A new “Jaws” museum exhibition is making waves 50 years after the summer blockbuster’s premiere, showcasing the film’s history, artistry behind the scenes, and interactive moments.
Curated with the help of Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, exhibit visitors can now get a firsthand look into the making of the 1975 thriller and its impact on the ever-changing movie industry.
“I’m just so proud of the work they’ve done,” Spielberg, 78, told members of the media following a museum walk-through on Sept. 10. ”What they’ve put together here at this exhibition is just awesome. Every room has the minutiae of how this picture got together.”
Running through July 2026, the exhibit features over 200 original props, storyboards, and memorabilia, along with never-before-seen footage, interviews, and photos from the film’s production.
“[The exhibit] proves that this motion picture industry is really, truly a collaborative art form. No place for auteurs,” Spielberg added.
At the heart of the exhibit sits the famous mechanical killer shark dubbed “Bruce,” who in its early stages of production caused many filmmaking challenges.
Filming in the open ocean off Martha’s Vineyard amid unpredictable weather forecasts and technical malfunctions pushed production massively over budget and behind schedule.
“I just really was not ready to endure the amount of obstacles that were thrown in our path, starting with Mother Nature,” Spielberg said.
“My hubris was we could take a Hollywood crew and go out 12 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and shoot an entire movie with a mechanical shark. I thought that was to go swimmingly.”
Spielberg, who was 26 when he decided to shoot the movie, said the turbulent production made him nervous about his future.
Ultimately, through the camaraderie of his cast and crew, and with creative problem-solving, “Jaws” became a cultural phenomenon with a franchise cemented in cinematic history.
“The film certainly cost me a pound of flesh, but gave me a ton of career,” Spielberg said.
