1978 was a box office rollercoaster. Musicals made millions, horror rewrote the rules and a certain superhero changed cinema forever. While Star Wars was still dominating re-releases from 1977, a new crop of films made their mark – some expected, some completely surprising.
Here are the top movies of 1978 based on box office takings at the time. Let’s rewind and see what had audiences queuing around the block.
🥇 1. Grease
U.S. Box Office: ~$190 million
Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta danced their way to box office gold. Grease was a phenomenon, tapping into 1950s nostalgia with 1970s pizzazz. It became the highest-grossing musical of all time (until Beauty and the Beast in 1991) and had everyone singing along to Summer Nights.
🎶 Why it worked: Iconic songs, irresistible chemistry, and a feel-good story that’s still playing in school halls and karaoke nights today.
🥈 2. Superman: The Movie
U.S. Box Office (initial release): ~$134 million
Christopher Reeve’s Superman was a cultural milestone. Released in December 1978, it soared through the holiday season and kept climbing well into 1979. It wasn’t just a hit—it was the birth of the modern superhero blockbuster.
🦸♂️ Why it worked: Groundbreaking effects, epic scale, and a perfect balance of hope, heart, and heroics.
READ MORE: Superman (1978): Brando as a Bagel, Pink Panties & A Terrible Ending
🥉 3. Animal House
U.S. Box Office: ~$120 million
National Lampoon’s Animal House was the underdog hit of the year. With its raunchy humour and anti-authority attitude, it turned John Belushi into a star and proved college chaos could be box office gold.
🍻 Why it worked: Irreverent, quotable, and totally different from anything else in theaters. Plus, that toga party scene…
🧟 4. Every Which Way But Loose
U.S. Box Office: ~$85 million
Yes, this really happened. Clint Eastwood plays a bare-knuckle brawler traveling across America with his pet orangutan. It defied logic and smashed expectations.
🙈 Why it worked: Eastwood’s star power, a catchy country soundtrack, and pure, goofy charm.
🎭 5. Heaven Can Wait
U.S. Box Office: ~$81 million
Warren Beatty directed and starred in this fantasy-comedy about a man who dies before his time and is sent back to Earth in a new body. It was sentimental, funny, and totally unique for its time.
👼 Why it worked: Smart script, great cast, and a tone that blended romance and reincarnation with heart.
🎩 7. Hooper
U.S. Box Office: ~$78 million
Burt Reynolds plays a daredevil stuntman in this high-octane, behind-the-scenes action comedy. Hooper was peak Reynolds – charismatic, cocky and totally watchable.
🚗 Why it worked: Stunts, swagger, and the Burt factor.
🥉 8. Revenge of the Pink Panther
U.S. Box Office: ~$49.6 million
The beloved bumbling Inspector Clouseau returns in another round of slapstick and intrigue. Steve Martin took over the Clouseau role in this sequel and revitalized the series with fresh comedic energy.
🎭 Why it worked: Classic Pink Panther physical comedy blended with Martin’s new take on Clouseau—familiar yet reinvigorated. A hit with long-time fans and newcomers alike.
🎖 9. The Deer Hunter
U.S. Box Office: ~$49.0 million
A serious, sprawling drama centered on friendship, trauma, and the Vietnam War. Though gritty and ambitious, it struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
🧠 Why it worked: Powerful emotional storytelling, ensemble cast (De Niro, Walken, others), and the cultural importance of its themes in late‑1970s America.
🔪 10. Halloween
U.S. Box Office: ~$47 million
Michael Myers slashed his way into box office history. Halloween wasn’t just a success – it was a financial miracle. One of the most profitable indie films ever, it kickstarted the slasher boom and scared the pants off audiences.
🎃 Why it worked: Simplicity, suspense, and that unforgettable score. Audiences were terrified – and they kept coming back for more.
The top movies of 1978 prove that audiences were ready for just about anything: disco musicals, horror icons, slapstick college rebels, and even orangutans. And while these box office champs weren’t all critical darlings, they showed the power of crowd-pleasing entertainment.
It’s nice to see a bunch of movies do well at the Box Office that aren’t all superhero movies…
READ MORE: How Darth Vader Helped Superman Fly – and 8 Other Wild ’78 Film Facts