12 Most Influential Blockbuster Movies Ever Made

11. Star Wars (1977)

618_movies_star_wars_luke_leia_han-600x300 If the release of Jaws two years earlier had heralded the arrival of blockbuster cinema, then Star Wars changed the entire industry. Not only did the movie smash box-office records around the globe to become the biggest movie of all time, it also revolutionized the field of visual effects, spawned arguably the largest and most dedicated fanbase of any property, and opened the eyes of studio executives to the vast possibility of merchandising tie-ins. Only after they let George Lucas keep most of the profits, of course. Lucas founded Industrial Light and Magic to achieve his vision for Star Wars, and the effects house would go on to become one of the most respected in the industry, although the fledgling company struggled with the groundbreaking effects work that his vision required. As with a lot of great movies, the production was a troubled one; the budget spiralled from $8.5m to $11m, problems beset the Tunisian portion of the shoot, and Lucas was forced to deal with an undisciplined crew and increasing studio pressure to meet deadlines. In fact, the director had such little confidence in his project that he traded friend Steven Spielberg 2.5% of the movie's profits against the latter's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, believing it would be a bigger hit. Of course when Star Wars was finally released in May 1977 it became nothing short of a phenomenon. As well as enthusiastic critical response and unprecedented commercial success, the movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards (winning six) and would become a watershed moment in cinematic history that paved the way for effects-heavy, action-packed summer blockbusters. Not to mention that it has influenced filmmakers from John Lasseter to James Cameron, with almost everybody in between. Over 35 years later, Star Wars remains as popular as ever.
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