• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

'Grease' celebrates its 40th anniversary

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta star in the the 1978 film, "Grease."
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock
ByAndrea Tuccillo
June 16, 2018, 8:11 AM

Forty years later, fans are still hopelessly devoted to "Grease."

The iconic musical starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta celebrates its 40th anniversary on June 16.

At the time of its release in 1978, "Grease" became the highest-grossing musical ever, breaking the 13-year record held by "The Sound of Music." It's currently the second-highest grossing live action musical, after the 2017 version of "Beauty and the Beast."

The soundtrack of the movie was also hugely successful, and featured the hit title theme, sung by Frankie Valli, as well as "You're the One that I Want," the Oscar-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights."

Related Articles

(MORE: John Travolta on portraying John Gotti in front of mobster's relatives: 'They thought I had arrived')

Earlier this year, in honor of the anniversary, "Grease" came back to the big screen for two nights only as part of the Turner Classic Movies Big Screen Classics series. It also received a special 40th anniversary edition Blu-ray and DVD release, which came out on April 24.

The story and songs of Grease continue to attract generations of fans: In 2016, Fox aired a live remake of the musical starring Julianne Hough which attracted great ratings. Travolta appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" this week and discussed the film's long-lasting appeal.

"It's like any great piece of art or work: It's interpretive," he said. "So actually, it would be a question that individuals would answer better than I could."

"I just know I love it and have always loved it," he added. "I did it on Broadway, I did it on the road -- my daydream was to do it in the movies."

Up Next in Culture—

Rihanna supports A$AP Rocky at 'Highest 2 Lowest' world premiere in Cannes

May 20, 2025

Billie Eilish adds new US leg to Hit Me Hard and Soft tour

May 20, 2025

Michelle Williams gets emotional discussing Heath Ledger and their daughter

May 19, 2025

'Sesame Street' headed to Netflix for reimagined season 56

May 19, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News