See also: 1996 in film, other events of 1997, 1998 in film, list of 'years in film'.

Events

• Summer - Production begins on Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
• Star Wars Special Editions are released

Top grossing films

1. Titanic
2. Men in Black, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones
3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
4. Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey
5. Air Force One, starring Harrison Ford
6. As Good As It Gets, starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt
7. Good Will Hunting, starring Robin Williams
8. My Best Friend's Wedding
9. Tomorrow Never Dies
10. Face/Off

Academy Awards

• Best Picture: Titanic - 20th Century Fox, Lightstorm Entertainment, Paramount Pictures
• Best Actor: Jack Nicholson - As Good As It Gets
• Best Actress: Helen Hunt - As Good As It Gets

Births

Deaths

• January 10 - Sheldon Leonard, producer, actor, director
• January 18 - Diana Lewis, actress
• February 11 - Don Porter, actor
• May 5 - Walter Gotell, actor (b. 1924)
• June 14 - Richard Jaeckel, actor
• July 1 - Robert Mitchum, actor
• July 2 - James Stewart, actor
• August 27 - Brandon Tartikoff, studio executive
• September 9 - Burgess Meredith, actor
• September 17 - Red Skelton, actor
• October 12- John Denver, singer, actor
• December 18 - Chris Farley, comedian, actor
• December 24 - Toshiro Mifune, actor
• December 31 - Billie Dove, actress

Other movies released

• Amistad
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
• Batman & Robin
• Home Alone 3
• L.A. Confidential
• Gattaca
• Power Rangers Turbo: The Movie
• The Fifth Element
• The Full Monty
• The Ice Storm
• Into Thin Air
• Mononoke Hime (July 12 - Japan)
• The Rainmaker
• Suicide Kings
• The Sweet Hereafter
• Volcano starring Tommy Lee Jones (April 25)