Academy Museum opens ‘Jaws: The Exhibition,’ celebrating the Steven Spielberg film 50 years later

MIRACLE MILE, LOS ANGELES — In 1975, the enormous success of “Jaws” turned the film into what is widely acknowledged as Hollywood’s first summer blockbuster. In honor of its 50th anniversary, director Steven Spielberg’s now-classic movie is being celebrated in a new way — with the biggest museum exhibit ever dedicated to “Jaws.”

The film scared up not only big business, but it would also eventually be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and win Oscars for editing, sound, and that original 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’s like being thrown 51 years back to Martha’s Vineyard in the middle of the maelstrom of making ‘Jaws’… kind of an impossible production that somehow happened,” said Spielberg. “Mostly now, I’m having great memories, so this is bringing, actually, only the good memories back to me.”

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

“This exhibition is extraordinary. We’re using 11,000 square feet dedicated to one single film. This is the first time the Academy Museum has used that amount of space for one title,” said Amy Homma, 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.

“They are our cinema treasure hunters, and they are really leaders to the exhibition, and they make it robust and tangible,” said Jenny He, Academy Museum Senior Exhibitions curator.

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

The prop known as “Bruce the shark” is in the exhibit. There are also interactive elements, including putting yourself into a famous moment from the movie.

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.