Although "Star Wars" and "Jaws" are often credited with kicking off the modern blockbuster, you can argue it was "The Godfather" in 1972 that truly laid the groundwork for it. "The Godfather" was not only a critical success but also a massive box office hit, grossing $250 million worldwide against a $6-7 million budget. The movie was what the New York Times dubbed in 1978 a "super-grosser," defined as a "truly great film" that not only made tons of money but became a "national obsession." It was a movie so popular and important that you simply had to see it, or else you were missing out.

Besides money and cultural influence, what defines a super-grosser? That same NYT piece attempted to find some key traits they shared, and a big one was the music. "The Godfather," "Star Wars," and

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