After directing the iconic horror film that launched his career, Steven Spielberg shifted gears to a completely different genre for his next Hollywood blockbuster.

Spielberg was only 27 when he directed Jaws , the classic horror shark film, for Universal Pictures. Initially, there was fear that the film would sink Spielberg’s career, as Jaws went well over budget and 104 days past shooting schedule.

But upon its release in the summer of 1975, Jaws smashed all expectations and became the highest-grossing film in history. Jaws carried that record for two years before Star Wars (1977) set a new record.

Though Star Wars headlined the list of Hollywood films for 1977, Spielberg also happened to release his second career blockbuster that same year.

Spielberg’s first post- Jaws blockbuster, Close Encounters of the Third Kind , was released on Nov. 16, 1977.…