Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the movies. Universal Pictures is bringing Jaws back to theaters nationwide on August 29, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film that created the summer blockbuster and forever changed how we go to the movies.
Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic will be presented in breathtaking 4K, with select screenings in IMAX®, RealD 3D, 4DX and D-BOX formats. Tickets are on sale now.
Released on June 20, 1975, Jaws wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural tsunami. The first film to cross $100 million at the domestic box office, it redefined the studio release model and established the summer movie season as prime real estate for event films. Spielberg, then just 27, turned what could’ve been a standard creature feature into a cinematic revolution.
Faced with a malfunctioning mechanical shark (nicknamed Bruce), Spielberg leaned into the power of what isn’t seen. The result? A masterclass in suspense—crafted through shadows, sound, and suggestion—that terrified audiences and reshaped thrillers forever. His restraint became innovation, and his vision helped birth a new kind of Hollywood.
Jaws earned four Academy Award nominations and won three: Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Original Score for John Williams’ iconic two-note theme. It also marked the beginning of one of the most celebrated director-composer partnerships in film history.
Adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel, Jaws follows the residents of Amity Island as their idyllic beach town is thrown into chaos by a series of shark attacks. With tourism at risk, the town’s police chief (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss), and a seasoned shark hunter (Robert Shaw) set out to stop the predator. The film also features Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, and Jeffrey Kramer. The screenplay was written by Benchley and Gottlieb, with cinematography by Bill Butler and editing by 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.”
The re-release is part of a global tribute to the film’s legacy. Universal has announced Jaws: The Exhibition, opening September 14 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, along with themed attractions at Universal Studios parks worldwide, a 50th anniversary merchandise collection, and streaming availability on Peacock later this summer. Watch the new trailer below:
Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or returning for another visit to Amity Island, Jaws is ready to pull you back into the water. And this time, it’s bigger, sharper, and more cinematic than ever.
Tickets for the 50th anniversary release are available now.
REELated:
10 things you didn’t know about Jaws, 50 years later
