1970s TV Movies Gen X Will Never Forget
In the 1970s, network executives started warming to the idea of making low budget movies for television, and began adding them to their prime time lineups.
Today’s video is all about the best and most-watched made for TV movies of the 70s. I’m going to call it a prequel to my 80s TV movie summer series.
My name is Natalie. This is my so-called Gen X Life. And Here is my list of the top 10 best and most-watched TV movies of the 1970s.
My Video About Behind The Scenes TV Tragedies…
https://youtu.be/mPOQm6GMP_g?si=T-4Jln7M7YduOb6L
Honorable Mentions
I Want To Keep My Baby (1976)
http://ok.ru/video/6701593987750
Sweet Hostage (1975)
https://youtu.be/GG9P2SKZedQ?si=vP8HQwbY2RcuMt3j
Satan’s School For Girls (1973)
https://youtu.be/0UJ9yLj769U?si=L-03Z6z-W6pnwYEl
10. The Execution of Private Slovik (1974)
7:46
https://youtu.be/N7FDhGJOnG0?si=8NYCweBOjqcUHE73
9. Something for Joey (1977)
10:20
https://youtu.be/mX3DScoCB0U?si=Z0UcmXRMIXlazmYo
https://youtu.be/Xfyz81vKUCk?si=sFheuPgHbwBiQ1fl
8. The Jericho Mile (1979)
12:54
https://youtu.be/LP12IEkNalg?si=XoQdj6QIWSjgk89q
7. Friendly Fire (1979)
15:49
https://tubitv.com/movies/466818/friendly-fire
6. Duel (1971)
18:05
https://youtu.be/v-RjcyPg8o8?si=MG_DciEUENu05_4C
5. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
21:00
https://youtu.be/a0ILMUMtzos?si=-wxqWioTT5gEqNXj
4. The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975)
23:15
https://youtu.be/LI2t6Qb9Vjk?si=nFNREoYxwrgaOA_A
3. The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976)
26:17
https://youtu.be/wakyJSYeiNY?si=Wd9z4Uj_sLdWP6sN
2. The Night Stalker (1972)
28:53
https://youtu.be/Dcd-U70SYgI?si=KFPR8WB7PBVYakYu
1. Brian’s Song (1971)
32:03
https://youtu.be/v1_uqeeBdsQ?si=oEPnxwkZa8ynOMdP
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@toshiojohnston3732
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
It was from friendly fire that the public learned what friendly fire meant
@lisadempsey9259
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I still watch Kolshak!!!!!💖💖💖
@lisadempsey9259
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
In the lizzie Borden movie, when the father kills lizzies pet pigeon s…I thought "well I would have killed the monster too!"
@WayneMatthew-p2d
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Great piece. I’ve been meaning to watch most of these but surprised I didn’t see some even make a honorable mention; ie Trilogy of Terror, Salem’s Lot and the one that ruined me – Don’t Be Afraid of The Dark! Opinions? Cheers!🙂
@damonpowell881
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
One of my favorites as a kid in the 70s and in rerun was Summer of Fear/Stranger in the House. Also with Linda Blair
@usuckthereturn
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Ok look…a cameo by Jerry Sandusky!
@usuckthereturn
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Bubble Boy was hilarious!
@jimbraciliano443
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I'm surprised that Helter Skelter didn't make the list, that movie scared the crap out of me.
@jonahmartin1780
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I remember watching "The Execution of Private Slovik" on The History Channel as a teenager and I was floored when I learned the kid was Charlie Sheen. If I can nominate one movie that you didn't list for inclusion, it would S.O.S. Titanic. As a Titanic obsessed kid growing up I remember watching it on TBS the night that National Geographic Explorer premiered the episode about discovering the wreck of Titanic. My grandparents recorded both of these for me and watched them to death growing up! knowing what I've learned since then, It actually was pretty historically accurate and a not half bad movie either.
@JackJackIsBackBack
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Will you be doing a video on the best miniseries? Sybil, Roots, etc?
@alliematt1016
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I watched Brian’s Song with a group of girls in college (c. 1983). When Gale Sayers and his wife came home, someone yelled, “Does anyone notice that this is the same house as Bewitched?”
We had a crying orgy after the movie was done.
@beckr11
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I remember 2 TV movies that were a big splash when they came out. 1. "Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway", and its follow-up, 2. "Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn."
@michelsennett5375
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Another groundbreaking movie was Elizabeth Montgomery's 'A Case of Rape' from 1974. A fantastic dramatic performance from Liz and focus on the problems victims faced then and unfortunately today when it comes to credibility.
@RyanTurner-p4w
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Thank you for the deep dive! I remember watching all of these as a kid with my family. These and other similar items that did not make the cut on your lists truly were social, cultural, and even political events. It's so weird to think about a time when having few programming options actually did make for some groundbreaking experiences when "tv" and "movies" blended. Here's to being a '70s kid. Kudos…
@Starfire77
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
It’s also crazy to realize how much resembles his dad. Some of their mannerisms are similar and watching young James in this movie remind me of Scott in some of his roles.
@Starfire77
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I was hoping you would mention Brian’s Song. This is forever one of my favorite tv movies. They remade it in 2001 but this one from 1971 will forever be the best.
@tanyamack6503
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Burning bed was phenomenal
@rebeccao8895
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
In the late 70’s our family was living in Connecticut. One night my Dad was driving home from work and picked up Linda Blaire who was hitchhiking.
@adamethridge7824
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Carol Burnett was quite the actress
@adamethridge7824
April 30, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Micheal man didn’t he do heat and Miami vice
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