1975–1977Reputable sourceWell documented
The Blockbuster Era
On the timeline · around 1975–1977 ·
What happened
Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975) and George Lucas's Star Wars (1977) redefined what a movie could be and earn. With groundbreaking special effects, wide releases, heavy marketing, and vast merchandising, Star Wars in particular became a cultural phenomenon and one of the biggest hits of all time.
Why it matters
The blockbuster transformed the film business, shifting Hollywood toward big-budget, effects-driven, franchise-oriented spectacles aimed at global audiences — the model that still dominates the industry.