Steven Spielberg's 1981 adventure sends archaeologist Indiana Jones after the Ark of the Covenant, racing Nazi treasure hunters across three continents. Financed by Lucasfilm rather than a studio, built from a George Lucas story and a Lawrence Kasdan script, it swept the technical Academy Awards and became the year's biggest earner despite tracking that predicted it would be overshadowed.
George Lucas's 1977 space opera sends farm boy Luke Skywalker into a rebellion against the Galactic Empire after he acquires stolen plans for a planet-destroying superweapon, teaming with smuggler Han Solo, Princess Leia and Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Made for $11 million after multiple studios turned the project down, it became a surprise blockbuster, grossing $775 million across its releases, winning six Academy Awards, and establishing the modern template for franchise filmmaking.
Irvin Kershner's 1980 sequel sends the Rebel Alliance into retreat as the Galactic Empire hunts them down, splitting Luke Skywalker's training under Jedi master Yoda from Han Solo and Princess Leia's flight from Darth Vader's forces. Written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from George Lucas's story outline, it went well over its original $8 million budget to a reported $30.5 million, became the year's highest-grossing film, and is now widely regarded as the strongest entry in the Star Wars series.