Top 10 Highest-Grossing Movies of the 70s

First up on our list of the top 10 highest-grossing 70s movies is Saturday Night Fever , which defined the disco era on screen and danced its way to an impressive $237.1 million worldwide. John Badham‘s film followed Tony Manero, a Brooklyn kid who lived for Saturday nights at the disco.

John Travolta‘s performance as Tony launched him to stardom. The Bee Gees‘ soundtrack became inseparable from the film, with hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever” topping charts globally. At the same time, the movie tackled tough issues like class and racial tensions.

Saturday Night Fever left a lasting mark on pop culture, influencing fashion and music for years. It captured a unique moment in time, showing both the thrill and the hidden side of disco culture.

Of course, next, we had to include Francis Ford Coppola‘s adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel The Godfather. This movie adaptation turned the book’s story about the Corleone family crime into something even more powerful on screen. This fan-favorite film earned between $250 and $291 million at the box office.

Marlon Brando starred as Don Vito Corleone, the family’s powerful leader. His quiet, raspy-voiced performance became instantly iconic. Al Pacino, then a newcomer, played Michael, Vito’s son, who slowly got pulled into the family business.

It also won the Oscar for Best Picture and is often called one of the greatest films ever made. While I personally wouldn’t go that far, it was definitely more than just a gangster movie. It told a complex story about family, power, and the dark side of the American Dream.

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Next on our list of the top 10 highest-grossing 70s movies is Smokey and the Bandit , which raced to an impressive $126.7 million at the domestic box office. This action-comedy followed Bo “Bandit” Darville as he attempted to smuggle beer across state lines.

Burt Reynolds played the Bandit alongside Sally Field and Jackie Gleason. Their performances helped drive the film to unexpected success. The film’s portrayal of Southern culture and rebellious spirit resonated widely, making it the second highest-grossing film of 1977, behind only Star Wars.

Smokey and the Bandit also made the Pontiac Trans Am an iconic car. It also spawned two sequels, cementing its place as one of the best 70s blockbusters.

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Another one of the highest-grossing movies of the 70s was Superman. Richard Donner’s movie brought the comic book hero to life like never before, wowing audiences everywhere.

Christopher Reeve played Clark Kent/Superman, making us all think a guy in tights could actually soar through the sky. With Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as the bad guy Lex Luthor, the cast was star-studded. No wonder the movie raked in a whopping $300.2 million worldwide – about $1.2 billion in today’s money!

Superman didn’t just make money—it changed the game for superhero movies. It showed that comic book films could be serious and please both critics and audiences, earning a spot on our list.

Next on our list of 70s blockbusters is Close Encounters of the Third Kind . This Steven Spielberg sci-fi classic captivated audiences with its blend of mystery, wonder, and groundbreaking special effects. The film followed Roy Neary, played by Richard Dreyfuss, an ordinary man whose life was forever changed after a close encounter with a UFO.

Close Encounters was a box office phenomenon, earning $306.8 million worldwide. It proved that thoughtful, visually stunning science fiction could be profitable. Likewise, the film’s impact on popular culture was equally as impressive, with its five-note alien musical sequence becoming instantly recognizable, even today.

Spielberg’s vision of extraterrestrial contact resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning the film numerous awards including an Oscar for Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography.

The 1978 film Grease instantly had audiences hopelessly devoted to its catchy tunes and cast, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John playing Danny and Sandy.

Grease grossed an impressive $366 million worldwide. The soundtrack album also topped charts globally, with hits like “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” becoming karaoke staples for decades to come.

Beyond being one of the top 10 highest-grossing 70s movies, the film’s enduring popularity has also led to countless stage revivals, a sequel, and its status as the ultimate feel-good musical of the 70s.

Next, Enter the Dragon introduced the legendary Bruce Lee to global audiences. It was a groundbreaking hit. Bruce Lee played Lee, a skilled martial artist recruited for a secret mission. The movie made an impressive $400 million worldwide, captivating audiences with the intense action.

Robert Clouse directed this influential movie, and Bruce Lee also helped develop the story. This collaboration truly created a perfect martial arts film. It had philosophy, style, and breathtaking fight choreography. Overall, this high-grossing movie popularized martial arts films globally and inspired countless future action movies.

Up next, The Exorcist shocked audiences with its terrifying portrayal of demonic possession. It was an instant horror sensation. Linda Blair played Regan, a young girl whose disturbing behavior led to an exorcism.

The movie earned a staggering $428 million worldwide and over $230 million domestically. Undoubtedly, audiences were both horrified and fascinated by its shocking content. They witnessed head-spinning, projectile vomiting, and chilling supernatural occurrences. Too much for me to stomach—that’s for sure!

William Friedkin directed this influential movie, working from William Peter Blatty’s screenplay based on his own novel. The high-grossing movie became the third highest-grossing film of the 70s, despite its modest $12 million budget. Even today, The Exorcist continues to be regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, maintaining its power to terrify audiences even 50 years after its release.

Another one of the highest-grossing movies of the 70s was Jaws – the first true blockbuster. Audiences were captivated by its perfect blend of horror, action, and excitement.

The movie earned an incredible $476 million worldwide. Audiences watched in suspense as Brody, oceanographer Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) hunted the relentless predator, a massive great white shark. The film had it all: tension, memorable characters, and groundbreaking (for the time)… effects.

Yet again, Steven Spielberg directed this influential movie, working from Peter Benchley’s novel. This collaboration created the quintessential summer blockbuster. Jaws not only dominated the box office but also changed Hollywood’s approach to movie releases and marketing.

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Last but definitely not least on our list of the highest-grossing movies of the 70s is Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. As the first film in the original trilogy, this film introduced audiences to a galaxy far, far away, filled with unforgettable characters and adventures.

Released in 1977, it became an instant hit, earning approximately $775 million worldwide in its original run. Viewers were captivated by Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo’s battle against the evil Empire. The film’s groundbreaking special effects also set new standards for moviemaking.

A New Hope established the foundation for the massive and ever-growing Star Wars franchise. Decades later, it remains a beloved classic, still consistently ranked among the most influential films ever made.