JAWS Celebrates 50 Returning To Theaters on August 29
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (July 2, 2025) — Universal Pictures is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws, Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning thriller that redefined the theatrical experience and remains one of the most influential films in cinema history.
On Aug. 29, Jaws will return to theaters nationwide in 4K, with select screenings in IMAX, RealD 3D, 4DX and D-BOX, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the original summer blockbuster in new, dynamic formats.
Originally released on June 20, 1975, Jaws was a box office phenomenon and cultural milestone. It became the first film to surpass $100 million at the domestic box office and helped launch the era of wide-release blockbusters. Its success reshaped Hollywood’s release strategy and solidified summer as the premier season for major studio films.
For Spielberg, who made his feature debut in 1974 with The Sugarland Express, Jaws marked a defining moment. The film established him as one of the key directors of his generation, known for his command of suspense, character and visual storytelling—elements that would influence American cinema for decades.
At just 27, Spielberg approached Jaws with a blend of ambition and restraint. When the mechanical shark—nicknamed Bruce—repeatedly malfunctioned, Spielberg turned to suggestion, using composition, editing and sound to build suspense. The result was a new approach to cinematic thrillers, relying as much on what is unseen as what is shown.
Jaws was nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture, and won three: best film editing, best sound and best original score for John Williams’ now-iconic theme. The film marked the beginning of Spielberg’s long-running collaboration with Williams, whose scores would help define the emotional core of many of Spielberg’s later films.
Based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, Jaws follows the residents of Amity Island after a series of shark attacks threaten the summer tourist season. The town’s police chief (Oscar nominee Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Oscar nominee Robert Shaw) set out to stop the predator. The cast also includes Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb and Jeffrey Kramer. The screenplay was written by Benchley and Gottlieb. The film was produced by Oscar winner Richard D. Zanuck and Oscar nominee David Brown, with cinematography by Oscar nominee Bill Butler and editing by Oscar winner Verna Fields.
“Few films have had the kind of enduring impact Jaws has had,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. “It was a cultural event when it debuted in 1975, and its impact continues to resonate with every generation of moviegoers. We’re proud to bring it back to theaters in the most dynamic formats available, where audiences can once again experience the full power of this enduring classic, exactly as it was meant to be seen.”
Tickets for the 50th anniversary re-release are on sale now.
The theatrical return of Jaws is part of a global celebration marking its 50-year legacy. Other tributes include Jaws: The Exhibition, opening Sept. 14 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures; themed attractions at Universal Studios theme parks worldwide; a commemorative merchandise collection; and streaming availability on Peacock this summer.