Academy Award-winner Steven Spielberg was only twenty-six years old when he directed Jaws, a movie that changed the way audiences experienced movies by setting the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense. Jaws, which was based on a novel by Peter Benchley, was a massive box office success. The film helped coin the term “summer blockbuster", a term still culturally relevant today. 

Jaws is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, and was released to over 400 screens, which was an exceptionally wide release for a major studio picture at the time. It was marketed with a blanket advertising approach rather than a slow rollout, which attributed to its opening success. With over 75 million Americans flocking to theaters and the extraordinary success of Jaws, filmmakers and studios began to see the summer months as prime time for releasing major films.

Jaws won three Academy Awards: Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Sound. Plus, in addition to the Oscar, John William's score for the film won a Grammy, BAFTA Award for Best Film Music, and a Golden Globe Award. In 2001, the Library of Congress selected Jaws for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. 

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Innovative Technique  

Jaws pushed the envelope behind the camera as well. It was filmed in Massachusetts in the summer of 1974 and was the first major motion picture to be filmed in the ocean.  

The film enlisted special effects expert Bob Mattey, renowned for his work on the giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Mattey crafted three animatronic sharks for the production. 

The taxing waters of the Atlantic Ocean created challenging conditions for the animatronic sharks. Spielberg and the writers started to exclude the shark from some scenes, which unexpectedly created the film’s iconic ominous mystery monster.

Groundbreaking Cinematography in Jaws

Throughout the film, Spielberg incorporated masterful cinematography which helped to amplify the suspense and horror.  

In the famous “Get Out Of The Water” scene, Spielberg used the Vertigo Effect camera maneuver, which involves moving the camera on a dolly while simultaneously zooming in or out to create a jarring distorted sense of perspective.

The Iconic Jaws Soundtrack   

John Williams created the suspenseful score for Jaws that became a cultural phenomenon, and its influence can be seen in countless horror and suspense films that followed. The two notes, “dun dun, dun dun, dun dun,” led to William's first of 22 Grammy awards and second of five Academy Awards.

Jaws 50th Anniversary Celebrations 

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jaws, a series of exciting events and exclusive merchandise are being launched. 

As announced during the 97th Oscars telecast, Jaws: The Exhibition will debut at the Academy Museum beginning September 14, with tickets available now. The Academy Museum exhibition, the first ever of this size dedicated to a specific film, celebrates the Academy’s largest collection object—the sole surviving shark from Jaws —and is timed to the film’s landmark anniversary. Visitors will step into the world of the iconic film, scene-by-scene, as it translates the movie into a spatial experience with over 200 original objects including concept illustrations, costumes and props. To top it off, exclusive new merchandise will be available in the Academy Museum Store celebrating the legacy of the film.

In April, the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival will host the first theatrical screening of the year with a special 50th anniversary presentation of Jaws. Fans across the country can be apart of the celebration over Labor Day weekend when Jaws returns to the big screen on August 29 through September 4. 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be hosting a summer-long celebration with Jaws celebration over Memorial Day weekend this may. Their theaters nationwide will be hosting Jaws Movie Party screenings featuring a special menu and fun props along with limited-edition popcorn buckets and merchandise. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, special Jaws on the Water screenings will take place at Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, this June and July. Additionally, in the most fitting of locations — Martha’s Vineyard — fans can enjoy an unforgettable experience on June 21 as part of the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow, in partnership with The Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and Circuit Arts. 

For those looking to join in on the celebration from home, Jaws will be streaming exclusively on Peacock starting June 15 along with Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D and Jaws: The Revenge. For the ultimate Jaws fans, a 50th Anniversary special edition of the film will be re-released on Digital and Disc with all-new bonus material this summer.

The anniversary continues by celebrating one of most iconic achievements in film music history. In collaboration with Back Lot Music and Universal Pictures, Mondo will release a definitive and newly remastered presentation of the legendary score by John Williams on 2xLP vinyl.

Plus starting in May, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will offer an all-new collection of merchandise themed to the anniversary including a new sipper, bucket hat, crossbody bag, and more. 

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At Universal Orlando Resort, guests can indulge in specialty food and beverage at Chez Alcatraz, snap a picture with the hanging great white shark himself and in the summer, experience Universal Mega Movie Parade featuring fan-favorite characters from the film and a live marching drum line performing the iconic movie score alongside an incredibly themed float.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, guests can come face-to-face with the menacing great white shark during their visit to Amity Island on the world-famous Studio Tour with additional celebratory activities to be announced soon.

Universal Studios Japan is the ultimate destination for Jaws fans with an entire area themed to Amity Village including the Jaws attraction, Amity Landing Restaurant, unique merchandise, a photo-op with the iconic shark itself and more.

Those looking for a virtual Jaws adventure can experience the terrifying action-thriller come to life in Funko Fusion, the crossover action-adventure game, which features a level and quests inspired by the film. Roblox fans can get in on the action as well with Jaws: Infested Waters, an immersive adrenaline-charged experience that revolves around the iconic tension between the dangerous great white shark and Amity Island locals, faithfully echoing the edge-of-your-seat suspense of the iconic film.

Jaws 50th Anniversary Merchandise 

Featuring the film’s iconic imagery and memorable scenes and quotes, new products across fashion, toys, publishing, collectible partners and more are available now and coming soon including:

• Big Shark, Little Boat: A Book of Opposites by Penguin Random House
• Eastpak Jaws Collection
• Fisher-Price Little People Collector Jaws
• Goodr Jaws Sunglasses
• H&M Jaws T-Shirt
• Jaws Wine by Fior di Sole
• Jaws Resin Dunny by Kidrobot
• Jaws x Nautica
• Jaws Collectibles from NECA
• Jaws Pinball Machine by Stern Pinball
• Jaws x Vineyard Vines
• LEGO Ideas Jaws Set
• The Official Jaws Coloring Book by Scholastic
• UNIQLO Jaws Collection
• WOW Sports Jaws Pool Float & Noodle

The 50th Anniversary of Jaws will be celebrated beyond the screen as well, with exciting product collaborations from more partners and retailers around the world including:

• Aykroyd TDP
• Boston Scally
• Fashion UK
• Funko
• G Mason
• Her Universe
• Hey Dude
• Hot Topic
• Hunter Price
• Hybrid
• Iron Gut / Fanatics
• Loungefly
• McFarlane Toys
• Mondo
• Park Agencies
• Poetic Brands
• RSVLTS
• Rubber Road
• Sinsay
• USAopoly
• Zara Kids

Stay tuned for more details of events, products, and activations to celebrate Jaws 50th Anniversary this year.