The Top 10 Films of 1977 — A Year That Transformed Cinema — Ranked by Box Office Revenue

      Here are the highest-grossing films of 1977, ranked by their domestic box office earnings. The film in the top spot transformed the landscape of Hollywood filmmaking.

      10 — Semi-Tough

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Burt Reynolds was a major star in 1977, appearing in two films on this list. Semi-Tough is a sports comedy that presents a love triangle involving the quintessentially 1970s cast of Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, and Jill Clayburgh.

      Released by United Artists on November 11, the film garnered over $37 million, securing its position as No. 10 among the top movies of 1977 based on domestic box office earnings, not adjusted for inflation.

      9 — Annie Hall

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Often regarded as Woody Allen’s masterpiece, this romantic comedy features Allen alongside Diane Keaton in the title role. It was both a commercial success and a critical favorite: it won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (Keaton), and Best Director (Allen), as well as Best Screenplay for both Allen and Marshall Brickman.

      Debuting in April through United Artists, the film made $38.2 million, ranking No. 9 on our list of the top 10 movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      8 — Oh, God!

      Warner Bros – Credit: C/O

      In this film, 81-year-old George Burns portrays God, who visits Jerry (played by John Denver), a grocery store assistant manager.

      When Jerry agrees to share God’s message, his wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) questions whether it’s a wise decision.

      The movie inspired a trilogy, including another film featured on this list. Released by Warner Bros on October 7, it earned $41.7 million, placing it at No. 8 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      7 — The Spy Who Loved Me

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      The third James Bond film featuring Roger Moore pairs him with Soviet agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) as they work together to thwart a plan to destroy civilization in favor of a new underwater world.

      They face challenges from Jaws, played by Richard Kiel, rather than the shark from the highest-grossing film of 1975.

      The film, released by United Artists on July 13, took in $46.8 million, ranking at No. 7 among the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      6 — The Deep

      Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O

      This thriller stars Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte as amateur divers in search of treasure who uncover the cargo of a World War II wreck, leading them into conflict with local criminals. The film was co-written by Peter Benchley, known for writing the novel Jaws.

      Released by Columbia Pictures on June 17, it grossed $47.3 million. It ranks No. 6 in the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      Bisset is also featured on our list of Stars of the 1970s Who Are Still Active.

      5 — A Bridge Too Far

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Richard Attenborough’s World War II drama boasts a strong cast, showcasing talents like Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, and the recently deceased Ryan O’Neal. The screenplay was co-written by the renowned William Goldman (All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride).

      Released on June 15 by United Artists, it grossed $50.8 million, making it No. 5 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      4 — Saturday Night Fever

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Featuring a soundtrack emblematic of the late 70s, this John Travolta disco drama tells the story of Tony Manero (Travolta), who paints and dances his way through Brooklyn. The film is based on the New York article “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,” which the author Nik Cohn later confessed was largely fabricated.

      Audiences were either oblivious or indifferent to this fact. The Paramount Pictures release, which came out on December 16, amassed $94.2 million, placing it at No. 4 on the list of the top 10 movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.

      It also made a notable impact.

      3 — Close Encounters of the Third Kind

      Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Stephen Spielberg's follow-up to his blockbuster Jaws, which reunited him