Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1970s, charming audiences with his easy grin, tough-guy swagger, and surprising range as an actor. From gritty dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, he seemed to do it all with effortless cool.
His films from that decade didn’t just entertain millions of people – they shaped what American movies looked and felt like. Here are the 13 films from the 70s that built his legend and kept fans coming back for more.
1. Deliverance (1972)
Few films changed an actor’s career the way Deliverance changed Burt Reynolds. Playing Lewis Medlock, a tough and confident outdoorsman, Reynolds showed audiences he could handle serious, intense drama.
The story follows four friends on a canoe trip that turns terrifying in the Georgia wilderness.
Critics took notice, and Hollywood suddenly saw Reynolds as more than just a handsome face. This role proved he had real depth as a performer and set the foundation for everything that followed in his career.
2. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (1972)
Woody Allen’s quirky comedy anthology gave Reynolds a chance to poke fun at himself in the best possible way. He played a sperm switchboard chief in one of the film’s most absurd and hilarious segments, showing off comedic timing that audiences hadn’t seen from him before.
It was a bold, self-aware choice that hinted at the playful side Reynolds would lean into throughout the decade. Taking a role this silly proved he didn’t take himself too seriously, which fans absolutely loved.
3. White Lightning (1973)
Bobby “Gator” McKlusky was the role that turned Burt Reynolds into a full-on action hero. White Lightning placed him in the heart of the “Hixploitation” genre, a style of Southern-set action films that was hugely popular in the early 70s.
Reynolds played an ex-convict chasing down a corrupt sheriff.
Car chases, Southern charm, and a rebellious spirit made this film a crowd-pleaser. It connected Reynolds to working-class audiences who saw him as one of their own, a bond that lasted for years.
4. Shamus (1973)
Shamus gave Reynolds the chance to step into the shoes of a classic tough-guy private detective. As Shamus McCoy, he brought a laid-back charisma to a role that could have felt like a standard noir knockoff.
Instead, his natural charm made the character feel fresh and fun.
The film blended action with humor in a way that felt ahead of its time. It wasn’t a massive blockbuster, but it showed Reynolds could anchor a film on personality alone, which was becoming his trademark.
5. The Longest Yard (1974)
Ask any fan of 70s movies about The Longest Yard, and you’ll get an enthusiastic response every time. Reynolds played Paul “Wrecking” Crewe, a former pro quarterback who organizes a football game between inmates and guards inside a prison.
The setup sounds simple, but the film delivered something genuinely exciting.
It mixed sports drama with comedy and social commentary in a way that felt totally original. Reynolds was magnetic from start to finish, and the movie became one of the defining films of the entire decade.
6. W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings is one of those films that captures the loose, fun energy Reynolds brought to comedies in the mid-70s. He played W.W.
Bright, a charming con man who latches onto a struggling country music band and helps them find their big break.
The film has a breezy, road-trip feel that makes it easy to watch even today. Reynolds seemed completely at home in the role, blending Southern wit with genuine warmth in a story that never takes itself too seriously.
7. Hustle (1975)
Hustle showed a grittier, more introspective side of Burt Reynolds that many fans hadn’t expected. As Lieutenant Phil Gaines, he played a Los Angeles detective tangled up in a complicated investigation and a troubled romance.
Director Robert Aldrich gave the film a dark, moody atmosphere that stood apart from Reynolds’ usual work.
Reynolds also served as an executive producer, showing his growing ambition behind the camera. The film was a reminder that he could carry serious dramatic material without leaning on his star charisma alone.
8. Gator (1976)
Returning to the role of Bobby “Gator” McKlusky for this sequel was one thing, but Reynolds also stepped behind the camera to direct Gator, making it his feature directorial debut. That kind of double duty takes real confidence, and Reynolds pulled it off with style.
The film kept the Southern action energy of White Lightning while adding a slightly more polished feel. Fans of the original showed up in force, and the experience of directing gave Reynolds a new appreciation for filmmaking that would shape his later career choices.
9. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
No single film defined Burt Reynolds quite like Smokey and the Bandit. The story of a fast-talking trucker racing across the South in a black Pontiac Trans Am became a cultural phenomenon.
Co-starring Sally Field and Jackie Gleason, the movie was pure, joyful entertainment from beginning to end.
It became the second-highest-grossing film of 1977, behind only Star Wars, which is almost unbelievable to think about today. This was the moment Reynolds became a true superstar, kicking off a seven-year run as one of Hollywood’s top box-office draws.
10. Semi-Tough (1977)
Coming out the same year as Smokey and the Bandit, Semi-Tough showed Reynolds could succeed in completely different kinds of films at the same time. The comedy followed two pro football players, played by Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson, both in love with the same woman, played by Jill Clayburgh.
Sharp writing and great chemistry between the three leads made this one of the more underrated comedies of the decade. Reynolds balanced laughs with genuine emotion, proving his range extended well beyond car chases and action sequences.
11. The End (1978)
Dark comedies are tricky to pull off, but Reynolds tackled the challenge of The End by both starring in and directing the film. He played Wendell Sonny Lawson, a man who learns he is dying and makes increasingly chaotic attempts to end his life before the illness does.
It sounds heavy, but the film plays it with a wild, absurdist sense of humor.
Landing as the 14th top-grossing film of 1978, it was no small achievement. Reynolds seemed energized by the creative freedom that came with directing himself.
12. Hooper (1978)
Hooper felt personal for Reynolds in a way that few of his films did. Playing Sonny Hooper, an aging Hollywood stuntman pushing his body past its limits, gave Reynolds a chance to celebrate the real-life daredevils who made action movies possible.
He genuinely admired stunt performers and wanted to shine a light on their work.
Audiences responded warmly, and Hooper became the sixth top-grossing film of 1978. It’s a crowd-pleasing tribute to the unsung heroes behind the camera, wrapped in plenty of thrilling action sequences.
13. Starting Over (1979)
Wrapping up the decade with a romantic comedy was a smart move for Reynolds, and Starting Over delivered something genuinely sweet. He played Phil Potter, a recently divorced man trying to figure out love and life all over again.
Co-starring Candice Bergen and Jill Clayburgh, the film had real emotional warmth.
Critics appreciated Reynolds stepping away from fast cars and action sequences to explore something quieter and more human. It was a fitting close to a decade in which he had proven himself one of the most versatile and watchable stars in Hollywood.