History's Best Selling Movies of 1979

In the colorful era of the 1970s, 1979 saw a swell surge of retro grooves and analog innovation in the world of movies! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like The Warriors and Mad Max, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Walter Hill and George Miller proved their mettle with Alien, delivering craftsmanship that defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. The Warriors

   Released in 1979 by Walter Hill, Paramount Pictures

   On February 9, 1979, director Walter Hill's action-thriller "The Warriors" exploded onto cinema screens, presenting a hyper-stylized, almost mythical version of New York City's street gang culture. Released to a storm of controversy over fears it would incite real-world violence, the film nonetheless captivated audiences with its unique vision. Based loosely on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, which itself was a retelling of the ancient Greek epic 'Anabasis,' the film created a dystopian urban battleground where a small gang had to fight its way across a hostile city. It was an audacious, visually striking piece of filmmaking that would eventually transcend its initial notoriety to become one of cinema's most beloved cult classics.

2. Mad Max

   Released in 1979 by George Miller, Kennedy Miller Productions

   On April 12, 1979, Australian cinema unleashed a high-octane jolt of dystopian fury upon the world with the theatrical premiere of "Mad Max." Directed by a former medical doctor named George Miller, the film was a raw, visceral, and astonishingly kinetic action film made on a shoestring budget. Its release date marks the birth of one of cinema's most enduring and influential franchises. Set in a near-future society crumbling into chaos, "Mad Max" introduced audiences to the stoic anti-hero Max Rockatansky and established a new, gritty standard for car-centric action sequences, launching the careers of both Miller and its star, Mel Gibson, onto the international stage.

3. Alien

   Released in 1979 by Ridley Scott, 20th Century Fox

   May 25, 1979, marked the terrifying debut of 'Alien' in North American theaters, a date that would forever etch itself into the annals of cinematic history. This groundbreaking film, directed by Ridley Scott, wasn't just a box office success; it was a visceral, suffocating journey into cosmic horror that redefined the science fiction genre. Its premiere unleashed a creature and a narrative that were both relentlessly frightening and intellectually stimulating, launching a hugely successful franchise and establishing new benchmarks for suspense and creature design. The film quickly became a cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for its enduring legacy as a masterpiece of sci-fi horror.

4. The Muppet Movie

   Released in 1979 by James Frawley, Associated Film Distribution

   June 22, 1979, marked a pivotal moment in cinematic history with the North American theatrical release of 'The Muppet Movie'. This date heralded the silver screen debut for Jim Henson's beloved characters, a momentous leap from their wildly popular television series. The film wasn't just a commercial success; it became an instant classic, captivating audiences with its unique blend of humor, heart, and groundbreaking puppetry. Its premiere cemented the Muppets' status as global icons, kicking off a hugely successful film franchise and leaving an indelible mark on popular culture that continues to resonate decades later. This release date launched a cinematic journey that would exceed all expectations.

5. Moonraker

   Released in 1979 by Lewis Gilbert, United Artists

   The world of espionage took a thrilling leap into the cosmos with the premiere of 'Moonraker' on June 26, 1979. This iconic James Bond installment, starring Roger Moore, blasted onto screens in the United Kingdom, setting the stage for a global phenomenon. Capitalizing on the late 1970s' sci-fi craze ignited by 'Star Wars,' 'Moonraker' became the highest-grossing film in the Bond franchise at the time. This specific date marks the moment audiences first witnessed 007's audacious journey beyond Earth, solidifying its place as a unique and unforgettable chapter in cinematic history.

6. 10

   Released in 1979 by Blake Edwards, Warner Bros.

   The year 1979 buzzed with the release of Blake Edwards' romantic comedy "10," a film that not only captured the zeitgeist of the late '70s but also became a significant box office hit, solidifying its place in cinematic history. Premiering on July 26, 1979, this movie introduced audiences to a dazzling blend of witty dialogue, a poignant exploration of midlife crisis, and an unforgettable star-making turn. It quickly became a cultural touchstone, largely due to its iconic imagery and the charming, yet relatable, predicaments of its protagonist, marking this specific date as the beginning of a pop culture phenomenon that would define beauty standards and spark countless conversations about desire and fulfillment for years to come.

7. The Amityville Horror

   Released in 1979 by Stuart Rosenberg, American International Pictures

   The cinematic landscape of 1979 was dramatically altered on July 27, when "The Amityville Horror" first premiered. This date marks the beginning of a phenomenon that transcended the typical horror film, launching a chilling tale into the public consciousness and solidifying its place as a groundbreaking box office success. What began as a limited release quickly escalated into a cultural touchstone, generating immense buzz and ultimately becoming one of the highest-grossing independent films of its era. This particular date is significant not just for its initial theatrical debut but as the moment the terrifying ordeal of the Lutz family officially entered the collective imagination, setting the stage for decades of fear.

8. Apocalypse Now

   Released in 1979 by Francis Ford Coppola, United Artists

   On August 15, 1979, Francis Ford Coppola's sprawling Vietnam War epic, "Apocalypse Now," received its limited theatrical release in North America. The film's journey to the screen was already legendary, plagued by a notoriously difficult and protracted production in the Philippines that included typhoons destroying sets, star Martin Sheen suffering a heart attack, and Marlon Brando arriving on set overweight and unprepared. The film, which had premiered in a work-in-progress version at the Cannes Film Festival earlier that year, was not just a movie; it was an event. Its release marked the culmination of one of cinema's most ambitious and chaotic undertakings, a fever-dream exploration of the madness of war that would forever alter the landscape of filmmaking.

9. Star Trek: The Motion Picture

   Released in 1979 by Robert Wise, Paramount Pictures

   December 7, 1979, marked a monumental day for science fiction fans as 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' premiered, propelling Gene Roddenberry's iconic universe onto the big screen for the first time. After more than a decade since the original series concluded, anticipation was sky-high for the return of Captain Kirk, Spock, and the crew of the USS Enterprise. This release was not just a film premiere; it was a cultural event, a declaration that Star Trek was back and ready to compete in the post-'Star Wars' cinematic landscape. Despite its eventual mixed critical reception, the film was a significant box office success, reigniting the franchise and cementing this date as the birth of Star Trek's grand cinematic journey.

10. The Jerk

    Released in 1979 by Carl Reiner, Universal Pictures

    The debut of "The Jerk" on December 14, 1979, marked a pivotal moment in comedy history, solidifying Steve Martin's transition from stand-up sensation to cinematic superstar. This hilarious origin story of Navin R. Johnson wasn't just a critical darling; it became an unexpected box office triumph, raking in over $73 million and establishing a new benchmark for absurdist humor. The film’s premiere date is special because it introduced audiences to a character so endearingly naive and utterly clueless that he became an instant icon, launching a comedic legacy that continues to influence generations of performers. It was the moment Martin proved his unique brand of humor could translate perfectly to the big screen, securing his place among Hollywood's comedic elite.

11. Kramer vs. Kramer

    Released in 1979 by Robert Benton, Columbia Pictures

    On December 19, 1979, the cinematic world was introduced to 'Kramer vs. Kramer,' a film that would not only captivate audiences but also sweep the Academy Awards and redefine the genre of domestic drama. This date marked the initial theatrical release for a movie that courageously explored the painful realities of divorce and child custody in a way rarely seen before on screen. Its premiere set the stage for an extraordinary box office run and a profound cultural impact, establishing itself as an instant classic and a cornerstone of late 20th-century filmmaking. The film's honest portrayal of a family's disintegration resonated deeply, making its debut a truly special moment in cinema history.