With Grease co-star John Travolta in a 1978 movie poster. The film developed a friendship between the two leads that lasted for many years and solidified Newton-reputation John's as a household figure.

Making that movie was "something life-changing," Newton-John remarked in an interview in 2018. "You could tell something was occurring [at the premiere] by the intensity. There was an enormous response. To be a part of that makes me feel grateful."

Newton-John was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performance as Sandy Olsson and the song "Hopelessly Devoted to You."

Two years later, Newton-John returned to the big screen in the cult smash musical Xanadu, which was based on a Greek muse and a roller disco (seen here in 1979 with costars Michael Beck and Gene Kelly). Newton-John was prominently positioned in the audience on opening night when it was converted into a Broadway musical in 2007.