1970: “Colossus: The Forbin Project” – A story about a supercomputer that gains sentience and presents a realistic and terrifying vision of artificial intelligence long before it was a common topic in science fiction films.

1971: “A Clockwork Orange” – Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian crime film, based on Anthony Burgess’s 1962 novel of the same name, which explores violent youth culture and societal attempts at rehabilitation through psychological manipulation.

1972: “Solaris” – Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, this film confronts the themes of grief and memory, presenting a deeply philosophical narrative about human encounters with alien intelligences.

1973: “Soylent Green” – A film set in a dystopian future suffering from pollution, overpopulation, depleted resources, poverty, and global warming – all leading to the dramatic revelation about Soylent Green.

1974: “Dark Star” – John Carpenter’s directorial debut providing a satirical take on space travel and exploration, following the misadventures of a spaceship crew tasked with destroying unstable planets.

1975: “Rollerball” – A sports action film that paints a grim future where a corporate-controlled society revolves around an ultra-violent sport used to distract the populace from questioning authority.

1976: “Logan’s Run” – Delving into issues such as ageism and utopian societies, this film features a world where life must end at 30 to maintain population balance.

1977: “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” – George Lucas’s epic space opera that revolutionized special effects and storytelling in science fiction, creating one of the most enduring cinematic franchises.

1978: “Superman” – Richard Donner directed this superhero film starring Christopher Reeve; it’s recognized as one of the first serious, high-budget adaptations of a comic book to screen, setting standards for the genre.

1979: “Alien” – Ridley Scott’s masterpiece combining science fiction with horror, introducing the iconic character Ellen Ripley and the terrifying Xenomorph species in a gripping tale of survival.