When Steven Spielberg unleashed the great white shark in 1975, no one expected it to redefine blockbusters and give cellos their most terrifying role to date. Jaws was a gamble for the young director, and he’d picked a release date in the middle of summer. But somehow, it worked. With its slow-burning tension, grounded performances, and an unforgettable score, Jaws changed everything. It didn’t just scare us out of the water, but also ushered in the era of summer movies.