Though it's hard to imagine now, summer was once a slow season for movie theaters. Before central air, it was difficult to convince the public to take a break from outdoor activities to spend the day in a stuffy, windowless room. Even as the venues improved, studios remained hesitant to take risks on summer releases.
Everything changed in 1975. That year, Hollywood realized that big concepts, thrilling action, and stunning special effects could entice audiences, even in the height of summer. Studios started writing big checks for these so-called "summer blockbusters,"and year after year, the investments paid off.
A look at nearly 50 years of major summer releases tells us a lot about cinema history. From Jaws to Top Gun: Maverick, here are the biggest summer blockbusters since 1975.
