List of American films of 1979

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A list of American films released in 1979.

Kramer vs. Kramer won the Academy Award for Best Picture and was the highest-grossing film of 1979.


0-9 to A[]

Title Director Cast Genre/Note
10 Blake Edwards Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, Bo Derek, Robert Webber, Brian Dennehy, Dee Wallace Comedy 6 Golden Globe nominations
1941 Steven Spielberg John Belushi, Ned Beatty, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Toshirō Mifune, Robert Stack, Warren Oates, Tim Matheson, Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Treat Williams, Slim Pickens Comedy Columbia
Universal; 3 Academy Award nominations
Alien Ridley Scott Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto Sci-fi, Horror Oscar for Visual Effects; 2 sequels
The Alien Encounters James T. Flocker Bonnie Henry Science fiction
All That Jazz Bob Fosse Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen Drama, Musical won 4 Oscars
An Almost Perfect Affair Michael Ritchie Monica Vitti, Keith Carradine Romance, Drama
Americathon Neal Israel John Ritter, Harvey Korman, Fred Willard Comedy United Artists
The Amityville Horror Stuart Rosenberg James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger Horror 1st of series
...And Justice for All Norman Jewison Al Pacino, John Forsythe, Christine Lahti, Jack Warden, Jeffrey Tambor Drama, Comedy 2 Oscar nominations
Angels' Brigade Greydon Clark Sylvia Anderson, Peter Lawford, Jim Backus, Jack Palance Action
Apocalypse Now Francis Ford Coppola Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, Albert Hall Drama, War 8 Oscar nominations; winner of Palme d'Or
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again Vincent McEveety Tim Conway, Don Knotts, Tim Matheson Family Disney, sequel
Ashanti Richard Fleischer Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov, Beverly Johnson Adventure Warner Bros.
Avalanche Express Mark Robson Lee Marvin, Robert Shaw, Joe Namath Thriller, Action final film of Robson, Shaw

B-G[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Baby Snakes Frank Zappa Frank Zappa, Dale Bozzio Concert
Being There Hal Ashby Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Richard Basehart, Richard A. Dysart, Jack Warden Comedy based on Jerzy Kosinski novel; Oscar for Douglas; Golden Globe for Sellers
The Bell Jar Larry Peerce Marilyn Hassett, Julie Harris, Jameson Parker Drama based on a book by Sylvia Plath
Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens Russ Meyer Ken Kerr, Kitten Natividad, Uschi Digard Comedy
Best Boy Ira Wohl Philip Wohl, Zero Mostel Documentary Oscar Best Documentary
Beyond the Poseidon Adventure Irwin Allen Michael Caine, Sally Field, Telly Savalas, Shirley Jones, Karl Malden, Mark Harmon Action The Poseidon Adventure sequel
Birth of The Beatles Richard Marquand , Rod Culbertson Biography
The Black Hole Gary Nelson Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Perkins, Yvette Mimieux, Maximilian Schell Science fiction Disney
The Black Stallion Carroll Ballard Teri Garr, Mickey Rooney, Kelly Reno, Hoyt Axton Family 2 Oscar nominations
Bloodline Terence Young Audrey Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, James Mason Drama from Sidney Sheldon novel
Boardwalk Stephen Verona Ruth Gordon, Lee Strasberg, Janet Leigh Drama
Breaking Away Peter Yates Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley, Paul Dooley, Barbara Barrie Drama, Comedy 5 Oscar nominations; Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy
The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie Phil Monroe, Chuck Jones Voices of Mel Blanc Animated
Butch and Sundance: The Early Days Richard Lester Tom Berenger, William Katt Western prequel
C.H.O.M.P.S. Don Chaffey Wesley Eure, Valerie Bertinelli Family AIP
California Dreaming John D. Hancock Glynnis O'Connor, Dennis Christopher, Seymour Cassel Drama A.I.P.
Caligula Tinto Brass Malcolm McDowell, John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole, Helen Mirren Historical, Erotic, Drama, History produced by Penthouse magazine
The Cat and the Canary Radley Metzger Olivia Hussey, Honor Blackman Mystery remake of 1927 film
The Champ Franco Zeffirelli Jon Voight, Rick Schroder, Faye Dunaway Drama remake of 1931 film
Chapter Two Robert Moore James Caan, Marsha Mason, Joseph Bologna, Valerie Harper Comedy, Drama based on Neil Simon play
Jeff Werner Kristine DeBell Action
The Children of Sanchez Hall Bartlett Anthony Quinn, Dolores del Río, Katy Jurado Drama from Oscar Lewis book; Del Río's last film
The China Syndrome James Bridges Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas Thriller 4 Academy Award nominations
City on Fire Alvin Rakoff Susan Clark, Barry Newman, Ava Gardner Disaster film Embassy
The Concorde ... Airport '79 David Lowell Rich George Kennedy, Alain Delon, Charo, Robert Wagner, Susan Blakely Drama, Thriller 3rd sequel to Airport
The Corn Is Green George Cukor Katharine Hepburn Drama Made for TV; Remake of 1945 film
Cuba Richard Lester Sean Connery, Brooke Adams, Chris Sarandon, Jack Weston Drama United Artists
J. Robert Wagoner Rudy Ray Moore, Carol Speed Action, Comedy
Dracula John Badham Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier Horror based on Bram Stoker novel
Dreamer Noel Nosseck Tim Matheson, Jack Warden, Susan Blakely Drama, Sports Magnetic Video
The Driller Killer Abel Ferrara Abel Ferrara, Carolyn Marz Horror
The Electric Horseman Sydney Pollack Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Willie Nelson Comedy
Romance
Western		 Columbia
Universal; with 5 songs by Nelson
Escape from Alcatraz Don Siegel Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Fred Ward Drama Paramount
The Europeans James Ivory Lee Remick, Lisa Eichhorn Drama based on Henry James novel
Fast Break Jack Smight Gabe Kaplan, Harold Sylvester Comedy, Sports Columbia
The Fifth Floor Howard Avedis Sharon Farrell, Bo Hopkins Horror
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh Gilbert Moses Jonathan Winters, Julius Erving, Flip Wilson Comedy, Sports Lorimar
Five Days from Home George Peppard George Peppard Drama Universal
A Force of One Paul Aaron Chuck Norris, Jennifer O'Neill, Clu Gulager Action ACR
French Postcards Willard Huyck Miles Chapin, Blanche Baker, Debra Winger Comedy, Drama Paramount
The Frisco Kid Robert Aldrich Gene Wilder, Harrison Ford Western, Comedy Warner Bros.
Victor Nuñez Dana Preu, David Peck Drama
The Glove Ross Hagen John Saxon, Joanna Cassidy, Roosevelt Grier, Joan Blondell Action Troma Entertainment
Going in Style Martin Brest George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg Comedy, Drama Brest's first film
Goldengirl Joseph Sargent Susan Anton, Leslie Caron, James Coburn Drama, Sports Embassy
The Great Santini Lewis Carlino Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner, Michael O'Keefe, Stan Shaw Drama from Pat Conroy novel; 2 Oscar nominations

H-M[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Hair Miloš Forman Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, John Savage Musical United Artists; based on the stage musical
Hanover Street Peter Hyams Harrison Ford, Lesley-Anne Down, Christopher Plummer Drama Columbia
Hardcore Paul Schrader George C. Scott, Season Hubley, Peter Boyle Drama Columbia
Head Over Heels Joan Micklin Silver Mary Beth Hurt, John Heard Drama based on Ann Beattie novel
Heartland Richard Pearce Conchata Ferrell, Rip Torn Drama Golden Bear winner
Hot Stuff Dom DeLuise Dom DeLuise, Suzanne Pleshette, Jerry Reed Comedy Columbia
Human Experiments Gregory Goodell Aldo Ray, Linda Haynes, Geoffrey Lewis Drama
Hurricane Jan Troell Mia Farrow, Jason Robards, Max von Sydow Adventure based on 1937 film
The In-Laws Arthur Hiller Peter Falk, Alan Arkin Comedy remade in 2003
Jaguar Lives! Ernest Pintoff Christopher Lee, Barbara Bach, Capucine Spy A.I.P.
The Jerk Carl Reiner Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters Comedy Martin's first starring role
Jesus Peter Sykes, John Krish Brian Deacon, Eli Cohen Drama, Family
Just You and Me, Kid Leonard B. Stern George Burns, Brooke Shields Comedy Columbia
Kramer vs. Kramer Robert Benton Dustin Hoffman, Justin Henry, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, JoBeth Williams, Howard Duff Drama won 5 Oscars; based on a novel by Avery Corman
The Lady Vanishes Anthony Page Elliott Gould, Cybill Shepherd Mystery remake of 1938 film
La Luna Bernardo Bertolucci Jill Clayburgh, Matthew Barry, Veronica Lazar Drama 20th Century Fox
Last Embrace Jonathan Demme Roy Scheider, Janet Margolin Suspense United Artists
A Little Romance George Roy Hill Laurence Olivier, Sally Kellerman, Diane Lane Comedy Lane's first film
Lost and Found Melvin Frank Glenda Jackson, George Segal Comedy Columbia
Love and Bullets Stuart Rosenberg Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland Crime ITC
Love At First Bite Stan Dragoti George Hamilton, Susan Saint James Comedy spoof of Dracula
The Main Event Howard Zieff Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal Comedy Warner Bros.
The Magician of Lublin Menahem Golan Alan Arkin, Valerie Perrine Drama Cannon Films
Manhattan Woody Allen Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Meryl Streep Comedy, Drama 2 Oscar nominations
Meteor Ronald Neame Sean Connery, Natalie Wood, Karl Malden Disaster film, Sci-Fi AIP
Moonraker Lewis Gilbert Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale Spy, Action United Artists
More American Graffiti Bill L. Norton Ron Howard, Candy Clark, Paul LeMat Comedy, Drama American Graffiti sequel
Mr. Mike's Mondo Video Michael O'Donoghue Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Teri Garr Comedy
The Muppet Movie James Frawley Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Edgar Bergen, James Coburn, Mel Brooks, Orson Welles, Dom DeLuise, Bob Hope, Steve Martin, Carol Kane, Paul Williams, Milton Berle, Elliott Gould, Richard Pryor, Cloris Leachman, James Frawley, Caroll Spinney Comedy, Family based on characters of Jim Henson
Murder by Decree Bob Clark James Mason, Christopher Plummer Mystery Sherlock Holmes

N-S[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square Ralph Thomas David Niven, Elke Sommer, Richard Jordan Crime comedy Thomas's final film
Nightwing Arthur Hiller Nick Mancuso, David Warner, Kathryn Harrold Horror Columbia
Norma Rae Martin Ritt Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges Drama Oscar for Field; 8 nominations
The North Avenue Irregulars Bruce Bilson Edward Herrmann, Cloris Leachman, Susan Clark, Karen Valentine Comedy, Family Disney
North Dallas Forty Ted Kotcheff Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, G. D. Spradlin, Charles Durning, Dabney Coleman, Dayle Haddon Drama, Sports based on Peter Gent novel
The Onion Field Harold Becker James Woods, John Savage, Ted Danson Crime drama based on Joseph Wambaugh book
Over the Edge Jonathan Kaplan Matt Dillon, Vincent Spano Drama Dillon's 1st film
Parts: The Clonus Horror Robert S. Fiveson Peter Graves, Keenan Wynn Sci-fi
Penitentiary Jamaa Fanaka Leon Issac Kennedy, Badja Djola Action followed by two sequels
A Perfect Couple Robert Altman Paul Dooley, Marta Heflin, Henry Gibson Comedy 20th Century Fox
Phantasm Don Coscarelli Reggie Bannister, Angus Scrimm Horror
The Prisoner of Zenda Richard Quine Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, Lionel Jeffries Comedy based on Anthony Hope novel
The Prize Fighter Michael Preece Don Knotts, Tim Conway Comedy New World Pictures
The Promise Gilbert Cates Kathleen Quinlan, Stephen Collins Drama Universal
Promises in the Dark Jerome Hellman Marsha Mason, Ned Beatty Drama Orion
Prophecy John Frankenheimer Robert Foxworth, Talia Shire, Armand Assante Horror Paramount
The Punk Rock Movie Don Letts John Lydon, Joe Strummer, Siouxsie Sioux Documentary
Quintet Robert Altman Paul Newman, Fernando Rey Drama 20th Century Fox
Real Life Albert Brooks Albert Brooks, Charles Grodin Comedy Brooks' 1st film; spoof of An American Family
Rich Kids Robert M. Young Trini Alvarado, Jeremy Levy, John Lithgow Comedy United Artists
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert Jeff Margolis Richard Pryor Comedy Concert film
Rock 'n' Roll High School Allan Arkush P. J. Soles, Mary Woronov, Ramones Comedy New World
Rocky II Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Burt Young Drama sequel to Oscar-winning Rocky
Roller Boogie Mark L. Lester Linda Blair, Jim Bray, Beverly Garland, Mark Goddard Drama Compass
The Rose Mark Rydell Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest Drama 20th Century Fox; 4 Oscar nominations
Saint Jack Peter Bogdanovich Ben Gazzara, Denholm Elliott Drama from Paul Theroux novel
Savage Water Paul W. Kener Bridget Agnew, Ron Berger, Gil Van Waggoner Thriller, Horror
Scavenger Hunt Michael Schultz Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, Tony Randall Comedy also stars Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Seduction of Joe Tynan Jerry Schatzberg Alan Alda, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Barbara Harris, Melvyn Douglas Drama Universal; written by Alda
Seven Andy Sidaris William Smith, Barbara Leigh Action A.I.P.
Siddhartha Conrad Rooks Shashi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Romesh Sharma Drama Columbia Pictures
Skatetown, U.S.A. William A. Levey Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Patrick Swayze Comedy Columbia
Something Short of Paradise David Helpern Susan Sarandon, David Steinberg Comedy A.I.P.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture Robert Wise William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Persis Khambatta, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei Science fiction first film based on the TV series
Starting Over Alan J. Pakula Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, Candice Bergen Romantic Comedy 2 Oscar nominations
Sunburn Richard C. Sarafian Farrah Fawcett, Art Carney, Charles Grodin Action

T-Z[]

Title Director Cast Genre Note
Take Down Kieth Merrill Lorenzo Lamas, Edward Herrmann, Kathleen Lloyd Drama, Sports Buena Vista
The Tale of Tiffany Lust Radley Metzger Candida Royalle, Desiree Cousteau, Dominique Saint Claire, George Payne, Ron Jeremy, Samantha Fox, Vanessa del Rio, Veronica Hart Adult film VCA Pictures
Tilt Rudy Durand Brooke Shields, Charles Durning Drama Warner Bros.
Time After Time Nicholas Meyer Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen Sci-fi drama won 3 Saturn Awards
Tourist Trap David Schmoeller Chuck Connors, Jocelyn Jones, Tanya Roberts Horror Compass
The Villain Hal Needham Kirk Douglas, Ann-Margret, Arnold Schwarzenegger Comedy
Western		 Columbia
The Visitor Giulio Paradisi Glenn Ford, Shelley Winters, Steve Somers Horror Italy/U.S.
Wanda Nevada Peter Fonda Peter Fonda, Brooke Shields Western United Artists
The Wanderers Philip Kaufman Ken Wahl, Karen Allen, Val Avery Drama based on Richard Price novel
The War at Home Glenn Silber Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allen Ginsberg Documentary
The Warriors Walter Hill James Remar, Michael Beck, David Patrick Kelly, Dorsey Wright, Lynne Thigpen Action based on Sol Yurick novel
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Milton Katselas Marjoe Gortner, Candy Clark Drama based on Mark Medoff play
When a Stranger Calls Fred Walton Carol Kane, Charles Durning Thriller Columbia; Remake of 2006 film
Winter Kills William Richert Jeff Bridges, Anthony Perkins, Sterling Hayden, Eli Wallach, Richard Boone Drama based on Richard Condon novel
Wise Blood John Huston Brad Dourif, John Huston, Ned Beatty Drama based on Flannery O'Connor novel
Worth Keeter, Earl Owensby Earl Owensby, Ed Grady Horror
Yanks John Schlesinger Richard Gere, Vanessa Redgrave, Lisa Eichhorn Drama, War Universal

See also[]

External links[]

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