The Best Romance Movies of the 70s

First up on our list of the best romance movies of the 70s is Badlands. This film took us on a wild ride with Kit and Holly, two young lovers turned outlaws in the Midwest. Based loosely on true events, it’s a coming-of-age and romance story that took on some dark themes as well.

Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek shined as the young antiheroes. Sheen’s Kit was cool and rebellious, while Spacek’s Holly narrated their crime spree with an eerily calm voice.

Badlands combined dreamy visuals and haunting music to a unique vibe that was both beautiful, yet unsettling. The film was a reminder that coming of age isn’t always pretty like in the movies. Instead, sometimes it’s messy, confusing, and even dangerous.

Next, Days of Heaven told a particularly unique love story set in the Texas panhandle during the early 1900s. Richard Gere played Bill, who came to Texas with his girlfriend Abby (Brooke Adams) and young sister Linda after running from trouble in Chicago.

What started as a scheme (Bill convincing Abby to marry the dying farmer for his money), became complicated when Abby and her new husband started to develop genuine feelings for eachother. The once-simple deceptive scheme spiraled as Bill’s jealousy drove him to increasingly desperate and violent acts.

As his second feature film after Badlands, Director Terrence Malick made this film on a budget of $3 million. He filled the screen with soft, glowy shots of sunsets and wheat fields, while Linda’s innocent voice narrated their story. Compared to the other movies on this list, this romantic period piece stood out for its uniquely stunning look and emotional story, surely earning its place.

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Next, The Way We Were delivered another one of the decade’s greatest love stories through Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford‘s unforgettable chemistry. As Katie and Hubbell, they brought to life two people who couldn’t be more different. While she fought passionately for her political beliefs, he coasted through life with his good looks and charm.

Unlike typical romance films of the time, it told a raw, honest story about how sometimes love isn’t enough. Their final scene, where Katie saw Hubbell with his new partner and simply says “Your girl is lovely, Hubbell,” broke viewers’ hearts. I mean, how could it not? The soundtrack also featured the hit song “The Way We Were,” perfectly capturing their bittersweet romance.

Even with its focus on politics and personal values, the movie was one of the best of the decade. It truly showed how some people can deeply change our lives, even if they don’t stay in them forever.

Also Read: The Best Romance Movies of the 90s

The Goodbye Girl delivered a fresh take on romantic comedy in putting Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason together as two artists who found love in a crowded New York apartment.

Dreyfuss played Elliott, a neurotic actor, while Mason played Paula, a former dancer and divorcee, living with her daughter. And audiences sure love a good enemies-to-lover’s trope, so of course they ended up together. The film also became the first romantic comedy to earn $100 million in box-office grosses.

Instead of glamorous meet-cutes or fairy tale endings, the film dug into the honest reality of starting over. Dreyfuss also made history as the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner with this role, securing the movie’s place on our list.

Next, Grease instantly had audiences hopelessly devoted to its catchy tunes and cast, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John playing Danny and Sandy. While romance wasn’t the film’s only focus, it brought audiences one of cinema’s most iconic couples.

It was also one of the highest-grossing movies of the decade, raking in an impressive $366 million worldwide. The soundtrack album topped charts globally, with hits like “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” becoming karaoke staples for decades to come.

Beyond being one of the best romance movies of the 70s, the film’s lasting popularity has also led to countless stage revivals, a sequel, and its status as the ultimate feel-good musical of the 70s.

Another one of the best romance movies of the 70s was What’s Up, Doc?. It brought back the fun of old-time romantic comedies starring Barbra Streisand as Judy Maxwell. For this film, director Peter Bogdanovich wanted to recreate the fast-paced, screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s, and he succeeded.

Ryan O’Neal played Howard, a boring professor who studied rocks until Judy burst into his world. Their story turned into a crazy adventure through San Francisco, complete with mixed-up suitcases and a wild car chase that ended up in the bay.

The truly movie worked because Streisand and O’Neal played off each other perfectly. She pushed his buttons, while he tried desperately to keep his serious life in order, securing it’s spot on our list.

Of course, we couldn’t forget to include Love Story. Set against the backdrop of Harvard University in the late 60s, the film captured young love in its purest form.

Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal created magic on screen. Their portrayal of Jenny Cavalleri and Oliver Barrett IV showed how love could bridge social classes and defy family expectations, all while in college too. Francis Lai‘s score became synonymous with romantic tragedy, winning the 1970 Oscar for Best Music, Original Score and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.

Despite its simple premise, Love Story became a cultural phenomenon. It earned seven Oscar nominations and influenced countless romance films that followed.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest-Grossing Movies of the 70s

Capping our list of the best romance movies of the 70s is Annie Hall. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton starred as Alvy Singer and Annie Hall, two New Yorkers navigating their complex romance.

Annie Hall redefined romantic comedy forever, winning four Academy Awards including Best Picture. In terms of cast, Tony Roberts and Carol Kane also played memorable supporting roles that perfectly captured the film’s cynical yet warm view of relationships. Notably, the lobster-cooking scene and the famous Marshall McLuhan cameo also showcased the film’s blend of surreal humor and emotion.

Overall, Annie Hall surely earned its place as one of cinema’s greatest love stories, influencing countless romance movies that followed.