The Academy Museum Launches ‘Jaws: The Exhibition’ to Honor Steven Spielberg’s Iconic Film 50 Years After Its Release

MIRACLE MILE, LOS ANGELES — In 1975, “Jaws” became a groundbreaking hit, often credited as Hollywood’s debut summer blockbuster. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, a grand museum exhibit dedicated solely to “Jaws,” the largest of its kind, is being showcased.

The film not only achieved massive commercial success but also earned a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars, winning awards for editing, sound, and its iconic dramatic score.

Now, 50 years later, we’re getting a different look at “Jaws.”

On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will open “Jaws: The Exhibition.” It gets a thumbs up from director Steven Spielberg.

“It feels like being transported back 51 years to Martha’s Vineyard during the chaotic making of ‘Jaws’… an extraordinary production that came together despite the odds,” director Steven Spielberg shared. “This brings back only fond memories for me now.”

As you weave through the exhibit, it transports museumgoers into the story in the same order as the movie.

“This exhibit is remarkable. We’ve allocated 11,000 square feet solely to honor this one film. It’s unprecedented for the Academy Museum to dedicate so much space to a single movie,” said Amy Homma, the Academy Museum Director and President.

More than 200 original objects from the movie are in the exhibit — many from fans, and many that have never been on public display before.

Jenny He, the Senior Exhibitions Curator at the Academy Museum, added, “Our team acts as cinema treasure hunters, leading the exhibition and making it a rich, tangible experience.”

“Without the fans, we wouldn’t have been able to have half the number of items,” Spielberg said.

The exhibit features “Bruce the shark,” a well-known prop from the movie, along with interactive components that allow visitors to immerse themselves in memorable scenes from the film.

Eyewitness News entertainment reporter George Pennacchio asked Spielberg when he last went into the ocean.

“Well, I didn’t go into the ocean to swim before ‘Jaws.’ You have to understand that I don’t love swimming in the ocean. I’m not even a person who goes into swimming pools,” laughed Spielberg. “So, having not done it before, there was no reason for me to go back into the water afterwards!”

“Jaws: The Exhibition” runs from Sunday, Sept. 14, through July 26, 2026.