Search Movie Plot Summaries & Endings Explained

Mystery · Tense tone · Bleak ending

Dark August (1976)

After a careless city driver runs over a young girl, her grieving grandfather invokes ancient mystical powers to lay a death‑curse on the perpetrator. Determined to avoid the fatal penalty, the driver, Barry, turns to a local psychic medium for help, hoping to break the hex before it claims his life.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Max Havelaar (1976)

An idealistic Dutch colonial officer stationed in 19th‑century Indonesia believes he can enact reforms that will truly benefit the Javanese people under his authority. However, he soon discovers how disconnected he is from the realities of colonial rule, and his well‑meaning efforts rapidly spiral into deeper disaster.

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Action · Dark tone

The Blazing Temple (1976)

Angered by a repressive Qing regime, young men seek training at the Shaolin Temple. The Qing Emperor Yungzheng, fearing the temple harbors rebels, orders a brutal purge and its destruction, becoming widely hated. Years later, surviving disciples led by Carter Wong plot to assassinate the tyrant. The film offers sweeping martial‑arts action typical of director Joseph Kuo.

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Mystery · Dark tone · Mixed ending

Death at Love House (1976)

Donna and Joel Gregory stay at the mansion of former star Lorna Love while researching a book about the long‑dead Hollywood goddess. Joel, whose father once had a passionate affair with Lorna, becomes increasingly obsessed with her. His wife struggles to break the spell that threatens both their marriage and their very lives.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Massacre at Central High (1976)

VIOLENCE-DRENCHED VARIETY Maimed by bullies at a California high school, a new student engineers acts of revenge.

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Adventure · Hopeful tone · Bittersweet ending

At the Earth's Core (1976)

Driven by scientific curiosity, Dr. Abner Perry and David Innes discover a hidden, subterranean world inhabited by primitive humans and monstrous, mind-reading creatures. David finds himself drawn to the captivating Dia, but their connection is threatened when she is selected as a human sacrifice. He must then join a perilous quest to rescue her and confront the dangers of this extraordinary underground realm, filled with both wonder and peril.

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Horror · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Haunts (1976)

Past traumas begin to manifest as present terror when a woman is plagued by psychosexual nightmares and a deranged killer stalks the town with brutal scissor murders. A small‑town sheriff races to uncover the link between her haunting visions and the murders before the nightmare claims more victims.

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Drama · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

The Tenth Level (1976)

Inspired by Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments, the TV film follows psychology professor Stephen Turner as he conducts a controversial study on why ordinary people, even Nazis, obey harmful orders. Turner convinces his students they are delivering increasingly painful electric shocks to subjects who err, and watches with alarm as they willingly inflict suffering “in the name of science.”

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Horror · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

J.D.’s Revenge (1976)

After being shot dead in the 1940s, infamous New Orleans gangster J.D. Walker’s restless spirit lingers for three decades. When a hypnotist’s supernatural nightclub act creates a doorway, Walker seizes the body of a timid law student, using it to exact vengeance on the men who killed him, while also pursuing the woman he loved.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

The House with Laughing Windows (1976)

A young restorer is hired to preserve a deteriorating fresco that depicts the martyrdom of St. Sebastiano, painted directly on the wall of a remote church by an enigmatic, long‑dead artist. As she works, she confronts the haunting legacy of the painter and the unsettling history hidden within the mural.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

The Shootist (1976)

A former gunslinger, J.B. Books, learns he has cancer and only a few months to live. Seeking a peaceful end, he rents a room from Bond Rogers and her son Gillom in a quiet town. He hopes to spend his final days in solitude, but finds himself facing unexpected challenges and a complicated relationship with the mother and son.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Gator (1976)

After his release from prison, notorious outlaw Gator McKlusky seeks redemption in the Okefenokee Swamp. Facing the threat of losing his daughter, he reluctantly joins forces with a determined reporter and a diverse group of allies. Together, they must confront the dangerous Bama McCall, a ruthless crime lord who controls the region and poses a significant threat to Gator and his family.

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Drama · Bleak tone · Bleak ending

Coup de Grâce (1976)

A countess loves her brother’s Prussian-officer friend in the 1919 Baltic area.

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Sci-Fi · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Futureworld (1976)

In a sprawling, futuristic resort where technology reigns supreme, investigative journalists Chuck Browning and Tracy Ballard stumble upon a disturbing secret hidden beneath the polished surface of the Delos facility. While exploring the advanced environment, they uncover a sinister plot orchestrated by Dr. Duffy. Navigating a world where the distinction between humans and machines is increasingly blurred, they race against time to prevent a potential disaster with far-reaching consequences for humanity.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

The Ritz (1976)

A comedic mishap kicks off when Gaetano Proclo checks into The Ritz for a single night. Fleeing a mobster, he instructs a cab driver to take him to an undisclosed hideaway, only to discover the refuge is a gay bathhouse, leading to a series of humorous complications. The unexpected setting forces Gaetano to navigate awkward encounters and mistaken identities, amplifying the farcical tone.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bleak ending

The Inheritance (1976)

Set in Rome in 1880, the family patriarch decides to close the bakery that has been in the family for years. His ambitious daughter‑in‑law manipulates her brothers‑in‑law, working to block their father's planned remarriage so she can secure the inheritance for herself.

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Western · Melancholic tone · Sad ending

From Noon Till Three (1976)

Graham Dorsey, a notorious bank robber, spends a brief, intense encounter with the widowed Amanda Starbuck just as his gang embarks on a botched holdup. When he learns his partners are dead, Dorsey goes underground. Convinced her lover is dead, Amanda capitalizes on the affair by penning a memoir about the outlaw, unwittingly turning Dorsey’s name into legend while he, very much alive, watches the story unfold.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Obsession (1976)

This gripping drama explores the complexities of obsession and its destructive power through five interconnected stories. The narratives follow diverse characters, including a Japanese traveler searching for answers and a man consumed by despair. Each episode delves into the darker aspects of the human mind, examining the depths of human struggle and the devastating consequences of confronting our deepest fears.

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Horror · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Squirm (1976)

On a storm‑ridden night, a violent electrical storm brings down power lines onto the rain‑soaked fields surrounding Fly Creek, home to an aggressive breed of worms. The surge of high voltage mutates the creatures into massive, hostile, man‑eating hordes that stalk the town’s residents, turning the quiet community into a ground of crawling terror.

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Drama · Tense tone · Happy ending

The Message (1976)

Set in sixth‑century Mecca, the film follows Prophet Muhammad as he receives his first divine revelation and, three years later, publicly declares his mission as God’s messenger. He confronts opposition from Meccan rulers Abu Sufyan and his wife Hind, as his early followers endure hunting, torture and exile, yet remain steadfast to Islam.

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Action · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Drum (1976)

MANDINGO lit the fuse… DRUM is the explosion! A mid-19th century mulatto slave is torn between his success as a pit-fighter and the injustices of white society.

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Horror · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

To the Devil a Daughter (1976)

A desperate father seeks help from a reluctant occult investigator when his daughter is taken by a sinister priest. The priest, bound by a pact with dark forces, threatens the family’s safety. As the situation escalates, the investigator must confront the priest and unravel the mystery behind his power, leading to a terrifying battle between good and evil.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

The Gumball Rally (1976)

A driven entrepreneur and his business rival settle a dispute by competing in an unsanctioned, cross-country race. They're joined by a diverse group of drivers, each with their own motivations, as they embark on a high-stakes, no-holds-barred adventure from New York to Los Angeles. The race tests their skills, their friendships, and their determination to win.

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Action · Dark tone · Happy ending

Shaolin Traitorous (1976)

A young boy witnesses corrupt officials murder his parents, vows revenge, and trains at the Shaolin Temple in a standout kung‑fu sequence. Now an adult (Carter Wong), he allies with Polly Shang Kwan after initial friction. Together they face the villains in a clever showdown where imperial guards form towering human structures to Sammo Hung’s drumming, climaxing in a dramatic mountain‑top duel.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Ambiguous ending

Lifeguard (1976)

A dedicated lifeguard in Southern California finds his life unexpectedly complicated when he encounters his former love, now a single mother, at their high school reunion. Reconnecting sparks renewed feelings, but also triggers an identity crisis. He struggles to reconcile his passion for saving lives with the allure of a more conventional, corporate career path, questioning what truly defines his purpose.

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Comedy · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)

Bingo Long, a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues, grows tired of his owner’s mistreatment and decides to start his own traveling team. He enlists power hitter Leon Carter and aspiring major‑leaguer Charlie Snow. Though black teams boycott them, Long’s squad tours white minor‑league towns, gaining fame more for their showmanship than pure skill. Their popularity eventually earns them a place back in the Negro League, this time on equal footing.

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Drama · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Moving Violation (1976)

When a drifter and a small‑town waitress accidentally witness a corrupt sheriff murder his own deputy, they are quickly framed for the crime. Hunted by the very officer they trusted, the duo must flee across the countryside, fighting to stay alive while trying to expose the sheriff’s betrayal.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

A Small Town in Texas (1976)

In a tiny Texas town, Poke is desperate to reunite with his girlfriend and leave. A corrupt sheriff frames him for a drug bust, seizes his lover, and uses his power to crush Poke. As the sheriff’s abuse deepens, a tense cat‑and‑mouse battle erupts, forcing Poke to confront the lawman and fight for his love.

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Sport · Light tone · Happy ending

Gus (1976)

A surprising pregnancy leads to an unexpected family arrangement when Lizzie’s best friend, Andie, offers to help raise her baby. The close friends navigate the challenges and joys of impending parenthood, forcing Lizzie’s husband, Peter, to confront his evolving role and learn the true meaning of family and support. It's a comedic and heartwarming story about friendship, responsibility, and finding your place in an expanding family.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Cannonball! (1976)

Coy "Cannonball" Buckman, played by David Carradine, enters the Trans-America Grand Prix, an underground road race with no rules and a $100,000 prize. Behind the wheel of his distinctive red Pontiac, he faces a diverse group of international drivers pushing their vehicles to the limit. Buckman’s ambition to join the prestigious Modern Motors team puts him in direct competition with rival Cade Redman, leading to intense clashes and a thrilling battle for supremacy on the open road.

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Sci-Fi · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Shivers (1976)

A young man's life is tragically altered when he endures Stalinist brainwashing following his father's arrest. Initially manipulated into accepting communist ideology, he undergoes a disturbing transformation that clashes with his family's values. As he embraces his new role, the return of his father reveals the unsettling impact of ideological control and the devastating consequences of losing one's innocence.

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Fantasy · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Magical Mystery Tour (1976)

Four friends find themselves on a magical bus embarking on a surreal and dreamlike adventure. Their journey takes them through a whimsical world filled with fantasy, music, and unexpected encounters. They experience a series of bizarre vignettes featuring eccentric characters and enjoy iconic songs including "Magical Mystery Tour," "I Am the Walrus," and "The Fool on the Hill," blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

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Family · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Treasure of Matecumbe (1976)

In post‑Civil War Kentucky, teenage David Burnic unexpectedly inherits a family secret: a weathered map pointing to a cache of gold hidden on the remote Florida island of Matecumbe. He sets out on a perilous quest, facing rival treasure hunters, treacherous terrain, and the mysteries of the past as he strives to claim the legendary riches.

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Western · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

After losing his family to Union soldiers, Josey Wales joins a Confederate guerrilla group seeking retribution. When the war ends and the Confederacy collapses, Josey finds himself an outlaw with a bounty on his head. He flees to Texas, where he must evade relentless pursuit while attempting to build a new existence and grapple with the trauma of his past.

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Adventure · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (1976)

Asterix and his faithful companion Obelix embark on a daring quest to accomplish twelve seemingly impossible tasks, hoping to convince Julius Caesar that their strength rivals that of the gods. Their hilariously clever antics—outwitting, outrunning, and utterly confounding the Romans who insist they are merely human—keep the laughs rolling from start to finish.

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Horror · Dark tone · Bleak ending

The Omen (1976)

An American diplomat and his wife adopt a seemingly normal infant who quickly brings an unsettling atmosphere and a series of disturbing events to their household. As unexplained deaths occur around the child, Damien, the father, Robert Thorn, begins to suspect that his son may be more than he appears. He must confront a terrifying truth about Damien's identity and the horrifying implications for his family and the world.

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Drama · Dark tone · Sad ending

The Tenant (1976)

A repressed man's quiet life in Paris is disrupted when he rents a new apartment. Soon, unsettling events and strange occurrences begin to plague him, leading him to suspect he is being stalked and manipulated. As he investigates the history of the apartment and its previous tenant, his perception of reality unravels, and he finds himself caught in a disturbing psychological game.

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Action · Light tone · Ambiguous ending

The Big Bus (1976)

Finally, a disaster comedy that embraces its own demise. The film follows a nuclear‑powered bus on its inaugural nonstop run from New York to Denver, only to be sabotaged by a shadowy group backed by the oil lobby. The down‑on‑his‑luck driver—infamous for devouring his passengers—must battle relentless catastrophes to see the journey through.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976)

Sam Longwood, a frontiersman past his prime, learns his gold‑prospecting partner Jack Colby fled with the mine’s loot fifteen years ago. He gathers comrades Joe Knox and Billy and demands the stolen money. When Colby refuses, they hire a schemer named Thursday to kidnap Colby’s wife, Nancy Sue—Sam’s former flame—only to discover she’s not the woman he recalls.

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Mystery · Whimsical tone · Ambiguous ending

Murder by Death (1976)

A group of quirky private detectives are invited to a mysterious castle for a murder mystery game hosted by eccentric millionaire Lionel Twain. The detectives, each with unique skills and personalities, are competing for a substantial $1 million prize. However, the game takes a dark turn when Twain's blind butler is found dead, raising the stakes and forcing the detectives to become suspects themselves. Now, they must use their investigative talents to determine who among them is the real killer.

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