1970 in film

The year 1970 in film involved some significant events.

Highest-grossing films (U.S.)
See also: List of 1970 box office number-one films in the United States

The top ten 1970 released films by box office gross in North America are as follows:

Highest-grossing films of 1970

Rank

Title

Studio

Domestic gross

1. Love Story Paramount Pictures $106,397,186 2. Airport Universal Studios $100,489,151 3. MASH 20th Century Fox Film Corporation $67,300,000 4. Patton 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation $61,749,765 5. Woodstock Warner Bros. $50,000,000 6. The Aristocats Walt Disney Productions $43,727,252 7. Little Big Man National General Pictures $31,559,552 8. Ryan's Daughter Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures $30,846,306 9. Tora! Tora! Tora! 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation $29,548,291 10. Chariots of the Gods Constantin Film / Sunn Classic Pictures $25,948,300

Events
January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, effectively ending his career. February 11 - The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, premieres in New York City. The film's soundtrack album, including Badfinger's "Come and Get It" (written and produced by Paul McCartney), is released on Apple Records. March 12 - Film debut of Ornella Muti in La moglie più bella (The Most Beautiful Wife) 3 days after her 15th birthday. March 17 - The controversial film The Boys in the Band, directed by William Friedkin and based on Mart Crowley's hit off-Broadway play, opens in theaters. October 24 - Joan Crawford's final film, the low-budget horror picture Trog, opens in theaters. The IMAX motion picture projection system premieres at the Fuji Pavilion, at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. In Culver City, California, MGM begins selling off its studio back lot property and movie props.

Awards
Academy Awards: Best Picture: Patton - 20th Century FoxBest Director: Darryl F. Zanuck accepting on behalf of Franklin J. Schaffner - PattonBest Actor: Darryl F. Zanuck accepting on behalf of George C. Scott - Patton (declined)Best Actress: Anne Francis accepting on behalf of Glenda Jackson - Women in LoveBest Supporting Actor: Juliet Mills accepting on behalf of John Mills - Ryan's DaughterBest Supporting Actress: Angela Lansbury accepting on behalf of Helen Hayes - AirportBest Foreign Language Film: Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto), directed by Elio Petri, Italy Golden Globe Awards: Drama:Best Picture: Love StoryBest Actor: George C. Scott – PattonBest Actress: Ali MacGraw – Love StoryMusical or comedy:Best Picture: MASHBest Actor: Albert Finney – ScroogeBest Actress: Carrie Snodgress – Diary of a Mad HousewifeOtherBest Director: Arthur Hiller, Love Story Cannes Film Festival (Palme d'Or): MASH, directed by Robert Altman, United States

Notable films released in 1970

 * 1) Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion