Revisiting the Golden Age of Cinema: Must-See Films from the ’60s and ’70s

The ‘60s and ‘70s gave way to some cinematic treasures that are still cult favorites today. Do you like to rewatch older movies? Do you enjoy discovering films from the ‘60s and ‘70s that you didn’t get to watch when they came out? 

Let’s visit some of the most iconic and legendary films from the ‘60s and ‘70s. All of these films are worth rewatching, and some are great ideas for movie nights with your grandchildren. 

Read more: Introducing Grandchildren to the Movies You Love.

Where to Watch ‘60s and ‘70s Films

Many streaming services offer vintage movies. Check with your favorite movie and TV streaming platform to see what movies they offer. Use the search tool and type “Movies from the 1960s,” for example. 

List of paid and free streaming services:

• Netflix (Paid)
• The Criterion Channel (Paid)
• Prime Video (Paid)
• MAX (Paid)
• YouTube Movies and TV (Paid)
• Turner Classic Movies (Free)
• Pluto TV (Free)
• Tubi TV (Free)
• Public Libraries and Kanopy (Free)

Must-See Films from the 1960s

All selected films on our list have won numerous Academy Awards; some even won Grammys for their soundtracks. 

Psycho, 1960

Psycho was a pioneering movie for its time in the horror genre. The movie disturbed the audience and nothing like it had been projected in cinemas until then. It was produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who stayed true to his style. 

Everybody remembers the famous shower scene at the Bates Motel. The movie was inspired by the Wisconsin grave robber and murderer Ed Gein. 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961

Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring legendary Audrey Hepburn, is a stylish romantic dramady that embodies life in New York in the 1960s. The movie is loosely based on Truman Capote’s novella of the same name.

Hepburn plays one of her most iconic roles as Holly Golightly, a New York City socialite who attends lavish parties and is looking for love. The theme song “Moon River” became as iconic as the movie it was written for. 

Hepburn embodies elegance and laid the foundation for the timeless and classic little black dress trend. 

Read more: The Classic Trend of the Little Black Dress.

To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962

To Kill a Mockingbird is based on Harper Lee’s classic novel of the same name. The powerful and dramatic movie is set in 1930s Alabama. The film follows the children of a widowed father who is a lawyer and chooses to represent a black man who has been accused of attacking a white woman. The movie touches on morality, racism, and political justice in a time when tensions ran high.

Mary Poppins, 1964

Now on to a lighter-themed movie. Mary Poppins is a musical fantasy movie set in Edwardian London. Produced by Walt Disney, the film is a powerhouse of visuals and memorable songs. 

It’s about a nanny who arrives to care for a family and brings all her whimsical and fun magic. She teaches the children about love and using their imaginations. 

The film stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and became a Disney classic. 

The Sound of Music, 1965

One of the most iconic musical drama films of that era, The Sound of Music, is set against visually stunning Austrian scenery. Maria is sent from her convent to work as a governess for a former naval officer captain. His seven children are disciplined rigorously and live in a very strict environment. With her fun and youthful energy, Maria transforms the household, and the children learn to sing and dance. 

The movie is also a love story when Maria and the captain develop feelings for each other. 

Must-See Films from the 1970s

These movies from the ‘70s are also all acclaimed and awarded films from the Academy Awards and the Grammys for the music. 

Love Story, 1970

This haunting romantic drama movie is about deep love and loss and is still considered one of the best on-screen love stories of all time. 

It follows Oliver and Jenny, two college students from very different backgrounds who meet and fall in love. His family will not accept Jenny, who is a working-class American Italian, into their family and therefore disown Oliver from their family. 

They go on to marry and grow their love until Jenny is struck by illness. The iconic saying “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” came from this legendary 1970 movie.

The Godfather, 1972

This epic gangster-crime movie was directed by Frances Ford Coppola and stars legendary actors like Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, to name a few. The 1972 film was the first of a trilogy to follow. It was the highest-grossing movie that year. 

The movie is filmed in both New York City and Sicily and depicts the life of a post-war mafia family dealing with the changing times. 

The Way We Were, 1973

Another epic romantic drama, The Way We Were, starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford in a love story spanning decades. Their differences and opinions eventually become too great and conquer their bond.

The title song, The Way We Were,  sung by Streisand, became a sensation and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Saturday Night Fever, 1977

Another iconic film with a soundtrack featuring songs from the Bee Gees that went on to win several awards and remains legendary in defining a whole disco generation. 

John Travolta stars as Tony Manero, a young man with a dead-end job but a huge talent for dancing at the local discos at night. 

Grease, 1978

Another movie starring John Travolta and including Olivia Newton-John became a legendary hit in the late ‘70s. The movie became the highest-grossing musical film of all time. 

Grease is all about teenage love and life set in the late 1950s. It was about greased hair, fast and flashy cars, and friendships. 

Read more: 14 Movies to Watch Starring Strong and Stylish Older Women.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you watched any of these movies? Which film from the ‘60s or ‘70s is your all-time favorite? Which movies do you recommend we add to our list? We would love to hear from you. Tell us about it in the comments below.