A year’s biggest hit movie can tell you a lot about what the world was like back then. Here’s a retrospective on the most profitable films Hollywood gave us, starting in 1960. What was the biggest hit movie the yearyouwere born?
1960 - Swiss Family Robinson
Disney’s family adventure/survival film was a hit, pulling in $40,400,000 in the States. History may not remember it as well as it does two others from that year—Alfred Hitchcock’sPsychoandThe Magnificent Seven—but at the time, we all wanted a simple family adventure.
It was a new decade in America. The 1950s saw the Korean War, the Red Scare, and a population increase thanks to the Baby Boomer generation. The start of the ‘60s marked a new era in cinema as well, when Technicolor epics likeSwiss Family Robinsonplayed well with audiences.
1961 - 101 Dalmatians
Family entertainment remained all the rage for another year. In fact,101 Dalmatiansranks twelfth all-time when you adjust for inflation. The movie scored an impressive $153,000,000 in the U.S., more than doubling the haul of 1961’s second place finisher,West Side Story.
We may have been in the throes of the Cold War, but when it comes to animated features about cuddly animals and the bad people who want to destroy them, nothing will stop Americans from handing over their money for that sort of silver screen treat.
1962 - Lawrence of Arabia
An epic on the grandest of scales, the adventurous story ofT.E. Lawrenceproved a hit across the globe. ThePeter O’Toolestarrer drew a worldwide total of $69,995,385. Not bad for a movie with a staggering three hour and thirty-six minute runtime.
Big as it was, Americans actually preferredThe Longest Daythat year—the classicJohn WayneWorld War II film (also a long one). But the obvious international appeal ofLawrence of Arabiawon out, besting its competition.
1963 - Cleopatra
In a global competition, two movies were most formidable in 1963. Ultimately, audiences preferred another biographical spectacle to the zany, star-studdedIt’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World(which is a long, long, long, long movie).
Cleopatragrossed $57,000,000 in the U.S., and $71,000,000 worldwide. The sweeping drama, starringElizabeth Tayloras the titular Egyptian queen, also cost a fortune to make. The $31 million production, adjusted for inflation, equaled a budget of $225 million in today’s money.
1964 - Mary Poppins
Disney did it again in 1964. Fans were able to look pastDick Van Dyke’sinfamous “Cockney accent” as they fell in love with the children’s classic musical. The movie grossed $102,272,145 in the U.S. and is still adored today, spawning a 2018 sequel.
You know you’ve got a hit when the next closest competitor,My Fair Lady,falls more than $30-million short.Julie Andrewsas a magical singing nanny was a delight for all audiences. No need for a spoonful of sugar to help this one go down.
1965 - The Sound of Music
For the second year in a row, a Julie Andrews musical earned top spot at the box office. And this one was a hit all around the world, raking in a total sum of $286,214,286. The opening Alps sequence remains one of the most recognizable in film history.
It was still a time of the grand scale epic.Doctor Zhivagoalso put up massive numbers that year. But audiences were seeking experiences for the whole family and, apparently, ones you could also sing along to. Sorry,Thunderball.
1966 - The Bible: In the Beginning…
1966 saw a drop in numbers. Movies made nearly $200-million less than they did the year prior. While star power droveWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf(Elizabeth Taylor) andThe Sand Pebbles(Steve McQueen), the top selling book of all time had greater appeal.The Bible: In The Beginninggenerated $34,900,023 in the U.S.
Though it only covers about half of the book of Genesis - from creation to Abraham - it was enough to sell more tickets than any other movie that year. Whether it’s directorJohn HustonorMel Gibsonputting the Scriptures in front of the camera, the masses always seem to show up in droves.
1967 - The Graduate
By 1967, anti-heroes and villains were capturing our collective attention. Movies likeBonnie and Clyde,Cool Hand LukeandThe Dirty Dozenwere released that year. But none of them drew as many eyeballs asThe Graduate.
The controversial and salacious film starringDustin HoffmanandAnne Bancroftas the older seductress luring him away from her daughter, made $104,397,102 domestically. And thanks toSimon & Garfunkel, it also boasts a soundtrack as integral to the movie as any has ever been.
1968 - 2001: A Space Odyssey
Though it confounded audiences,Stanley Kubrick’s2001: A Space Odysseywas the biggest hit of 1968. Never had anyone seen space exploration quite like this before. Between its stunning effects and a haunting score, this tale of humanity’s watershed achievements was truly ahead of its time.
In a year that gave us other greats likePlanet of the ApesandRosemary’s Baby, Kubrick’s sci-fi masterstroke had a different kind of wow factor. It pulled in a monolithic $71,928,046 around the world. Remarkably, its visual effects hold up to this day.
1969 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
It was a year of rebellion as the 1960s came to a close. We were treated to controversial buddy films likeMidnight CowboyandEasy Rider. As counterculture grew in popularity among America’s youth, our favorite movie of 1969 was a western buddy romp with a pair of legends in the title roles.
Grossing $102,308,900 domestically, the PaulNewman/Robert Redford(somewhat) true story also impressed critics and the Academy—even that “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” sequence! It was nominated for Best Picture, andWilliam Goldmantook home the Best Original Screenplay honor.
