Having a famous father opened many doors to Michael that would have been closed to other young Hollywood hopefuls. Douglas starred in the long-running TV series The Streets of San Francisco from 1972 to 1976, where Douglas had on- and off-screen chemistry with Malden, who became a second father to him, during the show's run. He received an Academy Award as producer for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975. Although Douglas was a capable actor on Streets, his career was somewhat stagnant after the series, and he only appeared in occasional movies which were usually less than popular (e.g., 1979's Running).

His fortunes changed when he starred in the 1984 romantic adventure comedy Romancing the Stone. The film was followed a year later in 1985 by a sequel, The Jewel of the Nile. 1987 was a pivotal year for Douglas, one that won him massive attention as a serious actor. He starred in Fatal Attraction with Glenn Close and the film became a world-wide hit. That same year he play