Principal photography for American Graffiti commenced on the 26th of June 1972 and concluded on the 4th of August 1972. The production moved from San Rafael to Petaluma, California after facing resistance in the first city.
Universal Pictures spent one point two seven million dollars to produce and market American Graffiti. This budget started at six hundred thousand dollars but grew to seven hundred seventy-seven thousand dollars before marketing costs were added.
The final cut of American Graffiti ran one hundred twelve minutes and was completed in December 1972. Editors removed three scenes totaling only a few minutes after Coppola won an Academy Award for Best Picture in March 1973.
American Graffiti premiered on the 2nd of August 1973 at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland. It opened in the United States on the 11th of August 1973 with sleeper hit reception despite studio skepticism.
George Lucas created American Graffiti to document cruising culture that had disappeared by the time he returned to Modesto, California. He felt compelled to record the experience his generation used to meet girls while sitting in a diner during the early 1960s.