51 Years Later, These Are the 10 Best Movies of 1975

1975 was a critical year in film history that changed the industry forever. There are certain years like 1939, 1977, and 2007 that are cited as being particularly influential, but 1975 was unique in how it exemplified many of the best filmmakers and actors alive when they were at the height of their powers. It’s not only the rare year in which all five films that were nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards were true masterpieces that were worthy of their recognition, but the singular moment in which Hollywood understood what “blockbuster” releases could look like, leading to Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind shortly thereafter.