Top 20 Ranked

The Greatest Action Movies of 1977

Classic High Octane Hits and Blockbuster Adventures

Explore the best cinema from a legendary year. Discover high-speed chases, spy missions, and space battles in this definitive guide to vintage hits.

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About 1977 Action Movies

The year 1977 is eternally defined by a single trip to a galaxy far, far away, but to view that year solely through the lens of a certain space opera is to miss a fascinating pivot point in action cinema. While George Lucas was busy rewriting the blockbuster rulebook with Star Wars, the broader action genre was caught in a compelling tug of war between the gritty, cynical realism of the early seventies and a new, high octane escapism that would eventually define the eighties.

The landscape of 1977 was one of transition. On one side of the coin, you had the rugged, sweat soaked intensity of William Friedkin’s Sorcerer. A reimagining of The Wages of Fear, this film represents the absolute pinnacle of practical, dangerous filmmaking. Watching Roy Scheider navigate a decaying truck across a fraying rope bridge in a torrential downpour remains one of the most stressful sequences ever committed to celluloid. It was action as an endurance test, bleak and uncompromising. In any other year, it might have been the reigning king of the box office. Instead, it was swallowed whole by the shift toward populist fantasy.

While Sorcerer leaned into the darkness, the James Bond franchise was busy course correcting with The Spy Who Loved Me. After a couple of shaky entries, Roger Moore finally found his footing as the definitive playboy hero. This film reminded audiences that action could be sophisticated, gadget heavy, and immensely fun. Between the iconic opening ski jump and the introduction of the submersible Lotus Esprit, it set the blueprint for the mega budget stunt spectacular. It proved that people were hungry for heroes who could save the world without losing their cool.

Domestically, a different kind of hero was emerging in the form of the working class rebel. Smokey and the Bandit became a genuine cultural phenomenon, proving that car chases and CB radio chatter were just as captivating as laser swords. Burt Reynolds personified a new era of the lighthearted action star, swapping the hard boiled scowl of the previous decade for a wink and a mustache. The film’s success signaled a move toward action comedies, a trend that would dominate the drive-ins for years to come.

Deep in the cult circuit, the year also offered glimpses of the hyper violent future. The Gauntlet saw Clint Eastwood delivering a lead filled precursor to the modern siege movie, while across the world, Hong Kong cinema was refining the martial arts genre with Iron Fought Magic and the early works of Sammo Hung. These films were laying the groundwork for the kinetic, choreographed balletic violence that would eventually cross over into western cinema decades later.

Looking back, 1977 was the year the action movie grew a conscience and then immediately decided it would rather have a party. We saw the final gasp of the New Hollywood grit and the explosive birth of the summer tentpole. It was a year that gave us everything from the existential dread of a jungle convoy to the exuberant joy of a black Trans Am jumping a broken bridge. It remains a masterclass in variety, reminding us that the genre is at its best when it refuses to stay in one lane.

The Complete Rankings

Based on the top picks in drafts on SnakeDrafts

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20
1977 Action in Tentacles (1977)
Tentacles
1977

Several people disappear from and at the sea. Their bodies are found gnawed to the skeleton, even the marrow is missing. The scientists have no idea which animal could do such things. Dr. Turner begins to suspect that the company which builds a tunnel beneath the bay might have poisoned the environment and caused an octopus to mutate to giant dimensions...

Horror
Science Fiction
1h 42m
Ovidio G. Assonitis
John Huston, Shelley Winters, Bo Hopkins, Henry Fonda
19
1977 Action in Damnation Alley (1977)
Damnation Alley
1977

Following World War III, four survivors at an desert military installation attempt to drive across the desolate wasteland of America to Albany, where they hope more survivors are living, using a specially built vehicles to protect themselves against the freakish weather, mutated plant and animal life, and other dangers encountered along the way.

Action
Adventure
1h 31m
Jack Smight
George Peppard, Jan-Michael Vincent, Dominique Sanda, Paul Winfield
18
1977 Action in Airport '77 (1977)
Airport '77
1977

Flight 23 has crashed in the Bermuda Triangle after a hijacking gone wrong. Now the surviving passengers must brave panic, slow leaks, oxygen depletion, and more while attempting a daring plan, all while 200 feet underwater.

Action
Adventure
1h 54m
Jerry Jameson
Jack Lemmon, Lee Grant, Brenda Vaccaro, Joseph Cotten

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17
1977 Action in The White Buffalo (1977)
The White Buffalo
1977

In this strange western version of Moby Dick, Wild Bill Hickok hunts a white buffalo he has seen in a dream. Hickok moves through a variety of uniquely authentic western locations - dim, filthy, makeshift taverns; freezing, slaughterhouse-like frontier towns and beautifully desolate high country - before improbably teaming up with a young Crazy Horse to pursue the creature.

Western
Adventure
1h 37m
J. Lee Thompson
Charles Bronson, Jack Warden, Will Sampson, Kim Novak
16
1977 Action in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo
1977

Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, is racing in the Monte Carlo Rally. But thieves have hidden a cache of stolen diamonds in Herbie's gas tank, and are now trying to get them back.

Romance
Comedy
1h 45m
Vincent McEveety
Dean Jones, Don Knotts, Julie Sommars, Jacques Marin
15
1977 Action in Rollercoaster (1977)
Rollercoaster
1977

A young terrorist kills and injures patrons of a Norfolk amusement park by placing homemade explosives on the track of one of its roller coasters. After staging a similar incident in Pittsburgh, he sends a tape to a meeting of major amusement park executives in Chicago, demanding $1 million to make him stop.

Action
Thriller
1h 59m
James Goldstone
George Segal, Richard Widmark, Timothy Bottoms, Harry Guardino
14
1977 Action in The Car (1977)
The Car
1977

The Utah community of Santa Ynez is being terrorized by a mysterious black coupe that appears out of nowhere and begins running people down. After the car kills off the town sheriff, Captain Wade Parent is determined to stop the murderous driver.

Horror
Action
1h 36m
Elliot Silverstein
James Brolin, Kathleen Lloyd, John Marley, R.G. Armstrong
13
1977 Action in Spider-Man (1977)
Spider-Man
1977

When an extortionist threatens to force a multi-suicide unless a huge ransom is paid, only Peter Parker can stop him with his new powers as Spider-Man.

Science Fiction
Action
1h 32m
E.W. Swackhamer
Nicholas Hammond, David White, Michael Pataki, Hilly Hicks
12
1977 Action in The Incredible Hulk (1977)
The Incredible Hulk
1977

An accidental overdose of gamma radiation causes a mutation in scientist David Banner's DNA: now whenever he becomes angry, he metamorphoses into a seven-foot-tall, 330-pound, mindless muscular green creature.

Action
Adventure
1h 35m
Kenneth Johnson
Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Susan Sullivan, Jack Colvin
11
1977 Action in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
1977

Princess Farah refuses to marry Sinbad until Prince Kassim, her brother, is able to give his consent. However, the Prince's wicked stepmother, Queen Zenobia, has changed Kassim into a baboon in order to have her own son crowned as caliph. Sinbad, his crew, the Princess and the transformed Prince travel to a distant land, fighting every obstacle Zenobia places in their path, to seek the advice of a legendary wise man who can possibly tell how to end the spell.

Action
Adventure
1h 53m
Sam Wanamaker
Patrick Wayne, Taryn Power, Jane Seymour, Patrick Troughton
10
1977 Action in Telefon (1977)
Telefon
1977

Nicolai Dalchimski, a mad KGB agent steals a notebook full of names of "sleeping" undercover KGB agents sent to the U.S. in the 1950's. These agents got their assignments under hypnosis, so they can't remember their missions until they're told a line of a Robert Frost poem. Dalchimski flees to the U.S. and starts phoning these agents who perform sabotage acts against military targets.

Thriller
Action
1h 42m
Don Siegel
Charles Bronson, Lee Remick, Donald Pleasence, Tyne Daly
Why it ranks

Charles Bronson anchors this high-concept espionage thriller with a stoic intensity that grounds its volatile premise. It succeeds as a taut, procedural-style hunt where the explosive payoffs are triggered by the psychological disintegration of sleeper agents.

9
1977 Action in Black Sunday (1977)
Black Sunday
1977

An Israeli anti-terrorist agent must stop a disgruntled Vietnam vet cooperating in a Black September PLO plot to commit a terrorist attack at the Super Bowl.

Action
Drama
Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, Marthe Keller, Fritz Weaver
Why it ranks

John Frankenheimer delivers a masterclass in mounting dread, pivoting on a high-concept terrorist plot that feels terrifyingly plausible. The technical execution of the Goodyear Blimp finale remains a landmark achievement in suspense-driven large-scale action.

8
1977 Action in Rolling Thunder (1977)
Rolling Thunder
1977

A Vietnam veteran, Charles Rane, returns home after years in a POW camp and is treated as a hero. He has a hard time adjusting, and things go badly. A movie about the walking dead, before that meant just flesh-eating zombies.

Action
Drama
1h 40m
John Flynn
William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, James Best
Why it ranks

This lean, nihilistic masterwork subverts the revenge trope through a cold-blooded performance by William Devane. Its violence is sparse but explosive, landing with a staggering psychological weight that most contemporary genre entries lacked.

7

In order to protect the reputation of the American space program, a team of NASA administrators turn the first Mars mission into a phony Mars landing. Under threat of harm to their families the astronauts play their part in the deception on a staged set in a deserted military base. But once the real ship returns to Earth and burns up on re-entry, the astronauts become liabilities. Now, with the help of a crusading reporter, they must battle a sinister conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden.

Drama
Action
2h 3m
Peter Hyams
Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston
Why it ranks

A paranoid thrill ride that weaponizes the iconography of the Cold War era against the government itself. The film culminates in a desert chase sequence that utilizes aerial stunt work to provoke genuine claustrophobia within the vast, open wilderness.

6
1977 Action in Crime Busters (1977)
Crime Busters
1977

An attempted robbery turns to be an unexpected recruitment when two unemployed men mistakenly break into a police office instead of a store.

Action
Comedy
1h 55m
Enzo Barboni
Terence Hill, Bud Spencer, David Huddleston, Luciano Catenacci
Why it ranks

This quintessential slice of Italian slapstick action showcases the undeniable physical chemistry of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. It thrives on expertly timed brawls and a breezy, rhythmic pacing that elevates choreographed chaos into a distinct comedic art form.

5

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

Why it ranks

George Lucas synthesized swashbuckling serials with cutting-edge kinetic energy, forever altering the trajectory of the genre through sheer spectacle. Its dogfights and rhythmic editing created a new cinematic language for high-stakes movement and world-building.

4
1977 Action in Cross of Iron (1977)
Cross of Iron
1977

It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultimately pusillanimous Captain Stransky and the courageous Corporal Steiner. Stransky is the only man who believes that the Third Reich is still vastly superior to the Russian army. However, within his pompous persona lies a quivering coward who longs for the Iron Cross so that he can return to Berlin a hero. Steiner, on the other hand is cynical, defiantly non-conformist and more concerned with the safety of his own men rather than the horde of military decorations offered to him by his superiors.

Drama
Action
James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, David Warner
Why it ranks

Sam Peckinpah brings his signature poetic violence to the Eastern Front, crafting a harrowing meditation on the brutality of combat. Its chaotic, slow-motion pyrotechnics offer a raw and uncompromising sensory assault that redefined the technical possibilities of the war film.

3
1977 Action in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
The Spy Who Loved Me
1977

Russian and British submarines with nuclear missiles on board both vanish from sight without a trace. England and Russia both blame each other as James Bond tries to solve the riddle of the disappearing ships. But the KGB also has an agent on the case.

Adventure
Action
2h 5m
Lewis Gilbert
Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curd Jürgens, Richard Kiel
Why it ranks

Roger Moore’s tenure reached its zenith here by perfecting the blockbuster formula through grand-scale set pieces and unmatched production design. From the breathtaking Alpine jump to the submersible Lotus, it captures the 007 mythos at its most visually ambitious.

2
1977 Action in The Gauntlet (1977)
The Gauntlet
1977

Phoenix cop Ben Shockley is well on his way to becoming a derelict when he is assigned to transport a witness from Las Vegas. The witness turns out to be a belligerent prostitute with mob ties—and incriminating information regarding a high-ranking official.

Drama
Action
Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince
Why it ranks

Clint Eastwood strips away the invincibility of the action hero, delivering a gritty, bullet-riddled odyssey defined by visceral practical effects. The climactic armored bus sequence stands as a masterclass in sustained ballistic tension and structural carnage.

1
1977 Action in Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Smokey and the Bandit
1977

A race car driver tries to transport an illegal beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta in under 28 hours, picking up a reluctant bride-to-be on the way.

Action
Adventure
1h 36m
Hal Needham
Why it ranks

Burt Reynolds achieves peak charismatic velocity in this quintessential chase epic, a film that weaponized the Trans Am into a cultural icon. It remains the gold standard for high-octane levity, trading on impeccable stunt choreography and a rebellious, anti-authoritarian soul.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts

"Star Wars" revolutionized action cinema in 1977 by blending high-stakes space battles with groundbreaking special effects, setting a new standard for blockbuster filmmaking. Its mix of adventure, sci-fi, and action elements redefined genre boundaries and inspired countless films that followed.

"The Gauntlet" features gritty, urban action combined with Clint Eastwood's tough hero persona, delivering intense crime-thriller sequences. In contrast, "Cross of Iron" offers a visceral, realistic portrayal of war’s brutality, emphasizing psychological conflict alongside its battle action, showcasing the era's diverse approach to action storytelling.

"Smokey and the Bandit" masterfully blends action and comedy, featuring memorable high-speed chases and stunts. This film stands out for its lighthearted tone amid the year’s generally gritty action offerings, making it a beloved classic.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" embodies classic spy thriller action with elaborate set pieces, exotic locations, and sophisticated gadgetry. It highlights 1977’s fascination with espionage and stylish adventure, contributing to the enduring appeal of the James Bond franchise.

Yes, aside from "Star Wars," films like "Capricorn One," "The Incredible Hulk" TV movie, and "Spider-Man" (TV movie) incorporate science fiction elements. These movies blend action with futuristic or speculative concepts, reflecting the era’s expanding interest in genre hybrids.

"Rolling Thunder" is a quintessential 1970s action film with its raw, gritty tone, intense personal revenge storyline, and graphic violence. It encapsulates the decade’s trend toward more realistic and morally complex action heroes, diverging from the escapist fantasies also popular at the time.

Thriller elements are prominent in several films like "The Gauntlet," "Black Sunday," and "Telefon," providing suspense and tension alongside physical action. This fusion helped create more layered narratives in 1977's action genre, appealing to audiences looking for both adrenaline and intrigue.

"Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger" uniquely combines action with fantasy and family-friendly adventure. This blend illustrates the diversity of 1977's action catalog, offering entertainment suitable for different audiences beyond the typical adult-oriented fare.
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