When Jaws premiered in 1975, it not only terrified audiences but also transformed the film industry. Steven Spielberg’s thriller about a seaside town menaced by a great white shark became a cultural phenomenon, ushering in the era of the summer blockbuster and redefining how studios released major films.
Now, fifty years later, Prague audiences will have the chance to experience Spielberg’s classic on the big screen once again. The re-release, marking the film’s 50th anniversary, opens in Czech cinemas on Aug. 28, 2025. Local screenings will present the film in its original English version with Czech subtitles, with select showings available in IMAX.
The return of Jaws comes as part of a global celebration organized by Universal Pictures, honoring the film’s lasting legacy. From Los Angeles exhibitions to screenings across Europe, Spielberg’s shark thriller continues to captivate audiences five decades after its debut.
In addition to theatrical screenings, 50th anniversary celebrations for Jaws include new merchandise, retrospectives, and tributes, such as the new documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, now streaming on Disney+ in the Czech Republic.
The legacy of Jaws
Released on June 20, 1975, Jaws quickly became the highest-grossing film of its time and the first to surpass $100 million at the domestic box office. It reshaped Hollywood’s approach to summer releases, establishing the season as the prime window for major studio blockbusters.
Directed by a then-27-year-old Spielberg, the film adapted Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel into a tense thriller about a New England community terrorized by a shark. Starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, and Robert Shaw, the story follows three men who set out to kill the predator after it claims multiple lives.
The production itself was famously difficult. The mechanical shark, nicknamed “Bruce,” frequently malfunctioned, forcing Spielberg to minimize its screen presence. Instead, suspense was built through implication: ominous music, reaction shots, and clever editing. This approach not only overcame technical setbacks but also became one of the film’s defining strengths.
The results spoke for themselves. Jaws was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Original Score for John Williams. His two-note theme has since become one of cinema’s most recognizable pieces of music. The film also cemented Spielberg’s place as a leading figure in modern American cinema, launching a career that would include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List.
Global celebrations of Jaws
The theatrical re-release aligns with a worldwide initiative by Universal Pictures to mark the 50th anniversary of Jaws. In the United States, screenings will include 4K restorations with formats such as RealD 3D and 4DX. Additional events include Jaws: The Exhibition, opening in September at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, and themed attractions at Universal Studios parks.
Beyond theaters, Universal is extending the celebration through commemorative merchandise, limited-edition posters, and a streaming release on Peacock in the U.S. In the Czech Republic, Jaws is currently streaming in HD on Netflix and is also available in 4K on Apple TV).
Fifty years on, Jaws continues to resonate with audiences, not just as a thriller but as a landmark in cinematic history. For viewers in Prague, its anniversary screenings offer the rare opportunity to revisit—or discover for the first time—the film that defined the summer blockbuster.
