One-hundred-plus years of filmmaking provides a long, rich, and deep history to look back on. Retro reviews and analysis of old films are practically necessary full-time specialties. Month after month, films release, vying to make as much money and attention as possible. Some rise, some fall, but regardless of financial success, it’s never a sign of a lasting effect. A great example is the little-mentioned 2012 film released just eight years ago. 2012 made nearly 800 million dollars and effectively vanished off the face of the earth.
So, where does that leave past box office champs? Let’s take a look back ten, twenty, and thirty years ago at the biggest movies released in September.
1. Fatal Attraction
Thirty years ago the movie landscape was radically different. Adults were the primary group to hit the cineplex and the movies reflected that. Fatal Attraction is a perfect example. The thriller featured Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher, a married Manhattan lawyer who has a weekend fling with Alex Forrest played by Glenn Close. Though the two agree it’s just a fling, Alex cannot let it end and continues to pursue Dan.
As our own Larry Taylor puts it, Fatal Attraction gave birth to the “Yuppie Thriller.” Fatal Attraction was a rare mix of commercial and critical success, even receiving Oscar nominations among other awards and accolades.
