The 10 Best Films of 1977 — A Year That Transformed Cinema Forever

      Here are the top 10 films of 1977, ranked by their domestic box office earnings. The film in the first position permanently transformed the types of movies produced in Hollywood.

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      10 — Semi-Tough

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      In 1977, Burt Reynolds was such a major star that he featured in two films on this list. Semi-Tough is a sports comedy that revolves around a love triangle involving the distinctly 1970s cast of Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, and Jill Clayburgh.

      Released by United Artists on November 11, the film grossed over $37 million, making it No. 10 on this ranking of the top movies of 1977, based on domestic box office earnings, unadjusted for inflation.

      9 — Annie Hall

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Often regarded as Woody Allen’s masterpiece, this romantic comedy starring Allen and Diane Keaton, who plays the title character, achieved both commercial and critical success: It won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (for Keaton), and Best Director (for Allen), along with Best Screenplay for Allen and Marshall Brickman.

      Debuting in April and released by United Artists, the film earned $38.2 million. It ranks No. 9 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, unadjusted for inflation.

      8 — Oh, God!

      Warner Bros – Credit: C/O

      George Burns, who was 81 when the film was released, portrays God, who appears to an ordinary grocery store assistant manager named Jerry (played by John Denver).

      When Jerry agrees to spread God's message, his wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) is uncertain about the wisdom of it.

      This movie led to a trilogy that includes one of the films listed here. Released by Warner Bros. on October 7, it made $41.7 million, placing it at No. 8 on the list of the top movies of 1977, based on domestic box office earnings, unadjusted for inflation.

      7 — The Spy Who Loved Me

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      This is the third James Bond film featuring Roger Moore (left), who ranks No. 4 on our list of James Bond Actors, Ranked. He teams up with Soviet agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach, right) to thwart a plot that aims to annihilate civilization in favor of a new underwater world.

      They are challenged by Jaws—not the shark from the blockbuster of 1975, but the henchman portrayed by Richard Kiel.

      Released by United Artists on July 13, The Spy Who Loved Me grossed $46.8 million. It stands at No. 007 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, unadjusted for inflation.

      6 — The Deep

      Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O

      This thriller features Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte as novice treasure-hunting divers who discover the cargo from a World War II shipwreck, leading them to conflict with local criminals. It was co-written by Peter Benchley, known for writing the novel Jaws and contributing to the screenplay.

      Released by Columbia Pictures on June 17, it earned $47.3 million and ranks No. 6 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, unadjusted for inflation.

      Bisset also appears on our list of Stars of the 1970s Who Are Still Going Strong.

      5 — A Bridge Too Far

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      This World War II drama directed by Richard Attenborough features an ensemble cast, including Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, and Ryan O’Neal. It was also co-written by the renowned William Goldman (All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride).

      Released by United Artists on June 15, it grossed $50.8 million, coming in at No. 5 on the list of the top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, unadjusted for inflation.

      4 — Saturday Night Fever

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O

      With a soundtrack that epitomized the late '70s, this disco drama featuring John Travolta follows Tony Manero (Travolta) dancing and painting his way through Brooklyn. It is inspired by the New York article “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,” which author Nik Cohn later confessed was largely fabricated.

      Audiences either didn’t notice or didn’t mind. The Paramount Pictures release, which premiered on December 16, grossed $94.2 million. It proudly holds the No. 4 spot on the list of the top ten films of 1977, based on domestic box office, unadjust