- Considered the first blockbuster movie, “Jaws” is celebrating 50 years since its release.
- Released in 1975, the movie made $260.7 million at the box office.
- The movie’s production was famously marred by issues and complications.
The movie that made Steven Spielberg a household name and redefined box office success is turning 50 this year.
“Jaws,” which was released on June 20, 1975, has grossed $477.92 million in the box office after four re-releases and is considered the first blockbuster movie, creating a new genre of high-performing major-studio films.
The iconic movie, which follows a local policeman, a marine biologist, and a shark hunter as they search for a great white shark terrorizing their town, faced a sea of production difficulties, from the complications of filming in the open sea to dealing with a mechanical shark that constantly broke down.
Spielberg described the tumultuous production as “people versus the eternal sea.”
“The sea won the battle — but where we won was with audiences in every country,” he told director and author Laurent Bouzereau for his 2023 book, “Spielberg: The First Ten Years.”
Here are 20 things you might not know about the iconic movie.
