Summer is here so we're bringing you a two-part series of the greatest Summer Blockbusters of all time. First up, we look at the best the 20th Century has to offer as the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Summer Blockbusters of the 20th Century. Due to the scope of this list, we narrowed it down to films that were released within the summer window and were a top five box office draw in their year of release.
Each writer ranks their top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
If you know me, you know where my top vote went here (I wanted to give someone else a chance to talk about it). Second on my list, however, was The Empire Strikes Back. Not only is this film a timeless classic, but it's also the best film in one of the most successful franchises of all time. The influence of Empire is still seen across genres in the present day, while the twist of Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) parentage continues to be one of the greatest in cinematic history. Not to mention, this is also where we were first introduced to Frank Oz's Yoda. In a franchise coming up on 50 years of content, this still remains the gold standard of Star Wars. - Nick
4. JURASSIC PARK
Considering I just walked out of the latest installment of this franchise and how far it has flown from the original, it has not been lost on me recently how absolutely massive Jurassic Park was when it was released, and how amazingly well it still holds up today. First and foremost, the special effects look better than half of the movies that are released now. Secondly, nobody generates entertainment, propulsion, tension, and wonder quite like the king of blockbusters Steven Spielberg. Lastly (though honestly this list could be 10 points long), there might not be a more lovable trio of protagonists than that of Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sadler (Laura Dern), and Ian Malcolm (the ever-lovable Jeff Goldblum). I don’t care what place we may officially have this on our list; it’s hard to argue that Jurassic Park isn’t the greatest summer blockbuster of all time. - Amarú
3. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
The fact that there are three Steven Spielberg-directed films on this list is a testament to how he not only created the summer blockbuster, but defined it over the course of decades. Before the aforementioned Jurassic Park, 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark was another stone-cold classic in his filmography, as he teamed up with old friend George Lucas (a summer blockbuster pioneer himself with Star Wars). Raiders features all the action, romance, humour, mythology, practical effects, breakneck pacing, and exotic landscapes that came with the 1930s and 1940s pulp adventure serials that made up their childhoods. It’s a fantastic showcase for all involved, and it’s no wonder that it became the highest-grossing film of that year, further catapulting the careers of Spielberg, Lucas, and Harrison Ford, whose iconic turn as Indiana Jones would solidify him as a movie star in the process. - Bode
2. JAWS
Of course Jaws is on the top of my list. Whilst there were successful event films before its release, the unprecedented success of Jaws redefined the cinematic landscape and realised the potential of blockbuster cinema. The studio initially viewed it as a B-movie with a turbulent production, but after it proved a success with audiences, they marketed and promoted it like nothing else before, resulting in extraordinary audience turnouts in the summer of its release and, subsequently, massive profits. Jaws launched Steven Spielberg’s career, and even 50 years later, its impact is inescapable. From the instantly recognisable theme composed by John Williams (da dum.. da dum..) to its famous lines of dialogue (“you’re gonna need a bigger boat!”), everything about Jaws is iconic in some way. - Katie
1. BACK TO THE FUTURE
When we look at Top Five lists, Back to the Future, when eligible, is usually featured prominently, especially for me. The reason for that is pretty self-explanatory: it is the perfect movie. Even if you find the premise strange, it tells a tight story with awesome characters, an iconic score, and stunning special effects. It has spawned two sequels, an animated series, video games, a theme park ride, and a hit Broadway musical. Fans come out in droves to conventions when BTTF actors are set to appear. It is a film that has resonated with audiences for forty years, and it will likely continue for at least eighty-eight more. - Robert
HONORABLE MENTIONS
INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
THE LION KING
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY
ALIEN
WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT