Jaws

50 Years

Movies can change the world, even movies that have come out in the last few years can change the world for a while, but how long does that change last? How far does a movie’s legacy reach beyond its release?

A movie that doesn’t have to ask itself these questions is Jaws. 50 years ago, Jaws changed the world, and the changes it brought have not been undone in half a century. Steven Spielberg ascended the ladder to become one of the most important directors in film history, people still have hangups about swimming in the ocean thanks to Jaws, and its financial success rewired the entire international filmmaking business. Simply put, there are few American films as important to the world as Jaws.