Jaws is heading back to theaters on August 29 as Universal Pictures marks the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic blockbuster. The film will screen nationwide in 4K, with select theaters offering it in IMAX, RealD 3D, 4DX, and D-BOX formats.
A Defining Moment in Film
Released in 1975, Jaws changed the movie business. It was the first film to make over $100 million domestically and established the wide-release summer blockbuster model still used today. For Spielberg, then only 27, it was a breakthrough. Faced with technical problems on set—including a malfunctioning mechanical shark—he leaned on suspense and sound design to build tension. That creative decision helped reshape how thrillers were made.
Watch the teaser:
We're going to need a bigger boat. Return to Amity Island and experience Jaws in theaters August 29. pic.twitter.com/b46QGZ78ld
— Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) July 2, 2025
Awards and Legacy
Jaws was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning three: Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Original Score. John Williams’ score remains one of the most recognizable in film history. The movie launched a long partnership between Spielberg and Williams that would shape decades of American cinema.
The Cast and Crew
The cast includes Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, with supporting roles by Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, and Jeffrey Kramer. The screenplay was written by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb, based on Benchley’s novel. Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown produced, with cinematography by Bill Butler and editing by Verna Fields.
About the movie
Adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel, Jaws follows the residents of Amity Island as a series of attacks by a great white shark threatens the summer tourist economy—prompting 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) to venture into open waters to confront the predator head-on.
“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.”
Anniversary Celebration
The Jaws 50th anniversary is part of a wider global campaign. In addition to the theatrical release, fans can expect:
- Jaws: The Exhibition, opening September 14 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
- Themed experiences at Universal Studios theme parks
- Commemorative merchandise
- Streaming availability on Peacock this summer
Tickets are on sale now through Fandango and various retailers.
