1981 in film: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

See also: 1980 in film, other events of 1981, 1982 in film, list of 'years in film'.

Events

• January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleagured concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it.
• November 29 - Off Santa Catalina Island, 43-year old actress Natalie Wood drowns during a boating accident.

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark, starring Harrison Ford
2. On Golden Pond, starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda
3. Porky's
4. Arthur
5. Stripes, starring Bill Murray
6. The Cannonball Run
7. Guerre du feu, La
8. For Your Eyes Only
9. Chariots of Fire
10. The Four Seasons

• Best Picture: Chariots of Fire - Enigma, The Ladd Company/Warner Bros.
• Best Actor: Henry Fonda - On Golden Pond
• Best Actress: Katharine Hepburn - On Golden Pond

• January 10 - Richard Boone, actor
• October 24 - Edith Head, costume designer
• December 28 - Allan Dwan, pioneer film director

• Halloween II, starring Jamie Lee Curtis
• The Fox and the Hound
• Friday the 13th, Part 2
• The Great Muppet Caper
• Mommie Dearest, starring Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid
• (Omen III)The Final Conflict, starring Sam Neill, Rossano Brazzi
• Pennies From Heaven, starring Steve Martin, based on the 1978 BBC Television serial by Dennis Potter.