List of American films of 1978

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A list of American films released in 1978.

The Deer Hunter won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1978. Superman was the highest-grossing film of 1978.



A-B[]

Title Director Cast Genre/Note
Almost Summer Martin Davidson Bruno Kirby, Lee Purcell, Didi Conn Comedy Universal
American Hot Wax Floyd Mutrux Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, Laraine Newman, Chuck Berry Comedy, Musical Paramount
John Florea, Gene Fowler Jr. Robert Foxworth, Stefanie Powers, Sue Lyon, Elke Sommer Thriller Independent
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes John De Bello David Miller, George Wilson, Costa Dillon, Eric Christmas Comedy Independent
Avalanche Corey Allen Rock Hudson, Mia Farrow, Robert Forster Disaster New World
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan John Berry Tony Curtis, Jackie Earle Haley, Regis Philbin Comedy Paramount. 2nd sequel
The Betsy Daniel Petrie Laurence Olivier, Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, Katharine Ross, Lesley-Anne Down, Kathleen Beller, Joseph Wiseman, Jane Alexander Drama Allied Artists. From a novel by Harold Robbins
The Big Fix Jeremy Kagan Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Anspach, Bonnie Bedelia, John Lithgow, F. Murray Abraham Mystery Universal
Big Wednesday John Milius Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, Gary Busey Drama Warner Bros.
Bloodbrothers Robert Mulligan Paul Sorvino, Tony Lo Bianco, Richard Gere Drama Warner Bros.
Blue Collar Paul Schrader Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto Drama, Crime Universal
Born Again Irving Rapper Dean Jones, Anne Francis, Dana Andrews Drama Embassy
The Boys from Brazil Franklin J. Schaffner Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Lilli Palmer, Steve Guttenberg, Uta Hagen, Denholm Elliott, John Dehner, Anne Meara Thriller 20th Century Fox. From a novel by Ira Levin
The Boys in Company C Sidney J. Furie Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, R. Lee Ermey, James Whitmore Jr. Drama, War Columbia
Brass Target John Hough Sophia Loren, John Cassavetes, George Kennedy, Robert Vaughn, Patrick McGoohan, Bruce Davison, Edward Herrmann, Max von Sydow Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, War MGM
United Artists
The Brink's Job William Friedkin Peter Falk, Peter Boyle, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, Paul Sorvino Comedy, Crime Universal
The Buddy Holly Story Steve Rash Gary Busey, Charles Martin Smith, Don Stroud, Conrad Janis Biography, Musical Columbia. 3 Oscar nominations

C-G[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
California Suite Herbert Ross Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Walter Matthau Comedy Columbia. Written by Neil Simon; Oscar for Smith
Capricorn One Peter Hyams Elliott Gould, Sam Waterston, James Brolin, O. J. Simpson, Brenda Vaccaro, Hal Holbrook Suspense Warner Bros.
Caravans James Fargo Anthony Quinn, Michael Sarrazin, Behrouz Vossoughi Adventure Universal; based on novel by James Michener
Casey's Shadow Martin Ritt Walter Matthau, Alexis Smith, Murray Hamilton Drama Columbia
The Cat from Outer Space Norman Tokar Sandy Duncan, Roddy McDowall, Ken Berry Sci-fi Disney
The Cheap Detective Robert Moore Peter Falk, Ann-Margret, Sid Caesar, Dom DeLuise, Stockard Channing, Louise Fletcher, Marsha Mason Comedy Columbia. Written by Neil Simon
Coma Michael Crichton Geneviève Bujold, Michael Douglas, Richard Widmark, Elizabeth Ashley, Rip Torn Thriller MGM; based on Robin Cook novel
Comes a Horseman Alan J. Pakula James Caan, Jane Fonda, Jason Robards, George Grizzard, Richard Farnsworth Western United Artists
Coming Home Hal Ashby Jon Voight, Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern Drama, Romance, War United Artists. Oscars for Voight, Fonda, screenplay
Convoy Sam Peckinpah Kris Kristofferson, Ali MacGraw, Ernest Borgnine, Burt Young, Madge Sinclair Action United Artists; based on C. W. McCall song
Corvette Summer Matthew Robbins Mark Hamill, Annie Potts, Danny Bonaduce Action MGM
Damien: Omen II Don Taylor William Holden, Lee Grant, Lew Ayres Horror 20th Century Fox. Sequel to The Omen
Dawn of the Dead George A. Romero David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross Horror Independent. Night of the Living Dead sequel
Days of Heaven Terrence Malick Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Linda Manz Drama Paramount. Oscar for cinematography; 4 nominations
Death Dimension Al Adamson Jim Kelly, Harold Sakata, George Lazenby Action Independent
Deathsport Allan Arkush Claudia Jennings, David Carradine, Richard Lynch Action New World
The Deer Hunter Michael Cimino Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Savage, John Cazale Drama, War Universal; 5 Oscars including Best Picture
A Different Story Paul Aaron Meg Foster, Perry King, Valerie Curtin Drama Embassy
The Driver Walter Hill Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani Crime drama 20th Century Fox
The End Burt Reynolds Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field Comedy United Artists
An Enemy of the People George Schaefer Steve McQueen, Charles Durning, Bibi Andersson Drama Warner Bros. Based on Henrik Ibsen play
Every Which Way but Loose James Fargo Clint Eastwood, Ruth Gordon, Beverly D'Angelo, Geoffrey Lewis, Sondra Locke Comedy Warner Bros.
The Evil Gus Trikonis Richard Crenna, Joanna Pettet, Andrew Prine Horror New World
Eyes of Laura Mars Irvin Kershner Faye Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Dourif Thriller 20th Century Fox
F.I.S.T. Norman Jewison Sylvester Stallone, Rod Steiger, Melinda Dillon, Brian Dennehy, Kevin Conway, Peter Boyle Drama United Artists
FM John A. Alonzo Alex Karras, Cleavon Little, Martin Mull, Michael Brandon, Eileen Brennan Comedy Universal
Fedora Billy Wilder William Holden, Marthe Keller, Hildegard Knef, Jose Ferrer, Frances Sternhagen, Stephen Collins Drama United Artists
Fingers James Toback Harvey Keitel, Michael V. Gazzo, Tanya Roberts Drama Independent
Force 10 from Navarone Guy Hamilton Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford, Barbara Bach, Edward Fox, Franco Nero, Carl Weathers, Richard Kiel, Alan Badel War Columbia Pictures
(UK & USA)
and American International Pictures
(USA)
Foul Play Colin Higgins Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, Dudley Moore, Eugene Roche, Burgess Meredith Comedy Paramount; 6 Golden Globe nominations
The Fury Brian De Palma Kirk Douglas, Amy Irving, John Cassavetes, Andrew Stevens, Charles Durning, Carrie Snodgress Horror 20th Century Fox; based on John Farris novel
Girlfriends Claudia Weill Melanie Mayron, Eli Wallach, Bob Balaban, Viveca Lindfors, Christopher Guest Comedy, drama Warner Bros.
Go Tell the Spartans Ted Post Burt Lancaster, Craig Wasson, Jonathan Goldsmith War, Drama Embassy; based on Daniel Ford novel
Goin' South Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson, Mary Steenburgen, John Belushi, Veronica Cartwright, Christopher Lloyd Comedy, Western Paramount; 1st film of Steenburgen, Belushi
Good Guys Wear Black Ted Post Chuck Norris, Dana Andrews, Anne Archer Action Independent
Gray Lady Down David Greene Charlton Heston, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Stacy Keach, Rosemary Forsyth Adventure Universal
Grease Randal Kleiser John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, Frankie Avalon, Edd Byrnes, Didi Conn Musical comedy Paramount; based on stage musical; 4 Golden Globe nominations
The Great Bank Hoax Joseph Jacoby Richard Basehart, Ned Beatty, Charlene Dallas Comedy Warner Bros.
The Greek Tycoon J. Lee Thompson Anthony Quinn, Jacqueline Bisset, Raf Vallone Drama Universal

H-L[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Halloween John Carpenter Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles, Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards Horror Independent. Inspired Halloween film franchise
Harper Valley PTA Richard C. Bennett Barbara Eden, Nanette Fabray, Ronny Cox Comedy Independent. Based on a song by Jeannie C. Riley
Heaven Can Wait Warren Beatty, Buck Henry Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Jack Warden, Dyan Cannon, Charles Grodin, James Mason, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia, R.G. Armstrong Comedy, Fantasy Paramount. Here Comes Mr. Jordan remake; 9 Oscar nominations
Hi-Riders Greydon Clark Mel Ferrer, Stephen McNally, Ralph Meeker Action Dimension Pictures
High-Ballin' Peter Carter Peter Fonda, Jerry Reed, Helen Shaver Action AIP
Hooper Hal Needham Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jan-Michael Vincent, Brian Keith, Robert Klein, James Best, Adam West Action, comedy Warner Bros.
Hot Lead and Cold Feet Robert Butler Don Knotts, Jim Dale, Darren McGavin, Karen Valentine Western, Comedy Disney
House Calls Howard Zieff Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin, Candice Azzara Comedy Universal; became a 1979 TV series
I Spit on Your Grave Meir Zarchi Camille Keaton Thriller Independent
I Wanna Hold Your Hand Robert Zemeckis Nancy Allen, Bobby DiCicco, Marc McClure Comedy Universal. Based on a song by The Beatles
Ice Castles Donald Wrye Lynn-Holly Johnson, Robby Benson, Colleen Dewhurst Drama Columbia; Remake of 2010 film
If Ever I See You Again Joseph Brooks Joseph Brooks, Shelley Hack, Jimmy Breslin Drama Columbia
Interiors Woody Allen Geraldine Page, Diane Keaton, Maureen Stapleton, Mary Beth Hurt, Richard Jordan, E. G. Marshall Drama United Artists; 5 Oscar nominations
International Velvet Bryan Forbes Tatum O'Neal, Christopher Plummer, Nanette Newman, Anthony Hopkins Drama, Family MGM. National Velvet sequel
Invasion of the Body Snatchers Philip Kaufman Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy Science fiction United Artists. From Jack Finney book; remake of 1956 film
Jaws 2 Jeannot Szwarc Roy Scheider, Murray Hamilton, Lorraine Gary Thriller Universal. Jaws sequel
Jennifer Brice Mack Lisa Pelikan, Nina Foch, Bert Convy Horror AIP
King of the Gypsies Frank Pierson Eric Roberts, Brooke Shields, Shelley Winters, Susan Sarandon, Sterling Hayden Drama Paramount
Laserblast Michael Rae Kim Milford, Keenan Wynn, Roddy McDowell Science fiction Independent
The Legacy Richard Marquand Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott, Roger Daltrey Horror Universal
The Lord of the Rings Ralph Bakshi Voices of John Hurt, Billy Barty Fantasy, Animated United Artists; from J. R. R. Tolkien book

M-S[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Magic Richard Attenborough Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith Suspense Fox; from William Goldman novel
The Magic of Lassie Don Chaffey James Stewart, Mickey Rooney, Pernell Roberts Family Independent Stewart's final film appearance
The Manitou William Girdler Tony Curtis, Ann Sothern, Susan Strasberg Horror Avco Embassy
Mean Dog Blues Mel Stuart Gregg Henry, Kay Lenz, Scatman Crothers Drama AIP
Midnight Express Alan Parker Brad Davis, John Hurt, Randy Quaid Drama, Biography Columbia. From Billy Hayes book; 6 Oscar nominations
Moment by Moment Jane Wagner Lily Tomlin, John Travolta Drama Universal
Movie Movie Stanley Donen George C. Scott, Art Carney, Ann Reinking, Harry Hamlin, Trish Van Devere, Barry Bostwick, Red Buttons Comedy, Musical Warner Bros. Double feature
National Lampoon's Animal House John Landis Tim Matheson, Tom Hulce, John Belushi, John Vernon, Peter Riegert, Karen Allen, Verna Bloom, Stephen Furst, Kevin Bacon, Donald Sutherland Comedy Universal; first film for Riegert, Allen, Furst, Bacon
A Night Full of Rain Lina Wertmüller Giancarlo Giannini, Candice Bergen, Michael Tucker (actor) Romance Warner Bros. Co-produced with italy
The Norseman Charles B. Pierce Lee Majors, Cornel Wilde, Mel Ferrer Adventure AIP
Nunzio Paul Williams David Proval, Morgana King, Joe Spinell Drama Universal
Oliver's Story John Korty Ryan O'Neal, Candice Bergen, Ray Milland Romance Paramount. Sequel to Love Story
Olly Olly Oxen Free Richard Colla Katharine Hepburn, Kevin McKenzie Family Independent
The One and Only Carl Reiner Henry Winkler, Kim Darby, Gene Saks Comedy Paramount
Out of the Darkness Lee Madden Donald Pleasence, Nancy Kwan, Ross Hagen Horror Dimension
Paradise Alley Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Anne Archer Drama Universal
Piranha Joe Dante Bradford Dillman, Barbara Steele, Dick Miller Horror New World
Planet of Dinosaurs James Shea James Whitworth, Charlotte Speer Sci-fi Independent
Pretty Baby Louis Malle Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine Drama Paramount
Rabbit Test Joan Rivers Billy Crystal, Doris Roberts, Alex Rocco Comedy Embassy; only film directed by Rivers
Record City Dennis Steinmetz Ed Begley Jr., Jack Carter, Ruth Buzzi Comedy AIP
Remember My Name Alan Rudolph Geraldine Chaplin, Anthony Perkins, Moses Gunn Thriller Columbia
Return from Witch Mountain John Hough Christopher Lee, Bette Davis, Jack Soo Family Disney. Escape to Witch Mountain sequel
Revenge of the Pink Panther Blake Edwards Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Dyan Cannon Comedy United Artists. Pink Panther sequel
Same Time, Next Year Robert Mulligan Alan Alda, Ellen Burstyn Comedy Universal. from Bernard Slade play
The Scenic Route Mark Rappaport Randy Danson, Marilyn Jones, Kevin Wade Drama New Line
The Seniors Rod Amateau Gary Imhoff, Jeffrey Byron, Dennis Quaid Comedy Independent
Sextette Ken Hughes Mae West, Dom DeLuise, Tony Curtis Comedy Crown International. West's final film
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Michael Schultz Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, George Burns Musical Universal. based on The Beatles album
Slow Dancing in the Big City John G. Avildsen Paul Sorvino, Anne Ditchburn, Nicolas Coster Drama United Artists
Somebody Killed Her Husband Lamont Johnson Farrah Fawcett, Jeff Bridges, John Wood (English actor) Comedy Columbia
Someone's Watching Me! John Carpenter Lauren Hutton, David Birney, Adrienne Barbeau Horror
Mystery
Thriller		 Made for TV
Straight Time Ulu Grosbard Dustin Hoffman, Theresa Russell, Gary Busey Crime drama Warner Bros.
Superman Richard Donner Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper, Ned Beatty, Valerie Perrine, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, Jeff East Superhero film Warner Bros. based on DC Comics character; 3 Oscar nominations
The Swarm Irwin Allen Michael Caine, Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, Fred MacMurray, Richard Widmark, Katharine Ross, Bradford Dillman, Richard Chamberlain, Slim Pickens, Lee Grant Disaster film Warner Bros.; final film for MacMurray

T-Z[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Thank God It's Friday Robert Klane Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger, Donna Summer Comedy Columbia
The Toolbox Murders Dennis Donnelly Cameron Mitchell, Pamelyn Ferdin, Wesley Eure Horror Independent
Uncle Joe Shannon Joseph Hanwright Burt Young, Madge Sinclair. Doug McKeon Drama United Artists
An Unmarried Woman Paul Mazursky Jill Clayburgh, Alan Bates, Michael Murphy Drama 20th Century Fox. 3 Oscar nominations
Up in Smoke Lou Adler Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Tom Skerritt, Stacy Keach Comedy Paramount
A Wedding Robert Altman Carol Burnett, Lillian Gish, Mia Farrow, Desi Arnaz Jr., Lauren Hutton, Geraldine Chaplin, Vittorio Gassman, Howard Duff, Paul Dooley, Dina Merrill Comedy 20th Century Fox
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? Ted Kotcheff George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley Comedy Warner Bros.
Who'll Stop the Rain Karel Reisz Nick Nolte, Tuesday Weld, Michael Moriarty, Anthony Zerbe, Gail Strickland War United Artists
The Wiz Sidney Lumet Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne Musical Universal. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz
Wolf Lake Burt Kennedy Rod Steiger, David Huffman, Robin Mattson Thriller Independent
Youngblood Noel Nosseck Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, T. K. Carter Drama AIP
Zero to Sixty Don Weis Darren McGavin, Sylvia Miles, Joan Collins Comedy Independent

Documentary and Other films[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince Martin Scorsese Steven Prince, Martin Scorsese Documentary
Battlestar Galactica Richard A. Colla Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene Science fiction pilot for TV series
Gates of Heaven Errol Morris Lucille Billingsley, Errol Morris Documentary New Yorker Films
Gay USA Arthur J. Bressan Jr. Footage of 1977 gay pride events Documentary
The Last Waltz Martin Scorsese The Band, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan Documentary United Artists
Let Me Die a Woman Doris Wishman Harry Reems, Dr. Leo Wollman Exploitation
Maraschino Cherry Radley Metzger Gloria Leonard, Annette Haven, Constance Money Adult film
Renaldo and Clara Bob Dylan Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Harry Dean Stanton Concert nearly 4 hours
The Force Beyond William Sachs Rosko (narrated by) Documentary re-release of Secrets of the Gods
The Song of the Canary , David Davis Documentary

See also[]

External links[]

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