Top Grossing Movies of 1970s

Cinema in the 1970s

Here are the top grossing movies of the 1970s in the United States, adjusted for inflation:

1. Star Wars (1977) – $1.6 billion
2. Jaws (1975) – $1.2 billion
3. Grease (1978) – $1.1 billion
4. The Exorcist (1973) – $997 million
5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – $855 million
6. Superman (1978) – $816 million
7. The Godfather (1972) – $786 million
8. Rocky (1976) – $711 million
9. American Graffiti (1973) – $708 million
10. The Sting (1973) – $663 million

These movies were all hugely successful and continue to be beloved by audiences today.

Characteristics of Cinema in the 1970s

1. Greater realism: The cinema of the 1970s featured a greater emphasis on realism and authenticity, with films that explored complex social issues and presented characters that were flawed and multi-dimensional.
2. Rise of independent cinema: The 1970s saw the rise of independent cinema, with directors and producers taking creative risks and exploring new subject matter that was often considered taboo or controversial.
3. Influential auteurs: The decade produced many influential auteurs, including Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, and Robert Altman, who challenged the conventions of mainstream Hollywood cinema and developed their own unique styles and voices.
4. Cinematic experimentation: The cinema of the 1970s was marked by a willingness to experiment with narrative structure, visual style, and storytelling techniques, resulting in films that were often non-linear, fragmented, and unconventional.
5. Social commentary: Many of the films of the 1970s were characterized by a strong social and political commentary, reflecting the tumultuous times in which they were made. Films explored topics such as Vietnam War, Watergate scandal, urban decay, and civil rights movement.
6. Emergence of blockbusters: The 1970s also saw the emergence of the blockbuster film, with movies like Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977) breaking box office records and changing the way that movies were marketed and distributed.

Overall, the cinema of the 1970s was marked by creativity, experimentation, and a willingness to challenge the norms of mainstream Hollywood cinema. Many of the films of this era continue to be regarded as classics and have had a lasting influence on the medium of cinema.