The Best 10 Films of 1977, a Year That Transformed Cinema Indelibly
Here are the ten highest-grossing movies of 1977, ranked by domestic box office performance. The film at number one dramatically transformed the types of movies produced in Hollywood.
10 – Semi-Tough
United Artists – Credit: C/O
Burt Reynolds was such a prominent figure in 1977 that he appeared in two films on this list. Semi-Tough is a sports comedy that showcases a love triangle involving Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, and Jill Clayburgh, who represent a quintessentially 1970s cast.
This United Artists release, which premiered on November 11, earned over $37 million, placing it at number 10 among the top films 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 finest work, this romantic comedy features Allen and Diane Keaton, who plays the title role. It achieved both commercial and critical success: winning the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Actress (for Keaton), Best Director (for Allen), and Best Screenplay for Allen and Marshall Brickman.
Released by United Artists in April, the film made $38.2 million, earning it the number 9 spot on the list of the ten top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, without inflation adjustments.
8 – Oh, God!
Warner Bros – Credit: C/O
George Burns, aged 81 at the time of the film's release, portrays God, who visits Jerry (played by John Denver), a grocery store assistant manager. When Jerry consents to disseminate God’s message, his wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) has her doubts about the wisdom of this decision.
The film led to a trilogy, which includes one of the entries on this list. Released by Warner Bros. on October 7, it grossed $41.7 million, securing the number 8 position on the 1977 movie list, based on domestic box office revenue, unadjusted for inflation.
7 – The Spy Who Loved Me
United Artists – Credit: C/O
In the third James Bond film featuring Roger Moore (left), he teams up with Soviet agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach, right) to thwart a plot intended to replace civilization with a new underwater world. They contend with the villain Jaws, portrayed by Richard Kiel, who is not the iconic shark from the 1975 blockbuster.
Released by United Artists on July 13, The Spy Who Loved Me raked in $46.8 million. It ranks as number 007 among the top movies of 1977 in terms of domestic box office earnings, not adjusted for inflation.
6 – The Deep
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
This thriller stars Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte as novice treasure-hunting divers who uncover the cargo from a World War II shipwreck, drawing the ire of local criminals. The screenplay was co-written by Peter Benchley, who authored the novel Jaws and co-wrote its film adaptation.
The film was released by Columbia Pictures on June 17 and grossed $47.3 million. It holds the number 6 spot among the top movies of 1977, based on domestic box office figures, unadjusted for inflation.
Additionally, Bisset appears on our list of Stars of the 1970s Who Are Still Thriving.
5 – A Bridge Too Far
United Artists – Credit: C/O
This World War II drama, directed by Richard Attenborough, features an impressive ensemble cast, including Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, and the late Ryan O’Neal. The screenplay was co-written by the acclaimed William Goldman (All the President's Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride).
Released by United Artists on June 15, the film earned $50.8 million, placing it at number 5 on the list of the top movies of 1977, based on domestic box office revenue, not adjusted for inflation.
4 – Saturday Night Fever
Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O
With a soundtrack that encapsulated the late ’70s, this disco drama starring John Travolta follows Tony Manero (Travolta), who paints and dances his way through Brooklyn. It is based on a New York article titled “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,” which author Nik Cohn later confessed he predominantly fabricated.
Audiences seemed oblivious to this, or simply didn’t mind. Released on December 16 by Paramount Pictures, the film racked up $94.2 million, securing the number 4 position on the list of the top 10 movies of 1977, by domestic box office earnings, not adjusted for inflation.
It also earned a place on the list.
3 – Close Encounters of
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The Best 10 Films of 1977, a Year That Transformed Cinema Indelibly
Here are the ten highest-grossing films of 1977, a year that significantly launched the blockbuster era, ranked by their box office earnings.
