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Quizzes > Movies

70s Movie Trivia: Can You Name These Classics?

Quick, free 1970s movie quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Swetha ChowdaryUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This 70s movie trivia quiz helps you test what you remember from the decade's blockbusters and cult favorites. Get instant results and spot the films you might want to rewatch. Keep the nostalgia going with movie character trivia, or switch screens to 70s tv trivia.

In Star Wars (1977), what is the name of Han Solo's spaceship?
Star Destroyer
Death Star
Millennium Falcon
X-wing
Han Solo's ship is the Millennium Falcon, known for its speed and unique design with a side-mounted cockpit. It debuts in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and carries its crew through numerous battles against the Empire. Its hyperdrive was famously modified by its previous owner, Lando Calrissian, making it one of the fastest ships in the galaxy. The Falcon remains one of the most recognizable starships in cinema history.
Which 1972 film won the Academy Award for Best Picture?
Sounder
Deliverance
The Godfather
Cabaret
The Godfather (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, received the Best Picture Oscar at the 45th Academy Awards. It was praised for its performances, screenplay, and direction, and is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. The saga of the Corleone crime family set a new standard for gangster movies. Its win cemented its legacy in cinematic history.
Who directed Jaws (1975)?
George Lucas
Steven Spielberg
Francis Ford Coppola
Martin Scorsese
Jaws (1975) was directed by Steven Spielberg and is credited with inventing the summer blockbuster. Spielberg's mastery of suspense and creative use of mechanical sharks made the film a massive hit. Its success launched Spielberg's career as a leading director in Hollywood. Jaws remains a landmark in thriller filmmaking.
Which movie features the line "You're gonna need a bigger boat"?
Jaws
Jaws 2
The Poseidon Adventure
Titanic
The famous line "You're gonna need a bigger boat" is uttered by Roy Scheider's character, Chief Brody, in Jaws (1975). It occurs after Brody first sees the great white shark up close. The ad-libbed line has become one of cinema's most recognizable quotes. It perfectly captures the shock and scale of the shark's threat.
In Rocky (1976), what is Rocky Balboa's profession?
Taxi driver
Club fighter
Teacher
Policeman
In Rocky, Rocky Balboa is a small-time club fighter and debt collector in Philadelphia. His underdog status leads him to a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. The film's portrayal of his gritty day-to-day life contrasts with his epic journey to the title match. Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the movie, making the character iconic.
Which 1978 musical film starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John?
Annie
Saturday Night Fever
Xanadu
Grease
Grease (1978) stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as high school sweethearts Danny and Sandy. The film became a box-office phenomenon and solidified both actors' pop culture status. Its soundtrack produced several hit singles, including "You're the One That I Want." Grease remains one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.
What is the name of the spaceship in the film Alien (1979)?
Serenity
Nostromo
Enterprise
Discovery One
The commercial towing spaceship in Alien (1979) is the USCSS Nostromo. Its crew is awakened from cryosleep to investigate a distress signal on a remote planet. The ship's claustrophobic corridors become the setting for the film's tense horror. Ridley Scott's design of the Nostromo contributed to the movie's iconic atmosphere.
Which actress played the role of Ripley in Alien (1979)?
Kathleen Quinlan
Jamie Lee Curtis
Sigourney Weaver
Melinda Dillon
Sigourney Weaver stars as Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979), her breakthrough role that defined the sci-fi action heroine archetype. Weaver's performance earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award. Ripley's resourcefulness and resilience set a new standard for female leads in genre films. Weaver reprised the role in three sequels, solidifying her status in film history.
In which 1976 film does Robert De Niro famously exclaim "You talking to me?"
Raging Bull
The Deer Hunter
Taxi Driver
The Godfather Part II
Robert De Niro's character Travis Bickle practices drawing his gun in front of a mirror and says "You talking to me?" in Taxi Driver (1976). The improvised line became one of the most quoted in film history. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie explores urban alienation and vigilantism in 1970s New York. De Niro's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Who played the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974)?
Marlon Brando
Al Pacino
Robert De Niro
James Caan
Robert De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974). His portrayal shows the Sicilian beginnings of the Corleone family and complements Marlon Brando's older Vito. De Niro learned Sicilian dialect and bulked up to match the character's presence. The dual narrative of father and son solidified the film's critical acclaim.
Who directed the neo-noir film Chinatown (1974)?
Roman Polanski
Martin Scorsese
Francis Ford Coppola
William Friedkin
Chinatown (1974) was directed by Roman Polanski and is considered a masterpiece of neo-noir. Polanski's direction achieved a moody, atmospheric Los Angeles setting. The screenplay by Robert Towne weaves a complex tale of corruption, and Polanski's visual style emphasizes the film's dark themes. The movie earned 11 Oscar nominations and won Best Original Screenplay.
Which 1973 film follows journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they investigate the Watergate scandal?
All the President's Men
Network
All the King's Men
The Conversation
All the President's Men (1976) dramatizes Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's investigation into the Watergate scandal. The film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, and it highlights the journalists' tenacity and the ethical dimensions of investigative reporting. It won four Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie remains a benchmark for journalism films.
Who composed the iconic score for Rocky (1976), including the theme 'Gonna Fly Now'?
John Williams
Bill Conti
Jerry Goldsmith
Ennio Morricone
Bill Conti composed Rocky's memorable score, including the inspirational theme 'Gonna Fly Now.' His music underlines Rocky Balboa's journey from underdog to contender. Conti's blend of brass fanfare and stirring melodies became synonymous with motivation and triumph. The soundtrack earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Which actress won an Oscar for her role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)?
Louise Fletcher
Brad Dourif
Michael Berryman
Jack Nicholson
Louise Fletcher won the Academy Award for Best Actress as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Her chilling portrayal of the tyrannical head nurse became an iconic villain performance. The film swept the five major Oscars (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay), a rare feat. Fletcher's performance remains a benchmark for dramatic film roles.
What is the name of Robert De Niro's character in Taxi Driver (1976)?
Travis Bickle
Jimmy Conway
Paul Cicero
Jake LaMotta
Robert De Niro plays the troubled Vietnam veteran Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976). Bickle's descent into isolation and vigilante violence drives the film's narrative. Director Martin Scorsese used gritty New York City visuals to underscore the character's alienation. De Niro's immersive performance earned critical acclaim.
Which 1978 drama directed by Terrence Malick follows a Texas Panhandle farming family?
Badlands
Heaven Can Wait
The Long Riders
Days of Heaven
Days of Heaven (1978), directed by Terrence Malick, tells the story of wheat harvesters and a love triangle in the Texas Panhandle. The film is celebrated for its lyrical cinematography by Néstor Almendros. Malick's use of natural light and poetic narration created a unique mood. It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Who starred alongside Michael Caine in the 1973 film Sleuth?
Laurence Olivier
Alan Bates
Anthony Hopkins
Peter O'Toole
Laurence Olivier co-starred with Michael Caine in Sleuth (1972), a cat-and-mouse mystery directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The film features two characters in a battle of wits, earning both actors critical acclaim. Olivier's theatrical background complemented Caine's modern sensibility. Their performances drove the film's tension and dark humor.
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), what form of communication do the aliens use?
Musical tones
Written symbols
Telepathy
Morse code
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, aliens communicate with scientists using a sequence of five musical tones. This method provides a universal language bridging human and extraterrestrial communication. Composer John Williams created the memorable five-note motif. The scene at Devil's Tower is one of the most iconic in sci-fi cinema.
Which cinematographer was nicknamed "The Prince of Darkness" for his work on The Godfather series?
Gordon Willis
Conrad Hall
Vittorio Storaro
Douglas Slocombe
Gordon Willis earned the nickname "The Prince of Darkness" for his moody, low-light cinematography on The Godfather films. His use of deep shadows and minimal lighting enhanced the mafia saga's tone and atmosphere. Willis's work influenced generations of cinematographers seeking a more naturalistic style. His mastery of underexposure became a signature visual element of the series.
In Chinatown (1974), what horrific family secret is revealed about Evelyn Mulwray?
She is a ghost
Her sister is also her daughter
She is an alien
She is her own mother
Chinatown's shocking twist reveals that Evelyn Mulwray's younger sister Katherine is actually her daughter due to her father's incestuous relationship with her. This revelation embodies the film's themes of corruption and abuse of power. The dark secret propels private eye Jake Gittes deeper into a web of deceit. Roman Polanski's direction and Robert Towne's screenplay deliver one of cinema's most famous twists.
Who directed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)?
George Romero
Dario Argento
Wes Craven
Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper directed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), creating a landmark in horror cinema. His gritty, low-budget filming style and realistic tone intensified the film's shock value. Inspired by true crime stories, Hooper's direction emphasized raw terror over gore. The movie's influence is evident in countless slasher films that followed.
Which composer's electronic arrangements of classical pieces were used in A Clockwork Orange (1971)?
John Carpenter
Philip Glass
Giorgio Moroder
Wendy Carlos
Wendy Carlos provided the synthesizer-based arrangements of classical music for A Clockwork Orange (1971). Her electronic interpretations of Beethoven and Rossini created a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. Kubrick's collaboration with Carlos expanded the possibilities of film scoring. The soundtrack is regarded as a pioneering work in electronic music and film.
Who directed the horror film Halloween (1978)?
Tobe Hooper
John Carpenter
David Cronenberg
Wes Craven
John Carpenter wrote, directed, and scored Halloween (1978), introducing the world to Michael Myers and Laurie Strode. His minimalist approach to tension, combined with a memorable synthesizer theme, set a template for slasher films. Carpenter's direction focused on point-of-view shots and long takes, creating a sense of dread. Halloween's success launched a major horror franchise.
The Exorcist (1973) was based on a novel by which author?
William Peter Blatty
Stephen King
Peter Benchley
Ira Levin
William Peter Blatty wrote the novel The Exorcist in 1971 and adapted it into the screenplay for the 1973 film. His story of demonic possession in a young girl became one of cinema's most famous horror tales. Blatty's background in theology informed the novel's exploration of faith and evil. The film became the highest-grossing R-rated movie at the time and won two Academy Awards.
Which Martin Scorsese film released in 1980 portrays the life of boxer Jake LaMotta?
Rocky
Goodfellas
Raging Bull
The Deer Hunter
Raging Bull (1980), directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, chronicles the rise and fall of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta. De Niro's transformative performance won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film's stark black-and-white cinematography emphasizes its gritty, raw style. Raging Bull is frequently cited as one of the greatest sports dramas ever made.
In Apocalypse Now (1979), what does Colonel Kurtz request from Captain Willard?
Safe passage back home
Authorization to terminate him
Medical supplies
Reinforcements
In Apocalypse Now, Colonel Kurtz expects Captain Willard to deliver official orders authorizing Kurtz's assassination. The secret mission underscores the film's exploration of morality and the horrors of war. Kurtz's isolation in the Cambodian jungle symbolizes his break from conventional military command. Willard's journey upriver becomes a descent into Kurtz's world of madness.
Which 1975 ensemble drama directed by Robert Altman follows multiple storylines in the country music world?
Buffalo Bill and the Indians
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Nashville
The Long Goodbye
Nashville (1975), directed by Robert Altman, weaves together the lives of country music performers and fans in Tennessee. The film's sprawling cast and multiple intersecting narratives capture the complexity of American culture. Altman's signature overlapping dialogue and improvisational style give the film a documentary feel. Nashville was nominated for five Academy Awards and remains a landmark in ensemble filmmaking.
Which 1971 Italian giallo film directed by Mario Bava is considered an early slasher precursor?
Deep Red
A Bay of Blood
Suspiria
Blood and Black Lace
A Bay of Blood (1971), directed by Mario Bava, is often cited as a forerunner of the slasher genre. Its inventive kill scenes and ensemble of victims influenced later horror films like Friday the 13th. Bava's use of vivid color and creative camera work set a visual standard for giallo and slasher movies. The film's English title is also Death Shore at Shark Lagoon.
What 1976 film was the first to use the experimental Steadicam camera system?
Taxi Driver
Rocky
Bound for Glory
Marathon Man
Bound for Glory (1976), directed by Hal Ashby, was the first feature film to use the Steadicam system, designed by Garrett Brown. The device allowed for smooth, stabilized tracking shots without traditional dolly equipment. Its debut is famously showcased in the long shot following Woody Guthrie's character walking through a labor camp. This innovation changed the way filmmakers approached camera movement.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic 1970s Films -

    Strengthen your memory of blockbuster hits and cult classics through focused 70s movie trivia questions.

  2. Identify Key Directors and Actors -

    Pinpoint legendary filmmakers and stars who defined 1970's movie trivia, enhancing your knowledge of cinematic icons.

  3. Analyze Cinematic Trends -

    Explore recurring themes and stylistic shifts in 1970s movie trivia to understand how the era shaped modern film.

  4. Apply Genre Insights -

    Differentiate between horror, sci-fi, drama, and comedy hits of the '70s to refine your genre-based movie expertise.

  5. Evaluate Your Film IQ -

    Use your quiz score to gauge mastery of 70's movie trivia and identify areas for further exploration.

  6. Discover Hidden Gems -

    Unearth lesser-known titles in 1970s movie trivia that deserve a spot on every cinephile's watch list.

Cheat Sheet

  1. New Hollywood Revolution -

    In the 1970s, directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese reshaped studio storytelling with more personal, character-driven narratives (source: American Film Institute). Remember the mnemonic "CARS" to recall Coppola, Altman, Scorsese, Spielberg as pioneering voices. Their risk-taking ethos still defines modern auteur cinema.

  2. Birth of the Summer Blockbuster -

    Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975) invented the modern summer blockbuster, leveraging nationwide release strategies and TV advertising (source: Universal Pictures Archives). Think "Jaws July Splash" to remember its summer release impact. This model set box-office records and forever changed Hollywood marketing.

  3. Cult Classics & Midnight Phenomena -

    Films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) gained fame through midnight screenings and audience participation (Journal of Film and Video). Use the phrase "Midnight Rocks" to link late-night shows and cult followings. Such grassroots popularity proved long-term fandom could trump initial box-office flops.

  4. Technological Breakthroughs -

    The invention of the Steadicam in 1975 by Garrett Brown revolutionized on-the-move cinematography (American Society of Cinematographers). Recall "Steady Shots" to connect fluid camera work with this device. It enabled iconic tracking sequences in films like Rocky (1976) and Bound for Glory (1976).

  5. Iconic 70s Film Scores -

    John Williams' scores for Star Wars (1977) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) demonstrated the power of orchestral themes in narrative cinema (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences). Memorize "Force Notes" to tie Williams' Star Wars theme to its cultural impact. His work cemented the soundtrack as a key storytelling element.

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