15 scariest summer horror movies of all-time
By Wesley Lara
3. Jaws (1975)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
It had to come eventually, right? The definitive summer horror blockbuster, Jaws is a thrill ride that has etched its way into popular culture in ways that few could’ve predicted at the time.
Often credited as the first true blockbuster film, Jaws set the standard for how high-budget films could be marketed and established itself as the pioneer for the many blockbuster films we see today. From the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the various Mission Impossible films and of course James Cameron’s entire career, all of it has to thank Spielberg’s groundbreaking horror-thriller for paving the way.
It’s also a movie that still manages to hold up over 40 years later as a textbook example of a tightly directed thriller that preyed on the very real fears of people at the time. A shark attack sounds like one of the scariest things in the world to experience, so having a summer vacation ruined by the sudden appearance of a blood-thirsty shark is a fear that could connect with many common folk, the bulk of which made up the film’s success at the box office. People just couldn’t get enough of the summer-ruining shark.
Though Steven Spielberg’s classic has been parodied many times since then, the original has still held a place in the world of cinema thanks to its special effects, terrifying shark sequences and endless quotables. It’s easily the most accessible summer horror movie ever, with anybody being able to enjoy the thrill ride of having a shark terrify beachgoers just looking to enjoy their summer vacation in the cool water. With Jaws, the beach was forever changed to a place where absolutely ANYTHING was possible.