You're standing on the beach, looking at the water, and that two-note John Williams theme starts thumping in your head. It's inevitable. We’ve been obsessed with the Great White since 1975, so it makes total sense why everyone keeps asking: is there a new Jaws movie actually happening?
The short answer? No. But the long answer is way more interesting because it involves Steven Spielberg’s "firm" refusals, a massive 50th-anniversary celebration, and a whole bunch of fake trailers that have tricked millions of people on YouTube.
The Truth Behind the Jaws 2026 Rumors
If you’ve seen a thumbnail on social media featuring Scarlett Johansson or Adam Driver facing off against a giant shark in something called Jaws: New Blood, you’ve been played. These are "concept trailers." Basically, they are high-end fan edits that use footage from other movies to make it look like a blockbuster sequel is coming in 2026.
Honestly, they’re pretty well-done, which is why they go viral. But Universal Pictures has not greenlit a fifth Jaws movie.
There is, however, a massive Spielberg project slated for May 15, 2026. This has caused a ton of confusion. Fans saw "New Spielberg Movie 2026" and "Universal Pictures" in the same headline and immediately jumped to the conclusion that Bruce the Shark was coming back. In reality, that movie is an "original event film" about UFOs and aliens, written by David Koepp (the guy who wrote Jurassic Park). It’s not about sharks.
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Why Steven Spielberg Won't Let It Happen
Spielberg is famously protective of his "baby." He’s gone on record multiple times saying he will never remake his own films, and Jaws is at the top of that list.
Reports from early 2026 suggest that Universal actually approached him recently about a reboot. They wanted him to produce it, even if he didn't direct. His answer? A "firm no."
"I would never remake one of my own movies—starting with Jaws," Spielberg once told Deadline.
He’s even resisted the urge to "digitally fix" the original mechanical shark, which famously malfunctioned throughout production. He believes the film belongs to its era. As long as Spielberg is around and his Amblin Entertainment holds the keys, a "Jaws 5" or a total reboot is stuck in development hell. Probably for the best, right? Can you imagine a CGI shark replacing the physical presence of that original rig? It just wouldn't feel the same.
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What’s Actually New in the Jaws Universe?
Even though there isn't a scripted feature film in the works, 2025 and 2026 are actually huge years for the franchise. It's the 50th anniversary of the original movie, and the "shark summer" vibes are everywhere.
Instead of a new movie, we’re getting:
- Jaws @ 50: This is a major documentary directed by Laurent Bouzereau. It’s coming out via National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu. It features never-before-seen footage from the archives of Peter Benchley (the author) and Spielberg.
- The Academy Museum Exhibition: If you're in Los Angeles, there’s a massive "Jaws: The Exhibition" running through July 26, 2026. They’ve got the actual shark molds and original storyboards.
- Theatrical Re-releases: Universal has been pushing the original film back into IMAX and 3D theaters for the anniversary. Seeing it on a 60-foot screen is basically the closest thing to a "new" movie experience you can get.
The Rise of "Jaws Replacements"
Since Universal can't make a new Jaws movie, other studios are trying to fill the void. This has led to a sub-genre of shark movies that people are calling "Jaws replacements."
Take Beast of War, for example. It’s a 2025/2026 release about Australian soldiers in WWII trapped on a raft with a Great White. It’s gritty, it’s terrifying, and it feels more like the original 1975 film than Jaws: The Revenge ever did. Then there’s Into the Deep, which actually stars Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper himself!). It’s not a sequel, but seeing Dreyfuss back in a boat dealing with sharks is the ultimate "meta" wink to the fans.
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Why We Keep Wishing for a Sequel
The franchise ended on a pretty sour note. Jaws: The Revenge (1987) is widely considered one of the worst movies ever made. It has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. The shark roars. It follows the family to the Bahamas. It’s a mess.
Fans want a "new" movie because we want to see the franchise get the Halloween or Jurassic World treatment—a legacy sequel that ignores the bad sequels and brings back the tension of the original. But the more time passes, the more it seems like Jaws is the one "untouchable" classic in Hollywood.
Actionable Ways to Get Your Jaws Fix
If you're bummed out that there's no new movie, here's how to actually celebrate the 50th anniversary properly:
- Watch the Documentary: Look for Jaws @ 50 on Disney+. It’s the most comprehensive look at the film ever made.
- Read the Book: Peter Benchley’s original novel is way darker than the movie. There’s a whole subplot about the Mafia and an affair that Spielberg (wisely) cut out.
- Check the Re-release Schedule: Check your local IMAX or Cinemark listings. They almost always run Jaws during the summer months or special anniversary windows.
- Avoid the Fake Trailers: Save your time. If you see a "Jaws 2026" trailer on YouTube with a celebrity in the thumbnail, check the description. It will almost always say "Concept" or "Fan Made."
The reality is that is there a new Jaws movie is a question that currently has a "no" for an answer, but the 1975 masterpiece is still so powerful that it doesn't really need a successor. We’re still afraid to go into the water fifty years later. That’s a bigger legacy than any CGI-heavy reboot could ever hope to achieve.
Stick to the original. It’s still the king of the summer blockbusters for a reason.