earlier. With its horrifying sequences and an Oscar-winning musical score by Jerry Goldsmith,The Omencontinues to have a lasting effect on pop culturewith its “evil child” trope.
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6’The Conversation' (1974)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Coming off the lucrative success ofThe Godfather,Francis Ford Coppolawas set to havean incredible 1974 with two hit films under his belt: The first being the follow-up to his Oscar-winning gangster epic,The Godfather: Part II, and an original piece calledThe Conversation. The neo-noir thriller centers around Harry Caul (Gene Hackman), a surveillance expert who suspects that the couple he’s been hired to spy on might be murdered.
Widely considered to be one of Hackman’s performances,The Conversationwas a hit with critics and audiences while alsotouching on the themes of paranoia and morality. At a time when America was still dealing with the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, it made sense for audiences to gravitate toward a film that dealt with the ethics of surveillance when the country itself was questioning what it knew and didn’t know. Reflective of the times,The Conversationstill stands the test of time as a great thriller.
The Conversation
5’In the Heat of the Night' (1967)
Directed by Norman Jewison
Sidney Poitieris considered to be one of the most influential movie stars of American cinema. He broke barriers as a Black male lead in several Hollywood productions and became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1963’sLilies of the Field. One of his most notable films wasIn the Heat of the Night, a dramatic mystery thriller released in 1967 and winner of Best Picture.
Directed byNorman Jewison,In the Heat of the Nighttells the story of an African-American detective named Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) who’s accused of murder in a small Mississippi town. He then joins forces with racist police chief Bill Gillespie (RodSteiger, in an Oscar-winning role) to track down the killer. The film is best remembered for its performances and writing, particularly the line “They call me Mr. Tibbs!” by Poitier, in what is considered to be his greatest film.In the Heat of the Nightblends tension, unexpected comedy, and social issuesto deliver a unique thriller that ranks among the period’s best.
In the Heat of the Night
4’Rosemary’s Baby' (1968)
Directed by Roman Polanski
Talk about unruly neighbors, or in the case ofRosemary’s Baby, unholy neighbors. There was a lot of pressure to make the film adaptation of the 1967 novel byIra Levinwork. Despitea troubled productionfilled with scheduling conflicts and going over budget,Rosemary’s Babywas released in 1968by Paramount Studios to critical and financial success.
The film centers around the newlywed Woodhouses, Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy (John Cassavetes), moving into an old Manhattan apartment building where they suspect that their neighbors are members of a Satanic cult. The stakes are raised when Rosemary becomes pregnant. With its chilling tone and unforgettable performances,Rosemary’s Babydelighted in thrills and even launched a public fascination with demons and the occult. Atmospheric and unforgettable,it’s the perfect New Hollywood thriller, instantly becoming part of the horror genre’s DNA.
Rosemary’s Baby
3’The French Connection' (1971)
Directed by William Friedkin
The ‘70s was a good decade forGene Hackman. With hits likeThe Conversation,Superman, andThe Poseidon Adventure,Hackman became a generation-defining talent. It can be argued it started with his Oscar-winning performance inThe French Connection, a neo-noir thriller considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. It won four more Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director forWilliam Friedkin.
Based on a real-life drug-trafficking scheme and adapted from the non-fiction book byRobin Mooreof the same name,The French Connectiontells the story of two detectives—Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider)—chasing down a heroin shipment from a French…connection. With its script, performances, thrills, and memorable car chase sequence,The French Connectionhelpedusher in a trend of grittier films coming out of the ‘70s.
The French Connection
2’Carrie' (1976)
In the early ‘70s,Stephen Kingwas a struggling novelistwho had little faith in his first novel being published. That novel, titledCarrie, was eventually published in 1974 and became a success, launching King’s career as one of the most iconic authors today. This, of course, prompted a film adaptation, which landedBrian De Palmaas its director andSissy Spacekin the titular role.
Carrie, like the novel,also received critical acclaim and turned several of its cast into stars, including Spacek,Amy Irving,Nancy Allen, andJohn Travolta. The story of a bullied high school girl with telekinetic powers resonated strongly with audiences upon its release and continues to do so today, especially due to its chilling prom night massacre ending. With powerful performances, effective pacing, and great use of split screens,Carrieis now considered a thrilling horror classicas well as the first in a long line of classic Stephen King film adaptations.
1’Jaws' (1975)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Nobody expectedJawsto be such a hit, mainly because it’s very much cinema’s first blockbuster as a whole. DirectorSteven Spielberghad yet to be a household name, so his career depended entirely on whether the adaptation of thePeter Benchleynovel would be a success. Thankfully,Spielberg produced one of the best thrillersof the New Hollywood era, withJawsbecoming the most successful film ever made at that time.
Set on the fictional Amity Island in New England,Jawscenters around police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider), oceanographer Hooper (RichardDreyfuss), and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw), hunting down a great white shark that’s been terrorizing their small beach town. What made the film work wasSpielberg utilizing Hitchcockian levels of suspenseto instill fear in audiences about the dangerous shark. It’s the kind of thrills needed for a simple but effective premise, and it masterfully paid off as it cementedJawsasthe best thriller of the New Hollywood era.
