Search Movie Plot Summaries & Endings Explained

Adventure · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

The Rescuers (1977)

Two representatives from the Rescue Aid Society, the earnest Bernard and the elegant Bianca, are sent on a perilous mission to save a young orphan named Penny. Penny sends a desperate plea for help from an orphanage in Devil’s Bayou, where the greedy Madame Medusa plans to force her to search for a diamond as large as a goose's egg. Facing dangerous obstacles and Medusa’s menacing henchmen, the unlikely heroes must summon all their courage and ingenuity to overcome the challenges and bring Penny to safety.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

New York, New York (1977)

A young concierge's dreams of stardom collide with the realities of a changing city in post-World War II New York. As he rises through the ranks of the jazz scene, he becomes entangled in a complex relationship with a captivating singer. Their passionate connection is tested by ambition, betrayal, and the harsh truths of pursuing success in a dazzling but demanding environment. He must ultimately face the price of his aspirations and the fragility of love amidst the vibrant backdrop of the city.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

Exo-Man (1977)

A professor, who has been paralyzed in an attack by mob hitmen, builds a suit that enables him to walk and fight crime.

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Adventure · Tense tone · Happy ending

The Deep (1977)

A grieving podcaster’s search for answers about his sister’s death leads him into the dark and dangerous corners of the internet. Driven by loss, he investigates the circumstances surrounding her tragic passing, but as he digs deeper, he risks losing himself in a world where the boundary between truth and obsession becomes dangerously unclear. His quest for closure threatens to consume him entirely.

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Horror · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Following the events of the first film, Father Joseph Lamont investigates the death of Father Merrin, the priest who helped exorcise Regan MacNeil. His search for answers leads him on a journey to Africa, where he uncovers disturbing connections to the original exorcism and confronts a terrifying ancient evil. Lamont struggles with his own faith as he attempts to understand the forces at play and protect Regan from further demonic influence.

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Drama · Bleak tone · Sad ending

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

During World War II, as Allied forces gained momentum, a complex and ambitious plan was put into action. British and American airborne troops, led by General Gavin and General Urquhart, launched a daring operation to seize key bridges in the Netherlands. The goal was to swiftly penetrate German lines and open a route into Germany. However, the operation faced unexpected challenges and setbacks, testing the resolve of the Allied forces and highlighting the risks inherent in large-scale military endeavors. The mission's ultimate success remained uncertain amidst the escalating dangers.

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Drama · Bleak tone · Bleak ending

The Devil, Probably (1977)

Charles drifts through politics, religion and psychoanalysis, rejecting each one. As his disgust deepens over the moral and physical decay of the society around him, he becomes convinced that suicide is his only escape, a bleak, nihilistic contemplation of existence.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Tentacles (1977)

A massive octopus terrorizes a seaside town, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of unsuspecting tourists. Investigative journalist Ned Turner teams up with marine expert Will Gleason to uncover the source of the creature's rampage. Their investigation reveals a sinister plot orchestrated by ruthless corporation leader Mr. Whitehead, who is deeply involved in the octopus's deadly actions and the events leading to its emergence.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

Rollercoaster (1977)

A hidden killer lurks among the thrill‑seekers, turning joy into terror. A young terrorist plants homemade explosives on a Norfolk roller coaster track, killing and injuring patrons, then repeats the attack in Pittsburgh. He records the carnage and sends a tape to a Chicago meeting of amusement‑park executives, demanding one million dollars to stop his rampage.

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Adventure · Light tone · Happy ending

For the Love of Benji (1977)

During a family vacation in Greece, Benji’s adventurous spirit leads him into an unexpected situation. A secret agent covertly passes a valuable item to him, and suddenly, Benji finds himself alone in Athens, pursued by dangerous individuals. Determined to return to his beloved Mary and the children, he embarks on a thrilling journey filled with clever escapes and heartwarming moments.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Fire Sale (1977)

The Fikus family is far from ordinary. Benny and Ruthie head to Florida, leaving Benny’s department store to son Russell, whom they barely respect. Russell struggles under pressure while disowned brother Ezra, a failing high‑school basketball coach, deals with a wife desperate for a baby. Chaos and humor follow as each sibling confronts his crisis.

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Romance · Dark tone · Bleak ending

The Other Side of Midnight (1977)

Noelle Page, a French actress, falls for American pilot Larry Douglas, expecting marriage. Larry returns to the U.S. and marries innocent Catherine. Heartbroken, Noelle dates wealthy Greek Constantin and builds a successful acting career, vowing revenge. When her plot unfolds, she and Larry rekindle their passion and conspire to eliminate Catherine.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

In the Zone of Special Attention (1977)

Action film about the Soviet paratroopers.

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Adventure · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

The Prince and the Pauper (1977)

Tom Canty, a destitute London street youth, discovers he is the spitting‑image of Edward, Prince of Wales, the son of King Henry VIII. When the two meet, they trade clothes for a prank, but the switch becomes permanent after they are separated, forcing each boy to survive in the other's very different world of royalty and poverty.

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Comedy · Light tone · Ambiguous ending

Silver Bears (1977)

Financial wizard “Doc” Fletcher is sent by crime boss Joe Fiore to buy a bank to launder. He finds the bank, acquired via Prince di Siracusa, is an office above a restaurant. The Prince steers him into a silver mine owned by Shireen and Agha Firdausi, drawing rivals. Fletcher uses tricks to protect his interests and courts an unhappy banker’s wife.

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Mystery · Dark tone · Bleak ending

The Child (1977)

Set in early‑20th‑century California, young Alicianne accepts a position as nanny to the recently orphaned Rosalie Nordon. En route to the remote Nordon estate, a neighbor cautions her about the family’s dark reputation. At the house she encounters the grim, reclusive Mr. Nordon, his socially‑awkward son Len, and the aloof Rosalie, a girl whose anger seems to give her the unsettling ability to animate objects around her.

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Adventure · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

Joyride (1977)

What begins as an exhilarating escape quickly turns grim. After quitting their stagnant jobs, Scott, John and Suzie leave L.A. for Alaska to launch a salmon‑fishing venture. The harsh Alaskan reality forces them to abandon their plans, confronting desperate choices simply to stay alive.

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Drama · Tense tone · Happy ending

Moonshine County Express (1977)

Determined to uphold their father's legacy, the three surviving daughters of a slain moonshiner join forces with a daring race‑car driver. Together they clandestinely produce and transport high‑proof moonshine, outsmarting the local crime syndicate and keeping the operation running night after night.

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Animation · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Vasilisa the Beautiful (1977)

When a young prince discovers a talking frog that is actually a beautiful princess cursed by the forest witch Baba Yaga, he vows to break the spell. He sets out on a perilous journey through an enchanted woods, confronting riddles and magical traps, and ultimately outwits Baba Yaga to restore her true form.

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Comedy · Dark tone · Mixed ending

Desperate Living (1977)

After murdering her husband, Peggy Gravel and her murderous maid Grizelda find themselves stranded in the chaotic town of Mortville, a bizarre place ruled by the flamboyant Queen Carlotta, who presides over a crooked cadre of eccentric misfits. Their arrival threatens to upend the town’s twisted order.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Wounded Game (1977)

A story about a group of Russian boys who have lost their fathers in the World War II.

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Action · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

A Bollywood action‑comedy about three brothers separated in childhood, each raised in a different home and following a separate religion. They reunite as youths to confront a common villain. The film was the biggest box‑office hit of 1977 and earned several 25th Filmfare Awards, including Best Actor, Best Music Director and Best Editing.

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Action · Light tone · Happy ending

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

A charismatic trucker accepts a lucrative but risky challenge: transporting 400 cases of beer across state lines in under 28 hours. Teaming up with his mechanic Cledus and beautiful cargo partner Carrie, the Bandit faces relentless pursuit from the determined Sheriff Buford T. Justice. The high-stakes delivery leads to a thrilling adventure filled with humor, fast cars, and plenty of close calls on the open road.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Mixed ending

Black Joy (1977)

An innocent and unsophisticated Guyanese immigrant is exposed to the hustlin’ way of life in the Brixton ghetto.

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Action · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

In a galaxy far, far away, Princess Leia, a leader in the Rebel Alliance, is captured by the evil Galactic Empire. A desperate mission is launched to rescue her, drawing in a resourceful smuggler named Han Solo and the farm boy Luke Skywalker. They join forces to infiltrate the Empire's battle station, the Death Star, and deliver vital plans to the Rebellion, while facing dangerous adversaries and uncovering a powerful connection between Luke and the Force.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Happy ending

Padre Padrone (1977)

Based on the true life of Gavino Ledda, a Sardinian shepherd’s son, the film chronicles his relentless self‑education that propels him out of a brutal, almost barbaric upbringing. He confronts violent resistance from his ruthless father, ultimately forging his own path through learning.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bleak ending

Stroszek (1977)

After being released from prison and warned to stop drinking, Bruno Stroszek—who has few skills and expectations—ekes out a living as a street‑musician, playing a glockenspiel and an accordion. He befriends Eva, a down‑on‑her‑luck prostitute, and together with his eccentric elderly neighbour Scheitz, they leave Germany for a new start in Wisconsin.

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Drama · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Cross of Iron (1977)

During the final months of World War II, decorated Corporal Rolf Steiner finds himself at odds with ambitious Captain Stransky, who seeks to undermine him and claim Steiner's Iron Cross medal. Set against the backdrop of a brutal battlefield, the film explores the clash between Steiner’s pragmatic approach to war and Stransky’s desperate need for recognition. Their rivalry intensifies as they navigate the dangers of combat and the moral compromises demanded by war, blurring the lines between duty and personal ambition.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

A Special Day (1977)

Set against the atmosphere of 1938 Rome as Adolf Hitler makes his historic visit, the film follows two neighbours—a journalist under persecution and a housewife resigned to routine—who forge an unexpected, deep bond that illuminates personal resilience amid the tense, fascist era.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn (1977)

Weave Alexander’s past and present. Sent away by his parents for being overly sensitive on the farm, he moves to Los Angeles to attend art school. Unable to find minor work, he turns to prostitution, gets arrested, and plans to join Dawn in Arizona. Instead, a lucrative job and a romance with a gay football star change his path.

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Thriller · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Day of the Animals (1977)

A chilling preview of a near‑future disaster, the film shows how the breakdown of the ozone layer drives wildlife living above 5,000 feet into violent frenzy. A group of hikers is air‑dropped into this hostile zone just before a quarantine is imposed, forcing them to confront rampaging animals and fight for survival.

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Action · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Iphigenia (1977)

As the Greek fleet prepares to sail for the Trojan War, the winds remain stubbornly still. King Agamemnon, hoping to secure better provisions, accidentally kills a deer sacred to the gods. Angered, the deity demands a tribute, forcing Agamemnon to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia before the ships can depart.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Eaten Alive (1977)

Deep within the remote jungles of New Guinea, a woman embarks on a perilous search for her missing brother. Accompanied by a seasoned guide, she journeys into a secluded region, where they uncover a mysterious cult and a tribe driven by a terrifying, unending hunger. Their quest for answers leads them into a desperate struggle for survival against a primal and horrifying threat.

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Romance

The Key That Should Not Be Handed On (1977)

Kirill Sergeyevich, a retired army officer, becomes headmaster of a bustling school. Used to strict routines, he initially struggles with the chaotic daily life of students and staff. The difficulty deepens when he meets Marina Maximovna, the literature teacher, who finds the stern ‘martinet’ Nazarov perceptive, tactful and experienced.

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Melancholic tone · Happy ending

Kinara (1977)

Aarti, a talented dancer, is mourning the tragic loss of her beloved Chandan. Amid her sorrow, she forms a friendship with Inder, who gradually falls in love with her gentle spirit. When a startling revelation about a hidden connection between their families emerges, both are shocked, forcing them to confront the past and their tangled destinies.

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Horror · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Dracula’s Dog (1977)

There’s More To The Legend Than Meets… The Throat! A Romanian vampire-hunter tracks Dracula’s servant to Los Angeles, home of the last of his line.

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Horror · Dark tone · Mixed ending

The Possessed (1977)

A former priest, now an exorcist, battles the satanic forces that are threatening the students at a girls school.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Cinderella (1977)

In this raunchy twist on the classic tale, Cinderella’s fairy godmother bestows her with amplified libido to capture Prince Charming’s attention. After a blindfolded orgy in the castle, the nerdy prince must sleep with every consenting woman in the realm until he discovers the singular, unforgettable lover who stood out at the erotic ball.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Death Game (1977)

The game is simple: survive. Wealthy businessman George Manning, a husband and father, celebrates his birthday alone while his family is away. He invites two rain‑soaked young women into his home to wait out a storm. The women seduce him, then kidnap and torture him in his own house, subjecting him to a harrowing ordeal.

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Action · Dark tone · Sad ending

Sudden Death (1977)

Devil‑driven death machines unleash terror when Ed Neilson’s family is brutally slain, prompting him to seek help from retired CIA operative Duke Smith (Robert Conrad). Smith initially declines but changes his mind after Neilson suffers another explosive death. The story spirals through deception, international intrigue and a ruthless syndicate of businessmen bent on exploiting the resources of a South Pacific island nation, keeping the action fast‑paced and relentless.

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