On Thursday, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment announced that, for the first time, U.S. audiences will be able to experience two classic, culture-defining Steven Spielberg films—”E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Jaws”—on IMAX® screens nationwide.
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” will be released exclusively on IMAX screens beginning August 12, to celebrate the film’s 40th Anniversary. “Jaws” will be released on IMAX screens and also in RealD 3D beginning September 2.
The trailer for the new IMAX release of “E.T.” will premiere exclusively on screenings of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s “Jurassic World Dominion” on June 10, almost 40 years to the day since “E.T.” originally debuted in theaters on June 11, 1982.
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” not only soared to become the highest-grossing film of the year, capturing four Academy Awards® and nine Oscar® nominations including Best Picture, but it also captured the hearts of audiences around the globe. Four decades later, it still ignites the joy, wonder, discovery, magic, and heartbreak of childhood.
Originally released on June 20, 1975, “Jaws,” based on the best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, became the first true summer blockbuster and a cultural tsunami. It shattered every record to become the highest-grossing film of the year, earning a nomination for Best Picture and winning three Academy Awards®, including one for John Williams’ iconic musical score. Almost five decades later, “Jaws” has become inexorable from global film culture, has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers and remains one of the most thrilling, terrifying, and unforgettable films of all time.
“Universal is honored to have been a part of so many extraordinary, unforgettable Steven Spielberg films over the past 47 years, including Jaws in 1975, E.T. in 1982, and Jurassic Park in 1993,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. “No filmmaker, it’s fair to say, has had a greater or more enduring impact on American cinema or has created more indelible cinematic memories for tens of billions of people worldwide. We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate the anniversary of E.T. and the first Universal-Spielberg summer blockbuster, Jaws, than to allow audiences to experience these films in a way they’ve never been able to before.”
