Jaws 50th Anniversary Splashes Back Into Theaters This Summer

It’s been 50 years since Steven Spielberg’s Jaws first terrified beachgoers and forever changed the way we look at the ocean. Now, the legendary shark flick is making a massive return to the big screen for its golden anniversary. From August 29th through September 4th, Jaws will be swimming into Regal and select theaters nationwide, giving fans a chance to relive the suspense in theaters just like audiences did in 1975.

The Return of a Blockbuster Classic

When Jaws debuted in the summer of ’75, it became the first true “blockbuster,” pulling people into packed theaters across the country. Spielberg’s masterful blend of suspense, iconic music, and just enough shark terror set the standard for modern thrillers.

Now, 50 years later, audiences old and new will get to experience the terror of Amity Island on the big screen once more—where it belongs.

Collectors, Rejoice: The Jaws Popcorn Bucket

For the anniversary, moviegoers won’t just get the film, they’ll also get some jaw-dropping (pun intended) memorabilia. A brand-new, limited-edition Jaws popcorn bucket will be available at theaters. This collectible is already sparking buzz among fans and collectors, with many predicting it could become the most sought-after popcorn bucket of 2024. If you want one, better grab it fast.

A Look Back at the Jaws Franchise

While the original Jaws is widely considered a masterpiece, the film spawned a full franchise:

• Jaws (1975): Spielberg’s original thriller that changed cinema forever.

• Jaws 2 (1978): The tagline said it best—“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.”

• Jaws 3-D (1983): A campy 3D sequel that took the shark into a water park.

• Jaws: The Revenge (1987): Often considered one of the worst sequels in movie history, but still infamous in its own right.

Though none of the sequels came close to capturing the magic of the first, the Jaws franchise remains iconic in pop culture, referenced and parodied for decades.

Nerdthusiast Hits the Beach for Jaws

Recently, some of the Nerdthusiast crew got to attend a special beach screening of Jaws in Cape May, New Jersey. About 1,000 fans packed the sand for this incredible free event. The crowd was full of energy. Some even dressed in shark-themed gear, carrying inflatables, and quoting their favorite lines along with the film.

What made this screening even more chilling is the fact that Jaws was actually inspired by the real-life Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916. Over the course of twelve terrifying days, a series of shark attacks occurred along the New Jersey coast stretching from Beach Haven to Matawan Creek. These attacks left several people dead and wounded, and they sent shockwaves through the nation, inspiring author Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws (which later became Spielberg’s film).

So, sitting on the sand in Cape May, just a short drive from where those historic attacks happened made the movie feel all the more real. When that fin cut through the water on the big screen, it wasn’t hard to imagine what it must have felt like for New Jerseyans in 1916, looking out nervously at their own beaches.

It was a true celebration of the movie’s legacy, and we captured the excitement (and the chills) on video. You can check out our coverage from the event below!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RjE2k2SfArg

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The Big Question: Another Jaws Movie?

With all the hype surrounding the 50th anniversary, one big question looms: Could we see a new Jaws film in the future?

Hollywood has never been shy about reviving classics, and with modern effects and a new generation of shark-thriller fans, it’s not impossible that Universal might dip its toes back in the water. Whether that’s a reboot, sequel, or even a streaming series, only time will tell.

Until then, fans can celebrate the original masterpiece the way it was meant to be seen, on the big screen, with a bucket of popcorn (ideally shark-themed).