Celebrating 50 Years of Jaws: An In-Depth Look at the Exhibition

If you love Universal Pictures’ Jaws, then 2025 has been a remarkable year for you. The 50th anniversary celebrations for Steven Spielberg’s production-plagued classic have introduced a variety of enjoyable experiences, from new physical releases to an exclusive documentary and theme park attractions. One of the most exciting highlights is the limited re-release in theaters, which remarkably brought in another $15.8 million globally. This milestone has not only fortified Jaws‘s iconic status but has also reignited interest in its cultural impact.

The Legacy of Jaws

Adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel, Jaws tells the visceral tale of a great white shark terrorizing the summer crowds of Amity Island, a fictional beach town in New England. The film’s masterful blend of adventure and character study birthed the summer blockbuster phenomenon, and audiences flocked to theaters, setting the stage for future cinematic milestones.

Jaws: The Exhibition at the Academy Museum

As 2025 continues, a prominent celebration kicks off at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The museum showcases Jaws with its grand exhibition titled Jaws: The Exhibition, open from September 14, 2025, to July 26, 2026. This extensive 11,000-square-foot exhibit features artifacts from Spielberg, Universal Pictures, crew members, and private collectors and is organized into six immersive sections. It narrates the film’s development, production, and lasting legacy.

Inside the Exhibition: What to Expect

Steven Spielberg’s Return to Memory Lane

Before the media day on September 10, Spielberg himself wandered through the exhibition for the first time in decades, spending 90 minutes engaging with the 200 artifacts on display. Curator Jenny He noted, “It was so great to see the time that he took with everything, and to be able to reconnect.” The director reminisced about the film-making challenges, describing it as “a real exercise in hubris and futility.” Despite numerous setbacks, including being over 100 days behind schedule, Spielberg emphasized the camaraderie that kept the cast and crew united and ultimately led to the film’s completion.

Thematic Zones of the Exhibition

1. The Unseen Danger – Setting the Scene

The first gallery introduces visitors to the creative team behind Jaws, focusing on the famous opening sequence where Amity Island local Chrissie Watkins meets her demise. Here, guests can take a photograph with a recreated sand pile, immersing them in the film’s eerie atmosphere.

Curator Jenny He expressed, “The story of Jaws is so simple, yet it speaks to everyone. It’s an adventure but also a tale of man against nature—and man against man.”

2. Amity Island Welcomes You

Replicating the on-location filming at Martha’s Vineyard, this section dives into the script development, casting, and production design. Original script pages and concept art help narrate the meticulous journey the filmmakers undertook.

The exhibit showcases an IBM Selectric II typewriter employed during production, adding a tactile element to the storytelling. Details about the log cabin where the team often gathered for rewrites further illuminate the collaboration that shaped the film.

3. Sunday at the Beach – Cinematic Techniques

Patrons can explore the various camera techniques used by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bill Butler, including the famous dolly zoom shot. A section is dedicated to interactive learning, allowing visitors to recreate this iconic cinematic moment.

The exhibition features the Panavision camera rig that captured both underwater sequences and beach scenes, providing an insightful glimpse into the challenges filmmakers faced in executing their vision.

4. The Shark’s Rampage – Sound and Design

This gallery celebrates the contributions of composer John Williams and editor Verna Fields. Visitors can experiment with Williams’ haunting score. A recreation of Quint’s chalkboard shark drawing adds a whimsical touch, while a look at a pivotal script note reveals what originally didn’t make it into the final cut.

5. Adventures Ahead

This section presents original costumes worn by characters Brody, Quint, and Hooper, alongside shark jaws and production schematics. The intricate details underscore the craftsmanship and artistry behind the film, showcasing how they contributed to Jaws’ unforgettable characters.

6. Into the Deep – Exploring the Orca

At the center of this gallery is a full-scale replica of Quint’s vessel, the Orca. Its history is rich, involving its use for sound effects post-production and its return to Universal following the film’s blockbuster success. Original items associated with the hunt for the shark showcase the contrasting perspectives of Hooper and Quint, revealing the tension that drove the narrative.

The Impact of Jaws: A Cultural Phenomenon

As visitors journey through the exhibition, they arrive at a gallery dedicated to the lasting legacy of Jaws, featuring quotes, dialogues, and memorabilia. A supercut showcasing various films and series that reference Jaws over the past 50 years highlights its entrenched place in pop culture.

From collectibles to toys and international movie posters, the marketing brilliance that contributed to making Jaws a global sensation is evident, reinforcing its status as a timeless classic.

As anticipation builds for the Jaws: The Exhibition, fans and newcomers alike can look forward to an immersive dive into the world of Jaws.